2. Avoid Heavily Processed Foods 

Many packaged products are processed to be on the shelf for years. Most also have preservatives and additives. Heavy processing usually involves exposing foods to high temperatures for long periods which can denature water-soluble vitamins.

3. Eat the Rainbow

Your baby’s brain and body need a diet dense in a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals to fuel proper growth. Just because a squeeze pouch touts spinach as an ingredient doesn’t mean there’s a lot of green stuff in there. Make a habit of reading nutrition labels. A good rule is to eat the rainbow to ensure nutrient diversity.

4. Remember the “Poop Pantone”

When it comes to your baby’s diaper, this is what the colors mean and what to look out for.

Greenish black: Common for newborn’s first poop. When older, green poo can be from foods high in iron.

Yellow Brown: Common for formula-fed babies.

Greenish Brown: Common for babies transitioning to solids. May reflect foods they are eating.

Black: for older babies – not newborns – it may be a sign of something more serious. Contact your pediatrician. 

White or Gray: Not normal, could be a sign of a liver issue. Contact your pediatrician. 

Red: may appear more red after red foods, but blood in stools could be some constipation or something more serious. If your baby has eaten nothing red recently, contact your pediatrician.