There are many opinions and preferences about the best way to feed a baby. In reality, infant nutrition is a complex subject, and there is no one solution. What is right for one child, and one set of parents, may not be right for the others. Guidelines for feeding babies change as nutrition research continues.
An infant’s birth weight is usually doubled in the first four to six months of an infant’s life. The baby’s weight will triple in one year’s time. You need to provide your baby with the food and nutrition he or she needs to grow and develop.
Visit the doctor’s office regularly. Frequent checkups are essential during the first 12 months of a baby’s life. At these checkups you and your doctor can discuss what you should be feeding your baby.
The best start for a baby is usually breastfeeding. It has been identified as the ideal method of feeding and nurturing infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics says, “Exclusive breastfeeding is ideal infant nutrition […] for the first 6 months after birth […]. It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired.” Infants younger than 12 months of age should not receive cow’s milk for feeding, but should be fed iron-fortified infant formula if they are not breastfed or do not get enough nutrition through breastfeeding. Researchers recommend that you don’t give your baby skim or low fat milk until he or she reaches the age of 2. When solid foods replace some of the breast milk or formula in the baby’s diet, some mothers find that there are inconveniences to breastfeeding. They find they can’t continue it as long as they had wanted; in this case, feeding the baby infant commercial formula is a good alternative for infant nutrition.
Some newborns, especially those under a doctor’s care may need extra vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. All newborns receive vitamin K soon after they are born. After that, supplements depend on the living environment. Babies with limited exposure to sunlight may be given vitamin D supplements. When the household drinking water level of fluoride is low, fluoride may be supplemented as well. When the baby is over 6 months of age, foods rich in iron or a low-dose iron supplement may be recommended.
Babies grow quickly during the first year of development. Keep a close watch on their eating habits. Watch for signs that tell you they are ready for a new food.
Some questions may arise when you have to deal with infant nutrition regarding thawing and warming the baby’s food. Frozen food can be thawed in the refrigerator or the microwave on defrost setting. To warm food, place it directly in a saucepan and slowly warm over low heat, stirring often. Stir and test the temperature of the food before feeding it to your baby. Microwaves often heat food unevenly and cause hot spots; therefore it is very important to stir the food. Be careful when heating bottles in the microwave. Glass bottles can explode and plastic bottles or lining inserts may disintegrate. The liquid will heat unevenly so the milk or formula can be much hotter than it feels. Breast milk has substances that are protective to the baby. Overheating it will destroy the nutrients.
You should start feeding your baby solid foods at around 4-6 months. Starting supplemental foods before that may cause health and feeding problems and it is unrecompensed by any nutritional advantage. Studies show that supplemented babies won’t sleep through the night; may lack motor developments, and do not develop general control of the tongue. Also, allergic reactions may occur if solid foods are introduced too early.
You should avoid feeding the baby high-nitrate vegetables such as beets, carrots, collard greens, and spinach in large quantities. Except for ripe bananas, avoid giving raw fruits and vegetables to babies because they may cause choking and are difficult to digest. Do not give them citrus fruits, egg whites, shellfish, nuts, or chocolate before the first year of age. These foods may cause allergic reactions. Never give honey to babies less than one year old, even in baked goods.
Contact a doctor or nutritionist for any other infant nutrition questions you may have.
By Jessica Maughan