3.1 Importance of Nutrition 

Good nutrition for infants is very important, for healthy growth and development. Babies bodies and brains needs right food to help grow strong. this steps helps babies well being. According to Canada food Guide (healthy Canada, 2025), breads milk or formula  is the best food for first 6 month. when the baby is sex month old or older parents and educators has to start second step which is slowly giving soft food like mashed vegetables, fruit, iron rich foods such as lentils or very soft chicken. Healthy foundation in Early Childhood Settings  explains that proper nutrition helps babies have more energy to move to play and learn 

(Pimento & Kernested, 2021).

3.2 Infants Nutrition 

Feeding infants follows each child's unique. Educators gat start to feed babies when they see babies crying or sucking their fingers.

According to the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA) (Government of Ontario, 2014), says anything uses for child needs like bottles, utensils, and feeding equipment  has to be cleaned and sanitized to prevent illness. Educators also record each feeding time and amount eaten.  Health Canada (2025) says infants should eat iron rich foods daily and drink water from a small open cup when starting solid foods. 

 

3.3 Canada Food Guide & Active Living

Canada's Food Guide (Health Canada, 2025) requires and encourages to eat healthy food for all ages. For infants the guide recommends starting solids around 6 months and offering soft textures with iron rich foods as long as eating healthy food is imported physical movements and growth. Babies need tummy time rolling and stretching several times every day. These small movements build muscles and support brain development. Early childhood educators can connect feeding and activity by giving tummy time after meals or playing gently, talking and singing while feeding is an excellent time. (Health Canada, 2025).




3.4 Creative Menu/Recipe Offering

 

Sample menu recipe for infants:

  1. Steamed carrots soft texture.
  2. chicken and sweet potato mashed together.
  3. formula and water

vegetarian option is:

  1. mashed avocado
  2. lentils with vegetable
  3. soft banana slices

These meals follow Canada's food Guide and meet CCEYA nutrition standards for infants. All foods must be soft and easy to chew to prevent choking. educators check food temperature and record daily what each infant eats (Government of Ontario, 2014, health Canada 2025).