Children's Eating Development

Gerber’s Progression (Birth, Sitter, Crawler, Toddler, Toddler 2+) Eats/drinks breast milk and formula, needs total physical support Supported Sitter (3-6 Months) Sits up with help from adult Sitter (6-8 Months) Can sit independently without support, starts to grasp things Crawler (8-12 months) Crawls with stomach off floor, begins to self feed Toddler (1-2 years) Stands alone, begins to use utensils Toddler 2 + (2-4 years) Can run without falling, mastered chewing and using utensils

Get your Taste Buds Ready! TASTE TEST TIME!!

Signs of Hunger and Fullness moving toward spoon with open mouth excited arm and leg movements smacking lips, opening mouth putting fist in mouth Reaching for food Fussing  Fullness: falling asleep stopping sucking slowing pace of eating pushing or batting spoon away closing mouth and turning away from spoon

Breast Feeding Breast milk or formula should remain baby’s main source of nutrition for the first year. Feed 8-12 times a day as a new born Doctors agree that breast milk is the best source of nutrition for your baby Begin breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth.

Breast Feeding to Formula Start by replacing just one breastfeeding at the same time each day. After a few days, replace another breastfeeding with a bottle of formula, if you desire. Continue this process as a progression until fully transferred to formula.

Introducing New Food The experience of tasting new flavors, experiencing new textures and learning hunger and fullness cues. A good way to introduce slowly is purees, thicker purees with real fruits and veggies, soft quick melting snacks, chewable snacks. As a child’s physical development increases, their need for more calories will too.

The Importance of Progression Introduce new foods slowly! Wait at least 3 days in between new foods to check for allergy reactions Always consult your physician if you have questions or need help deciding when and what is appropriate to begin feeding your child

Readiness for Solids!? Usually begins the middle of the first year If a child can use the “pincer” grasp to pick up pieces of food (thumb and pointer finger) Ability to sit up with support Can take and swallow food from a spoon If the child can start using their jaw muscles to break down and chew foods.

Eating Difficulties Spitting up To help decrease the frequency of spitting up, make feedings smaller and a little more frequent. Burp your baby at least every three to five minutes during a feeding. Avoid bottle-feeding your baby when he/she is lying down and place her in an upright position immediately after she is finished. Avoid overfeeding.

Safety With Finger Foods Be there. Always stay close by when your baby is eating Make sure your baby doesn’t bite off more than he/she can chew. Cut her food into small pieces rather than giving her a large piece. No dining in cars. Avoid giving your baby finger food in the car.

Toddler Tasty Time Variety is beginning to pick up Portions are age appropriate and food are healthy choices Switch slowly to Cow’s Milk- WHOLE (2%), they NEED the fat for proper development! http://www.gerber.com/allstages/nutrition_and_feeding/toddler_video.aspx