As hombres, and new dads, it’s not always easy to know the right way to handle feedings, and all the developmental changes that come with a baby growing up. To be the best fathers we can be, we need the most help we can get. Fortunately Erin Quann, Registered Dietitian and Head of Medical Affairs, and Sarah Smith-Simpson, Principle Scientist, who are experts at Gerber and Nestle Nutrition, are here to offer us some tips about infant and toddler specific milestones and what each means for feeding.

While there is so much uncertainty around us, parents experiencing the joy of witnessing their baby’s developmental milestones remains unchanged.  Every achievement, like a baby holding their head up on her own to taking her first steps, can signal a next step in baby’s nutritional journey. As little ones develop differently, it is especially important that feeding choices consider not only baby’s age but also their development, and your doctor’s advice.

Supported Sitters
When your little one can sit upright with some support, lean towards spoon with an open mouth, and push up on their arms with straight elbows from laying on their tummy, they may be ready for you to introduce them to the new tastes and textures of solid foods. Offering iron-rich foods as first solid foods is critical because baby’s natural stores of iron begin to deplete around this time.

Feeding your infant iron-fortified infant cereals, such as Gerber Single Grain Cereal, and baby food meats, like Gerber 2ND Foods Beef, can help them get the iron they need, especially important for breast-fed babies.

Sitters
Eating different foods and tastes is a learning process for babies. Remember the expression on your baby’s face may look like “ewww” but it actually may be a look of “wow this is new!”

Some of the baby’s favorites are Gerber 2nd Foods Organic Squash Apple Sweet Potato with Turmeric and Gerber 2nd Foods Natural Pear Guava, which help expose them to a variety of tastes and ingredient combinations that help them to accept new flavors.

Stay committed to introducing new foods. Research shows that it can take up to 10 tries for a baby to accept a new food. So, don’t give up!

Little Crawlers
Physical skills are important to consider along with your baby’s age. The important skills needed for eating finger foods are:

• • Crawling with stomach off the floor
  • Beginning to self-feed with fingers
  • Beginning to use jaw to mash food

Make sure to prioritize finger food safety for little crawlers. Offer foods that are soft or dissolve easily and cut to very small pieces. Try small pieces of soft fruits such as diced strawberries or Gerber Fruit Pick-Up – Apple, soft diced avocado, or Gerber Crawler snacks. These can be great on the highchair tray as part of a meal or in between.

Walking Toddlers
Busy toddlers are probably standing on their own and beginning to walk. With so much to explore, they thrive on a predictable routine of meals and snacks.

Your tot doesn’t just use their motor skills to move, they’re also important for trying new foods. Here’s what your little one is learning right now:

• • Moving foods side-to-side in their mouth more often
  • Getting better at chewing
  • Licking their lips
  • Dipping foods
  • Using a few fingers to pick up food rather than their whole hand

For more information about Gerber products please visit www.gerber.com