INFANT NUTRITION


INFANT NUTRITION

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Parenting is all about responsibility. Our decisions for our children have life-long effects for them and us. Choosing how to feed your baby is one such decision.What you have seen and learned about infant feeding from your family and friends is likely to influence your decisions and attitudes. Whether you definitely plan to breastfeed or you are still uncertain, consider the fact that your milk is the best milk for your baby, and it is the ideal first food for your baby’s first several months. Nothing can replace you and what you provide for your child.

  • BREASTFEEDING

    Perfect formula created by nature for your baby. It has several advantages over any substitute. Your milk contains just the right balance of nutrients, and these nutrients are available in a form easily used by the baby’s body systems. It is also very gentle on the baby’s digestive system, and the best to strengthen their immune system which help them fight infections.

  • BOTTLE-FEEDING

    If you choose not to breastfeed, or are unable to breastfeed, commercial iron-fortified formulas can provide adequate nutrition for your baby. Infant formulas contain adequate amounts of protein, calories, fat, vitamins, and minerals for growth. However, formula does not contain the immune factors that are found in breast milk, which help your baby fight infections.Infants who take enough iron-fortified infant formula(over one liter a day) usually do not need vitamin and mineral supplements. If your baby is breastfed or still too small to drink enough formula, ask your pediatrician about vitamin D supplements.

    Babies can develop allergies to the formula. If your baby has stomach cramps, is vomiting, has diarrhea, rashes, hives, eczema, and difficulty breathing, consult your pediatrician without delay.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR FEEDING YOUR BABY

The following are some helpful hints for feeding your baby:

  • Breast milk is best for your baby and is the most beneficial; even if you only breastfeed for a short amount of time or part-time.
  • Offer goat milk or goat milk-based formula as your first choice of breastmilk alternative. If that is not available to you, then consider cow milk-based formula with iron. Goat milk is closest in its composition to breastmilk and easiest on the human digestive tract.
  • Keep your baby on breast milk or baby formula until he/she is at least 1-year-old; and ideally wean them from breast milk at around 2 years of age.
  • Start solid foods when your baby can hold up his/her head, sit-up with support, and no longer has tongue thrusting (4 to 6 months).
  • When starting solids, begin with very simple foods such as rice cereal mixed with breast milk or formula on a spoon. Do not give solids in the bottle or with an infant feeder.
  • Once your baby is tolerating cereals for two to three weeks, offer vegetables, then add fruits and meats. Introduce one new food at a time, test it out for a week before introducing a new food. This will help you monitor and identify any allergens.
  • It is best not to introduce red meat to baby until at least 3 years of age. It is hard to digest and a child’s digestive tract is not developed enough to deal with it. Too much stress on the digestive tract can lead to weakened immune system.
  • Progress in texture of foods so that your baby is eating table foods by his/her first birthday.
  • Do not give these to your child during his/her first year of life:
    • Honey
    • Foods that can be easily choked on (such as hot dogs, peanuts, grapes, raisins, popcorn)
  • Limit juice to 4 to 6 ounces a day. Water is not necessary for infants; better choices include formula, breast milk, or juice for added nutrition.
  • Try to avoid store-bought baby food as it contains chemicals and preservatives. Instead try to purée food at home so you can monitor and control the quality of food your child is consuming.
  • Make fruit or vegetable juice at home. This will also help to keep out harmful chemicals from your baby’s diet.
  • Unless your child is known to have severe allergies (for instance, breaking out in hives, vomiting, or having trouble breathing), recent reports and studies have shown that introducing whole eggs and peanut butter at a young age – 6 to 8 months – reduces the chance of your child developing allergies to these foods. Talk to your child’s doctor about whether these foods are appropriate for your child.