Nutrition

The First Year 

Breast milk and formula is crucial to your infants early development. Whether you choose to breastfeed  or to use iron fortified formula is a topic that can be discussed with your provider at a pre-natal visit. There are many benefits to nursing. Some of the nutrients in breast milk help protect your infant against common childhood illnesses and infections. Make sure you talk with your provider to discuss possible options for you and your child to ensure your baby gets the proper nutrients. 

Form for WIC: WIC (fillable) doh-4456 

Whether you choose to nurse or to use formula at some point your child is going to be ready to switch to solid food. Some ways to know the child is ready to make the switch includes. 

  • The birth weight has doubled
  • Child is able to hold head up steady, and upwright
  • Nurses numerous times a day, consuming over 32oz of formula
  • Does not use the tongue to push food out of mouth

Making the switch 

Below are some tips and guidelines on how to make the transition to solid food. Remember that babies need practice, and will take time becoming accustomed to solid foods. 

  • Pick a time when the baby is in a good mood and not to tired or hungry.
  • Start with rice cereal. This is the easiest on the baby’s stomach.
  • Use a small spoon and only put cereal on the tip.
  • If the baby does not seem interested in the food, let them smell and taste the food.
  • Use the same cereal for at least a week before changing. 

Other Foods 

Once your baby is used to cereal, you can start adding fruit, vegetables, bread, and meats. Offer a few spoonfuls of other foods along with the cereal during their meal. You will now when your baby is becoming full as he or she will lean back in their chair and resist food, or just starts playing with the food. Here are a few other things to keep in mind.

  • Try one new food at a time.
  • Begin with single foods and begin to mix foods as time goes on.
  • When your baby starts to gain teeth, add chopped foods as texture helps sore gums
  • If your child will not eat a certain food, try again later on. The more you offer a food to a child the more likely they will like it.
  • Babies do not need sugar or salt added to their food
  • Do not limit the amount of fat in a babies diet as fat is needed for brain growth. 

Foods That Can Harm Your Infant 

Sweet Dessert Foods – Sweets promote obesity by adding food energy with few nutrients to support growth. Artificial sweeteners found in many reduced calorie sweet foods may cause diarrhea. 

Juice – Infants younger than 6 months should not get juice. Limit juice to no more than 4 ounces a day and offer it only with a meal or snack. Any more than this will reduce her appetite for other, more nutritious foods, including breast milk and/or formula. Too much juice also can cause diaper rash, diarrhea, or excessive weight gain. 

Food that may cause choking – Hot dogs, candy, nuts, grapes, uncut meats, raw carrots, apples and other similar foods can get stuck in your babies throat. 

Foods associated with infant botulismInfant botulism is a rare but serious paralyzing illness that is caused by ingesting the spores of a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum, found in honey (even pasteurized), products containing honey, and home canned foods (even canned perfectly right). For this reason these foods should be avoided until your child’s first birthday.  

Healthy Choices 

It's important to eat a variety of food to ensure the best overall health. Many nutrition guidelines can be found at choosemyplate.gov. On a typical day you should be consuming fruits, vegetables, protein, along with grains. The graphic below demonstrates what a sample plate should look like. Try to avoid excess processed foods as these foods have poor nutritional value, and are often high in calories. 

For more information on obtaining the proper nutrition for your family please visit choosemyplate.gov along with Eatright.org 

Office Hours

Dansville Location

Monday  

WALK IN HOURS 7:30-8:30AM

CLOSED 12-1 FOR LUNCH

7:30 am - 7:00 pm

Tuesday  

WALK IN HOURS 7:30-8:30AM

CLOSED 12-1 FOR LUNCH

7:30 am - 7:00 pm

Wednesday  

WALK IN HOURS 7:30-8:30AM

CLOSED 12-1 FOR LUNCH

7:30 am - 7:00 pm

Thursday  

WALK IN HOURS 7:30-8:30AM

CLOSED 12-1 FOR LUNCH

7:30 am - 7:00 pm

Friday  

WALK IN HOURS 7:30-8:30AM

CLOSED 12-1 FOR LUNCH

7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday  

SICK VISIT APPOINTMENTS

8:30 am - 12:00 pm

Sunday  

Closed

Geneseo Location

Monday  

8:00 am - 7:00 pm

CLOSED 12-1 FOR LUNCH

Tuesday  

8:00 am - 7:00 pm

CLOSED 12-1 FOR LUNCH

Wednesday  

8:00 am - 7:00 pm

CLOSED 12-1 FOR LUNCH

Thursday  

8:00 am - 7:00 pm

CLOSED 12-1 FOR LUNCH

Friday  

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

CLOSED 12-1 FOR LUNCH

Saturday  

Closed

Sunday  

Closed

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