Infants and Toddlers

Babies and toddlers are growing and developing rapidly during the first few years of life. A child’s brain is 80% of its adult size by the time he or she is just two years old. Good nutrition is paramount.  There are no right or wrong answers though and each baby is different. Offer your baby a wide variety of foods but don’t worry if they dislike or reject some – that’s only natural. It often takes several attempts before new foods are enjoyed. 

Breastfeeding

Breast milk supplies everything a baby needs to grow and develop for the first six months of life. It also helps protect your baby against infection and can reduce the risk of allergy. It is recommended that babies should be breastfed exclusively to around six months, with breastfeeding continuing until at least twelve months of age.
 

Infant formula

There are many reasons why parents choose to use infant formula. They offer a nutritionally sound alternative to breastfeeding and, if used, formula feeding should be continued for twelve months. Always follow the instructions on the label, measure the powder carefully and use safe water.
 

Complementary Foods for your baby

These guidelines will depend on the stage of development of your baby.
 
Around 6 months
By six months of age, your baby’s nutritional needs are increasing rapidly and solid foods should be introduced to complement their milk. First foods include: iron fortified -baby rice, iron-fortified infant cereal, cooked and puréed vegetables and fruit, such as pumpkin, kumara, potato, apple and pear, mashed ripe banana, puréed meat, such as beef, lamb or chicken.  Introduce foods one at a time, starting with thin purees and changing texture as the baby becomes more adapted to eating solids.
 
Around 7-8 months
When baby starts picking up small objects and putting them to their mouth, try giving your baby finger foods, such as toast fingers, cooked baby carrots or cooked pasta, encouraging them to feed themselves.
 
Around 8-12 months
Baby is starting to crawl.  Meat, fish, chicken and vegetables can now be finely chopped to provide texture. Offer a wider variety of foods, including: soft fresh fruit, white bread, plain crackers, yoghurt and custard.
 
Around 12 months
Your baby still needs about 2 cups of breast milk  or infant formula each day as well as a wider range of foods. They have small stomachs so need small meals and snacks regularly throughout the day, as well as eating smaller amounts of family meals if suitable.
 

Drinks

Breast milk or infant formula and water are the only drinks your baby needs for the first twelve months.  After 12 months, full-fat cow’s milk (blue cap) can be used as a drink.  As toddlers are still growing rapidly, reduced fat milk (light blue cap) is not recommended until children are at least 2 years old, and are growing and eating well. Baby or toddler juices, soft drinks, cordial, tea (including herbal teas), coffee or alcohol are not suitable and should not be given.
 

Allergies

Delaying the introduction of foods often associated with allergies, such as cow’s milk, egg or wheat, does not reduce the incidence of allergies occurring. Such foods should be introduced along with a variety of foods at the appropriate age. Introducing these foods while continuing breast feeding may help prevent allergies. If your family has a history of food allergies, discuss this with your doctor or a dietitian before excluding any foods from your baby’s diet.
 

Key Nutrients

Iron
Iron is essential for brain development, so iron-rich foods are particularly important for your baby. Your baby is born with a store of iron and, for the first six months of life, will receive enough iron from breast or formula milk. From six months, your baby will need iron-rich foods to complement their milk. Choose iron-fortified infant cereals as first foods, followed by puréed meat and fish. Puréed chickpeas, lentils, dried peas and dark leafy green vegetables, also contain iron, but it is not used so well. These foods should be eaten with pureed fruit such as apple and pear. They contain vitamin C which helps increase the use of iron.
 
 

For more information on nutrition for infants and toddlers: