Baby City specials - 01/01/2020 - 31/12/2021 - NO LONGER VALID *

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TAKING CARE OF FEEDING Trained in-store advice WEANING MADE EASY Sister Lilian shares her golden guidelines for a healthy approach to weaning Baby onto solids. In the first six months, milk, particularly breast milk, can fulfil every single one of Baby’s nutritional needs. From six to 12 months, most babies will start showing an interest in food. However, milk is still extremely important, and this phase is more of an experiment in taste and texture than anything else! From one year, milk will gradually play a less significant role, but there is no need for moms to limit breast milk intake. Baby-led weaning is safe The Sister Lilian Centre has, for decades, advocated that mothers carefully observe and heed their babies’ cues and body language with respect to many basic ‘milestones’, like feeding patterns. Recent research suggests that letting babies feed themselves solid foods from as young as six months does not increase the risk of them choking, compared to spoonfeeding them. The bottom line is that baby-led weaning not only makes common sense, but it’s safe too. Nevertheless, when to wean your baby is a very individual affair, with one baby ready sooner, and another later. If your baby suddenly demands more bottle or breast feeds, you may think it’s time, but he or she may simply need more milk. The first thing to try is increasing the number or length of feeds for at least a week. If Baby is still dissatisfied, it might be time to introduce solids, unless there is another explanation, like teething or stress in the family. Tellingly, teething often precedes an interest in solid food. • Fruit If your baby shows interest in your plate of food, this could be an early indicator that she will soon be ready for solids, although at first, Baby will only do this to sample the food. Handy how-to guide • Offer first foods between milk feeds, when Baby is only slightly hungry, and is in a good, inquisitive mood. • The most optimal digestive time for first meals is between 10am and 2pm. • Slowly increase the amount of food offered until Baby indicates that he/she is comfortable. • Introduce new foods one at time, so that you can readily identify any foods that cause adverse reactions. • Add a second meal after about four to six weeks, and a third meal six to eight weeks later. Fruit is easily digested, and is ideal for Baby’s first food. Ripe, seasonal fruits can be finely grated or pureed (no cooking required) and from six months, can be cut into finger food pieces. • Vegetables Also an excellent first food option, veggies simply need to be lightly cooked or steamed, and can be served as a puree or finger food. Butternut, carrots, hubbard squash, pumpkin and gem squash work well initially, and from about eight to 10 months, sweet potato, potato and finely chopped greens like spinach and broccoli can be added. • Processed baby cereals After eating refined cereals, many babies become constipated or ‘mucousy’, and may develop skin rashes, making this the least advisable choice of first foods. Maize and rice cereals are generally least problematic; wheat cereals and those with milk solids are more so. No-no’s and go-slows • Do not add sugar, salt or butter to a baby’s foods. Choosing first foods Baby’s age and instinctive food preferences will play a role in the selection of starter foods. Initially, weaning is more about Baby getting used to food than it is about nutritive value – as long as the food is healthy, there’s no reason for mothers to stress. The three main food groups for starter foods are: • Never force Baby to eat, and do not resort to bribes. • Never offer Baby unhealthy snacks like biscuits, crisps or sweets. • Do not add cereal to a baby’s bottles. • Restrict dairy products, as little ones are often allergic to these. Brought to you by we know you care www.babycity.co.za 87

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