Foremost Foods
The ideal foods to start with are those with a thin, smooth
consistency, puréed banana, pear, potato, carrots and infant rice
cereal, mixed with a little milk (breast milk can also be used), are
all suitable. It is best to use nothing other than rice cereal at
this stage, in case your baby happens to have an allergic reaction
to the protein in wheat (gluten), that is found in most other
cereals.
All baby foods, whether bought or made, need not have any salt or
sugar added to them, as these won't have any beneficial effects and
are tastes that are better not acquired.
Being a totally new experience for your baby, it is best to first
introduce solids when she is relaxed and happy, normally after she
has had a bottle feed. This can be done the other way around when
she has become accustomed to her new feeding routine. These first
few feeds can be quite time consuming, so it is best to find a
comfortable place to sit, holding her on your lap, with an arm
around her back for support, this will carry over the bonding
techniques you developed with her while breast or bottle feeding.
Begin with a very small amount of food, preferably of one kind for
the first few days, and then gradually introduce a new taste. This
way you can be on the look out for any allergic reactions that she
may have to one particular food, and if there is a prominent strong
dislike to that specific type of food. It is natural for a baby to
have food preferences, and therefore you should never force her to
eat anything she resists, rather try a different flavour. As your
baby gets older it is a good idea to vary or combine her food to
ensure she is getting the nutrition that is required for a healthy
body.
It is not necessary to sterilize any of your baby's eating utensils,
but it is of the utmost importance that they be spotlessly clean and
free of any left over food.
Commercially prepared baby foods can be quite useful at times,
especially if you are a working mother, or one with limited 'kitchen
time', but do be sure to read the labels first, as many baby foods
on the market contain large quantities of needless ingredients such
as sugar, wheat starch and thickeners, which in the long run is a
waste of your money. So it may be a good idea to save these foods
for the odd occasion, and prepare your own healthy alternatives. If
you find it difficult to make up a meal for each feed, try and cook
in bulk and freeze individually packed meal portions, which will be
quick and easy to defrost whenever you need them. It is suggested
though, that you serve only one of these meals a day, and fresh food
for the rest of the meals, as a certain amount of nutritional value
is lost during the freezing and re-heating process.
Cereals:
Cereals provide heat and energy, and at a later stage when unrefined
products are used they supply vitamins, minerals and fibre, which is
very important in a baby's diet. Oats, mealie meal and creamed wheat
are fine to give to your baby, (preferably after six months of age)
provided it is sieved or has a very smooth consistency, and care is
taken when introducing wheat to your baby's menu. Cereal is inclined
to be very filling and when giving too much you could be spoiling
your child's appetite for other foods as well as causing unnecessary
weight gain.Pre-cooked commercial baby cereals:
These cereals may only need the addition of milk or water, and are
often fortified with added iron and vitamins. They are inclined to
be fattening and should be avoided if your baby is already
overweight.
Fruit:
The natural sugar content that is found in fruit, provides fibre,
vitamins and energy, and most babies seem to enjoy them. Cut a
peeled apple, pear or guava and simmer in a little water until soft.
Mash with a fork or press through a sieve until the desired
consistency is obtained. Very ripe mashed banana and pawpaw can also
be used, but stay away from very acidic fruits such as pineapple and
oranges. Adding a little pureed fruit to her morning cereal will
increase the nutrient content of her breakfasts', but always
remember to start with one particular fruit for the first few days,
so any allergic reactions can be noticed.
Vegetables:
Packed with fibre and vitamins, vegetables are useful for
acquainting your baby with new tastes and textures. These can be
prepared in the same way as stewed fruit and can be liquidised if
necessary. If you find her refusing to eat them, try mixing her
vegetable meals with a little pureed fruit or a tiny amount of meat
extract for added taste.
Meat:
Protein, iron and vitamins are all found in meat, and are an
essential part of a developing child's diet. A basic broth can be
made by simmering a meat bone in a little water for about an hour,
then removing the meat and adding diced vegetables. Simmer until
vegetables are soft, then liquidize or mash, depending on your
baby's age and preferences.
Fish:
Being a good source of protein, fish can be added to your baby's
diet from about seven months in the form of poached or steamed. Not
all babies take a liking to it in the beginning, and it is
unnecessary to force the issue.
Eggs:
Before the age of one year, only the yolk of the egg should be given
to your baby, which is a good source of iron and contains valuable
minerals. Start off with half a teaspoon of raw egg yolk mixed in
with her cereal or vegetables, gradually increasing it until she has
the whole yolk. If you prefer, you could also give her plain egg
yolk that has been poached or boiled.
Avoid giving your baby any foods or drinks that are highly
sweetened, as this only increases her chances of tooth decay, and
could probably spoil her appetite for a more nutritious meal. During
her first year, your baby's digestive system is still too immature
to deal with certain foods such as butter, excessive salt and sugar,
pork products and egg whites, and in my opinion these are far from
needed to satisfy your baby's tastes, it is only later in life that
we develop these so-called bad habits. As your baby gets older, you
can try mashing instead of pureeing her food, and offering her
finger foods from about six months.
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