Nutrition is the utmost priority for every baby. Since the babies have a delicate internal functioning, any kind of food that is not easily digestible will be harmful to the baby. The healthiest food for the child is undoubtedly the breast milk. Breast milk is a complex blend of fatty acids, antibodies, nutrients, proteins as well as fats. Breast milk is proved to render immunity against a lot of diseases.
Solid foods cannot be introduced until 6 months of age. Once your baby is 6 months, pureed apples or avocado, as well as slices of pear to gnaw upon, can be given. But what most of us don’t realize is that even babies have special nutritional requirements which can only be fulfilled by animal fats and proteins.
Despite their popularity, it should be always born in mind that fruits and vegetable are not the best options for healthy baby first food. Babies should always be fed with foods which are high in nutritional values and provide their petite bodies with appropriate building blocks for proper growth and development of tissues and vital organs.
Nutrients for a baby
A baby’s nutritional requirements must be fulfilled because of the aforesaid reasons. Nutritional requirements of babies at different age are:
6 months
Protein
Fat
Iron
Zinc
B6 Niacin
Vitamin E
Calcium
Phosphorous
Magnesium
Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
8 months
Vitamin A, B, C, D and K
Potassium
Best and nutritious foods for first feeding of babies
4-6 months
Avocado- high on essential fats or nutrients; niacin, folate, vitamin A, B, C, E and K; potassium, phosphorous iron, magnesium and calcium.
Banana- good source of vitamin A, C and B6; potassium, phosphorous, selenium, magnesium and calcium.
Pear- provide vitamin A, C and folate; potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and calcium.
Butternut or Acorn squash- excellent medium for providing vitamin A and C; potassium, magnesium and manganese.
6-8 months
Mango- provide vitamin A, C, E, K and folate; potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, calcium and sodium.
Apple- filled with vitamin A, C and folate; potassium, magnesium and calcium.
Cooked blended red meat- high in Vitamin B12; iron and zinc.
Egg yolk- contains healthy fatty acids, cholesterol and choline.
Cooked liver- provides vitamin A, D and B; folate and zinc.
Meat broth- filled with calcium, magnesium and phosphorous.
References:
http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/babyfirstfoods.htm
https://www.littlespoon.com/babyblends
https://www.babycenter.com/101_favorite-first-foods-for-babies_10403314.bc
https://homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/introducing-solids-at-4-to-6-months
https://www.parents.com/baby/feeding/nutrition/superfoods-6-months-and-older/