Know the Amazing Truth About How Much Should a 9-month-old Eat
I’m a paranoid parent! You may laugh at me, but I am guilty of minding everything about my baby. Are her clothes comfortable? Will her blanket choke her when she sleeps? Why is she not smiling at all?
When she turned nine months, I was worried if I was feeding her enough or too much. I did not know what to give my child, so I end up deliberating how much should a 9-month-old eat. I asked around, and the answers are varied.
Giving our babies just enough food is critical for their health. Too much food can lead to digestive problems and may not be suitable for their bodies. Too little can limit the nutrients their bodies need to take in for their growth.
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Reasons Why Good Meal Portions is Important
We all want our children to eat well. However, there are reasons why we need to stick to what is enough for our kids and not overwhelm or underwhelm them with food. Enough means having the right amount of food ideal for their age.
It is important to note that the portion size of a child is different from an adult. A cup of pasta may not fill us up, but it is already too much for the little ones. Having said so, feeding our children the same as how much we eat may not be ideal at all.
The same applies to food choices. Even if we eat a plate of cooked oysters, babies should not eat it at all. We must be wise in choosing the right kinds of food to give our children to avoid problems later on.
Another reason is to prevent chances of obesity. At a very early age, our children can grow overweight. Too much food intake will be a problem at first, but consistent feeding of the same amount will lead to a cycle where they will not be satisfied with just enough. Their stomach begins to expand, and they will be craving for more food even if you feed them the right portion.
Baby Feeding Guide
Your 9-month-old baby may now start enjoying solid foods apart from their milk. They may already enjoy different varieties of soft foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
To help you know how much to feed your baby, here is a quick feeding guide for kids from 9 months to 12 months:
- Breast milk or formula – 30 ounces per day; 3 to 4 feedings
- Pureed vegetables (squash, sweet potatoes, carrots) – 2 to 4 tablespoons; 2 times a day
- Pureed fruits (bananas, peaches, apples, pears) – 2 to 4 tablespoons; 2 times a day
- Finely chopped meat (chicken, beef) – 2 to 3 tablespoons; 2 times a day
- Iron-fortified dry infant cereal – 5 to 8 tablespoons mixed with breast milk or formula
- Plain yogurt or mild cheese – ¼ cup
Tips on How to Properly Feed your Baby
Feeding is more than just giving your child food to eat. It is also a chance to create a bond with him and enjoy a memorable moment that you can remember always.
When feeding, take note of these tips so you can efficiently provide what is best for your baby:
Make homemade food. While jarred baby foods we buy at the supermarket offer a convenient way to feed the baby, homemade foods are a lot healthier and safer. You can choose the type of food ingredients you want and even select the freshest of its kind. You can also handle the food processing safely and in a cleaner way hence ideal for your child.
New foods must be introduced in smaller amounts. If it is your first time to feed your baby some chicken meat, try adding it to his food in smaller bits. Check for any allergic reaction after eating. If none, you can gradually increase the amount of food to give. Testing it first will minimize the risk of any complications to his body.
Wait for two to three days before introducing a new food. It will give you time to evaluate your baby’s response to the food so you can identify each reaction’s sources. For instance, you may never know if your child is allergic to yogurt if you introduce yogurt and squash on the same day.
Offer your baby three full meals and in between snacks. It will provide him with enough food to sustain him for hours. Alternate solid food meals with breast milk or formula. Remember, his milk and water will always be of greater quantity.
Look for alternatives to foods that they do not eat. For example, you can substitute meat with tofu or infant cereal. Both are rich in iron and protein. That way, your baby will have the nutrients he needs despite not eating other kinds of food.
Include your infant during family mealtime. Even if he has a different kind of food, it is ideal to feed the baby while everyone is also eating together. Seeing that everyone also eats while he eats, your child will feel at ease during feeding time.
Follow a regular schedule of meals. Babies love routine, and a consistent schedule will condition his stomach when to eat and when to eat just enough. It will reduce the chances of overeating or not eating enough per mealtime.
Connect with your baby. Make feeding time fun for both of you. Talk to your child as you feed him. It will also help if you make sounds and appear to be playing with him. He will feel more relaxed and willing to have each bite.
Create a connection between your baby and his food. Before you introduce a new food to his mouth, you can present it to his eyes. Hand the food to him and say the name or make a sign. It will help him become more willing to taste an unfamiliar food when introductions are carried out before it.
Experiment with food. Never settle for the same kind of food every time. Introducing a new food will be easier if your baby is used to different tastes. Try to mix and match his food.
Be creative!
Feeding your baby does not need to be the same routine over and over again. You can be more fun and creative when it comes to feeding your child.
Start with a meal plan so you can mix up food combinations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It will not only give your baby different tastes of food, but it also lessens the predictability and tediousness of constantly preparing the same meals always.
At the end of the week, I would sit down and plan our family meals before doing the groceries. I make it a point also to prepare the meals for my baby since hers is not the same as our meals. It saved me a lot of time, and it makes me think more resourcefully.
Do you have special tricks on how to feed your 9-month-old baby? We want to know your story!
Reference:
http://www.roomtogrow.co.uk/blog/why-portion-size-is-important-for-your-childs-health/
http://www.parents.com/baby/feeding/solid-foods/feeding-9-12-month-old-baby/ https://www.babycenter.com/0_age-by-age-guide-to-feeding-your-baby_1400680.bc?showAll=true