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ASK ALICE
Recent Questions:
How will I know when my baby is ready to start eating solid foods?
Generally, a baby is ready to start solid foods around 4-6 months of age. Keep in mind that every baby is an individual and will develop at his own pace. Talk with your physician before beginning solid foods. Some signs that your baby may be ready to begin solids include the ability to sit with help or support, the ability to support his own head, his tongue-thrust reflex has diminished, and he has begun showing an interest in solid foods.
What foods are best to feed my baby?
It is important to provide your baby with fresh, natural, unprocessed foods as he transitions from the bottle or breast to solid foods. Foods that have been highly processed and that have added sugar and salt should be avoided. Your baby has a great need for the many nutrients found in fresh, natural foods to grow. The infant and toddler years are also the perfect time to establish healthy eating habits to last a lifetime.
Do I need to introduce foods in any specific order?
Often a baby's first food is a small amount of infant rice cereal mixed with breast milk or formula around age 4-6 months. Once your baby can handle eating cereal off of a spoon, you can gradually introduce finely pureed vegetables, fruits, and meats. Typically around 8-10 months of age, your baby can safely handle coarser, chunkier textures, and even finely chopped finger foods, including soft fruits, well cooked pasta, graham crackers, and ground meat.
How often should I let my baby try a new food?
New foods should be introduced individually, at least 4 days apart, and early in the day. This will help to identify possible food allergies. Once you know that your baby tolerates specific foods individually, you can offer mixed combinations of those foods.
How long should I breast feed or use formula?
It is generally recommended that a baby takes breast milk or formula until his first birthday. However, the amount of breast milk or formula that your baby takes will likely decrease throughout the course of his first year, as he gradually increases his intake of solid foods.
When can I start giving my baby cow's milk?
Around the first birthday, most babies are ready to begin cow's milk. When your baby begins cow's milk, it needs to be whole milk. The fat in whole milk is necessary for your baby's growth and development, specifically brain development. You will want to continue whole milk until your child is 2 years old. After that, a lower fat milk is a good choice.
Are there any foods that I need to avoid?
There are mixed views regarding whether avoiding certain foods will prevent your infant from developing food allergies. Eggs, wheat, peanuts, fish, milk, soy, tree nuts, and shellfish are the eight major food allergens. We recommend that you speak with your pediatrician about these foods, especially if any close relatives has a food allergy.
For all babies, cow's milk, citrus, and honey should not be introduced before the first birthday. Cow's milk does not meet a baby's nutritional needs. Citrus foods can often cause an upset stomach in infants due to its high acidity. Honey may contain spores and cause botulism, a deadly illness.
There are also foods that should not be given to your baby because they can easily cause choking. These foods include whole grapes, raw vegetables, hard fruits, raisins, hard cheese, hot dogs, popcorn, hard candy, large pieces of meat, and peanut butter.
What are signs of an allergic reaction to be aware of?
Possible signs of a food allergy or allergic reaction include rash, bloating or increased intestinal gas, and diarrhea. If your baby shows any of these signs after eating, do not offer that food again until you have spoken with your physician. For more severe allergic reactions such as hives or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately.
What do I need to know about food safety for my baby?
Never leave your baby unattended while eating. Avoid foods that can cause choking. Wash your hands and your baby's hands with soap and water before feeding. Wash the high chair tray with hot, soapy water each time it is used. Do not feed your baby directly from the jar, because bacteria from your baby's mouth can contaminate the remaining food. Instead, place small amounts of food in a separate dish and feed your baby from that dish. Food remaining in jars should be discarded once opened for 2-3 days.
When can my baby drink fruit juice?
Fruit juice is often introduced between 6-9 months of age. Juice is not a necessary part of your baby's diet, however. Juice should be limited to about 4 ounces per day, and should be served in a cup. Serve only 100% fruit juice, not juice drinks or powdered drink mixes. Do not offer mixed flavor juices until you know that your baby can safely tolerate each separate fruit. 100% fruit juice with added vitamin C is a good choice. Remember to wait until around age 1 before introducing citrus fruit juices.
How will I know when my baby is full?
When your baby is full, he may turn away from the spoon, refuse to open his mouth, spit the food out, or lean backwards. Don't force extra bites. If your baby's growth is on target, you will know that he is getting enough to eat.
What if my baby does not like a certain food?
If your baby turns away from a certain food, don't push. Simply try again another time. It may take even 10 or more tries for your baby to accept a new food, so don't give up!
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