4 important nutrients for yourbaby’s next stage of development
4 imp
ortant
nutrients for yourbaby’s next stage of development
Your Growing Baby
Your Growing Baby
Your Growing Baby
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As your baby grows, their nutritional needs change. Here are some guidelines for important nutrients as they grow.
Calcium
Helps build strong, healthy bones and teeth
Why does my baby need calcium?
Aids in blood clotting
Helps nerves and muscles function
Breast milk, infant formula, cheese, yogurt and whole cow’s milk*
Where can my baby get calcium?
* The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends not introducing whole cow’s milk (3.25%) until at least 9-12 months.
Protein
Why does my baby need protein?
Essential for keeping the body functioning well
Helps build hormones and enzymes
Needed to build and repair muscle, tissue, skin, nails and hair
Breast milk, infant formula, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, tofu and legumes
Where can my baby get protein?
Iron
Helps their brain develop
Why does my baby need iron?
Makes red blood cells
Carries oxygen to all parts of your baby's body
Helps cells work in their body
Breast milk, infant formula, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, iron-fortified infant cereals, enriched grain products, tofu and legumes
Where can my baby get iron?
TIP:
Offer iron-rich foods2-3 times per day starting at 6 months.
Iron from animal sources is absorbed more efficiently than iron from plant sources.
To increase the iron absorbed from plant foods, serve them with foods rich in vitamin C.
Whole cow's milk (3.25%) is low in iron, and the Canadian Paediatric Society recommends not introducing it until at least 9-12 months.
DHA (a type of Omega-3 fat)
Why is DHA important
for babies?
for babies?
DHA is an important nutrient for baby brain development
Your baby's brain more than doubles in size the first year of life. That’s why now is an important time for brain-building DHA, which helps support brain development.
DHA information
For more information about DHA, read
Why is DHA important now?
Where can your baby get DHA?
DHA is found in relatively few foods. When your baby starts solids, they can get DHA by eating DHA-rich fatty fish such as Atlantic salmon. But fish may not be popular with many children and it will be some time before your baby gets significant nutrition from solids.
If you’re breastfeeding, your baby will be getting DHA through your breast milk, but the amount depends on how much food with DHA you’re eating. Try eating foods that have sources of DHA like Atlantic Salmon, Pacific farmed herring, Atlantic Sardines, and omega-3 enriched eggs.
Popular with older babies— but zero DHA
Many older babies love bananas, yogurt, infant cereals and green snap beans.
But none of these foods contain brain-nourishing DHA.
How to switch formula?
If you’re formula feeding
, consider switching to a next stage formula such as Enfamil A+ 2, which has the same expert recommended* DHA level as Enfamil A+, plus age-appropriate levels of iron, calcium and protein to support your growing baby as they start solid foods.* Koletzko B et al. J Perinat. Med. 2008;36:5-14
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