0-5 Years Old Infant Common Illness Handbook - New Parents Healthy Parenting Bedside Book

Author: Alisa Antone (USA), Dennis Thompson (USA)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features:
Introduction of solid foods
It is advisable to start with small amounts of cere, as cere is very easy to digest and absorb. Avoid bottle-feeding babies, as this can easily cause food to enter the airway and lead to choking. Initially, you can use a spoon to feed your baby a small amount of food. If he spits out all the food, you don’t need to feel puzzled. Because your baby needs some time to adapt to the taste and texture of new foods. At the same time, he also needs to adapt to the new way of getting food from a spoon rather than the nipple. After introducing cere, you can try adding some juice, such as apple juice or white grape juice, which are all good choices. Homemade fruit puree, vegetable puree, or commercially available baby food supplements are also excellent options. Carefully read the ingredient labels on these products to avoid excessive intake of sugar, salt, and starch. These additives do not provide nutrition and may make your baby picky, so avoid choosing foods with high content of these ingredients. Ensure that only one type of complementary food is introduced at a time. Wait at least 3–5 days after introducing a new food before adding another. This way, if any allergic symptoms occur, they can be detected promptly. Suspected food allergy symptoms include rash, runny nose, itchy eyes, tearing, nausea, vomiting, or breathing problems. At 6 months of age, you can try letting your baby hold a plastic cup to drink water. This new skill requires practice to master. It is recommended to use cups with spill-proof features. During the initial practice, use breast milk or formula that your baby is accustomed to. Once your baby successfully drinks water from the cup, you can add juice or other liquids. However, note that the daily intake of juice should not exceed 200 grams to ensure that your baby has enough appetite for other foods. When your baby learns to use a cup and starts eating solid foods, the frequency of breastfeeding and bottle-feeding can be gradually reduced. At 8 months, your baby can try "finger foods," which allow him to pick up and eat food independently. Good "finger foods" include vegetables, cere, and specially designed teething biscuits. Give your baby one piece of food at a time. You must be present throughout the mealtime. Do not let your baby eat alone. At 1 year of age, you can introduce cow’s milk. At 3 years of age, you can start switching to full-fat cow’s milk. The fat in cow’s milk is crucial for your baby’s brain development. At the same time, further reduce the frequency of bottle-feeding and gradually increase the use of cups. Feeding your baby before bed is difficult with a cup.