The First Year
One of the healthiest ways to feed a baby during the first 6 months of life
What is breastfeeding?
Breast milk is a living fluid that changes at every feeding as your baby grows. Breast milk meets all your baby’s nutritional needs for first 6 months of life.
If breastfeeding is not possible for any reason, commercially prepared baby formula is recommended as it will also meet baby's nutritional needs for the first 6 months.
Eating is more than just consuming food, these are some examples of other things baby learns at meal and snack times
What are....?
-How to grasp food with fingers and bring it to their mouths; how to use utensils and an open cup
-How to chew different textures
-How to sit and focus on the meal for safety and satisfaction (enjoying the flavours and textures)
- What food is; the colours, shapes, food names and categories (language)
- Social skills, communication skills, physical skills
They are watching you closely so model mealtime behaviour for them.
Introducing food in different ____ has more to do with a baby's development than the age of the baby or how many teeth he/she has (if any teeth at all)
What are different textures? Pureed, mashed, shredded, chopped
True or False: You can offer baby solid foods that are hard, small and round, or sticky? e.g. grapes, cherry tomato, hot dog, hard candy,
What is FALSE
Solid foods that are hard, small and round, or smooth and sticky may cause choking (full blockage of the airway so NO sound is heard). Always supervise your baby when they are eating and drinking. Sit with them, model the behaviour
Be patient with introducing new foods. Sometimes a baby may need to be offered a food this many times or more before they learn to like it
What is 8-15?
Parents decide what is offered, when its offered and where. Children decide HOW much or IF its eaten at all. Keep calm, keep offering and model eating it yourself.
Babies and children under four years of age are most at risk for choking on food because they do not ___ as well as older children and adults
What is chew?
True or False: Textured food (minced, chopped, sliced) should NOT be offered until baby has a full set of teeth
What is FALSE! At 6 months, breastmilk (or formula) is still your baby’s main food source, but it is time to begin adding solid foods. Iron containing foods are recommended as a first food: iron fortified cereal, pureed meat, mashed egg or legumes, flaked fish etc. It is important to offer foods that promote chewing in order to develop those muscles and skills.
True or False: You should delay introducing baby to common food allergens such as peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, milk, sesame, wheat, soy or egg?
What is FALSE
It is recommended to NOT delay the introduction of any specific solid food beyond six months of age as these food are important sources of iron. Later introduction of these food does not prevent, and may even increase, the risk of developing food allergy.
This may occur within a few minutes, hours, or a number of days after the introduction of a new food
What is an allergic reaction?
Signs: stuffy or runny nose, itchy eyes or skin, hives or rash, flushed face, coughing or trouble breathing, swollen eyes or throat (causing difficultly swallowing), diarrhea or vomiting
These are signs of readiness for solids at 6 months
What are...
-Better head control
-Ability to sit up and lean forward
-Ability to pick up food and try to put it in their mouth
-Ability to let the caregiver know when they are full (e.g., turns head away)
Babies who are breastfed should get a supplement of this daily.
What is Vitamin D?
Babies who are breastfed should get a vitamin D supplement of 10 micrograms (µg) or 400 international units (IU) each day to prevent vitamin D deficiency.
Common food allergens should be introduced to baby one at a time, every ____ days
What is two?
It is important to introduce common food allergens one at a time. A food allergen can cause an allergic reaction in some children (like itchy skin, upset stomach or wheezing). Wait two days before introducing a new food. That way, if your baby develops a reaction, you'll have a better idea of what food might have caused it.
Your baby's risk of developing ____ increases if iron containing solid food is not offered starting at 6 months.
What is anemia (low iron)? This can cause your baby to feel tired, lethargic and slow growth and development. Iron stores from pregnancy are used up in the first 6 months of life, so it is important to add "complementary foods" with iron starting at 6 months. Iron-rich foods such as meat, meat alternatives, fish, poultry, dairy, eggs and iron-fortified cereal,
True or False: You may start to transition your baby to homogenized cow's milk (3.25% MF) from 9 months of age.
This is true. The higher % milk fat is important for brain development. Baby must also be eating iron containing foods regularly. Limit cow's milk to 750 ml/day maximum to prevent it from replacing other food (like those containing iron and other nutrients). Once baby is no longer breastfed or is getting at least 500 ml of cow's milk, a vitamin D supplement is no longer needed. Use an open cup with a small amount to help develop self feeding skills.
To prevent botulism (foodborne illness) in infants, baby should not be given this until after they turn 1 year of age
What is honey?