Feeding Your Little One

FEEDING YOUR LITTLE ONE
Breast Feeding
Breast milk contains everything your baby needs to grow and be healthy. Mother's milk is the best source of nutrition for the first 6 months of a baby's life as it contains appropriate amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, minerals, vitamins and hormones that the infants require. The milk secreted in the first 7 to 10 days called as colostrum, is rich in protein and contains protective antibodies that help in increasing infant's immunity.

Breast Milk.

• Contains a perfect amount of every nutrient your baby needs.
• Is fresh and free of the contaminating bacteria.
• Is easily digested.
• Is available to your baby at a perfect temperature.
• Requires no preparation and costs nothing in money.
• Contains protective antibodies which provide protection against infections in the first few months of your baby's life.
• Protects babies from the tendency to obesity.
• Provides cheap source of protein and prevents malnutrition.
• Has a natural laxative effect; the infants who are breastfed will rarely be constipated.

Breastfed babies have lesser chances of developing tooth decay. Sucking is good for baby as it helps in the development of the jaws and teeth. Beside these health benefits breastfeeding creates a surge of the hormones in your body that helps the uterus to contract and shrink to its pre-pregnant size. Breastfeeding is also a great way to help mother's lose the extra weight gained during pregnancy. Breast feeding prolongs postpartum amenorrhoea, and offers some degree of protection against pregnancy. And the cuddling during breast feeding creates a wonderful bond between the mother and baby. Studies also show that if you breastfeed, then you are less likely to develop breast cancer or osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones) when you get older.

Some tips to be remembered.

• To position your baby properly at the breast is important to avoid getting sore nipples and to ensure that baby is receiving adequate nutrition.
• While feeding, remember that baby's abdomen should be facing your abdomen.
• While feeding, support your breast with your hand, thumb on top and fingers underneath.
• With baby's mouth wide open, quickly bring baby to your breast to get the nipple and a good portion of the areola well back into the baby's mouth.
• Do not feed the baby in a lying down position; baby's head should be slightly raised as compared to the body to avoid aspiration of milk leading to pneumonia asphyxia or sudden infant death.
• While taking the baby mouth away from your nipple, first separate the lips with your index and middle finger to avoid sudden pulling, and thereby, cracking of nipples by injury.

Most babies will need no other food for the first six months of their lives. Babies who are breastfed do not need any extra water as they get sufficient fluid every time you feed them. If your baby is getting enough milk then?

• Baby's urine is pale in color.
• Baby wets at least six diapers every 24 hours after the third day.
• Baby's bowel movements are soft and mustard-colored by the end of the first week.
• Baby regains birth weight by 2 to 3 weeks of age and continues to gain at a steady rate.

Remember that it is essential to have a healthy diet when you breastfeed as you need to keep up your own strength as well as suffice the baby's nutritional requirement. So, besides looking after your baby's health, it is also very important to take care of your own health. You need to eat a nutritious diet during your lactation period just as you did while pregnant. Do not miss your meals. Nursing mothers need plenty of fluids so remember to drink something every time you nurse your baby to stay hydrated. Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol as these substances encourage fluid loss. It is very important for a new mother to rest. Ideally you should sleep when the baby sleeps for at least the first two weeks.

Bottle Feeding
Ideally it is not advisable to bottle feed the babies as this poses the risks to baby's health of developing gastro-intestinal infections and also reluctance in taking breast feed. Still, if you are using a bottle to feed your baby then there are some important points to be kept in mind. You must sterilize bottles and nipple/teats until your baby is a year old because babies who are bottle-fed are more likely to get ill.

Some tips to be remembered.

• Use a sterilised bottle, cap and nipple for every feed.
• Rinse the bottles and nipples straight after you use them to get rid of any milk left on the sides.
• Clean the bottles, rings and teats with hot soapy water and a bottlebrush.
• Wash the utensils well in which you prepare the baby milk.
• Make up one feed at a time and throw away any milk left in a bottle after a feed.
• Use boiled tap water that has been left to cool for up to half an hour to make up a feed.
• Test the temperature of the milk on the inside of your wrist before you give it to your baby.
• It is dangerous to heat the milk in a microwave oven as the milk may be unevenly heated and could burn your baby's mouth.

Weaning
Weaning means gradually introducing a range of foods until your baby is eating the same foods as the rest of the family. Babies are normally ready to start taking solid food when they are six months old. At this age babies can sit up and are ready to begin chewing.

Some tips to be remembered.

• Try a variety of different foods: include mashed-up fruits, vegetables, rice, dal, lentils and other pulses, gradually followed by boiled meat or chicken, fish and well cooked eggs.
• Try and feed your baby mashed-up versions of what the rest of the family is eating as long as you have not added any sugar or salt to it, as this will help your baby get used to eating what everyone else eats.
• Continue to give your baby breast milk or infant formula milk along with the solid foods until he or she is at least a year old. The more solid foods your baby eats, the less milk he or she will need.
• Make sure any cooked food has been thoroughly heated, cooled and tested by you to make sure it has the right temperature before feeding your baby.
• If you are using pre-prepared baby food then make sure you have noted the manufacturing and expiry dates before the purchase. Also, make sure that seals on the tins and jars are unbroken. Avoid feeding your baby with products that contain added sugar or sweeteners.
• Never rush or force feed your baby. Be patient and go at your baby's pace. If your baby shakes his or her head, turns away or refuses to open his or her mouth, take the food away and try again later.
• Never leave your baby alone when eating. Always keep a close eye on your baby when offering him or her solid foods as some babies may get choked.
• From 6 months onwards get your baby used to drinking from a cup by giving sips of water with their meals as it is good for your baby's teeth to use a cup rather than a bottle.

Food Hygiene For Your Baby
To maintain food hygiene is a must for everyone. Babies and toddlers are more at risk from germs and infection than adults. So, make sure the food you give to your baby does not contain any germs or bacteria. Always keep your baby and his or her surroundings clean.

Some tips to be remembered.

• Keep a bar of soap or a hand wash dispenser next to your sink so that you do not forget to wash your hands.
• Use an antibacterial surface cleaner to clean all surfaces and chopping boards in order to stop the spread of germs.
• Get some antibacterial baby wipes as they are an easy way of keeping your baby's hands and face clean and free from germs.
• Never give your baby any food that has fallen on the floor.
• If your baby has half-eaten something, do not save the rest and give it to him or her later as it can cause stomach upsets.
• Do not let your baby put any toy or any fallen or lying down article in his/her mouth (to avoid choking and infections).

Your Baby's Oral Health
Oral diseases begin from the time bacteria begin to live in the oral cavity. As new teeth erupt and the diet of the infant and young child becomes more sophisticated, bacteria continue to produce acids and toxins that are harmful to hard and soft tissues in the oral cavity. By the time they are teenagers all children have experienced some form of oral infectious disease.

Some tips to be remembered.

• Develop a routine for cleaning your baby's mouth. Wipe baby's mouth and gums using a clean, wet, cloth or piece of gauze after each feeding.
• Gently clean newly erupted teeth with a gauze or washcloth, or use a small soft toothbrush (with no toothpaste) especially designed for baby teeth.
• Keep non-nutritious, sugary fruit punches and other drinks out of baby bottles.
• Reduce the frequency of night time feedings.
• If your baby uses soothers, check the packaging and shape of the soothers to be sure that they have orthodontic design. The best ones are nipple-shaped as they keep the baby's lips closed and encourage natural nasal breathing.
• Never dip soothers in anything sweet (like honey).
• If your baby is on liquid medication (which are usually sweetened for taste), then rinse and brush baby's mouth with clear water immediately after the medication is given.
• Check for early warning signs of caries by lifting up baby's lips. White, chalky teeth signal a mild case and brown or black stained teeth indicate a more serious case. Contact your dental hygienist immediately.
• Gradually introduce foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables to the diet. These foods require chewing hard or chewing for long, therefore, stimulating saliva to flow that removes the acid and returns cavity-protecting calcium to the teeth.