Ten Little - Feeding

Are there any unsafe foods for babies?

2022-05-09T11:58:42-04:00

While it’s a good idea to introduce a variety of solid foods to your baby, there are a few foods you will want to limit or avoid in the early months and years.

Honey: Honey should be avoided before your child’s first birthday because it harbors spores that can cause botulism, a rare but serious illness that affects the nervous system.
Whole milk and unpasteurized foods: Don’t feed your baby whole milk until after their first birthday and avoid unpasteurized foods like fresh juice and ciders, raw milk, or raw or partially cooked eggs. Unpasteurized foods can put your child at unnecessary risk for becoming ill.
Raw and undercooked meat: Avoid raw and undercooked meat, poultry, and shellfish to limit any exposure to unwelcomed bacteria.
Raw sprouts: Raw sprouts may carry dangerous bacteria due to the warm conditions needed for growth. It’s best to skip any raw sprouts as your little one is building up their immune system.

This article has been reviewed by our team of experts.

Disclaimer: The contents of this article does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns about any health or medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment you should consult with your pediatrician or a licensed healthcare provider.

What is Baby Led Weaning?

2022-05-02T12:59:12-04:00

You may have read or heard about “Baby Led Weaning,” which focuses on preparing the same meal for the whole family (with modifications for baby), and letting the baby decide what and how to eat. With this method, you are letting the baby feed him or herself with their hands or a utensil. There are several benefits to this method, such as:

It encourages the baby to try diverse tastes and textures at an early age
It is less expensive (as the whole family is eating the same foods)
The baby gets to participate in family meals

Before introducing Baby-Led Weaning, it is important to research this method and understand how to safely offer food so you feel comfortable and know what to expect. With Baby Led Weaning, you may experience your baby gagging more frequently, especially at the beginning. Many parents find this quite frightening, although it is a very natural and normal response to babies learning to eat.

If you are looking to get started with Baby Led Weaning, a great place to start is with soft, thin, stick-shaped foods. It is important to avoid choking hazards and encourage your baby to practice chewing. Here are few examples:

Naturally soft or steamed vegetables, such as steamed green beans or thin strips of cooked sweet potato
Soft, mushy raw fruit (such as squished blueberries or sliced avocado) or steamed harder fruit or vegetables (such as apple slices)
Ground, shredded, or soft small pieces of protein such as ground beef, hard boiled egg slices, hummus, or shredded chicken
Soft slices or pieces of whole grains such as pasta (cooked to very tender) or pancake strips
Shredded cheese, yogurt, or soft full-fat dairy

Even if you are using the Baby Led Weaning technique, you do not need to avoid purees entirely. You can load yogurt or applesauce onto a baby spoon and allow your child to bring it towards his or her mouth. This is also a great way to combine feeding techniques if you aren’t comfortable jumping straight into solid foods.

This article has been reviewed by our team of experts.

When should I transition my baby from a bottle?

2022-05-02T12:58:55-04:00

You can offer straws and open cups around 9 months of age. Straws and open cups can help babies fully wean from the bottle when they’re ready. It is important that babies transition from the bottle around 12-15 months so they can progress with feeding and drinking skills. Continuing to eat and drink from a bottle past age 1 may hinder your child’s appetite and put them at risk for tooth decay due to the sugars in milk.

Some babies are able to switch right to a cup from a bottle, and others may need some time to get used to this new experience. This may take some time, as it’s a big transition for babies! Be patient with your child and try to remain consistent with offering the cup instead of the bottle. It’s normal for babies to protest this change, but remaining firm with the cup after introducing it will help the transition in the long run. Morning or daytime feedings are often easier to transition than nighttime. At their first birthday, doctors often suggest switching from formula or breastmilk to whole milk and this may be a natural time to transition their cup as well.

This article has been reviewed by our team of experts.

What should I do about my picky eater?

2022-05-02T12:50:28-04:00

It’s important to respect your child’s appetite. If they aren’t hungry, don’t force a snack or meal, and don’t bribe them to eat certain foods (“eat your broccoli”) or clean their plate. You want to make sure that food and mealtimes are not associated with frustration or anxiety. You could consider serving smaller portions (with the option for refills) so that your child becomes aware of their own fullness cues.

It is recommended, however, to stick to a routine. Meals and snacks at the same time daily are great — if your kid declines one, they can get nutrition from the next snack or meal. And skip juice and milk between meals, as kids can fill up on these beverages and “ruin” their dinner.

When it comes to pickiness, patience is key. Young children need time and exposure to new foods before they get used to them. Instead of pitching every new food as delicious, appeal to your child’s senses. Discuss the shape, smell, texture, or color of a food. Compare it to something else they like.

Keep exposing them to new (and healthy) foods until they become familiar. It may take several meals before they are ready to try the new food, so don’t give up after the first rejection. When introducing a new food, many parents have had success with serving the new food along with a “safe” food on their plate (something familiar that you know they like).

You can make introducing new foods fun! Once your child is old enough, involve them in choosing and preparing dinner. Ask your child to go grocery shopping with you, and let them pick out their melons, fruits, and vegetables from a vibrant produce display.

You can also set a good example, eating with your child, and eating the same meal, if possible. Turning off the TV and other distractions and eating together could help encourage healthy habits, and the act of demonstration will make them more inclined to follow along.

As always, try to be patient, as this type of change is gradual. It is normal for kids to take a while to get used to new textures, flavors, and smells.

This article has been reviewed by our team of experts.

When should we introduce allergens, and how?

2022-05-02T12:49:52-04:00

An estimated 90 percent of all food allergies are caused by the following nine foods: milk, eggs, wheat, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, sesame and shellfish. Nearly 5 percent of children under the age of five years have food allergies, and although many children "outgrow" their allergies, allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish may be lifelong.

Not all food allergies can be prevented, however, studies show that the best prevention of food allergies to peanuts and eggs is early and frequent consumption. Introducing small amounts of egg or peanuts early on may reduce the chances of developing food allergies, especially in babies with eczema, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

When introducing common food allergens, stick to one per day so that you can easily identify which new food causes a reaction, if one occurs. If nothing happens, continue with the new food several times a week as part of a varied diet. Introducing a new food and not making it a consistent part of your child’s diet could cause allergies to develop, so it is important to stay consistent once a food allergen is introduced. If your child has a reaction, discontinue feeding the offending food until you’ve spoken to a doctor.

It does not take much food to cause a severe reaction — even a small fraction of a peanut kernel can affect some severely allergic children. Some foods may not cause a reaction until the second time your child is eating something so monitor multiple feedings for any reactions that may indicate an allergy to that food.

Food allergies generate an immune system response which can cause symptoms ranging from discomfort to life-threatening reactions. These can include hives, asthma, itching, trouble breathing, stomach pains, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Food intolerance, which occurs when a person has difficulty digesting a certain food, is not an immune response but may also involve some of the same symptoms as a food allergy. Because allergy symptoms can overlap with intolerance and even other conditions like colic, you should speak with your child’s doctor if you suspect an allergy.

This article has been reviewed by our team of experts.

When do babies start with solid food?

2022-05-02T12:49:34-04:00

When your baby starts sitting up on their own, brings hands to their mouth, and shows interest in your food, it might be time to start transitioning to solid food. In many babies, they start showing signs of readiness between 4-6 months. The key to this transition is to start slowly and slowly progress.

Breastmilk and/or formula should be the main source of nutrition until around 1 year of age, so the goal of starting solid foods (once ready) is to slowly start exposing your child to new flavors, textures and experiences with foods, while building feeding skills. It is important to allow your child time to explore and get messy while they are learning. Do not be discouraged if it doesn’t seem like your child is swallowing a lot as they get started, as this is about practice more than anything else.

There are different approaches to introducing solid food into your child’s diet. These methods vary from progressing through pureed foods before introducing solid foods to “Baby Led Weaning”, an approach that focuses on preparing the same meal for the whole family (with modifications for baby), and letting the baby decide what and how to eat. When making the decision on what first solid foods to offer your baby, consider what works best for you and your family. You can also combine any of the above techniques, such as starting with a single puree and slowly adding in a variety of tastes and textures. This can help prevent picky eating and work to progress oral motor skills. Note that there are a few foods that should be avoided during your baby’s first year, which you can read about here.

Whatever approach your choose, here are some helpful tips:

Allow time for exploration & exposure. Provide a small portion of safely prepared food for your baby to touch and feel. This will eventually lead to them putting their hands in their mouth and tasting!
Practice chewing. Babies don’t need teeth to chew, Their gums and jaws are hard enough to get the job done! Whether you are starting with purees or solid foods, it is important that your child learns to chew. Once your baby learns to sit up, they will naturally start bringing their hands to their mouth. This is a great time to introduce teething toys for practice! When they are ready to start solid foods, introduce thin, stick shaped foods to force them to bite and chew as they are eating.
Familiarize yourself with the most common allergens and how to introduce them.
Avoid Choking Hazards.

Remove fat, skin, and bones from poultry, meat, and fish
Cut fruit into small pieces, removing seeds and hard pits
Cut soft food into small pieces or thin slices
Cut cylindrical foods like hot dogs and string cheese into short thin strips instead of round pieces that could get stuck in the airway
Cut small spherical foods like grapes, cherries, berries and tomatoes into small pieces
Cook rice, pasta and other grains until tender

Steps for introducing solid foods into your child’s diet as described by the CDC :

Step 1: Baby Cereal and Single Food Purees: Traditionally, the recommendation has been to start by spoon feeding baby cereal mixed with formula, breastmilk or water. Then, you can slowly progress through single-ingredient purees such as avocado, apple, peas or squash, one food at a time. Mash or puree the fruits and vegetables to make them smooth and easy for the baby to swallow. Harder fruits and vegetables (such as apples and carrots) usually need to be softened by cooking first. Consider giving your baby the same food for three days in a row to confirm that they aren’t having any adverse reactions to the food, like diarrhea, rash, or vomiting.

Step 2: Multi-Ingredient Purees & Thicker Consistency: Once you and your baby are comfortable with single food purees, you can move on to multi-ingredient purees. Follow their lead as they begin to master thicker-consistency foods, noticing how they react as you introduce new tastes and textures. Even if your baby doesn’t have teeth, their jaws and gums will do an adequate amount of chewing.

Step 3: Soft, Small Solid Foods: Once you notice that your baby is able to bring food to their mouth, you should start introducing small and soft pieces of solid food or shredded meat (about the size of a cheerio) and always avoid any choking hazards.

This article has been reviewed by our team of experts.

How often and how much should I feed my newborn?

2022-05-02T12:48:23-04:00

Newborns feed a lot during the early few weeks of life — up to 8 to 12 times a day. Babies know when they are hungry and full, and they will give you cues to let you know what they need. You’ll learn your baby’s patterns and needs as they grow, but a good place to start is feeding your baby every 1-3 hours. As they get older, they’ll need to feed less often, and you can expect longer stretches between feeding, typically around every 3 hours. For babies who drink formula, there is a general recommendation to drink 2.5oz per pound of body weight per day. For example, an 8lb baby will drink 20oz across their feedings. The amount per feeding will depend on how frequently they are feeding, which will still typically be every 3-4 hours. You and your baby will steadily get into a routine where your baby lets you know when they are hungry. Breastfed infants can feed on demand, as breastfeeding works on supply and demand, so the baby will drive the milk supply. Breastmilk is digested faster than formula, so breastfed infants typically eat more often. Formula-fed babies will also give you cues that they’re ready to eat, but creating a routine and paying attention to their cues before and during feeds can be helpful to assure they are not overfed. Formula takes longer to digest, so formula fed infants typically eat less frequently, around every 3-4 hours. Here are some ways babies may communicate hunger:

Moving their heads from side to side
Opening and closing their mouths, sticking out their tongues
Placing their hands and fists to their mouths
Puckering their lips, like they’re sucking a straw
Crying

This article has been reviewed by our team of experts.

Do I need to supplement my baby’s diet with anything else?

2022-05-02T12:47:57-04:00

Breastmilk and formula contain a variety of essential vitamins and minerals, but you can give a daily supplement depending on advice from your pediatrician.

Vitamin D. The body makes vitamin D when your skin is exposed to the sun, but under 6 months of age, it’s recommended that babies do not receive direct sunlight. Vitamin D is added to many infant formulas, but it’s not in breastmilk, so breastfed babies (and some formula-fed babies) may need to take a daily vitamin D supplement, as recommended by a pediatrician.
Iron. Infants usually do not need an iron supplement until around 6 months of age. Breast milk always contains small amounts of easily absorbable iron, so babies who drink breast milk receive their iron stores from mom. If your baby drinks formula, they will not need any additional supplements (unless directed by your doctor) since most infant formulas are iron-fortified. From ages 7-12 months, babies need 11 grams of iron per day and toddlers aged 1-3 years need 7 milligrams per day, per CDC guidance. If your baby eats a mix of breast milk and iron-fortified formula or has transitioned to mostly solid foods, your pediatrician may recommend an iron supplement.
Fluoride. After your baby is 6 months old, they start to need fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel. Most tap water contains fluoride, however it’s important to check with your child’s dentist or doctor, or call your local water department to learn if your water supply is treated with fluoride. If it is not, you should talk to your doctor about supplementing.

This article has been reviewed by our team of experts.

What are the benefits of breastfeeding? What about formula?

2022-05-02T12:47:42-04:00

A fed baby is a healthy and happy baby. Both breastmilk and formula contain all the nutrients a newborn requires while being easily digestible. Before the transition to solid food, your baby will subsist entirely on a diet of breastmilk, formula, or a combination of the two.

Breastfeeding Benefits (for mother and baby):

Emotional regulation. Breastfeeding helps mothers meet their emotional needs while bonding with their babies.
Protection from infection. Breastmilk contains antibodies that protect babies from some infections.
Potential lowered risk of medical problems. There is a correlation between breastfeeding and a lower likelihood of medical problems such as diabetes, asthma, and allergies.
Cost-Effectiveness. Breastmilk is cheaper than formula (however, please note that while the breastmilk is free, some equipment such as pumps, pads, and nursing bras may be required).
Convenience. Always having the food the baby needs on you is more convenient. No need to prep a bottle for an outing or make one in the middle of the night.
Exposure to new tastes. Breastmilk can vary in taste, as the different foods the mother eats can flavor the breast milk, exposing the baby to new tastes before starting solid foods.

Formula Benefits (for mother and baby):

Contains supplementary nutrients. Formula gives babies great nutrition and often adds in additional vitamins.
Keeps them full. Formula digests more slowly than breastmilk, so babies who formula-feed may have longer stretches before getting hungry again.
The whole family can help with feeding. Formula allows for the feeding responsibilities to be shared across caregivers (versus relying solely on the mother to nurse and/or pump).
Independent from mother’s diet. Formula can more easily eliminate ingredients that your baby may be sensitive to without eliminating anything from your diet.
Can easily measure how much your child is eating. While feeding should really be based on understanding your baby’s hunger cues, many parents find assurance in being able to track how much their baby is eating to better understand any changes in their patterns.

This article has been reviewed by our team of experts.

How should I feed my baby? What are my options?

2022-05-02T12:47:22-04:00

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusively breastfeeding or formula-feeding babies for the first six months of their lives, with a transition to solid foods along with breastmilk or formula through their first year and even beyond. After your child’s first birthday, most pediatricians will recommend transitioning to whole milk.

While breastfeeding is a great source of nutrition for babies, it may not be possible or even preferable for all new parents. Depending on the mother’s choice, lifestyle, work arrangements, parental leave, and the baby’s ability to latch successfully and comfortably, among other factors, breastfeeding and pumping may not always be easy or possible. For these reasons, formula-feeding babies is also a great way to have their nutritional (and emotional) needs met. It’s important to know that whatever feeding option you choose (even a varying combination of both formula and breastmilk), the only “right” answer is the one that’s right for your family and keeps your baby fed. If you’re wondering what feeding options are right for your baby, talk to your pediatrician.

This article has been reviewed by our team of experts.