every bite counts - feeding beef in the early years

Make Every Bite Count

A baby’s body grows tremendously in the first year: body weight triples, length more than doubles and the brain increases by 40 percent. A focus on food, nutrients and feeding skills are a high priority. 

Experts agree that breastfed infants need a good dietary source of iron and zinc by 6 months of age, as their requirements for these nutrients cannot be met by breastmilk alone. One way to boost iron and zinc intake for your child is by introducing pureed beef as a complementary food, while continuing to breastfeed. Doing so may provide long-lasting benefits for your baby, such as developing a healthy immune system, improving recall skills and reasoning, as well as promoting growth and learning milestones.

Around 6 months of age, it is important to introduce nutrient-rich solid foods along with breastmilk or formula. The introduction of these first foods, also known as complementary foods, provides babies with the opportunity to experience new tastes, textures, colors and also teaches them how to enjoy food. Foods like beef can provide babies with a good source of iron, zinc, choline, B vitamins and protein, and can also provide them with a unique taste and texture experience.^{1, 6, 8-11}

Babies are ready for solid foods if they:

• are about 6 months old
• sit up, with or without support
• have good head control
• seem interested in food
• no longer spit out solids

Feeding tips for healthy infant growth

At around 8-10 months of age, babies develop a pincer grasp and learn to self-feed, making food textures, flavors and feeding methods -- like traditional parent-led spoon feeding, baby-led weaning or a combined method -- important considerations. For optimal health, make sure babies are meeting their nutrient needs, learning new feeding skills, and enjoying food. Sit with your baby when eating and monitor for choking.

Babies will start with thin pureed foods at around 6 months and advance to complex textures including chopped foods, finger foods and family food by the end of the first year.

Around 6 Months

When your baby is 6-8 months, they may be ready to make the transition from watery purees to smooth, pureed, single-ingredients foods such as pureed beef, pureed squash or pureed pears.

6 - 8 MONTHS

In this stage your baby may be ready to transition to mashed, lumpy texture foods and combinations of single-ingredient foods. These include mashed banana or avocado, pureed beef and pureed green beans. Your baby may also be ready for soft, dissolvable finger foods like puffs, buttery toast or crackers.

8 - 10 MONTHS

During 8-10 months of age your baby can transition to chopped table foods such as shredded or chopped beef, well-cooked pasta, chopped cooked veggies or soft-cooked beans.

10 - 12 MONTHS

Between 10-12 months of age babies can start transitioning into chopped family food and practice with self-feeding using the spoon.

Eating Tips for Healthy Toddler Growth

Toddlers (1-3 years old) can be both a challenge and a joy to feed. Their growth slows after the first year, making their appetite large one day and non-existent the next. Toddlers also begin to understand the power of “no” and may test it with food. Fear of new food, food jags (eating the same foods) and picky eating are commonly seen during this stage of childhood. ^{1, 7-11}

During this stage, it’s important to expose toddlers to a variety of nutritious foods so they learn to eat a balanced diet. It’s also important to meet nutrient requirements and transition to an eating routine. Some suggestions when feeding a toddler are: 

• Include your toddler at the family table as often as possible. Research consistently supports the value and importance of family meals.
• Avoid making a separate meal for your toddler. Rather, plan meals and snacks with food variety in mind, including one or two foods you know your toddler enjoys eating.
• Offer a variety of foods from all food groups. Vary cooking methods, presentation, and flavor components. Repeated exposure without pressure to eat is the best way to encourage your toddler to taste and like new foods. 
• Let your toddler decide between two food items (e.g., apple or banana, roast beef or turkey, cheese or yogurt), so they can contribute to decision making.
• Don’t pressure your toddler to eat more or try a new food. Pressuring a child to eat often backfires, leading to food refusal. 
• Don’t sweat it if your toddler refuses food. Stay positive and consistent with the meal you have planned and try again another time.