Feeding Tips
• Gradually increase texture from ground or mashed foods to soft whole foods as the infant's development progresses.
• Remember to offer your child small servings of food, but offer a second serving if necessary. Large servings tend to discourage children.
• Do not force an infant to eat or finish all the food prepared.
• Children have high-energy needs, and they eat small amounts at meals. Children may need to eat every three to four hours.
• If a child does not like a certain food continue to offer it occasionally. A child's taste for foods may change frequently.
• Introduce a new food along with a food the child likes.
• Overfeeding with juice is extremely common. Limit the amount of fruit juices to three or four ounces per day. Only serve juice to children in a cup.
• Do not give soda or other sweetened beverages to infants.
• Satisfying the infant's appetite with solid food may reduce the need for nursing or a bottle at that feeding.
source : Sisters of Mercy Health System
