The baby will be provided with enough nutrition in the first six
months of its life through its mother's breast milk. However, as the
baby grows older, its requirements will start to change. Although it
will get most of its nutrients from breast milk or Formula, introduction
of solids and cereals, at this stage is advisable.
You might even
want to start your baby on solids after four months if you feel that
the baby is unsatisfied with the usual milk feed or is not gaining
sufficient weight or perhaps even losing weight.
Fortified cereals such
as baby rice are a good way to introduce solids into the baby's diet.
They can be mixed with breast or formula milk which babies continue to
prefer and at the same time contain the necessary vitamins and minerals
needed to help babies grow. You can also begin to introduce pureed
fruits and vegetables into your baby's diet to get their palates used to
a wider range of flavours.
Here are some essential foods that are
most suited for your baby from the time you start the weaning process -
cooked potato, sweet potato, baby rice, cooked swede, turnip and
carrot, soft dessert pear and apple and banana. Ensure that you mash,
sieve or puree the foods to get rid of all lumps. Avoid adding any
seasoning, salt or sugar.
These complementary foods in the form of
solids can be given to the baby once or twice a day, before, after or
during the baby's milk feed, depending on your baby's needs. Later on
you can begin to coincide your meal times with the baby's solid feeds
for the sake of convenience. Once the baby has got accustomed to mashed
foods, introduce him to finger foods which he can pick up and eat
himself without your help. Finger foods are usually cut so that the baby
can hold it and put them into the mouth without any problems and
include cooked vegetable, slices of pear and apples, sticks of carrots,
celery and cucumber and cooked peas. You could also offer the baby
slices of bread, or toast, savoury cheese biscuits without salt, tiny
sandwiches with grated cheese, mashed banana or sugar free preserves,
fingers of cheese, cooked chunky pasta pieces that are easy to put into
the mouth. Do not give fried foods, or anything spicy. Avoid nuts if the
baby is allergic to peanuts or other such nuts.
As far as drinks
are concerned, milk (breast or formula) is the only drink your baby
needs for about the first year. You may give the baby plain boiled water
from about six months onwards. Whole, pasteurized cow's milk can be
given as a drink after the age of one year. Since most juices contain
either natural or artificial sugars, these should be limited to
mealtimes as they might harm the teeth. Select only those drinks that
are meant for babies and are totally sugar free. Pure fruit juice should
be diluted as it too contains a high amount of sugar.
Pre-prepared
baby foods are easily available and very convenient, especially if you
are a working mom or on the move. They also come in a variety of
flavours designed to suit baby needs. Babies love these foods which are
made without any salt, sugar or artificial preservatives. Most baby
foods are nutritionally balanced so as to provide your baby with the
essential vitamins and minerals needed for healthy development. When
selecting pre-packaged foods for your baby you should check the
ingredients and avoid those with added sugar or too many additives and
flavourings. Organic baby foods are becoming quite popular and are now
more widely available; these provide your baby with the nutrients they
need naturally without artificial boosts from chemicals.
Again, if
you have the time, preparing fresh meals at home is always a healthier
option. It may take a little time and effort but it is worth it and
ensures your baby has a chance to experience the variety of tastes and
flavours of home made food. By supplementing breast milk or formula milk
with different types of solids like cereals, fruits, vegetables and
whole grains you will be able to provide your baby with all the
requisite nutrients necessary for their healthy growth and development.
William Brister - [http://www.babylife.tv] - All about your newborn baby.
0 comments:
Post a Comment