At around 6 months of age, breast milk alone may not be sufficient to cover a baby’s energetic and nutritional requirements. Furthermore, your baby is at a stage of development where he/she can start to swallow non-liquid food. At this time, food helps support optimal growth, brain development and the building of natural defenses.
While breast milk or milk formula is still the most important part of baby’s diet, the first solid food is the complement that provides required energy and nutrient intake, and it is the vehicle for a baby to get accustomed to flavors, textures, and a spoon.
Several behavioral changes may indicate baby’s readiness for solid foods, including new capabilities and changes in eating behavior.
For instance, your baby may:
- sit with support
- play with toes and begin to grasp feet
- support weight on hands with extended arms
- reach for an object with hand
- show anxiety when seeing a stranger, direct smile towards a familiar face
- begin to hold head up
- progressively develop control of muscles and nervous system
Signs of readiness for solid food include:
- moving tongue in mouth to make a bolus
- showing ability to swallow non-liquid food
- showing interest on seeing food, getting excited when food is being prepared
- open mouth as spoon approaches
- progressively turning head away from spoon when no longer hungry
Nestlé® Stage 1 Infant Cereals
At Stage 1, your baby’s digestive system is not yet fully developed, and the stomach in particular is still small. So Stage 1 foods must be presented in a nutrient-dense form so as not to overload the digestion process and ensure digestive comfort.
Thus choosing your baby’s first solid food is a very important step. Nestlé’s Stage 1 Infant Cereals are the first food solutions ideally suited for baby’s developing digestive system:
- gentle single-grain ingredients
- low allergenic potential
- 100% natural products
- natural sweetness
- fine texture that is easy to swallow and digest
- unique blend of dietary fibres – Prebio1™ , that supports the growth of beneficial gut bacteria to maintain a healthy digestive system
In addition, you are also ensured of the high nutritional benefits:
- DHA to help brain and eyes development
- 12 essential vitamins and 6 vital minerals
Nestlé® GOLD™ Premium Infant Cereal
Rice is an ideal first cereal as it rarely causes allergies. It reduces intestinal fluid loss and helps to speed up recovery from diarrhoea. Apples are rich in pectin, which inhibits harmful bacteria and also helps to shorten the duration of diarrhoea. Cranberries are laden with antioxidant and vitamin C.
 Daily Feeding Guide
Click to view the recommended baby’s feeding and menu plan.
Weaning Recipes
Click for more ideas on preparing baby's meals.
Nestlé® Infant Cereals, Nestlé® Baby Rice Porridge and Nestlé® RUSK are available in all leading supermarkets and retail outlets.
For more information, please call our Consumer Services Hotline at 6836 7200. | |