Time is literally FLYING! I kind of just want to stop it RIGHT where we are today! Being a mom of my two miracle babies is a dream for me and I am so thankful every single day that I get to raise them and love on them!
My little man is 4 months old this week {WHAT?!?!} and you know what that means… it’s time to start introducing solids to him already! I know… I know… EVERYONE has different opinions on when to introduce foods, how to start them and even why, but today I am super excited to share with you a few tips and tricks about early childhood nutrition to help this transition from newborn to baby SO much easier for you!
In research conducted by ORC International and Stonyfield, at least one-third of parents admit to feeding confusion during baby’s first months, and just over half (53%) feel overwhelmed by the varying opinions of early childhood nutrition.
Raise your hand if you are a part of that 53%?! *I am raising mine!* It really is so tricky to know what is EXACTLY right for our little ones. AND as their moms, of course we want the very very best for them!
That confusion may be why many parents may overlook including daily probiotics in baby’s diet. In fact, 77% of the surveyed parents with children under two do not incorporate probiotics into their baby’s daily diet, with 36% of them thinking it’s not important at this age.
Probiotics can be an important element to help support digestive health, and one that can easily be delivered in a delicious serving of yogurt. Yet only 23% of parents report incorporating probiotics on a daily basis into a baby’s diet.
Despite all yogurt’s benefits, just over one-third (34%) of parents with children under one year old mistakenly believe the age to introduce yogurt is 12 months or older versus the AAP approved age of six months. Which is CRAZY for me, you guys! That is just 2 months away for my little man!
A few years ago when I was introducing my little lady to solids and trying to give her the best nutrition possible – I was introduced to Stonyfield YoBaby yogurt. She LOVED it {and still does!!}. In fact, we have it in our refrigerator prettttty much at all times.
I am so excited that Stonyfield YoBaby® yogurt now features probiotics with the addition of the BB-12® strain. AND not surprising at all – it was selected as number one pediatrician recommended refrigerated yogurt for babies 6 months to 2 years old.
SO why the add in of BB-12?!
WELL…Gut health is the foundation for overall good health as babies grow – and probiotics can help support a happy, tiny tummy. That’s why Stonyfield has added probiotic BB-12® to YoBaby® yogurt – the only organic yogurt made especially for babies.
BB-12® has been shown to have a digestive health benefit when consumed regularly by promoting beneficial gut bacteria and regular, soft stools.
AND in addition to live active cultures, S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. acidophilus, L. casei, and L. rhamnosus, YoBaby® yogurt now contains Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BB-12®) which has been studied in babies and has been shown to have a digestive health benefit when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. BB-12® is a registered trademark of Chr. Hansen.
As moms, it is easy to be unsure of how, when, why and what we should do as we transition our sweet babes from a liquid only diet to solids – and THAT is exactly why I am so happy to share 5 super helpful tips from a professional with all of you!
Pediatrician Dr. Tanya MD, FAAP and mother-of-three shares the following:
1. Safe dairy for babies under 12 months. Shopping for dairy can be confusing when your baby has stopped taking breast milk but is too young for cow’s milk. You might think it’s safer to avoid any new dairy products until they are at least 12 months. But dairy is packed with essential nutrients (such as calcium and vitamin D) for growing bodies, and it is an important part of baby’s diet. The good news is babies as young as six months can begin eating yogurt, even if they’re breastfeeding. Not only is it a healthy option for their little bodies, you’ll find that infants love yogurt! Choose a brand made with organic whole milk, like Stonyfield Organic YoBaby.
2. Exposing baby to healthy foods early. Introducing baby’s first solids is a stressful time for parents and I wasn’t surprised to learn that over half of parents (53%) feel overwhelmed by the varying opinions of early childhood nutrition*. There’s a lot of information out there!
To keep it simple, I have my list of trusted foundation foods that ensure your baby is receiving the proper nutrients. Some of my foundation foods are: eggs, prunes, avocados, fish, yogurt, cheese, nut butters, chicken, beans, lentils, berries, citrus fruits, green vegetables, whole grains, and water*. Mix and match these foods as your baby becomes more and more comfortable with solids.
*As always, check with our pediatrician before feeding these foundation foods and modify as needed to accommodate any food allergies.
3. Protecting baby’s gut health. Let’s talk about your baby’s tiny tummy. Did you know that gut health is the foundation for overall good health as babies grow? To help protect your baby’s gut health, you want to ensure they’re getting enough probiotics. While naturally found in breast milk, probiotics are also found in yogurt, one of my foundation foods.
Stonyfield has added probiotic BB-12® to YoBaby. BB-12® has been shown to have a digestive health benefit when consumed regularly by promoting beneficial gut bacteria and regular, soft stools.
4. Natural sugar vs. added sugar. Sugar is receiving a lot of attention in the news recently and many of my parent patients are looking more closely at labels when grocery shopping. Most importantly, we need to understand the difference between naturally occurring sugar and added sugar.
- Wholesome foods like milk, yogurt and fruit have naturally occurring sugar that is a part of a healthy diet.
- Added sugar helps to give different flavors their sweet taste and is what you should be on the lookout for. Many labels don’t differentiate between natural and added sugar but will begin to in the near future.
5. Finger Food. Don’t be afraid to put down the spoon and let your little one try feeding themselves with some nutritious finger foods. My favorite way to start is with some cut up berries. The soft berries are easy for them to pick up and feel gentle against their gums. You’re helping to develop their fine motor skills and introducing a new and delicious snack.
Note: As with all young babies, monitor their eating closely to avoid any choking.
You better believe we are counting down the days to introduce that cute little face to Stonyfeld YoBaby yogurt. Their products are made with organic ingredients including organic whole milk yogurt to meet babies’ unique nutritional needs, not to mention the yogurt may help develop healthy eating habits and you know I am ALL about that! And lastly, they come in the yummiest flavors: plain, vanilla, banana/mango, blueberry/apple and peach/pear.
I am SO excited for this fun stage of baby-hood! Watching our little ones grow and develop and CHANGE every single day is the best thing ever, right?! And I love that we as their moms, get the opportunity to provide the BEST things for them!
Special thanks to Stonyfield for being a sponsor of Today’s The Best Day! Don’t you love it!? Although we were compensated for this article, all opinions are my own.
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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day! 
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