Feeding your baby can feel overwhelming. Should you breastfeed or bottle feed? Which type of bottle should you use? When should you start feeding your baby solid foods? Is your baby getting enough nutrients? There are so many questions. Luckily, registered dietitian Karen Raden is here to answer our questions and set our minds at ease!
Breastfeeding and Formula
According to Karen, there are three main benefits of breastfeeding:
- Getting your baby optimal nutrients.
- Helping your baby develop a strong immune system.
That said, a new mom may be unable to breastfeed, choose not to or want to supplement with formula. In this case, what are your options for bottle feeding? You can use either glass baby bottles or hard plastic bottles. There are countless nipple options. Karen says it’s important that your baby is comfortable with the nipple. She suggests trying a few options to see what works best.
Solid Foods
When it comes to introducing solid foods, Karen reminds us that, “First feedings are really about getting the baby familiar with the food. It’s not about the nutrition; nutrition should still be coming from formula or breast milk.”
Options to start with:
- Rice cereal (mix with water, formula or breast milk).
- Mashed banana.
- Baby food from a jar. (Pour into a separate container for sanitation reasons – you can always add more from the jar if needed).
Just remember that “the feedings are just for fun and to get started.” Have fun watching your baby discover new foods!
Watch this video to see Karen Raden and I chat about feeding Baby.
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