5 essential nutrients for babies over 6 months old

Baby is growing and developing day by day. Therefore, children need to be provided with adequate nutrients necessary for the development of the body as well as for daily play activities. So what nutrients should be added to your baby's diet? If you are having these questions, please follow aFamilyToday Health to follow the shares below.

During the first months of life, it is very important to provide nutrients for your baby. If at this stage, the deficiency of nutrients will harm the growth of the baby later.

Breast milk is a rich source of nutrients

During the first 6 months, your baby's nutritional needs will be met through a single source, which is breast milk . This is the most nutritious and safest food for babies while their body is still in the process of perfecting the immune system.

Breast milk offers the following benefits:

♥ Breast milk helps your baby develop immune system and digestive system. Therefore, your baby will be protected against many diseases.
♥ Colostrum is a good source of vitamin A, keeps baby healthy and prevents infections.
♥ Breast milk contains proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that are suitable for the requirements of the baby's body and necessary for development.

Therefore, breast milk is the most important food for babies in the first few months of life. You should continue to breastfeed until your baby is 2 years old. Babies who are breastfed are generally healthier and smarter than babies who drink other types of milk.

For mothers who cannot breastfeed

Breastfeeding is best, but for some reason you can't do it, do the following:

• Whatever the reason, if you are unable to breastfeed your baby, you should consult your doctor.
• Find an alternative to breast milk.
• Cow's or goat's milk should not be given to your baby because they do not have the nutrients they need. Besides, these types of milk are very difficult to digest.
• You can give formula to your baby after consulting your doctor, but remember that nothing can completely replace breast milk. When giving formula to your baby, remember to clean the bottle and prepare the milk carefully.

5 essential nutrients for babies 6 months and older

After 6 months, in addition to breast milk, babies need to be fed other nutritious foods. Besides, this is also the time when your baby needs more nutrients to promote growth and development.

When you offer other foods to your baby, make sure they are soft and easy to eat. You should puree it to make your baby easier to digest. Here are the substances that are essential for your baby's development that you need to pay attention to:

1. Iron

Iron helps in brain development and improves memory. Usually, when born, the baby's body already has enough iron reserves for 4–5 months. After this time, you should feed your baby iron-rich foods to meet the body's needs. Every day, your baby must be supplemented with 11mg of iron. Not only that, but iron is also essential for the production of hemoglobin. Iron rich foods include cereals, potatoes, eggs, soybeans, spinach ...

2. Zinc

Zinc is also a very important mineral for babies. Zinc and iron are commonly found in many grains. Babies need 3g of zinc per day. Zinc helps in the production of white blood cells, protecting the baby from infections. In addition, it is also an essential substance for the growth of cells. Foods rich in zinc are cheese, whole milk, yogurt, lentils and whole grains.

3. Calcium

Babies need at least 500mg of calcium per day. Calcium plays a role in helping to build bone structure and helping babies to have strong teeth. Foods rich in calcium are cheese, orange juice, oatmeal, and yogurt.

4. Vitamins

Here are the vitamins that are essential for your baby's development:
• Vitamin A is very important in helping your baby have healthy skin and bright eyes. Foods rich in vitamin A are carrots, sweet potatoes, and broccoli.
• Vitamin B helps to improve metabolism and strengthen the immune system. Foods rich in B vitamins are green vegetables, beans, bananas ...
• Vitamin C is very important to the skin, helping to prevent anemia and scurvy. Tomatoes, strawberries and citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C.
Vitamin D is essential for bone development. Without it, your baby may develop rickets. You can find vitamin D in cow's milk and egg yolks. If your baby is allergic to these, give him a supplement.
• Vitamin E is essential for the development of the nervous system. Foods rich in vitamin E are vegetable oils and whole grains.
• Vitamin K helps prevent blood clots. To supplement this vitamin, you can give your baby green vegetables, fiber-rich fruits and soybeans.

5. Omega 3

Omega 3 is essential for baby's development. Omega 3 is not only beneficial for vision but also very useful for brain development, helping to develop cognitive skills in babies. During breastfeeding, you can absorb omega 3 and pass it on to your baby through breast milk. Foods rich in omega 3 are salmon and avocado.

Through the above sharing, hopefully you have some more useful information about essential nutrients for your baby's development. Please supplement your baby today to ensure the growth and development of your baby in the future.