Nutrition for healthy babies
As you infant grows it is important the appropriate food is given at every stage
The first year of a baby’s life is a period of rapid growth – in fact, a baby will grow more quickly during this period than at any other time in its life. This is why proper nutrition is essential.
0 – 6 months
Health professionals recommend that babies be breast fed for at least one year. This is not always possible, however it is recommended that your baby be breast fed exclusively during the first six months, and after that as long as the mother and child wish. Breast milk is extremely nourishing for babies. It contains non-allergenic proteins, it is easy to digest and is very rich in proteins, sugars, fats, vitamins and minerals that are essential to proper growth and development. Breast milk also provides babies with various substances that protect against disease. Compared to other babies, breast-fed babies have a lower incidence of gastroenteritis, diarrhea, respiratory illnesses, colds etc. They are also better protected from other health problems such as obesity, Crohn’s disease, diabetes and leukaemia. Mothers who breast feed also have fewer health risks such as osteoporosis and ovarian cancer.
Whether you are breast or formula feeding your baby, it is not recommended to feed your baby cow’s milk before they are nine months old.
During the first year of a baby’s life, milk (breast or formula) is the basic food. However, to meet the nutritional needs of a baby as it gets older, and enable them to gradually learn to eat solid foods, it is a good idea to introduce solids at around six months. This introduction of solid foods is called weaning. Remember that the baby should continue to drink as much milk as before. The amount of milk consumed will gradually decrease.
Weaning a baby should be a gradual process. It is important to introduce only one new, nutritious food at a time, no mixtures.
6 months
Cereals, particularly iron-enriched cereals, are an excellent choice as they provide extra calories, starch, vitamins and minerals. The consistency should be soft and pureed. Start with cereals that do not contain vegetables and fruits. Allow a baby five to seven days to get used to one type of cereal, after that, try another. Once the baby is eating several simple cereals, you can try mixed cereals.
6 – 9 months
At this stage, vegetables (usually introduced before fruits), fruits, rice, potatoes, yams, meat, fish, poultry, pulses, yogurt and cheese can be introduced. Offer one item of food at a time. For example, first try pureed carrots and then pureed squash and then beans or meat. Allow some time for the baby to get used to one type of food, and then introduce the next. At this stage the consistency should be pureed, however, it can be of a thicker consistency with some lumps. Soft finger foods can also be introduced.
9 – 12 months
At this stage babies become increasingly independent and learn to feed themselves, so encourage them to eat with their fingers. Offer dry foods to chew, such as toast or bread sticks. The consistency of other food at this stage, however, does not need to be pureed, but rather mashed, chopped (if it is a soft food) and minced. The baby should be using her fingers to eat most of the time now.
Allergies in infants usually disappear between the ages of one and two. However, some allergies are permanent and very serious. You can recognise an allergic reaction by some of the following symptoms: colic, diarrhea, vomiting, eczema, hives, runny eyes and nose, asthma, inadequate weight gain, irritability and inability to sleep. If your child displays any of these symptoms it is important to consult their doctor immediately.
Some children are more at risk of developing allergies than others. Be extra careful if your family is allergy-prone, if your baby has already suffered a food allergy, or if he already suffers from eczema or asthma.
If your family is allergy-prone, you should be extra careful with the following foods:
1) Milk, dairy, and soy products should be introduced after one year
2) Legumes, and eggs after 18 months
3) Canned tuna and salmon after two
4) Shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster), peanuts, nuts, sesame seeds, kiwi fruit between three and five years old
As a child gets older and tries to establish his independence he may become more of a picky eater. Do not be concerned, this is normal. Instead of arguing or forcing a child to eat certain foods, try to make mealtimes enjoyable. The best thing you can do is to accept that your child will reject certain foods. Try and present the food in a non-threatening manner and allow your child to try it when he is ready, this may mean presenting the food every day for three weeks before he will try it. Furthermore, children are aware of their parents’ own aversions to foods. If you are picky yourself then your child is sure to imitate or develop similar behaviour. Mealtimes should be healthy, fun and enjoyed by the whole family together whenever possible.
THE BASICS
Don’t be overly concerned if a baby occasionally has no appetite, if he does not like certain foods, sometimes eats less, or sometimes eats much more than usual. Babies’ appetites vary from one day to the next.
Wait until a baby is one year old before giving honey.
Don’t add sugar or salt to a baby’s food, as they prefer it plain.
Avoid commercial purees or desserts as these are usually less nutritious than homemade purees.
Fruit juice is not essential to a baby’s diet. To help quench thirst between feeds, water is preferable. Too much juice spoils the appetite, and promotes cavities.
Never give a baby spiced or smoked meats, hams, sausages, salami etc. These contain bad fats, salts, spices and other ingredients that are harmful.
A baby does not need chocolate, ice cream, fried foods, soft drinks or candy. These have very little nutritional value and they promote cavities.
l Alexia Stephanou, RD Clinical Dietician. Tel: 22 490428 or 99 884155
