While most mothers have enough milk to satiate their little one’s hunger, the decision to breastfeed is a deeply personal one. Nursing may not be preferable to all women. For mothers who can’t breastfeed or who decide not to, infant formula is a healthy alternative. Even with a commercial product, you can rest assured that all your baby’s nutritional needs will be met.

Babies should be fed with semi-solids only after the rooting or sucking instinct leaves them. This happens by the fifth or sixth month. Initially, feeding times will be messy and noisy, as your baby will need time to get used to semi-solids. Some babies cry because they cannot get food fast enough, while others try to spit out the alien texture of semi-solid food. Patience is all you can have until your baby develops a taste and appetite for the new kinds of food he is eating.

It’s a good idea to keep the use of store-bought jarred or tinned foods to the minimum. These are full of additives, extra starch and high levels of sugar. If you decide to make your own baby food, hygiene should be your first concern, followed by nutrition.
Rinse all equipment with hot water.

Boil utensils such as spoons, knives and mashers.

Do not store cooked food in the refrigerator for prolonged periods.

Never feed directly from a jar or tin.

Discard any leftover baby food, as bacteria forms quickly in unfinished meals.

Make sure that you introduce new items slowly and in small doses.

Start off with meat and eggs only after your baby has accepted most vegetables and fruits.

Milk can be very satisfying, and it is natural for babies to resist other food when they are getting their regular amount of milk. When you start with semi-solids, your baby should be reasonably hungry by mealtime. But it’s not a good idea to starve him until then. You can allow your baby to breastfeed for a while or provide him with one-third of his formula. Replace one feeding with semi-solids; slowly increase the semi-solids, and reduce the milk or formula. You can start off with a little iron-fortified infant rice cereal mixed with milk or formula. Once your baby masters the art of eating cereal from the spoon, it is time to introduce him to a fruit or vegetable.

At the beginning, babies should have finely pureed foods, but as they reach the 8-month mark, coarser and chunkier textures will be tolerated. After 6 months, introduce juice and sippers to your baby. Serve only 100% natural fruit juices. Commercial juices are high in sugar and low in nutrients. Make sure that your baby drinks plenty of water too.

Avoid meats, eggs, citrus fruits and juices for a year. Fish, seafood, butter and peanut butter can also wait until your child is 2-3 years of age. Do not use biscuits as a pacifier for fussy babies, and keep away from adding sugar, salt or strong spices to homemade food.

As your baby grows, introduce a wider variety of food. If he rejects something, replace it with something else. You can introduce the rejected item after a few weeks or a month. After he crosses the 1-year mark, allow him to start experimenting with food and feeding himself. Never force-feed your baby. A fat baby is NOT a healthy baby, and a healthy baby need not be fat.