A Healthy Appetite
By Bonny Osterhage
Introducing your little one to the wide world of food is an exciting time,
but it can also be filled with anxiety: What should I start with? Should I
buy organic? What if my child won’t eat?
Having questions about feeding your baby is normal, but it is best not
to get too worked up about it. So before you open that first jar of cereal,
take a deep breath and relax.
“Parents get so anxious about starting solid foods,” says Dr. Julie Segal,
pediatrician and member of the Similac Mom’s Alliance. “If you are anxious,
your child will be anxious, so just be calm and go with the flow.”
The first step in exposing your child to solid foods is to make sure he
or she is physically ready for the transition. Dr. Segal explains that a baby
should be able to sit up and hold its head up, which usually happens
between 4 to 6 months of age. It is also important that the child has outgrown
what Dr. Segal refers to as the “tongue-thrust reflex.” Otherwise
he will simply push the food out.
Once you have determined that your baby is ready for the challenge,
bring out the rice cereal. Why rice? “It is a single grain and the most hypoallergenic,”
explains Dr. Segal. After the baby has learned to take in the cereal
and swallow it without a problem, you can go on to introduce oatmeal and
barley cereals as well as Stage 1 baby foods. Progress to higher levels as
your baby grows accustomed to the new flavors and textures.'
What kind should you buy? It’s really a matter of preference. There are
plenty of healthy brands on the market, including several lines of organic
and all-natural varieties. Ambitious parents can even try making their
own baby foods by pureeing fresh fruits and vegetables. “At least you
know what’s in it,” says Dr. Segal.
By the time the child is 8 to 9 months old, Dr. Segal recommends introducing
small, soft pieces of table food. “The baby should have a pincer
grasp by now and should be able to pick up small pieces of food between
the thumb and forefinger,” she says. She adds that once a child has been
exposed to table food, the baby food will typically be shelved.“By 12 months, the baby should be transitioned to table food and
should be eating with the family for a more social and enjoyable experience,”
advises Dr. Segal.
Expose your child to a variety of foods, but be leery of peanuts, fish,
egg whites and honey, all of which should be avoided until the child is
approximately 2 years of age.
At first, your baby may be willing to try a little bit of everything,
encouraged by the new colors, tastes and smells. But as time goes on,
you may find that your easy-to-please baby has become a picky toddler
who wants nothing but chicken fingers. If that sounds like your child, Dr.
Segal advises a nutritional supplement such as Go and Grow by Similac.
Each 8-ounce cup will give your toddler the extra nutrition and essential
nutrients for healthy growth.
Faced with a picky eater, it can be tempting to offer a bribe in the form
of something sweet, but Dr. Segal says you should resist that urge.“Food should not be used as a reward,” she cautions. “It is nutrition for
the body, and it keeps us going. Just because we feel happy doesn’t
mean we should eat a big piece of chocolate cake.”
With the growing epidemic of childhood obesity, it is also important to
limit juice intake to 4-6 ounces per day, switch to low-fat milk when the
child is around the age of 2, watch the sweets and make sure your child
is getting plenty of physical activity.
With a positive outlook and a calm demeanor, you can make your
child’s transition to solid foods a pleasant one. And with a little patience
and perseverance, you can help your baby develop a healthy attitude
toward food and good eating habits that will last a lifetime.
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