|
Feeling unsure how to wean a baby (i.e.
start feeding baby food)? Here is a list of do's and don'ts to help you
get started:
DO
Keep meal times relaxed and calm for both of you. Timing it right,
such as giving your baby a feed after a nap or at midday, will ensure a
higher level of success.
Supervise your baby when he is eating to avoid older siblings
offering him unsuitable foods. Actively help him and encourage him when
needed.
Start small, with just a teaspoon or two. The rest can be
refrigerated in ice cube trays for later use.
Give baby time, dont hurry him, allow him to play around with the
baby food in his mouth; it will help him get used to a spoon and the
sensation of food.
Introduce finger foods from six months onwards. This gives him a
chance to experience the food and play with it.
Ensure that your baby has servings of meat, fish or beans each day
for his iron and protein requirements.
Serve food in separate special baby bowl. He will be more inclined to
eat if he has his own set of child-friendly cutlery. This will also
help you to monitor how much he is eating.
Feed your baby gluten-free products before the age of six months to
avoid upsetting his digestive system.
Cook eggs thoroughly to get rid of salmonella.
Keep your baby on full-fat foods until he is two years old as his
body needs the fats to be turned into energy.
Have some commercially prepared foods around for the days when you
are too tired to prepare food specifically for your baby.
Give him cooled boiled water in a training cup after each meal.
Offer your baby a large variety of foods to avoid boring him with the
same menu day after day and also to ensure he gets nutrients from
various sources.
Be persistent. If your baby refuses a new food, try giving it in
imaginative ways. You can also give another type of food from the same
food group.
DO NOT
Start feeding your baby solids too early because his kidneys and
digestive system are not fully developed until he turns one year of
age.
Add any salt or sugar to his food. The blandness will not worry him
unless he has been exposed to sweetened or salted foods before.
Force your baby to eat if he is not interested. His appetite will
vary from day to day, and he will indicate that he does not want to eat
by turning his head, pushing the spoonful of food away or simply
keeping his mouth closed.
Leave him to eat alone as there is a risk of choking.
Put too much on the spoon because he will spit the rest out. Have
just a tiny amount on the edge of the spoon.
Re-use leftover food as there is a risk of food poisoning.
Give your baby whole nuts until the age of five years as he can
easily choke on them.
Offer him any peanuts or food with peanuts if your spouse or you have
a history of allergies
Give your baby low-fat, high-fiber foods or 'diet foods' because they
are low in calories and high in bulk, thus making them unsuitable for
babies.
Give your baby egg white or wheat until he is 10 months or older.
Forget to take him for regular check-ups to monitor his growth. You
can do that during his trips to the pediatrician for his vaccines.
As your child grows, his nutritional needs will change. Choose gentle
healthy baby food that caters to your childs development and needs, as
well as those that suit his tender tummy. Slowly, introduce food with
new tastes and richer textures to build his taste buds and help him
develop chewing and swallowing abilities. This will help him to develop
and maintain balanced eating habits that will last a lifetime.
|
