Breastfeeding Help!
Reliable information on
breastfeeding topics
by Heisje de Jong,
Certified Lactation Consultant
11.- WHEN AND
HOW TO START SOLID FOODS
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Breastmilk is the perfect food for your baby for at least the
first 5-6 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends
exclusive breastfeeding for approximately the first six months
after birth.
There is usually no reason for giving anything else before that
time. Breastmilk provides all the calories, vitamins and minerals
in the proper proportions needed by the baby.
| There are some advantages to waiting until your baby is ready for solids: |
* The younger the baby, the more likely it is that any foods other than breastmilk will cause him allergies. While totally breastfed, the baby is protected by components in mother's milk that coat the intestinal tract, preventing foreign proteins from entering the baby's system and causing an allergic reaction. At about six months of age, the baby begins producing enough antibodies to prevent such allergic reactions.
* The baby's digestive system matures during the first six months. Introducing other foods before the baby's body is ready can lead to frequent digestive upsets, poor nutrient absorption and excessive weight gain due to increased calorie consumption.
* Starting solid foods decreases the amount of antibodies the baby receives because he consumes less breastmilk. When the introduction of solid foods is left until the baby is about six months old his immunological system has begun to function and then he is not depending only on the protection provided by breastmilk.
* A young baby still possesses the tongue-thrust reflex, which causes the food to be pushed out rather than swallowed. As baby approaches six months of age the tongue-thrust reflex has faded and baby's neuromuscular development allows for proper chewing and swallowing of non-liquid foods.
| HOW DO I KNOW MY BABY IS READY FOR SOLIDS? |
The most obvious indication of
a baby's interest in starting solids is his behavior when others
are eating. He may watch them intently, imitate their chewing
and reach for food.
At the same time baby indicates his readiness for additional
food through the eruption of teeth, the ability to sit up, improved
hand-eye coordination and the ability to grasp objects with his
thumb and forefinger.
| SOME HINTS |
* Your baby will be more willing
to try something new when he is not very hungry so offer solids
after a feeding once or twice a day.
* Start with small amounts, a teaspoon full, gradually increase
the amount.
* Offer a new food every 5-6 days. This way, if your baby gets
an allergic reaction, it is
easier to pinpoint the source.
* Add foods from all food groups over the next 3-4 months.
* Don't force baby to eat if he doesn't want.
* If baby objects to a particular food, withhold it for several
weeks before offering it again. The experience of
trying new foods should be a pleasant experience for baby.
* Don't add salt or sweeteners to baby's food.
* Never leave baby alone when he is eating!
* Never leave baby alone in the high chair!
Check out this shopping list for items you may need.
| WHAT FOODS TO CHOOSE? |
Preparing homemade baby food
is a practical solution to the expense of commercial foods. Although
commercial foods are of adequate quality nowadays, they are rather
expensive. They can be a good solution when you take your baby
out, are eating out in a restaurant or when your family eats
something that is not suitable for baby or something that baby
doesn't like.
When prepared properly, with no added sugar or salt, homemade
foods are nutritionally superior.
Prefer fresh or frozen vegetables and fruits, avoid canned products,
they contain fewer vitamins.
At the beginning foods should be pureed and diluted with liquid. As the baby becomes accustomed to eating solids, the liquid content can be decreased and the texture can be made coarser. After that chunky foods and finger foods can be offered.
* Single grain cereals (such
as rice or barley) are a good choice to start with; the mother
can express some breastmilk or use warm water or
formula to mix with the cereal.
* Fruits are also a good choice to start with; banana, peach,
apple, melon, pear. Wait with citrus fruits until
baby is about 9 months old (likely to cause allergy if given
too early).
* Vegetables: boiled carrot, potatoes, peas, cauliflower, green
beans, broccoli, spinach are all good choices for
the beginning.
* After your baby has been introduced to solid foods, you can
offer meat: chicken, turkey, beef, veal, lamb, fish
(be careful with bones). Meat adds the protein your growing baby
needs. If your family eats vegetarian meat can be
substituted by, for example, tofu.
* Breads: finger sized pieces of dried whole wheat bread or toasts
to chew on.
* Eggs: you can give egg yolk to baby when he is 8 or 9 months
old. Wait with the egg white until baby is 1 year
old because of risk of allergy.
* Diary products: wait with fresh cow milk until your baby is
over 1 year old. You can offer yogurt, cheese or
cottage cheese when baby is about 9 months old.
* Around the age of 8-10 months many babies start to show an
interest in drinking from a cup. Good choices are
water or natural fruit juices. Don't offer juices too often since
they contain natural sugars, which can lead to tooth
decay and obesity.
| ALLERGIES |
Certain foods are not suitable
for a baby whose parents have a history of allergies. Such a
baby should be viewed as potentially allergic himself.
Some foods are more likely than others to cause allergic reactions,
avoidance of these foods during the first year of life is effective
in reducing these reactions.
Some highly allergenic foods include wheat, fish, tomatoes, onions,
citrus fruits, chocolate, spices, nuts.
The following
are some signs of reactions that may help you recognize an allergy
in your baby:
* Runny nose, stuffiness, constant cold-type symptoms.
* Skin rashes, eczema, hives, and sore bottom.
* Asthma.
* Ear infections.
* Intestinal upset, gas diarrhea, spitting, vomiting.
* Fussiness, irritability, colic.
* Poor weight gain due to malabsorption of food.
* Red itchy eyes, swollen eyelids, dark circles under the eyes,
constant tearing.
Sometimes foods consumed by the
mother can cause allergic reactions to her baby through her breastmilk.
This is often the case when a mother eats an excess of a particular
food. This can be avoided by eating a variety of foods in moderation.
If you suspects that a particular food is causing problems and
notice a reaction in your baby three to four hours after you
have eaten this food and fed the baby, you can eliminate that
particular food from your diet and see if the condition of your
baby improves.
If you do eliminate a certain food from your diet, you may need
to substitute another food to create a balanced diet.
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