How to feed your baby

The baby that previously accepted greens, fruits and vegetables of all kinds without making a single frown is now starting to show that it also has its preferences, eats less and is more selective. Also, try to imitate the adults in the house in others habits: wants to sit like a grown-up and use the cutlery alone, even though sometimes he misses the way to his mouth and wastes a mouthful of food on the floor.

less appetite

Trouble aside, the fact is that all these changes should be celebrated, as they indicate that the little one is maturing as expected for age. “The most important transformation, after 1 year, involves appetite. From the first to the second year, the child does not grow even half as much as it did in the first 12 months. So, it’s natural that he eats less than he did when he was still a baby”, says physician Ary Lopes Cardoso, from São Paulo.

Capriche in quality

The challenge for parents is to ensure that, even if they eat less, the little one continues to receive all the essential nutrients for development his. Therefore, it is important to resist the temptation to offer treats, except on very special occasions. “Children that age, in general, can eat anything. But what we see, in practice, is that the daily insertion of cookies, sweets, soft drinks and sweetened juices causes these poor foods to take the place of more nutritious options. To make matters worse, the consumption of these delicacies stimulates the development of a greater appetite for sweets, creating a bad habit that can persist into adulthood”, warns nutritionist Lara Natacci, from São Paulo.

At this stage, the ideal is for the baby to have at least five meals a day, at fixed times, with an interval of three or four hours between them: breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner. Children who still have the habit of drinking milk – breast or industrialized – should receive it, preferably in the morning and at night, about an hour before going to bed. Get your child used to drinking only water to quench thirst between meals.

Whenever possible, sit the child in the high chair and seat her at the table with the family at mealtimes🇧🇷 Thus, he will learn, by observation, how to behave on these occasions. Instead of soup or porridge, the little one can now (and should) receive the foods that make up the house meal – only finely chopped, to avoid gagging, and separated from each other, to encourage him to identify and recognize the different flavors. It is also the moment to encourage him to pick up the cutlery by himself and put the food in his mouth, which represents an important gain in autonomy. The care is to provide cutlery with wide handles, easy for the baby to wield, in addition to adopting plastic plates and cups, to avoid accidents.

Mouth shut

Another parent’s mission is to create a pleasant atmosphere at these times: turn off the TV and avoid discussions, including with the child, if he refuses to eat. “If the baby closes his mouth, do not insist or offer any treats between meals. When he is really hungry, you can be sure that he will gladly accept the fruit or any other healthy option that is offered”, teaches Cardoso. If the refusal is related to a specific food, the way out can be a change in the way of preparing it – instead of grated carrots, for example, offer it in puree. If rejection persists, keep the item on the family menu, keep offering it, but don’t force it. “The preferences of the little one must be respected. In addition, it is easy to make nutritious substitutions without resorting to processed foods. This is the moment to teach good habits, which the child will carry with him for the rest of his life”, recalls the nutrologist. Therefore, it is worth investing in variety and putting together visually attractive dishes. “All you have to do is combine foods of different colors, with varied textures and shapes, making a beautiful composition before serving”, teaches Lara.

good habits recipe

1. Only put meals on the table when the atmosphere is calm, with the TV off.

2. Set aside a rest period before a meal or snack. When tired or agitated, the child loses interest in food.

3. Sit the baby in the high chair so that he can concentrate on the meal.

4. Giving the food not too hot, moistening the raw food, leaving the vegetables undercooked and making visually pleasing arrangements on the plate facilitate acceptance.

5. It is better to serve small portions, making it clear that the baby can repeat if he wants.

6. Avoid the consumption of milk and fruit juice between meals, offering only water to quench thirst, preserve appetite.