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Healthy Eating

“I knew by breastfeeding I was giving Rachel a healthy start. Where to go next was a little more confusing. It was tricky at first, but gradually we settled into a healthy balance.”

Warning signs
Your Health Visitor or GP should be able to alert you if your baby is not gaining weight as expected or is displaying symptoms of food allergies, failure to thrive or gastro-enteritis.

Action
For the first six months stick to either breast milk or formula (breast milk is preferable). After that, gradually introduce solids at your baby’s own pace.  Aim for a healthy balance, including all main food groups. Provide a varied diet. Allow them to enjoy their food.

What to say
Don’t feel pressured if friends or relatives make comments about your baby’s eating habits. Every baby is different. Follow a varied, healthy diet and let your own child discover food in their own way.

Prevention
Don’t add salt and sugar to your baby’s food and avoid choking hazards such as nuts or small, hard pieces of food. Honey is also to be avoided in the first year. Do not give nuts under the age of three years.

The facts

Getting a healthy start

Milk
For infants under six months, breast milk provides exactly the right mix of healthy ingredients and it can help protect your baby from illness and allergies. However, if you do not breastfeed then you will need to use infant formula milk. Cows milk can be given to babies from six months e.g. on cereal or as cheese or yoghurts but should not be given as a main drink until one year. Babies under six months shouldn't need fluids other than milk unless advised by a health professional.

Solid foundations
It is recommended that solid food should not be introduced before six months (26 weeks) as they are not sufficiently developed to cope with solid food before this time. Different babies adapt to solids at different speeds. Some are choosy, whilst others will eat almost anything. It’s vital to go at your baby’s own pace and not make mealtimes a stressful experience for both of you. Here are some useful tips to make introducing solids easier:

What's on the menu?
Making your own is a lot cheaper than buying baby food, plus you will know exactly what’s in it and it means your baby will get used to your normal family foods. You could simply mash up portions of your family food, but do not add any salt or sugar. Preparing larger quantities than you need and freezing small portions, for example in ice cube trays, for later can save time and effort. But beware: microwaves can heat food unevenly - one spoonful can be lukewarm, the next scalding hot. Always mix food thoroughly and test the temperature
before feeding.

The recipe for healthy eating
A balanced diet contains all the energy and nutrients children need to grow and develop. Meals should contain starchy carbohydrates, protein (from dairy products or meat, fish or vegetarian alternatives) and fruit and vegetables. Make sure you use full fat versions of foods and offer regular meals and snacks. Children need lots of energy to grow and be active, but often can only manage small amounts in one go. Make sure you include iron rich foods in the diet, especially if you are bringing up your child on a vegetarian or vegan diet.

For more information check the NHS Choices website.

Feeding worries?
If you have any queries or worries about your baby’s diet, ask your Health Visitor or GP for advice, or use any of the contacts on the opposite page to get more information.

Contacts

Weblinks

 


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