Infant nutrition

You want your baby to get the nutrition they need to grow up strong and healthy. Today, most women breastfeed their babies. Breastfeeding is important and gives your baby just the right amount of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Breastfeeding provides antibodies and other immune factors. These help protect against infections and disease.

If your baby is not breastfed, or is only partially breastfed, commercial infant formulas are an alternative to breast milk. Non-breastfed infants do not require a vitamin D supplement because the commercial infant formula contains vitamin D.

Using an open cup will encourage your baby to develop their drinking skills. Give your baby an open cup when offering fluids other than breast milk. At first, your baby will need help with the cup.

For more information speak to your healthcare provider. You can also get practical infant feeding resources from your regional public health unit or community health centre.

These menus are only a guide. Offer your baby nutritious foods from your family meal and eat together as a family as often as you can. Let your baby decide how much they want to eat from the foods offered.

Early morning and on cue at any time (when your baby is hungry) Breastfeeding

Morning Breastfeeding Iron-fortified infant cereal  Mashed strawberries or other soft fruit

Snack Whole grain toast, cut into small pieces or strips

Midday Breastfeeding Iron-fortified infant cereal  Hard-boiled egg, mashed, minced, or grated Cooked and mashed sweet potato or other vegetable

Snack Unsweetened stewed prunes, pureed

Early evening Breastfeeding Ground or finely minced plain, dark chicken or other meat Cooked and mashed broccoli or other vegetable

Evening and nighttime Breastfeeding

Early morning and on cue at any time (when your baby is hungry) Breastfeeding

Morning Breastfeeding Iron-fortified infant cereal  Chopped strawberries

Snack Unsweetened o-shaped oat cereal Blueberries thawed from frozen

Midday Breastfeeding Canned salmon, mashed Sweet potato, mashed Cooked green peas, mashed

Snack Chopped, hard-boiled egg Whole grain bread, cut into strips

Early evening Breastfeeding Ground beef cooked with diced tomatoes and macaroni Unsweetened stewed prunes, pureed

Evening and nighttime Breastfeeding

Continue breastfeeding as long as you and your child both want to

Breakfast Whole grain toast with soft margarine Scrambled egg  Sliced banana Breastfeeding or homogenized cow milk (3.25% M.F.)

Snack Whole grain tortilla Grated cheese Soft pear, sliced

Lunch Cooked quinoa Chopped chicken Grated carrot and cucumber Chopped mango Breastfeeding or homogenized cow milk (3.25% M.F.)

Snack Unsweetened o-shaped oat cereal  Sliced fresh plum

Supper Poached fillet of sole, deboned  Roasted potato, chopped Steamed broccoli and cauliflower, chopped Fruit cocktail in juice Breastfeeding or homogenized cow milk (3.25% M.F.)

Snack Whole wheat bread with soft margarine Sliced strawberries Breastfeeding or homogenized cow milk (3.25% M.F.)

Continue breastfeeding as long as both you and your child want to

Breakfast Iron-fortified infant cereal  Sliced banana Breastfeeding or homogenized cow milk (3.25% M.F.)

Snack Whole grain crackers with grated cheese Sliced strawberries

Lunch Naan bread, cut into strips, spread thinly with hummus Grated carrots Cooked green beans, chopped Diced mango Breastfeeding or homogenized cow milk (3.25% M.F.)

Snack Cottage cheese Unsweetened stewed prunes, pureed

Supper Lentil pilaf (mixed dish): Whole wheat couscous Cooked lentils  Cooked, diced, zucchini Diced tomatoes Chopped, cooked spinach

Fruit cocktail in juice Breastfeeding or homogenized cow milk (3.25% M.F.)

Snack Homemade, whole grain muffin Canned pears, in juice Breastfeeding or homogenized cow milk (3.25% M.F.)