Feeding Relationship
What are three cues that baby is hungry or full?
Signs of Hunger-excited in highchair, sucks or smacks lips, opens mouth at sight of food, puts fist in mouth or cries, leans forward and reaches for food
Signs of Fullness- turns head at sight of spoon, closes mouth at sight of spoon, covers mouth with hands, fusses or cries, falls asleep
What are the best foods to introduce first to your baby?
The best foods to introduce first are Iron Rich Foods.
Baby's iron stores run out at 6 months. Babies grow very quickly between 6-12 months and have a high need for iron for growth and development, in particular brain development. Offer iron rich foods with each meal
Examples: Red meats, iron fortified cereals, eggs, chicken, turkey, fish (de-boned), beans
What is the main source of nutrients for babies up until one year of age?
Breastmilk -breastfeeding continues to be the main source of nutrients up until one year of life. Breastfeeding past 6 months helps prevent overweight and obesity later in life, and helps baby grow and develop properly.
What are some safe finger foods for baby?
There are many safe finger foods to choose from. Just make sure the food is cut up into small enough chunks to prevent choking.
Some examples: Pieces of soft cooked vegetables, soft and ripe fruit, finely ground, chopped or minced cooked meat, de-boned fish or chicken, grated cheese, bread crusts and cereals
How many meals should baby be fed each day starting at 6 months old?
6-8 months- 2-3 feedings and 1-2 snacks/day
9-11 months-can be offered 3 meals/day with 1-2 snacks
all depending on appetite, watch for hunger cues
True or False:
By one year old, baby should be eating on the same schedule as the rest of the family?
True:
having an eating schedule and routine is an important habit for baby to learn early on. Three meals and three snacks are recommended for health eating.
True or False:
Babies should be drinking homogenized milk until they are two years old?
True:
Homogenized milk (3.25%) is recommended until the age of 2. It provides about 1/3 of a child's energy needs. Essential fats are important for growth and development, especially the brain. Other nutritious fat-containing foods are cheese, avocado, peanut butter and fish.
True or False:
Evaporated or canned milk are safe alternatives to formula.
False- It can not be used as a substitute, it will not provide baby with the amount of nutrients they need to grow and develop properly.
True or False:
Baby should be eating family foods by 9-12 months?
True- from 6 months of age a baby can be eating many of the same healthy foods as the family. By 9-12 months baby should be eating family foods from all 4 food groups
How can you meet your babies nutrition needs in addition to breastmilk/formula?
By offering foods from all 4 of the food groups. Each food group provides baby with different important nutrients. 3-4 food groups/meal and 1-2/snack
How many times might a food have to be introduced before baby accepts it?
10-15 times- it is very common to have to introduce a food more than 10 times before a child will accept it. Keep offering these foods, this is a completely normal behaviour. Try different combos of food and textures. For example: Try offering a new food with one that baby already likes. Offering a variety of veggies to older infants increases their acceptance to them later in life.
What is one cause of Iron Deficiency in babies?
The introduction to cows milk before the age of 9 months. Cow's milk is low in iron and can fill babies up, making them not hungry for iron-rich foods.
True or False:
Soy Milk is a suitable alternative to cow's milk for a baby under one year of age?
False-most of these milks are low in energy, fat and protein and do not contain enough vitamins and minerals for baby to grow and develop well.
No later than ____ months old, baby should be eating a variety of textures?
9 Months
Delaying the introduction of lumpy textures beyond 9 months is linked with feeding difficulties in older children and a lower intake of healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. By 12 months children should be offered a variety of textures such as ground, mashed and chopped foods.
Which of these foods should not be given to an infant less that one year of age and why?
a)Cheerios
b)Meat
c)Honey
What is the best setting for baby to eat in?
The family meal setting is the best for baby. In a high chair at the table with no distractions (tv, tablet, etc...) When a family eats together, baby learns that meal times are a time for family to come together and share. It is important for you to be a positive role model about foods and make healthy choices, because baby wants to be just like you!
Name some foods baby doesn't need
Foods that are high in salt- canned pasta, pickles, chips, processed meats, packaged noodles, processed cheese.
Foods that are high in sugar- pop, juicy, slush drinks, candy, chocolate, ice cream, cake , cookies.
Everything is ok in moderation
What age is it safe to introduce cows milk to baby?
Once baby is older and eating a wide variety of iron-rich foods such as meat, eggs, and other iron-fortified cereals, it is safe to introduce homogenized cow's milk.
If cow's milk is introduced to babies before they are 6 months of age it can harm their gut.
List 3 foods that can cause bay to choke
Hard, small/round, smooth and sticky solid foods can block a young child's airway
Hard Candies, cough drops, gum, popcorn, marshmallows, peanuts/nuts, seeds, fish with bones, hot dogs
Name one risk to bay if solid foods are introduced before they are ready, around 6 months of age
Feeding solid foods too early can make it hard for babies to get the nutrition they need from breastmilk and can cause damage to the gut, which can increase the risk of obesity later in life.
True or False:
Baby should always be supervised while eating?
True:
The child should be sitting upright, not lying down, walking, running or distracted. Another reason why the family meal setting plays such an important role.
What vitamin helps baby use iron in their body?
Vitamin C- eating foods rich in Vitamin C, such as fruits and veggies can help increase the absorption of iron-rich foods.
Some examples- oranges, strawberries, cantaloupe, tomatoes and tomato sauce, red peppers, broccoli, and cabbage.
Name one disadvantage of using a bottle past 6 months
Using an open cup instead of a bottle past 6 months can help reduce nighttime and long-term use of bottles, particularly when they are filled with drinks other than water. Prolonged bottle use can also increase the risk of early childhood cavities.
What is the benefit of allowing babies to feed themselves?
quickly develops oral and motor development
offering finger foods encourages self feeding and learning independence
allows them to self-regulate the amount of food they eat/ a skill that can be carried into adulthood which will help prevent obesity
How many food groups should become part of a baby's daily routine?
3-4 food groups at each meal
1-2 food groups at each snack