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First Foods For Baby - What Foods You Should Introduce?
Once your baby is a little older, you might be wondering when you can start feeding them regular food. You can’t keep breastfeeding them forever, right? Below is a detFirst Foods For Baby - What Foods You Should Introduce?ailed guide to what and how you need to introduce their first solid food.
What is the Right Time to Introduce Solid Food to your Baby’s Diet?
The exact time to start the introduction of solid foods is largely dependent your baby’s developmental progress. However, the golden period for this is when they hit the 4-6 month mark. Anything earlier and there is a chance of their intestines giving your child trouble as they are still developing. If you wait for too long, there is a risk of your child showing resistance to being introduced to solid food due to their comfort zone being rooted in breastfeeding.
Signs that your Baby is Ready for Solid Food
Observing your baby is fascinating, and you’re bound to catch a few of the signs such as:
She can sit upright without any assistance. This is essential as eating solid food while she is lying down increases the chances of food going down the wrong pipe.
Babies can get a little apprehensive about solid food and tend to thrust out anything they can with their tongue. As a test, mix a little solid food along with your breastmilk and feed it to your baby. If you don’t see her spit out any of the solid food, your baby is okay with solid food.
Your baby is likely to start showing interest in the food you eat. This means they may watch you with an intense gaze while you eat or make attempts to grab onto your spoon or fork.
You notice that your baby’s motor skills are refined enough that they can perform a rolling action with it.
You notice that your baby can open her mouth wide enough for solid food to enter.
How to Introduce First Foods to Infants?
You can use a combination of solid food and breastmilk to help them transition to solid food.
Give them small amounts no more than a tablespoon at a time.
Once they start getting used to the foods, you can start mixing things up such as yoghurt and apple.
List of Best First Foods for Babies
Starting simple is key as your baby’s digestive system as it is still in its nascent stages. Remember to keep them upright while serving the following foods:
1. Apples
Apples serve as a good starter food as babies love its sweet and sour taste. Its high fibre and low-fat content make it a healthy delight. When you’re serving them, go with the pureed form without its skin.
2. Beetroot
Many babies have an instant liking for this so make sure beet is boiled well enough for it to melt in their mouth. Beetroots have high nutritional value as they are a rich source of folic acid which helps in brain development.
3. Pears
Pears add a good amount of roughage to your baby’s digestive system. They also contain a good amount of phosphorus and calcium which aid the bone-building process. Remember to peel the skin, remove the seeds and serve in a pureed form.
4. Meat
Fish and chicken are ideal meats for your baby as they require the least amount of energy to get digested. They are a rich source of protein and keep anaemia at bay. Fish should have all its bones removed otherwise it could distress her throat. For best results, make the meat into a puree to avoid any incidence of choking.
5. Curd
While ideally suited for infants who’re 7-8 months old, many paediatricians recommend this as a first food due to its soft texture. It is an excellent source of calcium and helps revamp your little angel’s digestive system.
6. Banana
It's sweet taste, and soft texture make it a front-runner in baby foods. Its high folate content helps in the upkeep of brain activity and is known to improve the mucosal lining of the stomach.
7. Sweet Potato
Sweet potato for baby first food is a good choice as its soft gooey texture is relished by infants. It also contains beta-carotene which helps improve their vision and boost the immune system.
What If your Baby Refuses First Food?
Avoid forcing anything on her. You can try out different food variations until she picks something that she likes.
Precautions to Prevent Choking
Ensure they are upright to minimise the risk of food going down the wrong pipe.
Avoid nuts as they are small enough to get stuck in the windpipe.
Make all the solid foods into a puree or mash them up thoroughly before feeding.
Items like grapes, peas and popcorn are known choking hazards.
Make sure your child is alert and active before feeding her.
You can purchase a high chair with a firm base so that she doesn't sink into her seat. This minimises the chances of you accidentally shoving the food inside her mouth too hard which can cause choking.
How Much Food Will Be Enough?
How much a baby will eat depends on her appetite and mood. Avoid giving her more if she turns her head away or begins to cry.
Things to Keep in Mind
Playing with our food is usually frowned upon, but you need to make an exception here. Infants are inquisitive and may refuse to eat something without proper inspection.
You can try feeding breastmilk or formula food using a bowl and a spoon. This can help your baby transition towards solid foods as it familiarises her with the use of utensils.
Avoid adding sugar and salt to any of her meals. While salt can damage your baby’s kidneys, sugar has been linked to increasing the chances of diabetes and obesity.
Just like Goldilocks, infants can be a little strict about the temperature of their food. You can test it yourself by either tasting it directly or using your wrist to feel how hot or cold it is.
Once the milk teeth start coming out, start giving them slightly crunchy or chewy food so they can improve their chewing abilities.
Never mix new solid foods that you are introducing to your baby as it may be difficult to pinpoint the source of an allergic reaction. You can start adding new solid food every four days.
Contrary to popular belief, cow’s milk is not a good option as it is difficult for babies to digest it and can cause lactose intolerance.
Avoid giving them solids when they are sick or in a bad mood as they may associate it with an unpleasant experience.
If your baby is active and moves around a lot, you can fasten her onto a chair with a strap. However, avoid it if your baby is uncomfortable with the strap as it can make them anxious and lose interest in eating.
Avoid giving her honey as it can cause infant botulism which is fatal.
Watch Out for Food Allergies
While introducing the first foods for your baby, avoid giving her foods that have a high risk of causing an allergy. These include items like eggs, shellfish and peanuts, and can be given once the baby is a little older, such as eight months. To find out if your baby may be allergic, set up a baby first food schedule. Feed them early in the morning to see for any reaction later during the day.
Babies are creatures of habit and need to be weaned off breastmilk/formula in a phased manner. The initial few weeks may prove to be difficult as they might be resistant. However, with a little bit of patience and consistency, your baby will be munching on solid food in no time.
Also Read: Rice Water for Infants Read more
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Newborn Baby Sleeping Too Much - Do I Need to Worry
Babies are such angelic beings, radiating some serious pick-me-up and cuddle me vibes until they start screaming. Then it is a frantic run to feed, change diapers and in general to do whatever it takes to calm them down. And that is how most of us expect babies to be! However, there are times when your baby is being really calm and prefers sleeping to feeding, and it is making you a bit anxious. Read on to find if that should be a cause for worry or if your baby is just a good sleeper.
How Much Sleep Should A Newborn Baby Get In A Day
Newborns do sleep a lot, and it is something they did for most of the time back in the womb. Back then they were surrounded by sounds of the mother’s heartbeat, digestive system and her voice. In such sleep-inducing conditions, they hit the snooze mode 90%-95% of the day. Once outside of the womb, newborns continue to sleep for 16 to 18 hours a day, waking up every two to three hours for a feed or diaper change. The hours of sleep can slightly vary since each baby is unique and has different needs. Newborns sleep a lot because their bodies are rapidly growing and sleep is essential for their proper mental and physical development, especially development of the brain and central nervous system. Therefore, it is safe to say that newborns spend around 80%-85% of the day sleeping and there are no hard and fast rules as to the number of hours a baby needs to sleep as long as they are healthy and feeding regularly.
Can Your Infant Sleep Too Much
A baby sleeping all day can be a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it gives you the time you need to catch up on some rest. However, it can also be the source of anxiety. 'Is my baby sleeping more than usual?' is one question that may ring through your mind. The truth is that it depends on the individual needs of the baby. Some might sleep more while others sleep less, and it is all right as long as they remain healthy. One way to ascertain if the baby is feeding enough is to check their diapers. Their urine shouldn't be too yellow (darker yellow is a sign that baby isn't feeding enough) and there should be an adequate number of stools of the proper colour. An unusually sleepy baby will be cranky and clingy. A baby who does not have these issues might make parents antsy by sleeping too contently (welcome to the world of parenting). It is not a problem unless the sleeping impacts their feeding and health. The number of hours your baby spends sleeping gradually decreases as they grow older. This is good because you do not want a baby that sleeps too much that he/she does not learn to sit up or crawl around.
When You Need To Be Concerned
If you find that the baby is sleeping all day without getting up in between for feeds, it is necessary to stimulate the baby to wake up. Also, if there is a sudden increase in the number of hours spent sleeping, you might want to look into it for any health issues. But keep in mind that growth spurts in babies can also make them sleepier than usual. By the time the baby is two months old, he /she is likely to sleep longer during the night and stay awake longer during the daytime. This enables them to learn skills such as crawling, sitting up and gradually more complex tasks such as walking and speaking. So, if your three months or older baby is sleeping too much and is hardly up, you might want to consult a paediatrician.
What To Do If Your Baby Is Sleeping More Than Usual
If your maternal instincts tell you that the baby is sleeping more than what is required, a consultation with the baby's paediatrician would be the best thing to do. Check-up on the baby's health, since jaundice and other infections, can make the baby tired and sleep more. Medical procedures such as circumcision can also make the baby sleepier than usual. No matter what, make sure that you get to feed your baby. Do this even if you have to wake them up.
When To Wake Up Your Sleepy Baby For The Feeding
Newborns initially lose their birth weight but gain it back within the first week and then continue to gain weight at a healthy pace. But if have a baby who is lacking in the weight gain department, it indicates that they are not feeding enough, and hence your doctor might suggest that the baby is woken up at intervals (every 3-4 hours) and fed. But it will be a few weeks before the paediatrician has enough data to ensure the weight gain is optimum until then you will have to rely on your gut feelings to wake the baby up and feed him/her after a couple of hours.
How To Wake Up Your Infant For Feeding
It's never a good idea to wake someone up abruptly, even if it is your calm sleeping baby, they might end being cranky and non-cooperative. If you find your 3 months baby sleeping too much, here are some smooth tricks to gently wake them up:
1. Unswaddle The Baby
Sometimes a little less warmth is all that is required get a sleeping baby to wake up. Babies are usually put to bed all swaddled up and cosy, so when it is time for them to wake up try taking off their blanket and loosening their clothing. The exposure to cool air and the physical stimulation of being undressed will bring them to open their eyes.
2. Change Their Diapers
A slight disturbance in their sleeping position or a light freshening up can help to wake the baby. Hence, changing diapers or wiping their bum can wake them up.
3. Stroke The Baby's Back
Running your fingers along their back while feeding will keep them from falling asleep before they are full. They tend to fall asleep while feeding, due to the extra cosy effect created by the warmth of the mother’s presence and embrace.
4. Place The Baby On A Firmer Surface
Remove them from their cradle and keep them on a firmer surface such as a play mat. This can make them feel more vulnerable and hence wake them up.
5. Pick Up The Baby
Gently pick up the baby and stroke the babies' cheeks and foot. This slight disturbance will likely stimulate them to wake up.
6. Blow In Baby's Faces
Try blowing gently on the baby's face; the flow of air will awaken the baby (but be prepared to get a weird look from your baby!)
7. Give The Baby A Bath
This is a more drastic measure, wiping the baby's body with a wet, warm washcloth will definitely perk up the little sleepyhead.
Sleeping patterns vary from one baby to another, just as their personalities. Therefore, a baby sleeping more, need not necessarily ring bells of alarms, unless it affects their health. Parenting is a learning curve, you learn and unlearn as your baby grows up and you get tuned into baby's requirements. Something that helps a lot is your maternal instinct, which tells you if something is affecting the baby. So if your newborn is a sweet little being who loves to sleep, you might as well enjoy the calm while it lasts.
Also Read: Baby Sleeping Position - What Is Safe? Read more
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Mambo Rice
Mambo rice is a simple and delicious rice preparation, which can be cooked in no time. The combination of parsley, coriander and minced garlic enhances the flavour and taste of rice cooked in chicken stock. Whenever in a hurry and you need to prepare something special, try this rice recipe and we bet it would make the best deal.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
4 People
5-10 Minutes
20-25 Minutes
Ingredients
2 cups rice
2 cups water
1 and 1/2 cup chicken stock
1 cup parsley leaves, chopped
1/2 cup coriander leaves, chopped
3 tbsp garlic, minced
1/4 cup lime juice
2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt to taste
Method
Step 1
Pressure cook rice in water and chicken stock.
Step 2
Once rice is cooked, remove from the cooker and toss it with a fork, so that the rice is separated.
Step 3
Add the remaining ingredients into a bowl and mix well.
Step 4
Add this mixture to the rice and blend it.
Step 5
Mambo rice is ready. Serve it hot or cold, it tastes yummy both ways.
Nutritional Information
Calories
423 Kcal
Proteins
8.6 g
Fat
7.8 g
Carbohydrates
78.9 g
Cholesterol
12 mg
Sodium
186 mg
Potassium
252 mg
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Akifa Tahreem has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
7 hours ago
Q. hello doctor, I'm 3 weeks pregnant. can we sleep on our belly or which side We can sleep on during pregnancy...
Akifa Tahreem
Mom of a 7 m old boy
5 hours ago
A. no you can't sleep in your tummy
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
4 hours ago
Q. @ask_the_expert
#ask the expert
I am having pcod problem.
when should I check pregnancy test at home?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
3 hours ago
A. If you have missed your periods you can wait for one week more and then do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
4 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
At which day should I take pregnancy test
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
2 hours ago
A. after 2 weeks. do ultrasound n necessary tests after consulting a specialist. without proper check up we can't advise or help you.. Avoid shirt cuts when it comes to health if mother n baby. ok.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
4 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
when should I take pregnancy test?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
3 hours ago
A. after missed your periods you can wait for one week more ,then you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
4 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
but having regular cycles below 35 days. some time it will extended upto 40 days.
so when should I take pregnancy test at home?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
3 hours ago
A. If you have missed your periods you can wait for one week more or else you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication.
The best treatment to have Regular periods is by having a healthy lifestyle with regular daily walking or jogging along with mild exercise and meditation whenever possible. as medications will only act till you are taking them
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
1 hour ago
Q. Done my first routine blood test ..it shows thyroid border line.its my 6 week running as per USG.
but prior to that my thyroid level was always normal I did check up every year and got it normal .this time it shows borderline high in 6 week pregnancy.
is it something to worry.plz guide
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
39 mins ago
A. it is better to follow your doctors advice for treating the thyroid deficiency. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
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