The major concern of nearly all mothers is healthy weight gain in babies. Every child is born unique, and every child grows differently. Despite countless efforts put in by mothers to help their growing baby attain a healthy weight, it sometimes doesn’t seem to work effectively.
There are many superfoods that may help your baby reach ideal weight milestones. However, if things are not going in your favor, then it is better to seek help from pediatricians. He may suggest some nutritional ways to get desired results.
Why Babies Are Not Gaining Enough
It is important to know that babies need more healthy fats to support their growing minds and body. Fats also assist in the absorption of essential vitamins such as Vitamin A, E, D, and K. Many parents are mistaken about a baby’s fat requirement. Do not overlook the necessity of fats for a baby’s growth and development. It also helps babies gain weight more easily.
List Of Healthy Foods For Babies
There are many food sources naturally filled with healthy fats. Such sources of food are extremely beneficial for babies and help them gain weight.
1. Milk
In the early years, milk is the major source of nourishment for babies. It is also observed that formula-fed babies gain more weight than breastfed babies. If you are feeding your little one, then you should be more certain of your diet as well. Managing a healthy, nutritious diet and helping keep up milk supply for nursing mothers.
Be cautious of certain habits and things that might possibly reduce your milk supply. Some most common causes are as following:
Unhealthy Drinking Habit
Even moderate drinking can seriously influence milk supply in nursing mothers. Alcohol has a negative influence on milk’s let-down reflex. Making it harder to flow and come out through the breast. Get yourself professional help if it seems hard to manage with addiction.
The major issue is alcohol withdrawal which a person usually faces after limiting and quitting the intake of alcohol. In order to successfully conquer alcohol withdrawal symptoms, services such as assessment, medical management, and treatment can be availed from centers around you.
Allergy And Cold Medications
Sometimes certain medications that women use might possibly reduce their mother’s milk supply. Pseudoephedrine is a common medicinal ingredient of many allergy and cold medications. It is believed to influence and cause a decline in mother’s milk supply.
Hormonal Birth Control
Generally, hormonal birth control is safe while breastfeeding. However, in many cases, the use of estrogen for birth control results in a decline in mother’s milk. These changes in milk supply might not be experienced by all; however, many women do observe noticeable changes in milk supply.
2. Olive Oil
Just like adults, olive oil is extremely beneficial for growing babies. Studies show that olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids like those found in breast milk. In addition, it is a great source of many antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.
There are many ways you can add olive oil to your baby’s diet. You can cook baby food in little olive oil such as eggs, sauté vegetables, and more. You may even drizzle little oil directly on food such as vegetable purees.
3. Nut Butter
Nuts are a rich source of healthy fats, Omega-3 fatty acids, for babies. Experts even suggest introducing nuts to babies as soon as they get six months older. This will help to avoid any food allergies in the coming years.
The best way is to make nut butter at home. You may take a handful of nuts of your choice, such as almonds, cashews, and peanuts, crush them a bit and add it in butter to make nut butter. This is also a great source of nutrition for babies.
4. Bananas
Normally, when beginning with introducing solid foods to babies, the first thing to introduce is bananas. These are nutritious and packed with all nutrients that help babies to gain weight. Bananas are packed with calcium, magnesium, potassium, folate, Vitamin A and B complex.
Furthermore, it is easily digestible. All these properties make bananas a very good weight-gaining food for babies. It can be given in many forms. You may simply mash a banana and offer it to the baby, or you may add it to various baby foods to make it more tempting.
5. Cheese
As soon as the baby gets six months old, you may also begin offering 1-2 ounce cheese to them. Cheese is another superfood for babies that help them gain weight. Cheese is not only the source of healthy fats, but it is also a great source of proteins for babies.
There are many vital nutrients for babies’ healthy growth and development that can be acquired from cheese. More significantly, it is a good source of calcium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin A and Vitamin B12.
6. Pear
It is another fruit just like bananas which offers more calories to growing babies. Pear is rich in fiber, and Vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential and helps babies grow through strong muscles and blood vessels. Furthermore, it is a great way to relieve constipation in babies as it is rich in fiber.
There are many ways you can give it to your babies. Ripe pears are soft even to be given to babies—another good way to provide your baby pear puree.
7. Oatmeal
This is a whole grain food source for babies. It is very light on a baby’s delicate digestive system and helps to avoid gas. Furthermore, it keeps the baby fuller for some time and also helps to relieve constipation. The other important factor is that it can be offered in a variety of ways. It can even be offered with formula milk or breast milk.
Take Away
In addition to other nutrients and vitamins, babies need more fat to develop health and to gain good weight. There are numerous foods that make a great source of nutrition for babies and even help them attain a healthy weight.