WHY IS NUTRITION SO IMPORTANT?
The long-term health of a newborn can be greatly enhanced by making certain that they receive a well-balanced diet. An imbalanced diet can raise a person's risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes later in life.
The following nutrients are very critical for children's growth and development in the first five years of life:
"Food before one is merely a game," says a nutritionist.
'Food before one is simply for fun' is a typical expression used by parents as they commence on their supplementary feeding adventure. Despite the fact that this term might be comforting to people who are battling with food rejection or difficult eating, food is about so much more than enjoyment, even in the early months MPF Co-isolates.
It's critical to think about how food affects a child's development in a variety of ways, not only nutritionally. The following are included in this list:
Educating children about the significance of eating and mealtimes
promoting the acquisition of early-stage developmental abilities such as chewing and sucking in newborns
A child's ability to eat on their own, as well as their ability to utilize the necessary tools for feeding, may be taught through self-feeding.
Development of food preferences and encouraging newborns to explore and taste a broad variety of flavors in the early years, which helps determine food choices later in life
UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING
How?
When it comes to feeding your baby food, there are several options: spoon-feeding, baby-led weaning, or a combination of the two. Families should experiment with different approaches to see what works best for them. There is no one strategy that is "correct."
When?
Starting a baby on solids at four or six months of age was recommended in 1994, which led to many parents beginning solids before their child was even four months old. More than eight out of ten parents began feeding their children solids before the age of four months in 2000. The introduction of solid meals in the UK is now 'approximately six months' old, according to recent years of advise.
If a baby is at risk for allergies or has colic or acid reflux, they may be advised to start solid foods earlier than six months of age by a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or paediatrician. However, this should not be done before four months of age, as babies are unlikely to be ready for solid foods before then.
What does it mean to be "developmentally ready"?
A infant must be able to swallow solid meals other than milk in order to thrive. [3] They must take foods into the front of the mouth and actively utilize the tongue to transfer food to the rear of the mouth, where they may subsequently swallow. Because finger foods must be broken down in baby's mouth before they can be consumed, they are only advised for six-month-olds and older, and this is simpler with purees than with finger foods.
They require an immunological and digestive system that is capable of handling more than just milk and that can break down and digest a wide variety of nutrients and chemicals.
Having the physical capacity to self-sit will aid with swallowing, but it will also allow them to concentrate more on their hand and arm movements and control rather than their trunk[4].
What?
The Veg-first Methodology.
Vegetables are frequently listed as the least-liked food among youngsters. In contrast, data shows early exposure to vegetable eating may lead to greater consumption later in life. There is strong evidence that eating a diet heavy in fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of obesity and other health problems.
Sweet fruit purees or baby rice have long been traditional first foods for infants. Because newborns have an inherent predilection for sweet meals over bitter or sour ones, these flavors have been generally accepted. According to recent studies[7, 8], exposing children to meals with more savory and bitter flavors, such as those found in vegetables, can help shape their palates and boost their acceptance of these foods later in childhood[9] and even into adulthood.
The vegetable-first method to weaning has grown increasingly popular as a result of this research. Infants should be introduced to a range of veggies as early in life as possible. During the first two weeks of weaning, I recommend giving your baby a single taste of a DIFFERENT vegetable every day.
For instance:
Finally, parents should keep in mind that repeated exposures are especially important for boosting vegetable consumption as they proceed through their weaning journey. Offering an unknown meal once does not guarantee immediate acceptance. Research shows that babies learn to tolerate a novel flavor after eight exposures[10].
Adding allergies to the mix
To reduce the likelihood of a newborn having a food allergy, parents may choose to start solids a bit sooner, provided the child is still developmentally ready for it.
When it comes to allergies, there are a few things to keep in mind:
One at a time, introduce each new allergy.
Increase the quantity of the new allergen gradually over a few days, starting with a quarter- to half-teaspoon.
Include the allergen in your diet on a regular basis once you've successfully introduced it to your diet and seen no reaction (at least once or twice a week, depending on the allergen)
Introduce new allergens into the baby's diet only when they are in good health.
Before introducing a new allergen to a kid with eczema, it is vital to verify that their skin is in good condition.
Introduce a new meal to your child as early in the day as possible. It's best to have the meeting at some point in the morning or afternoon, preferably by no later than midday. This will allow parents to keep an eye on their child for several hours during the day.