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So, your newborn is showing all the signs that he or she is ready for the next level of feeding… beyond breast milk and formula. And of course, you want to support their exploration with meals and make sure your healthy baby tries a variety of vegetables and doesn't become picky eaters.
We are very lucky to have some good ones… eaters that are. I know that part of it is a bit of luck, but part of it is helping them explore new cuisines and flavors and also keeping them learning. You want your kiddos to like “the green vegetable.” Our girls will ask for vegetable salads some days. And some days, they say “no thank you” and that’s fine because I know the next day, they will want it again.
Just like us, they need change, but they can also be picky. It’s easy to give up when they don’t like something, but it’s just as important not to. Newborns need a variety of nutrients in their 1st year, but there are six key nutrients you should make sure your toddler is fed: protein, omega 3s, calcium, iron, fiber and vitamins A, C, D, E and K, so you have to keep working on it.
So, what did we do to get our little infant to have a wide variety of accepted foods?
Start with the vegetables.
We started with the mild tastes, whether homemade or store-bought sweet potato. I think sweet potatoes were all of my toddler's first foods and It is very healthy food for 9 month old Newborn. These didn’t scream “vegetable” in their mouths, but also weren’t as sugary as some of the fruits. We then worked up to stronger flavors like spinach, broccoli and green beans.
Lead by example.
Let them see you trying herbs and proteins. Eat balanced meals in front of your newborn so they see that you enjoy them, too. Show them to those amazingly colored foods regularly. And, when they try to take them off your plate, let them.
Try. And then try again.
They might not like something the 1st time. Or the 3rd time. 10-15 is the magical number of tries before your little one may accept a new menu. Sometimes toddlers need to warm up to new essences. Honestly, there are still foods that I don’t care for that I try every so often to see if I’ve got a taste for them. I used to hate bell peppers, mushrooms, and avocado. Now I can’t get enough. Pro tip: To avoid food waste, pour a small quantity into a bowl for tasting, and freeze the surplus in ice-cube trays for next use.
Let them feed themselves.
Yes, it’s dirty. And time-consuming. But, for some reason, when those little humans have control over what they are eating and putting in their mouths, they might surprise you. It increases the physical development of infants
Explore less traditional options.
Sometimes chicken won’t do for protein, so you can also try a 4 months baby food chart which includes pulses, quinoa, eggs, yogurt, butter, or seafood. There are a lot of options, so don’t be afraid to try new things.
Roast it.
I remember my mom used to boil sprouts. Yuck! But now, I love them. It’s because I bake them and it brings out the essence and even some sweetness. It’s a total game-changer. When I roast them, my baby will eat asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. Try it a different way and you might be amazed.
Beech-Nut for Infant Nutrition
NewBornBioLive is dedicated to infant/toddler nutrition and offers various organic products, but we realize they may not be appealing to the baby right away. Here’s a hint, if your toddler doesn’t like it, you have to try, try, and try again. Many mothers don’t know there’s still hope if the baby doesn’t like vegetables right away, and they need some tips to get there.
If you want more information or tips and tricks, check out the NewBornBioLive website where you can access various organic newborn care or mom care products.