You’re in the final stretch of year one!
But first…you have eating and sleeping changes to contend with. Buckle up!
Eating Milestones To Expect
Formula or breast milk continues to play an important nutritional role for the entire first year. Until children reach a year, many health professionals feel that new foods should still be introduced one at a time, with a few days in between so that it is easier to recognize any signs of food allergies and be able to identify which food(s) caused them. And remember – don’t give your baby cow’s milk, or foods that are more likely to cause reactions (such as peanut products or egg whites), until after they reach their one year milestone.
As your baby is getting around more on his own and eating more baby foods and table foods, breast feedings and bottle feedings will start to decline. Additionally, babies this age often would rather explore than be held and fed.
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If you are wondering if it is time to give up nursing altogether, you can base your decision on your own wishes, as well as your child’s interest (or disinterest). Some mothers feel hurt by their baby’s refusal to nurse. Don’t be. It’s important to realize that it’s not a rejection. It’s just one of the many milestones of this period as a child heads towards greater independence.
If, however, you wish to continue to breastfeed, rest assured that babies often go through a phase of disinterest, but if you bear with them, they will continue to breastfeed up to a year of age and beyond.
The American Academy of Pediatrics actually recommends that babies be breastfed for the first year of life, and although a large percentage of breastfeeding mothers do stop before a year, the choice is yours.
For more eating milestones, as well sleeping and other behavior expectations, visit MochaManual.com.
