Tag:allergic reaction, choking hazard, unsafe food

As your baby grows, he will be more adventurous and eager to try more food. 

His first reaction when he tries the food for the first time could be quite hilarious. If you have a video camera, you may want to capture it. But in your eagerness to introduce new food to him, do remember that some food are not safe for your child. Some pose as a choking hazard, a few are not suitable for your child’s developing digestive system and others are potential allergens.

Food to avoid

Citrus fruit can cause allergic reaction in some children below the age of 1 year old.

Egg white is a rich source of protein but some children may be allergic to them. Introduce egg white only after 1 year old.

Honey may contain spores of Clostridium botulinum which causes botulism  (a rare, but serious paralytic illness caused by a toxin, botulin that is produced by Clostridium botulinum) . Unlike an adult’s intestinal tract which can prevent the growth of these spores, the spores can grow in baby and produce toxins which can endanger the life of a baby.

Nuts may cause allergic in some babies. Introduce nuts only after 1 year old. This includes peanut butter. Whole nuts or pieces of nuts can be a choking hazard.

Wheat or wheat products like cereal is okay with most babies at 6 to 8 months of age. But if you think that your child is at risk of allergic reaction, then delay it to 1 year old.

Shellfish is highly allergenic and should not be introduced before the age of 1 year old. For sensitive babies, it is best to postpone it till they are 3 or 4 years old.

Large chunks of food are dangerous as they may get stuck in your child’s throat. Fruit like grapes should be cut into quarters before being served to your child. Soft food like mashmallow or jelly candies may also be a choking hazard.

Warning signs of an allergic reaction.

Signs of an allergic reaction to food include vomiting, diarrhea, rash, swelling, abdominal pain, cough, crankiness, excessive gas, hives, itching, runny nose, shortness of breath, stomach bloating, and wheezing. Symptoms most often show up within a few hours of eating. Call your doctor right away if you think your child may be reacting badly to something he ate.

Tag:Baby feeding, Baby food, feeding, solid food

For excellent health and development in your baby and young child, fully breastfeed for about 6 months. Thereafter, breastfeeding is continued with solid foods to 2 years and beyond. Solid foods given to the child more than 6 months of age, complement but do not replace breastfeeding. The purpose of giving solid foods is to supply additional energy and nutrients (fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals etc.) to the baby.

Solid foods feeding schedule:

Age 6 months

+ 1 week Cereals for breakfast

+2 weeks Cereals for breakfast and rice porridge for dinner

+ 3 weeks Cereals for breakfast and rice porridge for lunch and dinner

How to feed?

Always feed breastmilk before giving solid foods. At the first feed, place the spoon on his lower lip and allow your baby to suck and lick the food. Later, place the spoon in his mouth when your baby accepts the food.

Porridge can be pureed or blended till 7 mon ths of age. There is no need to blend after 7 months so your baby learns to chew food.

Active feeding.

Practice active feeding and that means talking, singing, playing or reading to your child while he is eating. It is not a good idea to let the child moves around while being fed.

What to add to the home cooked porridge?

Rice, various vegetables, tau foo (beancurd) and meat (chicken, fish, pork, beef). The amount of chopped meat added is roughly about the size and thickness of your child’s palm at each meal. A small amount of salt can be introduced only after 1 year old.

Fruits

Soft mashed up fruits are given as snacks after 7 months . Fruit juices are not advisable as these contain only water and fruit sugar but no fiber.

Tag:Baby food, Baby growth, finger food, solid food, weaning

At the beginning of 4 months

Ideal solid food:

Unsweetened cooked fruits, vegetables, Gluten-free rice cereal (iron-fortified)

Texture:

Blended, pureed, sieved, semi-liquid with smooth and creamy consistency.

5 to 6 months

Ideal solid food:

Introduce thin rice congee or porridge; beancurd, peas, and beans. Well diluted fruit juices, teething rusks and soft bread

Texture:

Puree or scraped. Once teething starts, offer food that require chewing such as teething rusks.

7 to 8 months

Ideal solid food:

Introduce slightly thicker rice porridge, mashed soft cooked rice noodles or macaroni, powdered anchovies, skinless chicken meat, fish, egg yolk (by 8 months)

Texture:

Coarser texture, thicker consistency, mashed, finely minced.

9 to 12 months

Ideal solid food:

Introduce finger food from a variety of food for eg. small pieces of soft fruits. By 10 months old, your baby’s food can be adapted entirely from the family meals.

Texture:

Finger food, bite-size pieces or small chunks, chopped or flaked instead of mashed.

Tag:babies, Baby food, Baby growth, solid food, weaning

As your baby grows, besides milk, your baby will also need solid food. This phase where he changes from drinking milk to feeding solid food is called “weaning”. At this phase the baby still drinks milk plus solid food, but milk still remains an important part of your baby’s diet. Solid food should be introduced gradually. For most babies, weaning can be started from 4 months onwards. But it is advisable to start only at 6 months old. Starting any earlier than 4 months may put increase strain on the baby’s immature kidneys and furthermore, the food passes through largely undigested. Recent studies on allergies also suggest that weaning is best delayed until baby is 6 months old.

Always bear in mind that every baby is a special individual. Do not worry if your baby starts solid a little earlier or behind schedule. Do not be concerned about how much your baby eats. Offer food consistently so your baby will get use to it. New food should be introduced one at a time to give your baby’s system a chance to adjust and it is also easier to identify which food causes allergic reaction if there is any. Start by giving your baby 1 to 2 teaspoons of solid food along with normal feeding. You should decrease the number of milk feeding as the number of solid food feeding increases. It is difficult to determine or specify how much your baby should be eating because every baby has different requirements and appetites. You will be able to judge how much your baby wants as the time goes by.