What Should I Feed My Baby
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What Should I Feed My Baby
The chairman of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Ronald Kleinman, recalls dietary advice that was very different from what is suggested today. "A few generations ago, doctors established the sequence of what happened first, next, and next with a great deal of dogmatism. For instance, the pediatrician would advise starting with rice cereal. Next, peas. introduce a yellow vegetable after that. That dogmatism lacked coherence and logic.
But without that rigid rule, it's simple for parents to become perplexed about how to proceed. Which food would be best to start with? What should my infant consume on a daily basis? What foods should I avoid giving my infant? What if anything I give him causes an allergic reaction? There are also many myths to further confuse you.
Let's examine some misconceptions and realities regarding the food of your child;
Myth: Rice cereal must be given to your infant as their first food. However, rice cereal is not the only possible first food you can offer your kid. Your baby can be given almost any soft, hypoallergenic food as their first meal. Applesauce and mashed sweet potatoes are two examples.
Fact: You must give your kid some time to adjust to each new food before checking to determine whether it triggers an allergic reaction. From mild to severe reactions, including anaphylactic shock, can be brought on by food allergies. However, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), approximately 8% of children under the age of six experience negative reactions to foods consumed, and just 2% to 5% have verified food allergies.
Eating allergies and reactions to food are frequently misunderstood. A child who gets a stomach ailment, for instance, can be lactose intolerant for a week. Although it is a bad reaction, that is not an allergy. Allergies are just one of many negative reactions to meals, according to Dr. Kleinman.
Fact: Certain foods, such peanut butter, peanuts, egg whites, shellfish, fish, and tree nuts like walnuts and cashews, are more likely to cause allergies in your infant than others. You should wait until your infant is at least three years old before exposing them to these foods if your family is prone to food allergies. There is no need to introduce peanuts to your baby before the age of three, even if your family is not prone to food allergies.
Myth: A baby doesn't enjoy something if she refuses to eat it several times. Children are notoriously resistant to trying new foods, according to a wealth of credible data, claims Dr. Kleinman. The unpleasant food must frequently be introduced several times.
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A study on children's dietary choices was released by Leann Birch, chair of Penn State's Department of Human Development and Family Studies. She discovered there that a baby needs be offered a food six to eight times before accepting it. Don't push it, but also don't give up too quickly. Your infant is depending on you to keep insisting that you are more knowledgeable about nutrients, vitamins, and calories than he is.
It's a fact that once your baby starts eating solid meals, their motor skills will improve and they'll be able to start feeding themselves. Start by giving your baby finger foods after they have been eating solids for a while, such as bits of toasted oat bread, small pieces of well-cooked sweet potato, banana slices, or small chunks of avocado, if you want to speed up the process.
Myth: Store-bought infant food is better than regular meals. Parents frequently think that infant food manufactured for sale is something exceptional. That's a misconception; in reality, your baby can probably consume the majority of the usual cuisine on your dinner table. You can precisely regulate what your baby consumes by blending food for them. The director of pediatrics at Mercy Medical Center and assistant professor of pediatrics at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Dr. Charles Shubin, issues this warning: "None of the infant food producers have been proven to be totally honest or truthful about what is in their products."
Factual statement: When preparing food for newborns and tiny babies, special attention must be used. Maintain proper food hygiene. Keep food hot or cold as directed, wash your hands, clean your bowls and utensils completely, and properly cook your food. Make sure the servings you give your kid are manageable in size so they can digest them. Fruit must first be cooked and strained into a creamy consistency, and as you advance you can add chunkier, then bite-sized chunks.
Myth: Parents should only provide a few bland food options. You can introduce meals with more flavor when your baby is 6 months old. Keep in mind that your kid might have developed an appetite for whatever you liked while you were pregnant. Infants get their flavor preferences from the parent who feeds them.
Myth: As long as my child eats well, it doesn't matter what I eat. Children and babies pick up skills through watching others. They will want to only eat fried chicken and ice cream if you only eat fried chicken and ice cream. If you don't want your child to grow up to be obese, lead by example and set a good example for them by eating well.
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