|
Tips On Feeding Your Baby Through The First Year
Over the course of the first year you will be amazed at how fast your baby is growing. Both physically and developmentally, you will see them change right before y our eyes. It’s crucial that your baby feed well and gain weight appropriately. If you are breastfeeding, you can continue to nurse exclusively until your baby is 6 months old. At that time, their bodies start requiring more calories and you will need to begin feeding them solids. You can still continue to nurse though.
If you are bottle feeding your baby, you can begin starting solids anywhere from 4-6 months. As your baby starts to get towards 6 months, they will not need as much milk as they did when they were 2 months old. Some babies also have a difficult time digesting milk. Their bodies do not tolerate it well. Soy based formulas can be used as an alternative to milk based ones.
If you need to switch formulas, remember to do it slowly. Mix both formulas together and gradually reduce the amount of formula that you are weaning each day. This will make it much easier on your baby’s digestive system when switching.
One of the first things you should start your baby on for solid food is rice cereal. Rice cereal is one of the easiest to digest. Begin by giving your baby two teaspoons each day for a week. When starting any new food you always want to give it each day for a week to be sure that they are not showing any signs of allergies.
Only try one new food at a time. If you start your baby on a few new foods and they develop allergy symptoms, you won’t know which food caused it. After you have success with rice cereal, you can take turns giving other ones like barley, oatmeal and mixed grains.
Once your baby is tolerating all of the cereals well, you can start on fruits and vegetables. Some pediatricians recommend starting vegetables first. Again, try one at a time for a week before moving on to the next. When you have gone through all single vegetables and fruits you can start trying the mixed varieties and then on to the meats.
With baby food, you can either make your own or use the store bought jarred baby foods. There are many websites where you can find information on how to make and store baby food properly. If you decide to purchase store bought foods, you can get either regular or organic baby food.
If you notice that your baby is gagging or choking on the food, consult your pediatrician. Your baby may not be ready to begin solids or they may have an underlying physical condition affecting their eating or chewing.
Babies are sometimes ready to begin trying table food at some point in the latter half of their first year. Gerber Puffs, crackers and Cheerios all make for great practice. When starting your child on table food, make sure you keep the pieces small and avoid anything that could potentially be a choking hazard. Food such as grapes, seeds and nuts fall into this category.
Many pediatricians recommend waiting until after the first year to try eggs, strawberries and nuts. These foods have a higher incidence for causing severe allergic reactions. If after feeding your child you notice and swelling of the face or mouth, hives, or a swollen tongue, call 911 right away. These are signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Each baby is different so don’t feel you have to feed your baby what your friend is feeding her child. Go slow and make sure your baby is ready. One of the best things you can do is to take a course to become CPR and first aid certified. Most of us will never have to experience a serious situation however, it’s always best to be prepared. |
