Infant and Toddler Feeding in Sharjah

What is infant and toddler feeding?

Infant and toddler feeding support is practical dietary guidance for the first three years of life, when a baby moves from milk alone to eating the family's food. The dietitian helps parents plan each step: when to start solids, which foods to offer first, how to move through textures, how to introduce common allergens, and how milk fits in as the child grows.

Babies are usually ready for solid foods at around six months. Signs of readiness include sitting with support, holding the head steady, bringing food to the mouth and swallowing it rather than pushing it back out.

A fact that surprises many parents: gagging is a normal part of learning to eat. It is a noisy reflex that pushes food forward, and it becomes less frequent as the baby practises. Choking is silent, and knowing the difference helps parents stay calm at mealtimes.

At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, infant and toddler feeding support is provided by the dietitian in the Nutrition and Dietetics service. For older children, and for medical feeding concerns, see child nutrition advice with the paediatric team.

Who needs it

Infant and toddler feeding support helps parents who:

• Are preparing to start solids and want a plan for the first months of weaning
• Are choosing between spoon-feeding purées and baby-led weaning, or a mix of both
• Want to introduce allergens such as egg and peanut safely, especially with eczema or a family history of allergy
• Have a baby who refuses lumps or is slow to move beyond smooth purées
• Have a toddler who drinks a lot of milk and eats little food
• Follow a vegetarian or vegan diet and want to plan for iron, protein and vitamin B12
• Have a child with a diagnosed food allergy, often alongside child allergy testing
• Are moving from breastfeeding or formula to other milks, often alongside breastfeeding support

What happens

The dietitian asks about your baby's age, feeding history, growth, any allergies or eczema, and family eating habits. Growth records are reviewed, and a growth and development check can be arranged when needed.

The session then maps out the stages of feeding:

| Stage | Focus |
|---|---|
| First tastes, around six months | Iron-rich foods such as meat, lentils and fortified cereals, plus soft vegetables and fruit |
| Building textures | Mashed, then lumpy, then soft finger foods, with a wider range of flavours |
| Around the first birthday | Family foods cut safely, three meals and planned snacks, cup drinking |
| Toddler years | Growing independence, self-feeding and a varied family diet |

The dietitian explains how to introduce common allergens, such as egg and peanut in a smooth form, one at a time and then regularly. Water from a cup can be offered alongside meals from around six months, and cows' milk becomes a main drink from around one year.

Toddlers eat small, frequent amounts, and appetite varies from day to day. The dietitian shows parents how to offer a balanced plate at each meal and let the child decide how much to eat, which supports the child's own sense of hunger and fullness.

The plan builds in family food. Soft rice with lentils, mashed vegetables from a saloona, hummus, yoghurt, and fish cooked without added salt all suit a weaning baby.

Safety is covered clearly: foods kept free of added salt and sugar, whole nuts avoided, grapes and cherry tomatoes cut lengthwise, and honey kept until after the first birthday.

Preparing for it

• Bring your child's growth records and vaccination book
• Keep a three-day food and milk diary, including amounts and times
• Bring any feeding bottles, cups or spoons you use
• Note any reactions to foods, eczema, or family history of allergy
• Bring photos or videos of mealtimes if a feeding difficulty is the concern

Afterwards

You leave with a written feeding plan for your child's stage and ideas for meals and snacks. The plan is updated at follow-up as your child grows and textures progress.

In the Sharjah heat, offer water regularly once solids start, and keep prepared food chilled. During Ramadan, the dietitian helps families plan a baby's meals around the household's iftar and suhoor routine.

Contact the hospital if your baby is feeding poorly, has fewer wet nappies, or is losing weight. Call for emergency help or go to the emergency department straight away if your child is choking, has swelling of the face or lips, or has difficulty breathing after eating.

Cost and insurance

Many UAE insurance plans cover paediatric care, while dietitian sessions for children may need a referral or have limits. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you check your cover on 06 599 7777.