Parent Hub: 0-2 Years - Healthy Diet

Learn how to support your baby's healthy diet, with breastfeeding tips, weaning guides, and recipes for babies and toddlers.

CONTRIBUTED BY

Health Promotion Board

Parent Hub: 0-2 Years - Healthy Diet

Key benefits of

BREAST MILK

The World Health Organisation recommends continued breastfeeding for up to 2 years or longer. This is because breast milk is a great nourishment for your child and its nutritional composition changes according to your child’s needs. You can exclusively breastfeed your baby for as long as you both are comfortable and at around 6 months^*, your baby can start weaning and discovering new food textures.

*The introduction of complementary food should occur around 6 months, but not earlier than 4 months, as earlier introduction may increase the risk of food allergies and excessive weight gain.

How it benefits your baby

Illustration of baby sitting and holding alphabet blocks labelled A, B and C.

Contains all essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients for your baby's growth and development, for the first 6 months

Illustration of baby sitting with hands near chest.

Is easier to digest so your baby is less likely to develop a tummy ache, constipation and diarrhoea

Illustration of baby sitting while holding a shield.

Contains antibodies that can boost your baby’s immunity and reduce risk of infections

Illustration of baby with a danger sign beside the head.

Reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (cot deaths), as well as obesity and diabetes in adulthood

How it benefits you

Illustration of baby breastfeeding with a close up view of proper latching.

Early suckling helps your womb contract faster and reduces blood loss after childbirth.

Illustration of a milk droplet with a heart symbol.

It delays the return of your menstrual period, where exclusive breastfeeding is a natural (although imperfect) contraceptive.

Illustration of a baby scale with footprints.

The calories burnt while breastfeeding can help you shed some of the weight gained during pregnancy.

Read more about the KKH study on how exclusive breastfeeding supports weight loss.

Illustration of a bone with highlighted spots.

It lowers your risk of developing breast, ovarian and/or womb cancers, osteoporosis (brittle bones) and heart disease.

Illustration of mother breastfeeding baby in a cross hold.

Close contact between your baby and you enhance mother-child bonding.

Key nutrients in breast milk

Simple green tree with a rounded canopy.

Provides energy for growth
Fat, carbohydrates, protein, growth factors, nucleotides

Ensures good brain and eye development
Omega-3, such as DHA, taurine

Illustration of digestive track showing intestines.

Contributes to good gut health
Oligosaccharides, taurine, enzymes

Illustration of a shield protecting against germs.

Develops a robust defense and immune system
Immunoglobulins, selenium, beta-carotene, nucleotides, oligosaccharides

Supports a healthy cardiovascular system and blood
Iron, lactoferrin, vitamin K

Illustration showing two connected bones.

Helps build strong bones
Calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D

Risks of not breastfeeding

Cross section illustration of a breast showing milk flow from nipple during breastfeeding.

For mothers

Increased risk of:
Breast and ovarian cancers

Osteoporosis

Illustration of bacteria and viruses in various shapes.

For babies

Increased risk of:

Gastrointestinal infection
Urinary tract infection
Respiratory diseases
Allergies
Obesity and diabetes, later in life

Your baby’s first

SOLID FOODS

Illustration of a baby eating from a spoon while seated in a high chair.

Introducing solid food to your baby’s diet

Introducing solids does not mean you have to stop breastfeeding. When your baby is around 6 months old^*, you can gradually introduce complementary solid foods to meet their increasing nutritional and developmental needs, while still breastfeeding as part of their diet.

*The introduction of complementary solid food can occur around 6 months, but not earlier than 4 months, as earlier introduction may increase the risk of food allergies and excessive weight gain. You may start weaning/complementary feeding if your child shows signs of developmental readiness such as ability to hold head up steadily and shows interest in food.

Benefits of weaning

Text for similar image should be consistent. “Illustration of a baby eating”.

Helps develop motor skillsSuch as chewing, biting, sucking and swallowing.

Text for similar image should be consistent. “Illustration of fish, nuts, apple, carrot,
tofu, and vegetables”.

Provides various nutrientsWeaning foods provide a wide range of nutrients like calcium, protein and even DHA, which are great for your baby's growth and development.

Allows your baby to experience different textures and tastesYour baby will be less likely to be a picky eater if he/she is exposed to a variety of foods at an early age.

Signs of a weaning-ready baby

Your child may exhibit the following signs around 6 months of
age, indicating that he or she is ready to wean.

Illustration of a baby sitting upright with support in a high chair.

Able to sit up properly and hold head up when leaning against chair backrest, with some assistance

Shows interest in solid foods

Illustration of a baby reaching out for a baby bottle.

Reaches hands out proactively to grasp objects

During feeding, baby moves food with tongue to back of mouth to swallow, with less pushing out of tongue

Seems hungry even after a milk feed

Text for similar image should be consistent. “Illustration of baby chewing on a teething toy”.

Tends to put objects in mouth and chew on them

Pacing the feeding of solids and milk
When your baby is around 6 months of age, he should start eating more solid foods. You may start weaning from 4 months if your baby shows signs of developmental readiness above, such as sitting upright with support and showing an interest in food. In the initial stages of weaning, you could start by feeding your baby pureed foods about 30–60 minutes before his usual milk feeding time. It is best to gradually allocate your baby’s milk feedings away from main meal times (e.g. morning, late afternoon, before bedtime), and feed him solid food at his main meal timings. This helps prevent his milk intake from interfering with his appetite for other solid foods

Weaning guidelines

Text for similar image should be consistent. “Illustration of a baby with spots on the face”.

Start your child on solids gradually by introducing one new type of food every 3–4 days. Be sure to keep a lookout for any allergic reactions such as skin rashes which can appear immediately or minutes to hours later.

Should your baby develop any allergies during weaning, take note of the food that most likely caused the reaction and see a paediatrician immediately.

Illustration of a baby sticking out tongue and grimacing.

If your baby constantly pushes the spoon out with his/her tongue or appears to have difficulty swallowing solids, wait for another week before trying again. Some babies need more time to get used to consuming solid foods.

Illustration of food spilling out of a baby's mouth.

It is normal for food to spill out from the sides of your baby’s mouth initially. He/she will develop better control of his/her facial and oral muscles over time. It does not mean that your child does not like the food. Repeated exposure will help your child to accept new flavours and textures.

Signs of a hungry or full baby

Your baby may be hungry if they:

Illustration of a baby pointing towards a spoon of food.

Reach for or point to food

Illustration of a baby looking at a spoon of food.

Focus on and follow food with their eyes

Illustration of a baby smiling widely at a bowl of food.

Get excited when they see food

Illustration of a baby opening the mouth towards a spoon of food.

Open their mouth when offered a spoon or food

Illustration of a baby pointing towards their open mouth.

Use hand motions or make sounds to let you know they are still hungry

Your baby may be full if they:

Illustration of a baby pushing away a spoon of food.

Spit out or push food away

Illustration of a baby keeping the mouth closed when offered food.

Close their mouth when food is offered

Illustration of a baby turning away from a bowl of food.

Turn their head away from food

Illustration of a baby looking away from food while distracted.

Fidget or get distracted easily

Illustration of a baby playing with food during mealtime.

Play with their food

Illustration of a baby putting their hands on their belly.

Use hand motions or make sounds to let you know they are full

Weaning foods and textures

Baby’s first weaning foods

Breast milk and/or infant milk formula remains the primary food staple in the early stages of weaning. The calcium, protein and other essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals present in milk would still contribute to most of your child’s energy and nutrition intake.

A low-fat diet is not recommended for children under two, as they need healthy fats for their growth and development.

Broccoli, leafy greens, and shredded chicken on a plate.

As your baby’s iron stores are almost depleted, iron-rich foods should be gradually introduced at the start of the weaning process. Good sources of iron include iron-fortified plain cereals, meat, and dark green vegetables like spinach and broccoli.

Bowl of porridge topped with mashed tofu and broccoli, with scraped pear on a spoon.

To help your baby’s body better absorb iron, combine iron-rich foods with good sources of vitamin C, like vegetables and fruits. Other suitable food choices include porridge blended with mashed or pureed vegetables such as pumpkin, sweet potato and carrot.

Bowl of porridge topped with mashed pumpkin and minced chicken.

As your baby grows older, his/her ability to chew and bite will develop. You can then introduce other grains (fine oats, barley and wheat), cooked strained vegetables, soft mashed fruits and soft protein-rich foods like tofu, cooked mashed lentils or finely flaked fish at around 6 months.

Bowl of rice porridge topped with shredded poultry.

At around 7–8 months, you may also start adding finely minced meat and shredded poultry, such as beef, chicken, pork and lamb, to his/her diet.

Studies have shown that early introduction of allergenic foods (in particular egg and peanut in the form of hard-boiled egg and smooth peanut butter mixed with the baby’s usual food) followed by regular consumption can help prevent food allergy, especially for at-risk babies.

Examples of your baby’s first solid foods

Ikan bilis, fish, apple, cabbage, potato, banana, carrot, peas, soybean, broccoli.

Recommended foods and textures

Breast milk and/or infant formula remains the main food source in early weaning, providing most of your child’s energy, protein, essential fatty acids, calcium and other vitamins and minerals.

A low-fat diet is not recommended for children under two, as they need healthy fats for their growth and development.

Breast milk and/or infant formula remains the main food source in early weaning, providing most of your child’s energy, protein, essential fatty acids, calcium and other vitamins and minerals.

A low-fat diet is not recommended for children under two, as they need healthy fats for their growth and development.

At around 6 months, your baby’s food should be smooth, soft and fine in texture. As he/she grows older and his/her chewing abilities develop, the texture of their food can be thicker and coarser.

At around 10–12 months, your baby’s food only needs to be mashed, chopped or cut into small pieces.

Meal planning for your baby? Follow the guide below to determine the right texture for your baby’s food.

Infographic showing how food textures progress from pureed at 6 months to finely chopped at 12 to 24 months.

Portion sizing guide

In the early stages of weaning, start by giving your baby 1–2 teaspoons of solids once a day, and slowly increase it to 1–2 tablespoons of solids 2 or 3 times a day.

As your baby gets used to weaning, you can gradually increase the portion size, eventually reaching a full meal of solids that can replace one of their milk feeds.

Illustration of three bowls of baby food.

Once your baby reaches around 10–12 months of age, he/she can be fed 3 meals of solids a day.

Do pay attention to bowel movements, height and weight to make sure he/she is
eating well. Familiarise yourself with the serving sizes across different food groups,
so you can plan a healthy diet for your child.

Follow the visual guide below to determine the right portion for
your baby’s food:

Plain full cream

MILK

Benefits of plain full cream milk

From 12 months onwards, breastfeeding can continue until your child is 2 years old or beyond. You can also introduce your child to plain full-cream milk as a supplement to support their evolving nutritional needs.

For parents who may find it challenging to continue breastfeeding, plain full-cream milk can be given as a suitable alternative, complemented by a wide variety of solid foods from the four main food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, and meat or alternatives.

Illustration of a stethoscope and clipboard.

Plain full cream milk is an easily accessible and convenient source of protein, calcium, vitamin D and riboflavin.

Illustration of a child with a highlighted bone and heart symbols.

Riboflavin is an essential B vitamin that supports the growth and development of your toddler’s muscles, bones and nerves.

Illustration of a child with calcium and vitamin D symbols.

A healthy diet supplemented with plain full cream milk gives your toddler the nutrition he/she needs for healthy growth.

Types of plain full cream cow’s milk

There are 3 main types of plain full cream milk available in supermarkets:

Illustration of chilled pasteurised milk, UHT milk, and powdered full-cream milk.

Note: Powdered plain full cream milk is not to be confused with filled or formula milk. Filled milk is
unsuitable for toddlers as it is typically reconstituted with fat or oil of non-milk origins (e.g. palm oil).

Download PDF

How to introduce your toddler to plain full cream milk

Many first-time moms wonder how they should go about offering plain full cream milk to their toddlers. Here are some common ways:

Illustration of full cream milk being added to a bowl of oatmeal.

Use plain full cream milk as
an ingredient in recipes

Does your toddler enjoy oatmeal? Cook oatmeal with milk instead of water. Does he/she love smoothies? Add milk. Find foods he/she already likes and add or mix with milk.

Illustration of full cream milk and formula milk being poured into a cup.

Mix plain full cream milk
with formula milk

Introduce plain full cream milk slowly to your toddler by mixing it with formula milk. Gradually increase the proportion of plain full cream milk in the mixture. You can start with a mix of one-quarter plain full cream milk to three-quarters formula milk.

Both ways will help your child slowly get used to the taste. This gives his/her digestive system more time to adjust to the higher concentrations of milk protein and minerals.

The World Health Organisation recommends continued breastfeeding for up to 2 years or longer. If your child is above the age of 12 months, and is no longer being breastfed, he/she can switch to plain full-cream milk with a well-balanced diet.

Illustration of a child sitting with arms raised and heart symbols beside them.

Dos and Dont’s

Many first-time moms wonder how they should go about offering plain full cream milk to their toddlers. Here are some common ways:

Illustration of a healthcare professional marked with a tick.

Do:
Consult a medical professional before opting for alternatives if your toddler is allergic to cow’s milk protein, on a vegan diet or has a medical condition. Options include unsweetened or reduced-sugar calcium-fortified milk alternatives like soy, almond or rice milk.

Illustration of strawberry, tofu, banana, nuts and dried fruit marked with a tick.

Do:
Include other energy-dense foods in your toddler’s diet if you are feeding your toddler soy-based or extensively hydrolysed formula, as soy-based milk typically contains only about half the energy content of full-fat animal milk.

Illustration of filled milk marked with a cross.

Don’t:
Feed filled milk which is typically reconstituted with any fat or oil of non-milk origins (e.g. palm oil), and is unsuitable for babies or infants.

Illustration of condensed milk and evaporated milk marked with a cross.

Don’t:
Substitute plain full cream milk with condensed or evaporated milk, as these types of milk are high in sugar and saturated fat.

Illustration of single-serve milk carton marked with a cross.

Don’t:
Feed flavoured milk as it contains added sugar, which could lead to dental caries.

Illustration of a sippy cup marked with a cross.

Don’t:
Use sippy cups. Instead, slowly transit your toddler from milk bottles to an open cup, and then to a straw. Research suggests that drinking only from a bottle or a sippy cup with a hard spout could slow down the development of proper swallowing and may even affect speech and language skills.

Illustration of a Nutri-Grade label showing grade C and 0% sugar.

Under the Nutri-Grade grading system, plain full cream milk is graded C due to its higher saturated fat content compared to low fat milk. For 1-2 year olds, plain full cream still meets the dietary requirements of adequate fat, protein vitamins and minerals which are essential for their growth and development.

LATCHING & POSITIONS

Your baby’s upper and lower lips flare out to form a good seal on the breast.
Your baby’s chin is touching the breast and the nose is slightly away from the breast.
The areola is drawn into your baby’s mouth.
Your baby’s cheek is round.
You may feel the initial tug on the nipple when your baby suckles but you should not have nipple pain or discomfort.
You can observe your baby’s sucking rhythm to ensure good milk transfer.

How to position your baby for feeding

Cradle hold

Suitable when:
Your baby can latch on easily.

How:

Support your baby’s head in the crook of your arm.
Hold your baby’s buttocks, while his/her face and body are turned towards you.

Cross hold

Suitable when:
Your baby is a newborn, small or premature, and when your nipples are short.

How:

Support the back of your baby’s head and shoulder at the nape of his/her neck using your palm.
Rest your baby’s body and buttocks on your forearm.

Illustration of mother breastfeeding a baby while using a pillow for support.

Football hold

Suitable when:
Your baby is small and when you have large breasts or short nipples, or have undergone a caesarean section.

How:

Support the back of your baby’s head and shoulder at the nape of his/her neck with your palm.
Rest your baby’s body and buttock on your forearm.
Tuck your baby under your arm so that his/her legs are behind you, and the head is at your breast.

Illustration of mother breastfeeding a baby while lying on her side.

Lying down

Suitable when:
You’ve had a caesarean section, forceps delivery or want to nurse at night.

How:

Lie on your side with a pillow under your head and behind your back with the baby facing you.

If you have any problems, approach your hospital’s lactation consultants for help.

How to gauge if your baby is

FULL OR HUNGRY

When your baby is hungry

When your baby is hungry, he/she...

Illustration of a baby's face with round cheeks and half-open eyes.

Increases his/her eye movements under closed eyelids or open eyes.

Illustration of baby with arms raised and tongue slightly out.

Opens his/her mouth, stretches out the tongue and turns his/her head to look for the breast.

Illustration of baby with both hands raised in clenched fists.

Makes soft sucking sounds.

Illustration of baby chewing on a teething toy.

Shows a strong rooting reflex such as sucking or chewing on hands, fingers or other objects that come in contact with the mouth.

Illustration of baby smiling and raising arms toward a caregiver's finger.

Moves towards your finger when you place it near the corner of his/her mouth.

How it benefits you

When your baby is full...

Illustration of two hands supporting a breast.

Your breasts will feel soft after nursing.

Illustration of baby smiling with arms raised.

He/she appears contented and satisfied.

Illustration of baby nappy with elastic edges and leg openings.

He/she passes clear urine and has bowel movements 2–5 times or more in a day.

Expressing

BREAST MILK

You can express your breast milk manually by using your hands or with a manual/electric breast pump.

How to express breast milk with a breast pump

Illustration of hands rubbing together with soap.

Wash hands thoroughly before expressing milk.

Illustration of baby bottle being sterilised in boiling water.

Ensure all the equipment is clean and sterilised.

Illustration of a person using a breast pump to express milk into a bottle.

Start your pump at low suction level and increase to a level you are comfortable with. Pump each breast for about 20 minutes.

Illustration of three containers of expressed milk with freezer symbols.

Express your breast milk every 3 hours and store the breast milk in the refrigerator or freezer.

Storing and thawing breast milk

Place of storage

Recommended storage duration

Expressed milk at room temperature of 25°C

4 hours

Expressed milk in a cooler with an ice pack at 15°C

24 hours

Freshly expressed breast milk stored in the fridge at 4°C

48 hours

Frozen milk in a 2-door fridge stored at -5°C to -15°C

3-6 months

Frozen milk in a deep freezer at -20°C

6-12 months

Thawed breast milk stored in the fridge at 4°C

24 hours

Illustration of baby holding and drinking milk from a bottle.

Thawing Guidelines

Thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator or in a cup of warm water.
Use the milk immediately or within one hour.
Avoid boiling or heating breast milk in a microwave.

How to store breast milk and heat up chilled breast milk

How to ensure sufficient

MILK SUPPLY

It is normal for mothers to worry about producing enough breast milk for their babies.As long as breast milk is expressed, your milk production will continue, no matter the mode of feeding. Frequent and effective milk removal is important to ensure a good supply. Hence, do:

Illustration of baby breastfeeding with a close up view of proper latching, marked with a tick.

Ensure that your baby latches on correctly.

Illustration of a glass and a bottle of water, marked with a tick.

Rest, eat well and drink plenty of fluids.

Illustration of two containers of expressed milk with freezer symbols, marked with a tick.

Express and store breast milk if your baby is not feeding well or is away from you.

Illustration of mother breastfeeding baby in a cross hold, marked with a tick.

Feed your baby on demand. Allow him to suckle for as long as possible.

Illustration of coffee and alcohol marked with a cross.

Reduce caffeine. Avoid alcohol and tobacco smoking.

Illustration of alarm clock ringing, marked with a tick.

Breastfeed regularly every 2–3 hours according to your baby's demand and avoid supplementary feeding with formula milk.

Illustration of breast pump marked with a cross.

Avoid supplementary feeds as far as possible because your baby will have no desire to suckle to maintain the milk production and flow.

Illustration of baby bottle marked with a cross

Avoid feeding from a bottle or using a pacifier in the first few weeks until breastfeeding is established, as it may cause “nipple confusion”.

A note on traditional foods

Traditional foods such as unripe papaya cooked with fish have been known to increase mother’s milk. Fenugreek*, also known as ‘venthaiyem’ (in Tamil), ‘methi’ (in Hindi) or ‘Halba’ (in Malay) is a herb that is commonly used in cooking curry. It has also been used to increase milk supply traditionally. Fenugreek tea can be taken four times a day by adding three teaspoons of fenugreek seeds in a glass of hot water. Also available in capsule form, Fenugreek can be taken as two capsules four times a day, or three capsules three times a day to improve milk supply.

*Fenugreek is considered safe for nursing moms when consumed in moderation. However, be aware that an excessive amount of fenugreek can cause diarrhoea. Please consult your physician prior to starting any supplements, if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.

Common challenges

CHALLENGES & TIPS

Do not worry or be discouraged if you encounter some difficulties when you first breastfeed.By being aware of the possible problems, understanding their solutions and asking for help, your breastfeeding journey can be a smoother one.Here are some examples of the common problems encountered and their solutions.

Sore or cracked nipples

Illustration of a breast with a cracked nipple.

Cause:
Your baby is not positioned or latched on properly.

Solution:

Gently take your baby off your breast, then re-attach and re-position him.
Reduce the nursing duration but increase the number of feeds.
Initiate breastfeeding on the unaffected breast.
Express a few drops of breast milk on the nipples to soothe them.
Apply nipple cream or balm that is safe for babies.

Thrush

Illustration of baby with irritated spots around the mouth.

Cause:
A yeast infection caused by Candida albicans that affects both you and baby. You may experience itchy, red or sore nipples and your baby may have white patches in the mouth.

Solution:

The infection will not affect your baby and you can continue to breastfeed.
See your doctor who may prescribe antifungal medication for you and your baby.

Engorgement

Cause:
Missed feeds

Solution:

Express some breast milk before nursing if your baby has trouble latching on.
Massage your breast gently while you are feeding and express after feed if your breast still feels hard or swollen.
Use cold packs after a feed to feel more comfortable.

Nipple confusion

Cause:
When a breastfeeding newborn alternates between bottle and breast, and refuses to latch directly due to confusion.

Solution:

Feed exclusively from the breast where possible.
If you need to express milk for various reasons, give your baby expressed milk from a cup, spoon or syringe.

Plugged ducts

Cross section illustration of a breast showing a blocked duct.

Cause:
A blocked milk duct that is not draining well into the nipple.

Solution:

Start nursing from the affected breast first when your baby's suckle is vigorous and strong.
Keep the affected breast as empty as possible by nursing frequently.
Apply mild pressure with a warm towel on the lump, gently pushing it towards your nipple.
Change feeding positions to help empty the breast and hand express breast milk if necessary.

Breast infections (mastitis)

Cause:
A bacterial infection that usually affects one breast. The affected breast may appear to be red, hot and swollen, or may have a painful lump.

Solution:

Get help from your doctor or lactation consultant.
You may be given antibiotics and painkillers for pain and fever.

Breastfeeding premature babies

Cause:
Premature babies often have medical problems that require close monitoring in the hospital. If you’re feeding your preemie, you can:

Solution:

Initiate expressing of breast milk 6-8 times a day, including at night, and store the milk
Learn how to express, collect, transport and store breast milk correctly

How to continue breastfeeding when you

RESUME WORK

FORMULA MILK

Picking the right infant formula

While breast milk is recommended for newborn babies, you can consider switching to infant formula milk as an alternative or supplementary source of nutrition when breastfeeding is insufficient or not possible.

Illustration of packaging labelled “Milk” with a scoop beside.

Rest assured that all infant formula sold in Singapore is safe and adequate for your baby to consume thanks to the stringent regulations and nutritional requirements set in place by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA).

Although the amount of nutrients may vary, the nutrient composition of formula milk is similar among major brands (all contain the required level of macronutrients, vitamins and minerals essential for a baby’s growth and development). Some, for example, contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. However, the evidence for its added benefit(s) is inconclusive.

Illustration of a drumstick, a piece of fish, a bowl of wholegrains, an apple and a baby bottle with milk.

How much to feed your baby

Feeding your baby the right portion of milk is essential for their growth and health. The amount of milk your baby requires will vary according to their growth and body weight.

Do not force your baby to finish the bottle if he/she appears to be full. If your baby has a specially-prescribed formula to follow, do consult with your paediatrician on the correct amount to feed every day.

Types of formula milk

There are 3 basic types of infant formula milk:

Illustration of a jar labelled 'Cow's milk based'.

Cow’s milk-based formula
The standard base of infant formula is cow’s milk, which has been modified to mimic the composition of breast milk in terms of carbohydrate and fat, plus vitamins and minerals. Most babies without special medical conditions adapt well to standard cow’s milk-based formulas.

Illustration of a jar labelled 'Soy-based milk'.

Soy-based formula
Soy-based milk does not contain lactose and animal proteins, and could be an option for babies who are lactose intolerant. It is recommended that you consult your doctor or paediatrician before starting your baby on soy-based formula.

Illustration of a jar labelled 'Specialised formulas'.

Specialised formulas
Specialised formulas are made for babies with specific medical conditions and are generally more expensive than standard infant formulas. Parents should seek medical advice before they give specialised formula to their babies.

Illustration of a cow with grass in its mouth.

Only give plain full cream milk to your child when they are 12 months and above!

Babies below 12 months of age should not take plain full cream milk (e.g. chilled pasteurised, UHT, powdered plain full cream milk) because it is not as easily digestible as breast milk or infant formula. It can stress a newborn’s kidneys and cause dehydration due to its high concentration of protein and minerals. Additionally, consumption may irritate the baby’s stomach and intestinal lining, leading to the loss of blood in stools and causing iron deficiency anaemia.

Stages of formula feeding

Your baby’s formula milk requirements change at every stage. Make sure you feed him/her the right one at the right time!

Stage 1 milk: 0–6 months
Stage 1 formula mimics the nutrition composition of breast milk. Even though formula recipes may vary between brands, all formulas are nutritionally adequate for your baby’s growing needs.

Stage 2 milk: 6–12 months
This is formulated for infants who are 6–12 months old. Stage 2 milk should not be given to babies aged 0–6 months as their digestive system and kidneys are not developed enough. Milk will still be the main source of nutrition, in addition to solid foods in small portions.

Above 12 months
If your baby is no longer breastfeeding, plain full cream milk can be introduced to him/her.

Common concerns

Concerns about constipation
While it is true that babies on formula milk tend to develop harder stools, it does not necessarily mean that they are constipated. Constipation is a common problem encountered in formula-fed babies, as the casein in cow's milk-based formula is difficult to digest. Depending on the type of fat blend used in formula, in combination with minerals such as calcium and iron, it may be less well-absorbed and can contribute to hard stools.

Babies younger than 6 months who are exclusively breastfed or are consuming adequate infant formula do not require additional fluids. Fruit juice is not recommended for babies as it can disrupt their appetite and nutrition intake with its high sugar content.

Illustration of a jar labelled 'Formula milk' with a scoop beside it.

Switching between formulas
There is no fixed rule on how to switch between formula brands. As taste varies between formula brands, the pace of switching depends on your baby’s preferences and how quickly they can adapt to the new brand. Start by gradually increasing the number of feeds of the new brand. If your baby is adapting well, you can increase them more frequently until all feeds are replaced by the new brand.

During this period, you may notice a change in frequency, texture and/or colour of the stool. This is normal as the amount of added nutrients like iron and prebiotics can be different in the new brand. If your baby does not show any signs of allergy to the original cow’s milk-based formula, it is unlikely that they will develop allergic reactions when switching to another cow’s milk based formula.

Different brands of formula milk have different feed compositions. Therefore, it is recommended that you do not mix two or more brands of milk powder when preparing a feed.

ALLERGIES

And foods to avoid

Illustration of cow and honey marked with a cross.

Plain full cream milk should not be given to infants younger than 12 months as it is low in iron and high in solutes which can damage your baby’s developing kidneys.
Honey (on its own or in other products like cakes); your baby should not eat honey in any form until he is at least 12 months old. As infants cannot digest the bacteria found in honey, eating honey can cause infant botulism.

Illustration of sugar, salt, and soy sauce marked with a cross.

Any food high in salt content like canned foods, sausages, preserved foods, and foods seasoned with salt, soy sauce or chicken seasoning powder; your baby’s kidneys cannot handle one gram of salt or more per day until he/she is 12 months old.
If your baby gets too used to salty flavours, he/she may be more likely to reject unseasoned food. This could encourage him/her to consume more salty foods and raise future risk of high blood pressure. Instead, use ginger, garlic, spring onion or spices such as turmeric as alternatives for seasoning.

Illustration of fish, rice dumpling, nuts, fruit, and sweetened drinks marked with a cross.

Any uncooked foods and unpasteurized milk products
Fish with high levels of mercury — such as shark, swordfish, marlin, tuna (includes bluefin, big eyes, albacore yellowfin varieties), king mackerel, orange roughy, yellowback seabream and dash-and-dot goatfish.
Any food that can easily be a choking hazard, such as: Small and hard pieces of food (e.g. nuts, and grapes); crunchy or hard foods (e.g. uncooked vegetables); fish and meat with bones; fruits with seeds, and sticky rice (e.g. glutinous rice).
Commercial snacks that are high in sugar and high in sodium are a big no-no.
Sugared drinks, soft drinks or fruit juice.
Caffeinated drinks such as energy drinks, coffee or tea.

Watch out for symptoms of food allergies

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Symptoms usually occur within several hours or several days after eating the trigger food. Hence, it is best to observe your baby’s reaction(s) closely – especially after introducing a new food. Look for:

Hives and worsening eczema
Swollen eyes, tongue, face, mouth and lips
Watery stools
Vomiting
Breathing difficulties
Fainting

Some babies may develop an allergic reaction 1 or 2 days later so do keep a lookout for
symptoms like eczema, wheezing, persistent vomiting, constipation and/or stomach pain. See a
paediatrician immediately if your baby displays any of these reactions.

YUMMY RECIPE IDEAS

For your weaning baby

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Sample daily meal plan for babies 6-9 months

Here’s a sample daily meal plan to give you a rough idea of the types of food you can prepare for your baby. Note: This is just a guide. Now that your baby is able to regulate their own milk or food intake, let them decide how much to eat and whether they want to eat.