Tips For Establishing A Baby Feeding Routine
Establishing a baby’s feeding routine is essential for it to grow healthy and strong. As it develops, it will need to incorporate new foods. Therefore, parents should be especially careful about what the baby can eat and the appropriate age at which new foods can be included in their diet.
When to start establishing routines for babies?
Once the baby is born, parents can start to establish routines in their activities.
The routine can be implemented not only in feeding, but also in napping and bathing times. This not only helps the child to have schedules, but also benefits parents, allowing them to organize themselves.
As soon as the baby is three months old, he begins to become aware of the various activities he performs during the day. He’ll even notice if he doesn’t do some activity as usual.
The first routine babies learn is the time to eat. Therefore, parents should pay special attention to their diet and how it changes over time.
Advantages of Establishing a Baby Feeding Routine
The first thing parents should do before including new foods in their baby’s diet is to consult their pediatrician. Children cannot eat certain foods because they can be harmful.
Also, it is important to set times for her to get used to meal times. These are other advantages that we can highlight from this practice:
- It helps the baby to know his own routines and schedules. For example, he will know that after a nap it’s time to nurse.
- It will be much easier when parents leave the baby in the care of a nanny or a relative. By having an established eating routine, it will be easier to take care of schedules and maintain a habit.
- Establishing a feeding routine for the baby is also important to organize the biological processes related to the gastrointestinal system and its nutrition.
- When the baby starts eating new foods, this routine lets parents know which foods can cause allergies or intolerances.
most common routines
There are three types of routines parents can start implementing. The first is defined by themselves, the second is established by the baby, and the third would be a combination of the two. We explain in more detail below how each applies:
Routine determined by parents
This type of routine is the most rigorous. Parents specify when the baby will eat and, on many occasions, also define how much sleep, play and walks.
In order for parents to begin applying this routine, they must either consult a specialist directly or rely on the child’s natural patterns. To be effective, this routine must be applied every day.
routine determined by the baby
This routine is often more flexible and less exact. Parents are usually guided by the baby’s behavioral tips, depending on what they need.
This doesn’t mean the child will never have schedules. At birth, the baby establishes regular hours of sleep, feeding and play. The important thing is to observe and respect the routines that are defined in a natural way.
combined times
This technique applies the combination of the two strategies mentioned above. Parents should follow an established routine for sleeping, eating, and playing, but they may change it from time to time. For example, when sleep time is delayed because of a trip to the supermarket or any other activity.
How much should a baby eat?
There is no set amount for the baby’s feeding routine. It is generally recommended to give one or two scoops of the new food and progressively increase the amount each day. That, of course, if the baby accepts. Keep in mind that it is important that your baby is fed according to your needs and demands.
It is essential that parents establish a feeding routine in which babies have an age-appropriate eating habit. If you have questions about any food you want to integrate into your child’s diet, remember that it is best to consult your pediatrician. A proper diet will allow the child to develop in the best possible way.
