Natural Dietary Suggestions and Essential Supplements for Children and Infants

When it comes to the dietary needs of children, including infants and babies, it's important to prioritise their nutritional requirements for growth and development.

Breast milk

Breast milk is the number one. It’s the ideal source of nutrition for infants up to six months of age. It provides essential nutrients and antibodies for their healthy growth.

Breastfeeding offers long-term health advantages, reducing the risk of various illnesses such as obesity, diabetes and asthma for both infants and mothers. It also provides optimal nutrition, delivering essential nutrients and antibodies for your baby's growth, development and bolsters their developing immune system[i][ii].

However, breastfeeding is not always a straightforward practice for some new mothers, this is very normal and you shouldn’t feel alone. Seek help if you are having difficulties.

Please see our breastfeeding article for more advice[iii].

Introduction of solid foods (6M and older):

Around six months of age, infants can start consuming solid foods alongside breast milk or formula[iv].

It’s good advice to begin with single-ingredient, mashed or pureed foods such as cooked vegetables (e.g., sweet potatoes, carrots), fruits (e.g., mashed bananas, avocados), and iron-fortified infant cereals. Making your own can be considerably more cost effective and healthier compared to shop-bought baby food[v].

After this, you can gradually introduce different food groups and textures based on your child's readiness and developmental milestones.

Balanced diet advice for children (1Y +):

Offer a variety of foods from different food groups, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins (e.g., poultry, fish, beans), and healthy fats (e.g., avocados, nuts, seeds).

Aim for a balanced intake of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) and important micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).

Avoid excessive intake of sugary snacks, processed foods, and sugary beverages.

Limiting the excessive intake of sugary snacks, processed foods, and sugary beverages in children is crucial for their overall health and well-being. These types of foods can have detrimental effects on dental health, contributing to tooth decay and cavities. By filling up on these foods, children may miss out on essential nutrients needed for their growth and development. What’s more, diets high in added sugars can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, affecting energy levels, mood and cognitive function with their ability to focus [vi][vii].

Essential supplements for the little ones

Vitamin D: Infants who are exclusively or partially breastfed may require a vitamin D supplement. It is worth asking your doctor or a trained nutritional therapist for advice on this. You can ask us for advice[viii][ix]. Viridian Viridikid Vitamin D 400iu

Iron: Iron-rich foods should be introduced around six months. In some cases, iron supplementation might be recommended, especially for those infants who are at risk of iron deficiency[x].

Probiotics: Probiotics can support digestive health. You can chat to us to determine which probiotic supplementation is necessary for your child[xi]. You can also check out our products such as: Viridian Synerbio Children's Powder / Synerbio Mother and Baby Probiotic powder (30g)

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3s play an extremely important role in brain development. They can be obtained through diet, in foods like fatty fish (e.g., salmon) or through supplements, but consult a healthcare professional before giving any supplements to infants or young children. Also, you should double check which age it is suitable to introduce omega fats in solid food form[xii][xiii]. Eskimo Healthy Kids or Bare Biology Action Heroes Omega 3 Fish Oil Liquid for Kids

We recommend these children's formulas:

Viridian Viridikid Mini Multi

Terranova Green Child Living Multivitamin

Wild Nutrition Children's Food Grown Daily Multi Nutrient

How to ‘sneakily’ add some greens to your child’s diet

Terranova Green Child Sneaky Greens Super Shake for Kids: wholefood ingredients providing a vast array of naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, fibre, enzymes and a wide variety of phytonutrients[xiv].

Remember, every child is unique, and their dietary needs are no exception. Please reach out to us today if you would like more support on getting the best nutrition for your little one.

Our top picks for babies, infants and children

It’s also worth considering what is absorbed through the skin. We suggest using only the

best natural products on your child’s delicate skin to reduce the chance of allergies.

Bubbles at the ready - It’s bath-time! We love:

Jack 'n' Jill Baby wash (300ml) and Jack 'n' Jill Shampoo (300ml)

Organic Pharmacy Mother & Baby Massage Oil 100ml and Green People

Organic Babies Nurturing Baby Oil (100ml)

Gentle options for baby teeth

Green People Mandarin & Aloe Vera Children's Toothpaste 50ml

Jack 'n' Jill Natural Teething Gel Jack N' Jill

Teetha Teething Granules - Chamomilla 6c