Posts Tagged ‘Baby food’
No one can define the joy that a mother experiences when she feeds her baby. However, new mothers are often unaware of the signs that their child is hungry. They usually learn with time. However, their tiny tummies need to be fed very frequently. Mothers usually compare their own feeding schedule with their child. They think that their child is always hungry and may often want to curb this instinct in the baby as well. However, this is not correct. They have very small stomach and they will digest breast milk easily too. Moreover, the child is still growing and this is why he needs more nutrition. Feeding your baby 8 to 12 times a day is quite normal during the first few months.
In this post, we will be talking about breastfeeding as well as the introduction of solid foods in their diet. Let’s explore all the topics one by one.
Understanding baby’s hunger and feeding schedules
More often than not, you will find that every baby has different feeding needs. Some babies consistently need to be fed throughout the day while cluster feeding during the evening is common to the rest. So you will have to invest some time in understanding your baby’s needs. Don’t get alarmed if your baby demands cluster feeding. This means that he would want to be fed a number of times within a few hours and stay quiet during the rest. That is completely normal. Moreover, as your child grows up, it would likely move away from cluster feeding.
When you are using baby formula for your child, make sure that you are not using an excessive amount in the feeding. In general, a baby needs merely 1 to 2 ounces of baby formula in each feeding. Most babies will spit up if you use more formula. If such things happen, decrease the formula quantity in each feeding. However, in order to catch up with the nutrition, you might want to increase the number of feedings per day.
Does a baby tell you that he is hungry?
Most of the times, a baby will tell you that he is hungry. Parents are either less attentive to the baby’s hunger cues or they are so concerned that they believe that every little fuss means feedings time. Babies fuss out for a lot of reasons. A wet diaper, a poop, lack of stimulation and even overstimulation could be the reason why your child is being fussy. The most typical hunger cues in babies are:
Putting the hands near the mouth mostly indicates that the baby is hungry. Some babies start turning their heads from one side to the other. The baby starts sucking on his clothes, toys, hands and may even start rooting. He may also start crying.Now, the question here is- what is the right frequency for feeding babies? In general, 8 to 12 times in a day is a normal feeding period. You can easily feed the baby every 2 hours. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that if the mother and baby have no problem with low milk supply and low weight, then it is always better to feed the baby based on hunger cues. This would avoid the chances of overfeeding and would make your child happy as well.
This is true for breastfeeding children as well as babies who have started the solid food diet. The more you depend on his hunger cues, the better you will feed your child. Your baby’s appetite will change every day and also with every meal. Hence, do not make any pre-reservations about the feeding quantity of your child. He might eat more someday and not on the other. Keep a close watch on his hunger and you will always have a great feeding schedule to bank upon. If your baby is still breastfeeding and you want to keep a check on his diet, then make sure that you are keeping a tab on his diaper counts. Check the number of soiled and wet diapers each day and you will be able to determine if the baby is eating lesser than normal. Talk to your doctor regarding the optimum wet diaper count for your baby.
When to start feeding your baby on solid food
Most of the babies start eating solid food when they are 6 months old. Your baby may take a couple of months more or less than that, depending on his growth. However, it is also a decision for parents to make. Some people start making their kids have baby cereal at 3 months of age while others might wait until their baby is at least 9 to 12 months of age. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that you breastfeed your baby for at least one year without using any formula or baby food. However, even if you start giving your baby solid food, do not stop breastfeeding him unless he is at least 12 months old. In fact, even if you want to breastfeed your child beyond the first year, you can do that as well. The WHO recommends that children should not be taken of breast milk for at least 2 years.
It will be better to take cues from the baby. The babies who are ready for solid food often start showing interest in food. They would either look at other family members eating solid food or even start reaching out for it. If your baby also does the same, then you should try giving him some pureed food and slowly introduce other kinds of foods to him. Remember, the kids would not start munching on solids right away. Be contempt with only one or two tablespoons in the beginning and take it from there.
What could be my baby’s first foods?
There could be many first foods for your baby. Most of the parents start with baby cereals. However, there are a number of first food options available for you now. Therefore, you can easily choose something that is fresher and healthier for your child. When you are shopping for your baby in the supermarket, you will often come across ‘Stage One’ baby food. This kind of food is usually meant for the babies that have just started having solid food. These foods are so thin that they will easily resemble breast milk. However, there are still many options for you to check out.
Fruits can be a great first food choice for any baby. You should start out with bananas as they are easier to digest. Then include fruits like apples, apricots and even avocados in the diet. Prunes, pears, papaya, mango, peaches and even pumpkins can be a great choice for your baby’s first solid food. They are delicious and it is quite likely that your baby likes their taste. Here too, babies have their own likes and dislikes. However, giving fruits a try will always be helpful.
Vegetables can also be a great choice for the first foods of your baby. Some experts recommend that using vegetables as first foods is usually better than fruits. This is because children get accustomed to the taste of the fruits and they might not like vegetables which cannot compete in terms of taste. The first vegetable for your child could be sweet potatoes and even peas. Use green beans and carrots as first foods. If you want to opt for grains, rice, barley and oatmeal should be chosen by you. You might wish to include meat in the baby’s diet as well. If yes, choose only pureed iron-rich chicken.
Is homemade baby food safe?
Yes, homemade baby food is completely safe for the child if you follow the basic rules. First of all, you have to avoid foods like spinach and turnip in the homemade baby food. They have a very high nitrate content and can be harmful for the baby. Use only the foods mentioned above to create baby food. Secondly, make sure that you have the appropriate tools and equipment for making baby food at home.
When you decide to make baby food at home, a food processor will always be your first choice. Though you can easily mash bananas with a fork for your baby, some veggies and meats will certainly need a high powered processer for making a good puree. Here are some essential kitchen tools that you will need for making the perfect pureed food for your child.
A food processor/blenderYou should always started with a food processor or even a basic blender. They help in making a fine puree of all the foods which can easily be fed to the baby. However, you don’t have to put the veggies straight into the blender. For that you will need a steamer.
Vegetable steamerA vegetable steamer will make the veggies softer so that they can be pureed in the blender with ease. A steamer with a tight lid is very essential as it helps in locking the nutritional content of the food while cooking.
Baby food traysYou will have to store your baby food for later use. In order to do this, you can buy specially made baby food freezing trays. However, this can also be done with the help of ice cube trays. No matter what you have, just keep the baby food in the container and cover it with a plastic wrap. It would become easier for you to store food in this way.
Ziplock freezer bags are necessaryYou will also need ziplock bags for keeping your frozen food and also for labelling them properly. Use a permanent marker to mark the date on which the food was prepared and also write down the name or ingredients of the food. Remember, you should not use any baby food that was made more than a month ago. When needed, just thaw and heat the food and your baby will happily eat his solid food diet.
These were some topics and ideas that should be covered when we are talking about baby food. Remember, it is always better to keep the food as fresh as possible and follow the cues of your baby when it comes to feeding time. It could be difficult for working mothers to take care of their children and feed them as per the hunger cues. In such a case, scheduled feeding will come in handy. Make sure that you are training your child to feed on a certain time. You can even opt for cluster feeding as this would help you balance your work and personal life.
Don’t forget to keep a check on the diet and nutrition supplies of the baby. Don’t opt for a vitamin supplement unless it is absolutely necessary and has been advised by your pediatrician. The condition of the baby’s digestive health can easily be diagnosed through his stools. If they are too dry and hard, then it may signal constipation. Such issues are more common with babies who have started solid food diets. If your child is also experiencing the same, keep him hydrated in order to ease constipation.
If you are unable to find the right cues from your baby related to his hunger, then talk to a doctor and sort out this problem. We would also like to warn you about introducing solid foods and finger foods too early in the diet of the child. Ideally, do not introduce any food other than breast milk to a baby’s diet unless he is 6 months old. Babies who start eating solid foods and finger foods sooner than this usually show signs of obesity and unhealthy appetite when they grow up. Hence, introduce solid foods only when you have had a talk with your doctor.
In conclusion, we would advise you to closely monitor your child’s activities and even keep a record of his health. It would be of great help to your doctor if you keep a record of your baby’s health, especially his weight. By just checking the weight of your child, you will be able to track his health properly which would be great for him in the long run. Moreover, the doctor will also be able to make the correct diagnosis about his health. Happy feeding!
Select appropriate baby foods for pregnant women
Pregnancy is a very important aspect of life for a woman because she gives birth to a child who is the source of happiness for the parents and family members. Although it is a festive occasion to rejoice, pregnancy requires caution on the part of the ladies while doing movement or consuming food. If the nutrition does not meet the required standards, it might have a detrimental effect on the development of the brain of newborn. For instance, Vitamin B is essential to create lots of red blood cells and vitamin C is necessary to make collagen for the skin. Similarly, Vitamin D is used to make the bones of the baby’s stronger while zinc plays a very important role in their overall physical development. There is a long list of Baby food for brain development, and some of the components are enumerated below in great detail:
Continental food consisting of fishes goes a long way in supplying the Omega 3 nutrition to the baby. According to experts, if women increased the amount of fish in their diet, their kids exhibited very high level of IQ. Omega 3 has been found to create a positive impact on the brain functions. If an individual is allergic to fishes, she might consume fish oil that is alspo very nutritious.
While increasing the intake of fishes, make sure to drink only those that have a low content of mercury. Therefore, aquatic animals such as shark or swordfish must not be taken as they have a very high content of the metal. Instead, one can hog on to salmon fish as it is healthy, tasty and beneficial for the still to be born kids. The fishes should be consumed twice per week to get the best results from the health perspective.
Fruits and vegetable prove to be important healthy food for baby brain development as they consist of antioxidants that eliminate free radical from the body. Moreover, the compounds prevent the baby brain cells from getting damaged in the body. Green leafy vegetables are also a rich source of Iron for the kids to increase their hemoglobin count. Papaya along with blueberries is beneficial for babies as well as mother. It is a well-known fact that fruits should be eaten only when they are properly washed to prevent the entry of the germs inside the body.
When you are pregnant, try to make a list of foods that could be consumed because hogging to onto conventional fast food can do more harm than good. Logically one should prefer eggs because they are rich sources of protein, proving to be a boon for the baby that grows at an exponential rate. Furthermore, pregnant women also require protein for their body; hence eggs prepared in different ways can form a staple diet for them.
Eggs are rich sources of elements called CHOLINE, responsible for enhancing the growth of the baby and eliminate defects if any arising at the time of birth. Pregnant woman can consume 2 eggs on a daily basis without worrying about the cholesterol levels in the blood
Another important Healthy food for baby brain development is the sweet potato. They acquire orange colors from the plant pigments which enter into the body and get transformed into Vitamin A. One of the advantages of the consumption is that the conversion happens on demand; therefore requisite fruits are the best bets for consuming a nutritious diet. Furthermore, potatoes also comprise of vitamin c and FOLATE that help to develop the immune system of the babies.
Popcorn is a very attractive food for a pregnant woman as it is a rich source of grains that provide fibers, Vitamin E, selenium and many more beneficial substances. Other types of grains include oatmeal and barley that act as roughage and help to improve the digestion system of the baby as well as the pregnant mother. Grains also contain proteins in moderate amounts; therefore they offer great value to the users. One should consume grains thrice a day to get maximum results as far as nutrition is concerned.
Doctors advise pregnant mothers to eat walnuts because they are the natural sources of Omega 3 and improve the health to a great extent. DHA offered by dry fruit is particularly useful for both mother and babies as it assists in brain and retina cells development.
Nutritious Greek yogurt is a very popular feed for the mothers because the protein content is higher as compared to the conventional product. Yogurt is also regarded as a rich source of calcium, an important element in the development of bones. If you are not consuming enough calcium, it can be detrimental to the bone structure of the body. One of the primary objectives of the pregnancy diet is to provide nutrition to the baby without cutting down on the amount of nutrition to the mother. It can have a very positive effect on the newborn as far as mental and physical healthy are concerned. Plenty of calcium is bound to increase the strength of baby’s bones without any hassles.
As stated in the preceding paragraphs, pregnant women turn to leafy vegetables because they are rich sources of Vitamins A, C and K that assist in warding off disease like Beri Berui and many more. One can also consume lean meats that are devoid of fat to eliminate the creation of cholesterol in the body. It is imported to look for cut versions while buying red meat in the market because they have only 5% of fat content. Hot dogs should be avoided at all cost because they contain bacteria that might dissolve into the blood stream of the mother and reach still to be born babies.
One of the most interesting aspects is the consumption of colored fruits and vegetables in diverse varieties such as orange, green, yellow and many more. They are indispensable for the mother and baby because of the presence of multiple nutrients beneficial for the body to a great extent. During the final month of the pregnancy, the baby enjoys the taste of the food with the help of amniotic fluid, therefore if the toddler develops a diverse taste, it will be easy for him or her to recognize the fruit after the birth and increase the diet according to requirements.
The pregnant woman prefers Orange juice not only because of its color or taste but also due to the nutritional value on offer. It is a healthy mixture of Folic acids that prevent the rise of birth defects. Moreover, the presence of potassium ensures that the born child is healthy and has a well-developed immune system to ward off diseases. It plays a key role in enhancing the metabolism of the body and improves the functioning of the muscles to a great extent. One glass of orange juice in the morning is sufficient for the pregnant mother.
Potassium is also necessary to ensure support to the blood volume that expands during the time of pregnancy. Vitamin C acts a supplement and protects the mother as well as baby from harsh cold \weather. In addition to orange juice, one can consume broccoli, tomatoes or strawberries to get the nutrition necessary to prevent the occurrence of life-threatening diseases.
Women are very conscious of the rise of cholesterol in the blood vessels at the time of pregnancy. For instance, ground flax seed sprayed on salads is essential to curb the deposition of fat. You can also consume high cocoa chocolate every alternate day to prevent the enhancement of the high blood pressure. Vitamin E is a very important supplement consumed during pregnancy since it plays a vital role in increasing the immune system of the body.
Women who are alcoholic should stop the consumption of wine or beer during pregnancy as it causes a variety of birth side effects due to the fetal alcohol syndrome. Some of the symptoms in the kids include mental retardation, low weight and immunity of the body. Pregnant mother should not resort to raw meat eating as it leads to the entry of harmful microorganisms in the body. Eating salmon could activate E Coli bacteria which in turn will cause sickness of the stomach resulting in situations such as miscarriage. Meats comprise of pathogens leading to the proliferation of additional problems in the long run.
The cardinal rule of the pregnancy states that a woman should drink lots of water on a daily basis. It has been noticed that dehydration causes premature labor and delivery resulting in the birth of the child with poor health. 8 Glasses of water would help to ensure the supply of vital minerals in the body. Nutrients in the water are synthesized by cells so that they remain healthy for a very long period. A prenatal vitamin along with water is an ideal recipe for improving the health of the newborn.
Herbal tea is beneficial for the pregnant women as compared to the conventional versions however it is important to ensure that the solution is free from caffeine. One should not consume a mixture as it can be harmful during pregnancy; instead tea bags can prove to be the highly beneficial for the mother.
Apart from Omeg-3 fatty acids, Omega 6 is also essential as it is a rich source of protein that assists in regenerating the cells of the body. Some of the natural sources are vegetable oils such as canola and soybean. The chemical is also available in controlled amounts in beef, pork and egg, therefore, balanced consumption of all the food products is necessary at the time of pregnancy.
As a precautionary measure soft cheese and lunch meat should be avoided because they tend to increase the cholesterol level and also create complications for birth. Hot dogs must not be consumed however if no other choices are available they should be steamed for a very long time before being served for the breakfast.
People preferring a vegetarian diet can opt for starchy foods such as bread, cereals, rice or pasta because they provide a large amount of energy during the pregnancy period. In addition, they also contain fibers that prevent the occurrence of constipation. During winter season, a hot porridge soup is an ideal choice for the pregnant mothers due to its high nutritional value and health benefits. Jacket potato is a lesser known commodity in the food market however its skin is very rich in fibers and preferred by lot of people ranging from pregnant mothers to elders.
While cooking meat, make sure that there are no pink traces left because it can prove to be a source of germs. In a nutshell, ensure that the food is cooked properly before proceeding ahead for consumption. Some foods that need to be avoided include salad dressings, cream, chocolate, crisps, and butter. They are high in sugar and do not add to nutritional value causing problem such as obesity, tooth decay, and \many more issues.
To become pregnant is a vital decision in life, and it should be taken after careful deliberations. As a result, parents must take all the precautions to make sure that the toddler is in the pink of health when born. A slight misjudgment in the type of diet being consumed can cause serious health complications for the baby as well as mother. A balanced, nutritious food apart from other precautions would help the prospective mothers to survive the tumultuous months of pregnancy. Fat, protein, iron and fiber are extremely necessary for the quick growth of the baby cells because in the absence of any one element mentioned above, the newborn kid would suffer from either physical or mental disorder.
To get more details, it is important to contact the pediatrician because a medical consultant will help to solve the dietary problems in a better way. From the above discussion, one can conclude that consumption of fruits, meat and vegetable in a proportionate amount will lead to the birth of a healthy and happy baby.
Breast milk is considered as the best healthy baby food which is simply unbeatable. This kind of food is highly beneficial for the proper development and physical growth of babies along with the increase of weight and height. To be more precise, breast milk is highly responsible for maintaining proper health of the babies at least till 3 years from birth.
Though bottle-feeding is regarded as the best alternative for breast feeding but it fails to provide those vital nutrients those are present within mother’s milk. One of the main reasons why mother’s milk is referred to as the best baby food is that it increases the immunity power of the babies to a great extent as a result of which different diseases can be effectively and easily prevented from time to time. The antibodies that are present within mother’s milk are highly useful in strengthening the babies’ immunity system to a great extent. On the other hand, the digestive power of babies can also be enhanced or boosted up as a result of the same along with the improvement of the metabolism system.
Your baby will never suffer from stomach ache or cramps due to congestion while taking breast milk on a regular basis. Different kinds of severe diseases or critical illnesses like diabetes, inflammatory bowel-diseases and high cholesterol can be highly avoided by the babies if breast milk is provided to them. If you make a thorough analysis of Breastfeeding vs. Bottle-feeding, then you will surely come to know about the basic differences in between the two. Breast milk provides necessary amount of vitamins and calcium to the body of the babies as a result of which the bone joints and muscle fibers of babies can gain the outstanding strength.
On the other hand, the babies remain full of energy and vitality throughout the day by avoiding unwanted inactiveness. The blood-pressure can also be effectively controlled by the same along with proper nourishment. As per the medical reviews online, there are a lot of benefits of breastfeeding and this you must go through those web based reviews in order to have a fair idea about the same. The heath experts and child specialists say that breast milk is also quite useful in developing and energizing the brain cells of babies. This brain development is highly needed for getting an improved study life and moreover it will also help in leading a healthy life.
Amy