Ingredients:

1 cup peeled and cubed mango

1 ripe avocado – peeled, seeded and cubed
Plain or Vanilla Yogurt or Water, Apple or Pear Juice

Directions:

Mash the mango with the avocado until smooth -
Add Yogurt or Water or Juice and whip with a whisk until a creamy mousse like consistency is created.

 This will make a great spread or dip for baby’s favorite finger foods. You may also use this as a great Baby Finger Food. Simply cut the mango and avocado into dices or chunks that are manageable for your baby. Mix the fruits together (yogurt optional) and serve. You may wish to coat the fruit bits with “cheerio dust”, wheat germ or another cereal “dust” to help baby easily pick up the bits.

source form: wholesomebabyfood

3 peaches
1 avocado

Directions:

1. Peel, pit and cut peaches into chunks
2. Peel, de-seed and cut avocado into chunks
3. Steam peaches gently until tender if needed
4. Place fruits in a blender/food processor and puree until smooth or mash with a fork and let baby try to use a spoon or her fingers.

source form: wholesomebabyfood

Heat the oil in a medium saucepot then add the onion and squash cubes. Saute until the onions are soft and translucent then add the vegetable stock.

Bring the mixture to a slow simmer and simmer until the squash is tender enough to puree. Season to taste with pepper, rosemary and basil

You may make this a sweet puree by using nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon as the spices instead of the savory spices and herbs.

Toss this mixture with cooked brown rice, couscous, lentils or even quinoa for a hearty meal.

source form: wholesomebabyfood

Ingredients:

4 cups peas, fresh, frozen or canned as a last resort
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper to taste
pieces of chicken, fish, pork or beef

Directions:

Melt butter in a large sauce pan. Whisk in flour and allow to cook for 1 minute.
Slowly add milk, whisking the whole time to prevent lumps.
Add salt and pepper and other spices as you find appropriate.
Cook until sauce begins to thicken.

Add peas, stir and cook until peas are heated through (about 5-7 minutes)
Add meat
Serve warm alone or over multi-grain toast or rice.

source form: wholesomebabyfood

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth (try pacific natural organic!)
3/4 cup instant brown rice
1 1/2 cups frozen peas (6 ounces)
3/4 cup sliced scallions
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions:

Bring broth to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Add rice and bring to a simmer; cover, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 4 minutes.
Stir in peas and return to a simmer over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook until the peas are hot and the rice has absorbed most of the liquid, about 6 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in scallions, mint and pepper. Cover and let stand until the liquid is absorbed, 3 to 5 minutes.
source form: wholesomebabyfood

The current recommendation – from medical authorities such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, UK Department of Health, World Health Organization and UNICEF – is to wait until 6 months of age before introducing solids.

This is because breastmilk or formula usually meet baby’s nutritional needs for the first 6 months of life.

Some pediatricians, however, recommend that babies start solids at 4 months of age.

Your baby will give you clear signs when he’s ready to move beyond liquid-only nourishment. Cues to look for include:

Can hold her head up. Your baby needs to be able to maintain a steady, upright position, to take her first foods.
Sits well when supported. You may have to have your baby on your lap at first. A highchair can be pulled into action a bit later when she can sit up by herself.
Makes chewing motions. Your baby should be able to move food to the back of her mouth and swallow. As your baby learns to swallow efficiently you may notice that she dribbles less. She may even have a tooth or two.
Has gained a healthy weight. Most babies are ready to eat semi-solids when they’ve doubled their birth weight. This may happen before or around their sixth month.

Where should you feed your baby?

You’ll want a sturdy, stable, comfy place for him to sit, at a convenient height for you. To start out, that might be a bouncy seat or even a car seat. (Just make sure that he’s upright enough to swallow well.) Once he can sit up by himself, though, a highchair at the table is your best bet. Your baby will be able to participate in family meals, and you’ll be able to eat your own meal and feed him at the same time. It’ll also be easier to clean up after he chows down.

Source : 4babycare

Beans, especially dark-colored ones like black beans and kidney beans, are a great breastfeeding food, especially for vegetarians. Not only are they rich in iron, they’re a budget-friendly source of high quality, non-animal protein.

Blueberries

Breastfeeding moms should be sure to get two or more servings of fruit or juice each day. Antioxidant-rich blueberries are an excellent choice to help you meet your needs. These satisfying and yummy berries are filled with good-for-you vitamins and minerals and will give you a healthy dose of carbohydrates to keep your energy levels high.

Brown Rice

If you’re attempting to lose the baby weight, you might be tempted to drastically cut back on your carbohydrate consumption. But losing weight too quickly may cause you to produce less milk for the baby and leave you feeling lethargic and sluggish. It’s better to incorporate healthy, whole-grain carbs like brown rice in your diet to keep your energy levels up. And foods like brown rice provide your body the calories it needs to produce the best quality milk for your baby.

Oranges

Portable and nutritious, oranges are a great food to boost energy for new moms. Because nursing moms need even more vitamin C than pregnant women, oranges and other citrus fruits are an excellent breastfeeding food, too. Can’t find time to sit down to a snack? Sip on some orange juice as you go about your day — you’ll get the vitamin C benefit and can even opt for calcium-fortified varieties to get even more benefit from your beverage.

Eggs

Egg yolk is one of the few natural sources of vitamin D — an essential nutrient to keep your bones strong and help your baby’s bones grow. Beyond that, eggs are a versatile way to meet your daily protein needs. Try scrambling up a couple of eggs for breakfast, tossing a hard-boiled egg or two on your lunchtime salad, or having an omelet and salad for dinner. As part of your diet, you might even opt for DHA-fortified eggs to increase the level of this essential fatty acid in your milk.

Whole-Wheat Bread

Folic acid is crucial to your baby’s development in the early stages of pregnancy. But its importance doesn’t end there. Folic acid is an important nutrient in your breast milk that your baby needs for good health. And it’s crucial you eat enough for your own well-being, too. Enriched whole-grain breads and pastas are fortified with this vital nutrient. They also give you a healthy dose of fiber and iron.

Leafy Greens

The list of benefits you get from eating leafy green vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard, and broccoli goes on and on. They’re filled with vitamin A, which your baby needs to get from your breast milk. They’re a non-dairy source of dietary calcium. They’ve got vitamin C and iron. On top of that, green veggies are filled with heart-healthy antioxidants, they’re low calorie, and they’re tasty to boot.

Whole-Grain Cereal

After yet another sleepless night, one of the best foods to boost energy for new moms in the morning is a healthy breakfast of whole-grain cereal. Many cold cereals are available that are fortified with essential vitamins and nutrients to help you meet your daily needs. Or, whip up a healthy hot breakfast by stirring blueberries and skim milk into a delicious serving of oatmeal.

Water

Dehydration is one of the biggest energy drains there is. And new moms who are breastfeeding are especially at risk. To keep your energy levels and milk production up, make sure you stay well hydrated. You can vary your options and meet some of your fluid requirements by drinking juice and milk, but be careful when it comes to caffeinated drinks like coffee or tea. Keep your intake to no more than 2-3 cups a day or switch to decaffeinated varieties. That’s because caffeine enters your breast milk and can cause your baby to become irritable and sleep poorly.

Choose energy bars carefully

An energy bar can be helpful as an occasional way to sustain yourself between meals, especially when you’re away from home and in need of quick fix. But be cautious about reaching for an energy bar regularly, says Hattner, as they’re often surprisingly high in calories and sugar. Check the label to make sure the energy bars you choose are low in sugar and fat and high in fiber, protein, and carbohydrates.
Food can only do so much

Finally, know that even the most energy-packed food can’t counteract the sleep deprivation you’re experiencing right now. If possible, take a quick nap the next time you’re feeling weary, rather than turning to food. “We tend to eat, thinking that will give us energy,” Hattner says. “It may just be that you need a nap.”

Source : webmd

Life with a newborn is exhausting. It’s usually impossible to get enough rest and exercise in the first few demanding months, and it’s difficult to eat well. But as all-consuming as caring for an infant can be, it’s important to take care of yourself too. Choosing healthy foods — and following a few simple eating strategies — will help keep you energized through your busy days and nights.

Start with a balanced diet. If you need guidance, the USDA’s My Pyramid Plan offers a customized daily food plan based on your age, gender, and activity level. Drink plenty of water, and try to make time to sit down and eat a quick snack or meal — even if you have to put the baby down or hand her off to your partner or a helper for a few minutes. Don’t be afraid to ask friends, neighbors, and relatives for help with grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning up.

If you make sure the following  foods for new moms are a regular part of your diet, your body — and your baby — will thank you.

Salmon

There’s no such thing as a perfect food. But salmon is pretty close when it comes to a nutritional powerhouse for new moms. One of the best breastfeeding foods out there, salmon, like other fatty fish, is loaded with a type of fat called DHA. DHA is crucial to the development of your baby’s nervous system. All breast milk contains DHA, but levels of this essential nutrient are higher in the milk of women who get more DHA from their diets.

The DHA in salmon may also help your mood. Studies suggest it may play a role in preventing postpartum depression.

Low-Fat Dairy Products

Whether you prefer yogurt, milk, or cheese, dairy products are an important part of healthy breastfeeding. In addition to providing protein, B vitamins, and vitamin D, dairy products are one of the best sources of calcium. If you’re breastfeeding, your milk is loaded with calcium to help your baby’s bones develop, so it’s important for you to eat enough calcium to meet your own needs. One way to do that is to include at least three cups of dairy each day as part of your diet.

Lean Beef

When you’re looking for foods to boost your energy as a new mom, seek out iron-rich foods, like lean beef. A deficiency of iron can drain your energy levels, making it hard for you to keep up with the demands of a newborn baby.

Also, when you’re nursing, you need to eat extra protein and vitamin B-12. Lean beef is an excellent source for both of these nutrients.

Source : webmd