A whole new world has opened up with the arrival of the baby, and in addition to getting to know the little guy, it's time to get an overview of the food journey! Here we provide you with valuable information about your baby's eating habits from birth until the introduction of tasting portions.

Breast milk or infant formula

It can take different amounts of time for the baby to learn to breastfeed and for the mother to make breastfeeding work so that both feel satisfied and secure. When breastfeeding, babies regulate how often and how much they want to eat, but in the first few weeks, babies may need to be woken up so that there is not too much time between feedings. Breastfeeding stimulates milk production, so you can breastfeed as often as your baby wants, especially in the first few weeks. If you have problems with breastfeeding, have breast complications or need extra support, it is a good idea to contact your local maternity hospital. 

If you have chosen to bottle-feed your baby, there are recommendations on the packaging on how to mix the formula and how much the baby needs to eat. As babies are sensitive to bacteria, it is important to maintain good hand hygiene when mixing formula. If you are unsure how to bottle-feed your baby and how much to give, ask your health visitor.

It is common for babies to vomit, this is called excess vomiting and is completely normal. This is because the muscle between the stomach and the esophagus is not fully developed and tight. It usually passes when the baby starts eating solid foods. If you feel that your child is bothered by the vomiting or is vomiting with a tremendous force, you can contact your BVC nurse. 

If you want to combine breastfeeding and bottle-feeding, it's always a good idea to consult with the BVC first. It is good to know that bottle feeding can interfere with breastfeeding and the amount of milk produced if you wish to fully breastfeed, but once in a while is rarely a problem!

The need for vitamin D

Breast milk or formula contains all the nutrition your baby needs during the first six months. The only exception is vitamin D, which the child needs to receive through vitamin D drops. These are available from the BVC until the child turns 2 years old.

Taste portions

When the child is 4-6 months old, you can start to give the child taste portions with a soft texture and purees. Let your child try many different flavors and textures and let them try to eat on their own. Eating should be enjoyable, so give your child the time they need to learn how to eat and feel free to eat together.

Your baby will start practicing chewing movements from the age of 6 months, at which point you can give them soft pieces to chew on, but take it at a pace that suits your baby. If they haven't shown any interest in food, it may seem early to start with small pieces now, and that's okay.

At 8-10 months, many children find food very exciting and want to start eating it themselves. Put some soft pieces on a plate and the baby can pick at them. Smearing and getting food all over your face is part of learning to eat food! Although it can be challenging with all the mess as a parent.

What foods to avoid before the age of 1?

Some foods are not good to give to children under one year old. These include honey, green leafy vegetables, beetroot juice, green potatoes, whole nuts, unpasteurized milk, rice cakes, rice drinks and sugar. It is also good to be sparing with salt. It is not dangerous to let your child try nuts, but they should be in a consistency that your child can eat without choking. Gluten should be introduced slowly while the child is breastfeeding or receiving formula.

Introduction of gluten and possible reactions

You can start introducing small amounts of gluten as early as 4-5 months of age, and then increase the amount as the child gets older. Gluten is found in foods containing wheat, rye and barley. Oats contain only a small amount of gluten. Some children may have a reaction to a food, which can be noticed by a rash/itch, vomiting or stomach ache. Even small babies can react to food that the mother has eaten if the baby is breastfeeding.

If you suspect that your child is reacting to a food, talk to the child health center or contact a pediatrician. If your child reacts with difficulty breathing or loses consciousness, call 112.

Want to read more baby food from 6 months? Click on the link here!