Nutritional guidelines for babies part 2

Finger Foods for Balanced Nutrition

The Bread and Cereal Group: teething biscuits, dry, unsweetened cereal without nuts, honey or dried fruit, bagel (stale ones make good teething rings), toast, graham crackers, whole grain crackers, pasta, mini sandwiches filled with cottage cheese and grated apple

Fruits and Vegetables: banana slices, ripe papaya sticks, avocado slices, soft cooked apple wedges, soft cooked sweet potato sticks, orange sections with membrane removed

Protein Food: chopped cooked egg yolk, shredded cheese pressed into a ball for easy pick up, cubes of soft cheese, tofu sticks, pieces of tender cooked flaked fish, scrambled egg

Dairy foods: grated cheese, cubes of soft cheese, lumps of cottage cheese

Nutrient requirements, seven to twelve months

• Protein -- 14 grams

• Iron -- 10 milligrams

• Calcium -- 600 milligrams

• Vitamin A -- 375 RE

• Vitamin C -- 35 milligrams

Baby's Daily Feeding Guide

Birth to between four and six months

• Breastmilk or formula (breastmilk on demand; 16-32 oz. formula until four months, 24 - 36 oz. formula four to six months)

Four to six months (if solids are started)

• Breastmilk or formula (breastmilk on demand; 24 - 36 oz. formula)

• Iron-fortified rice cereal two times a day

• Vitamin C- and A-rich strained fruits or veggies

Six to nine months

• Breastmilk or formula (breastmilk on demand; 24 - 32 oz. formula)

• Iron-fortified baby cereal, 1/2 cup a day

• Soft mashed, ripe or soft-cooked fruits or veggies

• Strained meats and combination dinners, tofu (if not sensitive to soy) Ten to twelve months

• Breastmilk or formula (breastmilk on demand; 16 - 24 oz. formula)

• In addition to cereal, add toast, bagels, crackers, dry cereal, whole grain bread, pasta, rice, cooked grains, muffins (if not sensitive to wheat)

• Fresh, peeled ripe, soft-cooked fruits and veggies

• Add egg yolk, yogurt and soft-cooked beans

On the matter of how much: Each baby is different so leave the decision of how much to eat upto them. Because only they know when they are hungry and when they are full, and because they can't communicate that too clearly, provide a good variety of wholesome food on a regular basis and then let them decide how much they will eat. Over the course of the day they will eat what they need, although their intake from one meal to the next may vary dramatically. At the minimum a one year old should be getting the following to meet those nutrient needs listed earlier: two cups of breastmilk, formula or milk (full fat), four servings of one to two tablespoons each of fruits and vegetables (one with vitamin C and one with A), two servings of meat or equivalent of one to two tablespoons each, four servings of breads or cereals, each about 1/4 an adult serving, and one must be an iron fortified cereal.

On the matter of fat: Although lowfat diets are recommended for adults, the American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Heart Association Nutrition Committee and The National Cholesterol Education Program agree that fat and cholesterol should not be restricted in the diets of children from birth to two. Dietary fat supplies concentrated energy, provides the essential fatty acids, linoleic and linolenic (necessary for proper neurologic development) and is a carrier of fat soluble vitamins. Infants have a difficult time eating enough lowfat foods to meet their caloric needs because their stomachs are so small.

article source : parenting.ivillage.com

Nutritional guidelines for babies part 1

by Sue Gilbert, MS

Babies are growing machines. In one year they will triple their birth weight and increase their length by 50 percent. To do that they need to eat, and they need to eat a lot, and they need to eat often.

Besides growing physically, they are also developing socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Food plays a role in all these areas.

Your little baby starts out as a floppy, tiny being with no head control, and gets his nourishment from reflexive sucking and who,by age one, will have turned into a solid little person, crawling with speed and determination, eating selectively, probably from your plate, and deliberately using a precise pincer grasp to feed themselves food they bite, chew and swallow.

Starting out with breastmilk or formula in the early months, offered to baby when he requests, and served in a supportive, loving environment lays the foundation. Following this up with a progressive addition of solid foods that add increasing texture and consistency will give your baby the important nutrients he need to grow plus the developmental stimulation necessary for oral and motor development.

Nutrient Needs of Infants

Newborn to four months: At this age, the best and only food for your little one should be mother's milk, formula, or a combination of the two. Each baby should be allowed to determine for himself just how much and how often he needs to eat. Some babies will eat every two hours, day and night, others will go for longer stretches. At this age, it is best to feed your baby on demand. He is much too young to know how to manipulate. All he knows is that he's hungry. When you feed him, he feels secure and learns to trust you.

Average, normal daily intake of formula for babies this young can be anywhere from 16 to 32 ounces. You needn't worry much about what specific nutrients your baby needs when they are breastfed or fed formula.

Four months to six months: A solid start: Sometime during these two months most babies are introduced to solid foods. Although breastmilk and formula continue to supply all their nutritional needs, adding some semi-solid foods is developmentally appropriate by around six months of age. Baby can control his head better and sit up alone, he can now mimic what he sees and may even have the beginning of a palmer grasp, bringing objects to his or her mouth. In fact, by six months, it seems like everything goes into your baby's mouth! To your delight and amusement, your baby also has an improved ability to communicate. Being able to communicate is important for starting solids. Now he can show his hunger by opening his mouth and leaning toward the spoon, and he can show his disinterest by leaning back and pushing away. Without these skills you could unintentionally force feed your baby.

The food you offer your baby must be both nutritionally and developmentally appropriate. It should offer the nutrients he needs with the consistency and texture that will help his eating skills. For this reason, an iron-fortified rice cereal (least likely to cause an allergic reaction), whose consistency you can change, is a good choice for a first food. By around four to six months, birth stores of iron are becoming depleted, and an outside source becomes necessary. Establishing baby on an iron-fortified cereal will help secure their iron status throughout infancy and toddlerhood, when it is most critical. Rice cereal mixed with breastmilk or formula also provides a good balance of calories, protein, carbohydrates and fat.

As you progress in the addition of solids in your baby's diet, keep in consideration three things: 1)Nutrient needs; 2)Developmental readiness; and 3)The potential for allergies/sensitivities.

Soon after adding an iron-rich rice cereal, the next most important nutrients to add are vitamins C and A. Offer a vitamin C-enriched fruit puree like applesauce, and a dark green or deep orange vegetable, such as pureed carrots or squash.

Adding foods, one at a time, with three days or more in between will help you detect any specific food allergies or sensitivities.

Begin at this stage to shaping these foods into a meal pattern. Have cereal and fruit at breakfast with the rest of the family. Pull the high chair up to the dinner table for baby to eat his cereal and vegetables while you enjoy your dinner and his company.

Nutrient requirements, birth to six months

• Protein -- 13 grams

• Iron -- 6 milligrams

• Calcium -- 400 milligrams

• Vitamin A -- 375 RE

• Vitamin C -- 30 milligrams

Six to nine months -- chunkier chews: If starting solids now, begin slowly, offering pureed foods first (see above). If he has been eating solids, he is ready for, and needs, thicker, chunkier foods. Soft mashed, but not strained, food should be offered to him. When you offer finger foods, the shape of the food is important. Teething biscuits, toast, bagels and crackers are easiest for him to hold. (Do not offer if your baby is sensitive to wheat). By the end of this stage his grasp will be more digital and he'll be able to better manipulate little things like Cheerios and green peas.

Once your baby seems to be getting more and more of his nutrition from solids and less from breastmilk or formula, it becomes important to replace the nutrients they are no longer receiving from those liquids. Food to introduce now should offer some protein and calcium.

Nine to twelve months: Table transition: Baby now has a very precise pincer grasp. He can imitate those around him, he enjoys chewing. He is ready to help feed himself. He eats more protein-rich foods, such as tender, moist cooked lean meats, and chopped egg yolk. By the end of the first year, he should be able to eat most adult foods, assuming they are served at a texture and consistency he can swallow. Just watch for foods that she is allergic to, that may be a choking hazard, like peanuts, popcorn, whole grapes, hot dogs and raw carrots, and foods that are too thick or sticky to swallow, like peanut butter or overly thick cooked cereal. Avoid greasy foods. A good guideline to follow is "plain and simple." A food closest to its natural state is best.

Some babies insist on feeding themselves, in which case you'll need to be clever in picking appropriate finger foods that offers the right variety of nutrients. Remember to choose from all the food groups.

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STERILIZING

A dishwasher with a water temperature of at least 180?F (82?C) will adequately sterilize bottles and accessories. If not using a dishwasher, try the following sterilization process. (Sterilize six bottles, or a daily supply, at one time.)

1. After a feeding, thoroughly rinse the bottle and nipple under warm water and leave them on a clean towel by the sink, ready for your next sterilizing session

2. Wash all the equipment in hot soapy water, rinse thoroughly in hot water, and remove the milk scum with a bottle brush.

3. Pad the bottom of a large pan with a towel or dishcloth. Immerse open bottles, nipples, and other equipment in the pan (place bottles on their side to be sure that they are filled with the sterilizing water) and boil for ten minutes with the pan covered. Allow to cool to room temperature while still covered. Remove the bottles and nipples with tongs or a spoon and place the bottles upside down on a clean towel with the nipples and caps alongside. Let the equipment dry.

Source : askdrsears.com

BOTTLEFEEDING TIPS

To make feeding time pleasant for you and baby, here's how to get the most milk in and the most air up, and to do it safely.

Giving the bottle:

1. Most babies enjoy their formula slightly warmed; run warm tap water over the bottle for several minutes. Shake a few drops on your inner wrist to check the temperature.

2. To minimize air swallowing, tilt the bottle, allowing the milk to fill the nipple and the air to rise to the bottom of the bottle

3. Keep baby's head straight in relation to the rest of the body. Drinking while the head is turned sideways or tilted back makes it more difficult for baby to swallow.

4. To lessen arm fatigue and present different views to baby, switch arms at each feeding.

5. Watch for signs that the nipple hole is too large or too small. If baby gets a sudden mouthful of milk and sputters and almost chokes during a feeding, milk flow may be too fast. Turn the full bottle upside down without shaking. If milk flows instead of drips, the nipple hole is too large; discard the nipple. If baby seems to be working hard, tires easily during sucking, and his cheeks cave in because of a strong suction vacuum, the nipple hole may be too small (formula should drip at least one drop per second).

6. Know when to quit. Babies know when they've had enough. Avoid the temptation to always finish the bottle. If baby falls into a deep sleep near the end of the feeding, but has not finished the bottle, stop. Often babies fall into a light sleep toward the end of the bottle, but continue a flutter- type of sucking. They have had enough to eat, but enjoy a little "dessert" of comfort sucking. Remove the bottle and allow baby to suck a few minutes on your fingertip.

Source : askdrsears.com

SAFE FORMULA FEEDING TIPS

SAFE FORMULA FEEDING TIPS

1. Use before the expiration date on the label

2. Use refrigerated, opened, ready-to-feed and prepared formula within 48 hours.

3. Don't leave bottles of formula out of the refrigerator for more than two hours.

4. Throw away the formula left in the bottle after a feeding, since germs from baby's saliva will multiply in the warm formula.

5. Refrigerate any formula saved from one day to the next.

6. Be very careful if you are using a microwave oven to warm formula. It's better not to microwave. Because of uneven heating, hot spots develop. If you do use the microwave, shake the bottle well before testing the temperature on your wrist.


7. Avoid bottle propping, and don't let a baby fall asleep holding his own bottle. He could choke or aspirate the formula into his lungs. Falling asleep with a bottle allows the sugary formula to pool in the mouth, in contact with teeth, causing dental caries. When bottle-feeding in the lying-down position, formula may travel from the back of the baby's throat up through the eustachian tube into the middle ear, causing ear infections. Remember, bottle-feeding, like breastfeeding, is a social interaction, in addition to a method of delivering nutrition. There should always be a person at both ends of the bottle, and babies should go to sleep attached to a person, not a bottle.

Source : askdrsears.com

How to Use Different Positions for Successful Breast-Feeding

By eHow Parenting Editor

Breast-feeding is a natural, wonderful part of parenting. It's not always easy at first, though, so here are some tips to help get you started.

Things You’ll Need:

• Nursing Pillows

• Gliders

• Pillows

Step1

Get comfortable and relax to stimulate your milk ejection reflex (letdown).

Step2

Bring your baby close to your body, and support him or her by placing a hand behind his or her neck and shoulders - avoid gripping your baby's head, especially if it is bruised from a difficult delivery.

Step3

Support your breast with one hand, without squeezing too hard, then stroke your baby's cheek or tickle his chin and lips gently (with your nipple or a finger) to make your baby turn his or her head toward you and "root" for your nipple.

Step4

Direct your nipple so that it looks like it is pointing up your baby's nose - this will help position the nipple toward your baby's soft palate when he or she latches on.

Step5

Make sure your baby's lips are averted (turned out) rather than tucked in against your nipple. Gently avert the lip with a fingertip if necessary.

Step6

Unlatch your baby, if your baby has latched on incorrectly, by gently inserting the tip of a finger at the corner of his or her mouth. Reposition your baby and try again.

Step7

Once your baby has latched on, check to make sure that his or her nose is clear and not blocked by your breast.

Step8

Try the cradle hold, which entails sitting in a chair with several pillows or a nursing pillow on your lap and laying your baby across your lap. Turn your baby so that you are tummy to tummy and latch your baby on, supporting your baby behind the shoulders and neck if necessary.

Step9

Opt for the football hold and sit in a chair, with a nursing pillow or regular pillow on your lap. Hold your baby so that his or her feet extend to the side of you, rather than across your body - the position will seem like tucking your baby under your arm.

Step10

Support your baby by placing a hand behind his or her shoulders and neck, and latch your baby on by pulling him toward your breast with your supporting arm.

Step11

Try to sneak in a little bit of rest and breast-feed lying down on one side, with your bottom arm raised over your head and curled around your baby.

Step12

Lay the baby down, facing you, with his or her face at the level of your breast and draw your baby in close to you so that you are tummy-to-tummy. Latch him on, and support your baby with one hand or arm if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• The cradle hold is the standard nursing hold and is the most comfortable for many mothers. Make sure your baby is close to your body, rather than down low.

• The football hold is excellent for very small babies and for mothers who have had cesarean sections because it keeps the baby's weight off the incision.

• The lying down method enables both mother and baby to rest during nursing.

• If you are large-breasted, you may be able to switch sides without rolling over, just by inclining your body forward.

• It can sometimes be difficult to see your baby's latch properly when using the football hold, so be careful to get your baby latched on well.

• Never fall asleep with your baby on a couch. Gaps between cushions and the couch back can pose a suffocation risk.

• If you want to share sleep with your baby, be sure to get rid of heavy pillows and comforters and to eliminate gaps between bed and wall. Get a guard rail, if necessary, and never sleep with your baby if you or your partner smokes.

Source : ehow.com

How to Burp a Baby

By eHow Parenting Editor

Burping a baby can reduce spitting up and relieve bloating caused by swallowed air. Here are some tried-and-true methods.

Things You’ll Need:

· Plastic Sheet Or Old Towel

Step1

Put a clean towel, cloth diaper or receiving blanket over your shoulder or wherever your baby's head will rest.

Step2

Position the baby over one shoulder with his stomach against your chest and with his head resting on your shoulder.

Step3

Gently pat your baby on the back and rub it in a circular motion until he burps.

Step4

Try the 'bulldoggy burp.' Place one hand across the baby's chest, supporting his chin with your thumb and index finger. Lean your baby across that support hand and gently pat or rub his back with your free hand.

Step5

Opt for a 'lap burp.' Position yourself so that you can comfortably place the baby's head on one thigh and his stomach on the other. Using an upward and circular motion, gently pat the baby's back until he burps.

Step6

Try getting exercise while you walk and burp your baby. Stand up and place your arm under the baby's rib cage, with the baby's back to your chest. Walk around slowly, leaning the baby over your arm until he burps. And be patient: Sometimes burping takes several minutes.

Tips & Warnings

· Never try to burp a baby while he is spitting up.

· Don't worry if your baby spits up occasionally - what looks like a lot of liquid is probably no more than a teaspoon. Very frequent spitting up or projectile vomiting could signal a problem; contact your doctor.

· Breast-fed babies tend to swallow less air than bottle-fed babies, so don't worry if your breast-fed baby rarely burps, as long as he seems comfortable.

· If breast-feeding, burp the baby when you switch sides or finish feeding. If bottle-feeding, burp after every few ounces or whenever he seems uncomfortable.

Source : ehow.com

How to Avoid Infections While Breast-Feeding

By : eHow Parenting Editor

Breast infections and plugged ducts can be extremely painful, and sometimes even cause a breast-feeding relationship to come to a premature end. Most infections are easily treatable, but many of them can actually be prevented by following a few simple rules.

Things You’ll Need:

• Nursing Bras
• Nursing Shirts
  

Step1

Wear comfortable, nonconstricting nursing bras and clothing. Anything that restricts the flow of milk can lead to an inflamed or plugged duct - usually a painful, reddish area, or even a sore lump in the breast.

Step2

Avoid putting unnecessary pressure on your breasts. Heavy bags with shoulder straps can compress the breast and lead to a plugged duct; so can tight bathing suits - even holding the breast tightly while you nurse can cause problems.

Step3

Nurse regularly, and try not to give supplementary bottles or use a pacifier during the early weeks of breast-feeding. If your baby skips a feeding, takes a bottle or falls asleep with a pacifier instead of nursing, you may become engorged.

Step4

Check your baby's latch. Improper positioning at the breast can mean that your breasts are not being emptied effectively; this can also lead to engorgement, as well as dehydration in your baby.

Step5

Get lots of rest. Although this can be difficult with a newborn around, it's an essential part of protecting yourself from infections and other health problems.

Step6

Drink lots of fluids. Dehydration can increase the severity of infections.

Step7

If you experience extreme nipple soreness or burning and find white spots on your nipples or in your baby's mouth, you may have a thrush infection. Contact your doctor or a lactation professional immediately.

Step8

Keep breast-feeding if you believe that you have a plugged duct or the beginning of an infection. Nursing frequently on the affected side will keep the milk flowing and prevent engorgement; it will also provide your baby with antibodies that protect against bacteria.

Step9

Vary nursing positions; this will help to relieve plugged ducts, as well as reducing pressure on the affected area.

Tips & Warnings

· Wipe your nipples with warm water after each nursing; this will prevent milk from drying on the nipple and clogging the milk ducts.

· If you have a fever accompanied by flu-like systems, call your doctor. You may have an infection that will require treatment with antibiotics.

· If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, double-check that it is compatible with breast-feeding (most are). This is especially important if your regular doctor is not able to see you.

· If you have a lump in your breast that doesn't go away, see your doctor. Perform regular self-examinations, which will help you become familiar with the texture of your lactating breasts.

Source : ehow.com