How to feed a baby

infant feeding

Care must be taken when nursing babies so that they get enough calories and nutrients; Which includes proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins, where adequate nutrition for infants helps reduce the risk of disease, and is necessary for their healthy growth and development during the first two years of their lives, as well as helping to start a healthy nutrition. habits at an early age in children to develop a healthy eating pattern in their lives. [1] [2] 0 seconds of 0 seconds Size 0%

How to feed a baby

Feeding a baby from birth to 6 months of age

Mentioned below are the things that are recommended to be followed during breastfeeding of the child from birth to 6 months of age: Breastfeeding: Breastmilk is characterized by containing the right amount of nutrients needed by the infant, and it enhances them. The immune system, so it is the best food for babies, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend exclusively breastfeeding the baby for the first six months of a baby's life, then start and continue to introduce foods appropriate supplements. From infancy to the age of two years or older, [3] [4] and the period of lactation can continue as desired by the mother and her child. Mothers combine breastfeeding and formula milk, especially after a long period of time has passed since the start of breastfeeding, and in case the mother is unable to breastfeed, iron-fortified infant formula should be used. [3] [6] It should be noted that a breastfed baby needs 60 to 90 milliliters of formula per feeding and often feeds every 3 to 4 hours for weeks. The first days of his life, but in the beginning it is recommended to feed the baby with formula milk when he needs it or when he cries from hunger, with the passage of time and the increase in the age of the child, the feeding time is adjusted automatically [7] Vitamin D: Children need 400 IU of vitamin supplements. D- Daily, either in the case of breastfeeding alone, or breastfeeding with formula milk, while children who eat formula milk alone do not need to take vitamin D supplements. [6] To read more about the importance of vitamin D for babies, see the article on the benefits of vitamin D for babies.

Feeding a baby from 6-12 months old

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a baby's life, and as mentioned above, most babies between 4 and 6 months are ready to start solid foods, while continuing to breastfeeding or formula milk, but it is generally advised not to delay the introduction of solid foods Solid foods for a long time, as after 6 months of age the baby cannot accept new foods, which can make it difficult to introduce solid foods solids after, [8][9] These foods are known as dairy complementary foods (English: complementary foods); Does not include breast milk or infant formula; It is in liquid, semi-solid or solid form, where the objective is to satisfy the nutritional needs of the infant. Some of the problems associated with introducing solid foods to babies 6 to 12 months are explained below:

Signs that the infant is ready to introduce solid foods: The following are mentioned for these signs: [9]

Tongue thrust reflex, which causes the spoon or food to come out of the mouth. start paying attention to what parents eat; Makes noises when watching someone eat, or reaches for a fork or slice of bread. The ability to sit in a chair with a steady and controlled head. The ability to scoop food from the spoon with the lower lip.

Suitable food for a child:

Diversity in the provision of solid foods is essential, since it must include the four food groups; They are: fruits and vegetables, milk and its derivatives, carbohydrates rich in starch, meats, legumes and other sources of protein, since diversifying foods from an early age helps the child to continue with this healthy eating pattern in later stages of their development. life. [ 10]

At the beginning it is recommended to introduce soft, mashed or filtered foods, the child may take a while to adapt to the different textures of the new foods, the child may cough, open his mouth or spit out the food. The more a baby is able to use and control her mouth, the more she can introduce foods with a thicker texture, which have more lumps. [11] The gradual stages of introducing solid foods to infants by age are listed below: [12] From 6 months: introduce well-mashed foods, then introduce coarser or finely chopped foods. 8 months: Introduce cut and handmade foods (English: finger foods) to encourage the child to be self-sufficient. 12 months: Offer the usual foods within the infant's ration, ensuring a variety of flavors and textures.

How to feed the child:

It is recommended to introduce one type of food at a time, and wait 3 to 5 days before introducing another type, as this helps to notice any reaction to the new food, or if the child has a food allergy, examples of more allergenic foods Milk, eggs, wheat, fish, shellfish, peanuts, soybeans and tree nuts According to the new recommendations, it is not necessary to delay the introduction of these foods to the infant, but if there is a family history of allergy to any of these foods, the It is best to consult a doctor before giving them to the child. [11] It should be noted that iron and zinc are important nutrients during the second half of the first year of life, and can be obtained from ground meats, iron-fortified prepared cereals, and single-grain crops; such as oatmeal, rice, and barley, which can be made by mixing 1 tablespoon of one of these prepared iron-fortified infant cereals or cereals with 4 tablespoons; That is, 60 milliliters of breast milk or infant formula, and it is advised not to bottle feed, as it is advised to keep the baby sitting up, and then offer the cereal with a teaspoon once or twice a day after Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, and it should be noted that rice is intended for the child only, to reduce the risk of arsenic exposure, but diversify grain sources other than rice, and it is recommended to introduce a type of vegetable or fruit. Little by little without adding salt or sugar. or infant formulas, or both, the main source of nutrition for the child during the age period between 6-12 months, in terms of solid foods, they constitute a large part of the child's diet gradually, and with the introduction of solid foods for baby, can be difficult for mother Determining correct amount It should be noted that children's stomachs are small, so it is recommended to consider the following: [13] Start small; That is, 1-2 tablespoons and pay attention to signs of hunger or satiety in the balance; That is, introduce solid foods steadily over time, until little by little they become a greater part of the baby's diet. Offer food and drink to the child every 2-3 hours, or 5-6 times a day, making sure the child has 3 main meals and 2-3 snacks throughout the day.

Foods to avoid during the first year of a baby

Here are some foods that the child should avoid during the first year of life: Cow's milk: It is advisable not to give children whole cow's milk during the first year of life. This is because it doesn't contain enough iron, vitamin E, and essential fatty acids, as well as containing more protein, sodium, and potassium than a child's body can absorb, which can cause some harm. After the age of one year. [14] Juices: Juice is an unnecessary part of a child's nutrition and eating whole fruits is recommended instead. As drinking large amounts of juice can cause diarrhea and weight problems in addition to tooth decay, and if you want to give juice to the child, you should make sure it is 100% juice and the amount of juice should be limited. Half cup daily. [8] Honey: Honey can contain germs that can cause a serious illness called infant botulism, and therefore honey should be avoided in babies under one year of age.

To read more about the dangers of giving honey to babies, see the article on the dangers of honey for babies. Salt and sugar: The American Heart Association advises against introducing sugar or foods with added sugar to children under two years of age. Examples include: candy, cookies, cakes, and ice cream. It is also advised not to introduce foods rich in salt or what is known as sodium, such as preserves, frozen prepared foods and processed meats; Such as: sausages, sausages and lunch meat (in English: lunch meat). [fifteen]