Being a new parent is quite an undertaking, especially if you're doing it for the first time. Many of the different activities that occur during a child's formative years will shape him or her for years to come, and responsible parents are always trying their best to make sure that their child's home environment is healthy, safe, and secure.
One of the biggest and most crucial steps in raising a child is starting out on the right path to health and nutrition. There have been a number of different studies, especially in recent years, that discuss whether or not breastfeeding is ultimately more beneficial than feeding a child a bottle of formula, and many of the actually medical benefits of breastfeeding have been ruled as inconclusive, with the conclusion drawn that it is the closeness and safety that is the main benefit. However, other studies have shown that children who are breastfed are less likely to have problems with obesity later on in life, so for mothers who can do it, it is often an excellent start to a child's life of healthy eating.
If you're going to use formula or milk, it is important to realize that food allergies can in fact occur in young children, including infants. Some children who have trouble with cow's milk show absolutely no problems with goat's milk. In addition to being an excellent alternative for those who are allergic to formula or cow's milk, goat's milk is also a lot closer to human's milk, making it easier for your child to digest. Just be sure to consider that, since goat's milk has lower levels of vitamin B12 and iron, that a supplement of some sort may be necesary. It's best to discuss this sort of choice with your pediatricion.
Between four and six months of age is a good time to consider switching a child from breastfeeding or drinking formula to actual solid food. The best way to see if it is time is to pay attention to how hungry your child seems, and if placing solids in their mouth automatically prompts a tongue reflex for him or her to spit them out. Most children switch to solid foods between six months and one year of age.
When it is time for your child to switch to solids, it is important to consider how truly significant this life step is. How you begin your child on solid food will greatly influence his or her health in later years, especially if you opt for organic solids made at home versus canned or jarred baby food that is high in artificial chemicals and preservatives. Making your baby's food is actually less time consuming than you might think, and ultimately is far greater for the health of your child.
It's important to note that the switch to solids can actually take a little while. Usually, as with many things involving children, patience is key. Don't be surprised if the first couple of meals with solids yield little results besides a baby food covered baby. Just keep at it and after a couple of suspicious meals with a spoon, your child should be eating more than he or she is spilling. Don't be afraid to supplement these first meals with a bottle, either.
When switching to solids, it is best to start your child out with simple fruits and vegetables that are easy to digest, like apples, bananas, sweet potatoes, and carrots. As your child grows more interested in eating solids, you can introduce things like avocados before moving on to bread and pasta. After seven or eight months of eating solids, some parents decide to add different sources of protein, like tofu or meat. It is important to remember that all of these sources of protein must be cooked very well.
While the experience of making sure that your child is well nutritioned can be a little nerve-wracking, after a year or two, it will become significantly easier. Also, the work that you do on your child's diet early in life actually can influence his or her tastes later, so avoiding overly sugary foods and processed items is putting him or her on the right path to an overall healthy life. - 31824
One of the biggest and most crucial steps in raising a child is starting out on the right path to health and nutrition. There have been a number of different studies, especially in recent years, that discuss whether or not breastfeeding is ultimately more beneficial than feeding a child a bottle of formula, and many of the actually medical benefits of breastfeeding have been ruled as inconclusive, with the conclusion drawn that it is the closeness and safety that is the main benefit. However, other studies have shown that children who are breastfed are less likely to have problems with obesity later on in life, so for mothers who can do it, it is often an excellent start to a child's life of healthy eating.
If you're going to use formula or milk, it is important to realize that food allergies can in fact occur in young children, including infants. Some children who have trouble with cow's milk show absolutely no problems with goat's milk. In addition to being an excellent alternative for those who are allergic to formula or cow's milk, goat's milk is also a lot closer to human's milk, making it easier for your child to digest. Just be sure to consider that, since goat's milk has lower levels of vitamin B12 and iron, that a supplement of some sort may be necesary. It's best to discuss this sort of choice with your pediatricion.
Between four and six months of age is a good time to consider switching a child from breastfeeding or drinking formula to actual solid food. The best way to see if it is time is to pay attention to how hungry your child seems, and if placing solids in their mouth automatically prompts a tongue reflex for him or her to spit them out. Most children switch to solid foods between six months and one year of age.
When it is time for your child to switch to solids, it is important to consider how truly significant this life step is. How you begin your child on solid food will greatly influence his or her health in later years, especially if you opt for organic solids made at home versus canned or jarred baby food that is high in artificial chemicals and preservatives. Making your baby's food is actually less time consuming than you might think, and ultimately is far greater for the health of your child.
It's important to note that the switch to solids can actually take a little while. Usually, as with many things involving children, patience is key. Don't be surprised if the first couple of meals with solids yield little results besides a baby food covered baby. Just keep at it and after a couple of suspicious meals with a spoon, your child should be eating more than he or she is spilling. Don't be afraid to supplement these first meals with a bottle, either.
When switching to solids, it is best to start your child out with simple fruits and vegetables that are easy to digest, like apples, bananas, sweet potatoes, and carrots. As your child grows more interested in eating solids, you can introduce things like avocados before moving on to bread and pasta. After seven or eight months of eating solids, some parents decide to add different sources of protein, like tofu or meat. It is important to remember that all of these sources of protein must be cooked very well.
While the experience of making sure that your child is well nutritioned can be a little nerve-wracking, after a year or two, it will become significantly easier. Also, the work that you do on your child's diet early in life actually can influence his or her tastes later, so avoiding overly sugary foods and processed items is putting him or her on the right path to an overall healthy life. - 31824
About the Author:
Jayde Johannsen, a mother of two understands the importance of a regular dining area for her children. As such, she just published the High Chairs For Babies website, helping parents find the right high chairs for babies.
