Your baby has turned two and can now eat almost any food item on its plate. While this may seem like a blessing, it also means your baby will be even more excited than before and will refuse to eat certain things just because it doesn’t like the taste. So you should continue to be careful about its food choices.

24. MONTH BABY FOODS

Here are the foods you can add to your baby`s menu this month: mulberries, broad beans, kale, eggplant and homemade ice cream. They are no longer blacklisted. As the list is finalized, your baby must be feeding just like you now!

NUTRITIONAL TIPS

1. The World Health Organization recommends that babies be fed only with breast milk for the first six months and be not even given water. It states that with the continuation of breastfeeding at the 6th month and beyond, it should switch to complementary foods and continue breastfeeding until the age of 2, and that breastfeeding after the age of 2 can continue if the mother and baby want. However, some studies have found that continuing breastfeeding after the age of 2 negatively affects the formation of the baby`s personality. That`s why the breast milk period ends this month.

1. Milk and dairy products; meat, eggs, dry legumes; vegetables and fruits; grains should be taken in adequate and balanced amounts in the nutrition plan.

1. Your baby needs vitamin D for bone development during these periods. The best source of vitamin D is the sun. You can take your baby outside during the hours when the sun`s rays are most beneficial, take them to a park and meet their vitamin D needs and make your baby happy.

1. During this period, your baby needs approximately 350 mg (milligrams) of calcium. Rich Sources of Calcium: Milk, yoghurt, cheese, curd cheese, molasses, nuts and dry legumes.

1. Do not give unhealthy snacks to your baby. Remember, your baby can`t miss what it doesn`t know how to taste. This rule applies especially to chocolate, french fried, sugar.

1. While your baby is trying to gain independence, the period of saying no to everything also reflects on the table. In order not to experience nutritional problems, you should not make food a subject of discussion. During this period, you should try to understand your baby and get through this period together.

1. Do not reward or punish your baby when it comes to eating habits. Over time it will learn what is healthy and what is not, so don`t force it to eat anything.

1. Do not give foods that may overstimulate the taste buds and cause indigestion, such as sauces, heavy seasonings, early in life.

1. Avoid giving any food that is extremely hot or cold.

1. Make it a habit to sit and eat together at the dinner table.

1. Choose nutritious options when giving it snacks.

1. Have frequent meals but small in quantity.

1. Allow babies to take portions as small as they can eat.

1. Avoid rushing at mealtimes. At this age, babies’ meal time can take up to 1 hour.

1. When giving any food, check to see if it is providing it with energy. Do not give foods and drinks containing empty calories.

1. Babies at the age of 2 and after may want to consume smaller portions and may say they are full all the time. This does not mean that your baby`s appetite has decreased, there is no need to worry. The reason for this situation is that the growth rate has slowed down.

1. Teaching babies about natural, healthy and balanced nutrition is one of the most important duties of parents. How parents eat is more important than what parents say about nutrition. Parents should be role models for their babies.

1. Babies should have access to healthy snacks whenever they want, and other unhealthy foods should be out of reach of children.

1. Foods are not damaged by methods such as steaming and poaching. Steaming is the best method for cooking vegetables. Fish can be steamed, grilled or baked in the oven. Frying is a very unhealthy cooking method. If possible, the frying method should not be preferred.

1. Offering healthy and nutritious food at this age can help your baby build good habits in the future. After most kids see the whole family enjoying their meal together, they warm up to food and try to develop a habit of doing the same. So make sure you eat with your family every day.