Healthy eating habits start now
Did you know? Your baby’s dietary patterns are set before their second birthday. The first two years of their life are a crucial time for establishing healthy eating patterns that can last a lifetime.
One of the best ways to maximize your baby’s chances of continuing to be a healthy eater in later years is to encourage diet variety as early as possible. Always offer your 10-12-month-old healthy foods in a warm family environment, at meal and snack times, every day.
In some countries, less than half of 6-12-month-old babies eat vegetables each day. Even if your baby initially rejects them, keep offering fruits and vegetables to increase the likelihood they will begin to eat them more readily. Research also shows that, for some older babies, sweet foods are entering their diets at an alarming rate. If sweet foods and drinks fill your baby’s small tummy, there may not be room for healthy, nutritious foods. Show them what a healthy diet looks like. Seeing you and the rest of the family happily eating a variety of food from the five food groups—fruits, vegetables, protein foods, grains, and dairy—will help encourage them to do the same.
Respect your baby’s choices
Your little one is becoming more independent by the day. Allow them to pick up and touch their food, exploring it with all their senses. Remember the first principles of responsive feeding are that you offer a variety of healthy foods at regular meal and snack times, and your baby decides if, and how much, they choose to eat. Pay attention to the hunger and fullness cues they show you and never try to force them to finish the food on their plate.
Sources
Deming D, Reidy K, Briefel R, et al. Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2008: Amount and type of vegetables change after the first year of life. Experimental Biology, San Diego, US, April 21-25, 2012 FASEB (abstract).
Caton SJ, Blundell P, Ahern SM, et al. Learning to eat vegetables in early life: the role of timing, age and individual eating traits. PLoS One 2014; 9(5):e97609.
Mura Paroche M, Caton SJ, Vereijken C, et al. How infants and young children learn about food: A systematic review. Front Psychol 2017; 8:doi.10.3389/psyg.2017.01046.
Nicklaus S. Complementary feeding strategies to facilitate acceptance of fruits and vegetables: A narrative review of the literature. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016; 13(11):1160; doi: 10.3390/ijerph13111160.
Related articles
How to Know if Breastfed Baby is Full
How to Know if Breastfed Baby is Full? The longer a mom breastfeeds, the more she responds to her baby’s signs of fullness.
2 mins to read
How to Choose & Introduce Formula to Your Baby
Choosing and introducing a baby formula can be a difficult decision for any parent.
5 mins to read
3 tips for your baby’s happy, healthy tummy
By Dr. Ted Jablonski, family physician
3 mins to read
How to prepare and store baby formula
Formula. It’s full of nutrition—but how you prep and store it can serve up some questions, too.
5 mins to read
Did you know?
Around six months of age, baby’s evolving needs call for the introduction of foods
1 min to read
Sharing meals teaches healthy eating
Did you know? Studies show that the more often families share mealtimes, the more likely children are to have healthy diets and stay at healthy weights as toddlers.
2 mins to read
How to help your baby learn to like new foods and textures
Did you know? Your baby may need to try some foods and textures several times before she is happy to eat them.
3 mins to read
Helping your little one love good food—for life!
Perhaps one of your most important jobs as a parent is to be a good role model for your baby, particularly when it comes to healthy eating. But just how much of an impact d
3 mins to read
The importance of family mealtimes and letting your baby lead the way
Research has shown that shared family meals—no matter the size of your family—provide benefits for your baby beyond the joy of simply eating dinner together.
3 mins to read
How to strengthen your baby's immune system
By Dr. Ted Jablonski, family physician
3 mins to read
How to Switch Formulas
Your baby’s growing and their digestive system is developing, too. Learn how to switch formulas the right way to support your child’s nutritional needs.
3 mins to read
Mix up the menu!
It’s easy to fall into the habit of offering your baby the same foods every day, especially if you know they’ll happily eat them.
3 mins to read
Your food safety checklist
Keep these instructions handy on your mobile or printed. This checklist will help you shop, store, cook and reheat your baby's food safely.
1 min to read
7 reasons to keep breastfeeding
Breastfeeding beyond 6 months has many benefits for you and your baby. Discover them!
1 min to read
Benefits of probiotics for babies
This article includes contributions from Dr. Dina Kulik, pediatrician, and Charlotte Geroudet, GD.
5 mins to read
Choosing your baby’s food
Did you know? In many countries, pre-packaged baby food has to meet strict safety standards.
1 min to read
The ins and outs of babies’ digestive system
By Dr. Jeff Habert, family physician
3 mins to read
Why your baby needs to eat throughout the day
Did you know? Your baby may need to eat three meals and two mini meals each day.
2 mins to read
How to continue your breastfeeding journey
While most women around the world breastfeed their babies in the early months, breastfeeding rates at 12 months of age vary widely. With the Health Canada recommendation to breastfee
2 mins to read
