Babies are mostly breastfed for the first six months after their birth as the mother's milk provides them with all the required nutrients for their healthy development. After their 6 months of age, parents should start introducing external foods to fulfill their developing nutritional requirements. Among other nutrients, the inclusion of dietary fiber in a baby's diet plan can help enhance gut micro flora and keep the digestive system healthy. According to Montessori Chino, CA team, the first years of life are crucial for establishing a healthy colonic microflora, as well as good eating habits. Thus, the intake of dietary fiber for babies is beneficial.

High fiber foods for babies :

1. Vegetables : vegetable fiber can be started immediately after 6 months of age. Initially, you can give vegetables in mashed or pureed form. As they start teething, children can try eating sautéed vegetables or salads. Some fiber-rich vegetables are spinach, broccoli, beans, peas, turnip greens, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, parsnips, and raw carrots.
2. Fruits : apples, bananas, prunes, plums, apricots, pears, peaches are a great source of fiber and can be safely introduced, to babies. It is advisable to let your baby try only one fruit at a time and observe how his body reacts to the fruit. If you think your baby is feeling any discomfort or not liking the fruit, discontinue it and try another fruit option.
3. Dry fruits : though dried fruits are potential choking hazards for babies around 6 to 12 months of age, you can serve them in cooked and pureed form. Dried fruits can be a good finger food option for babies. Some of the high fiber dried fruits options are prunes, apricots, dates, and figs.
4. Grains : caregivers in Preschool Chino CA, have observed that parents include grains in their children's diet as they start eating solids. It fulfills the fiber requirement in their body and adds variety in their meals. Some kid’s friendly grains are rice, oats, barley, wheat, lentils, and chickpeas.
5. Pulses and legumes : pulses and legumes are considered a good source of protein and micronutrients like iron, potassium, and folate. However, they are also a good source of dietary fiber. You can include horse gram, Bengal gram, split peas, lentils and chickpeas in your baby's diet plan.

While fiber is good for children’s healthy development; you should be aware of the possible side effects of excessive fiber intake.

• High fiber and low water intake may lead to constipation for diarrhea.
• Sometimes high fiber foods lead to a decrease in mineral absorption.
• Too much fiber consumption may lead to flatulence, bloating, abdominal cramps and nausea.
• Rarely it may cause a decrease in appetite and may lead to growth failure in kids.