Good nutrition is important for young children to help them grow healthy and strong. Baby’s nutritional needs change during early childhood. As children grow older their nutrient needs also increase. Feeding solid foods, in addition to breast milk or infant formula, helps to meet these needs.

Protein is an important macronutrient that is required for all body functions and growth. When born, infants do not have a fully developed digestive system and may have problems digesting the proteins. The large protein molecules can irritate the intestine and cause intestinal bleeding and a large amount of protein can also damage the infant’s developing kidneys. High early protein intake may enhance weight gain in infancy and the risk of later obesity therefore, it is essential that a baby must consume optimum levels of protein at this stage.

Vitamin D is needed to support healthy bone development and to prevent rickets, a condition that causes weak bones. Vitamin D deficiency rickets is rare, but it can occur if your child does not receive additional vitamin D from his or her diet, a vitamin supplement, or from adequate exposure to sunlight. Sunlight is not a consistent source of vitamin D and there are a number of factors that determine the amount of vitamin D a child will synthesize from sunlight. Talk with your child’s doctor if you would like help making sure your child is getting enough vitamin D.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be introduced to complementary food (e.g., infant cereals, fruits, vegetables, water) around 6 months of age or when the child is developmentally ready.