Baby Food Diet

Baby Food Diet

• A Baby Food Diet? Think about it. Baby food is nutritious, healthy, low in fat, low in salt and high in nutrition. The average jar of baby food has somewhere from 15 to 110 calories. A first foods jar of carrots has about 25 calories. Applesauce has 15 calories. A toddler portion of ravioli has about 110 calories.

• Apparently Hollywood stars have got in on the craze that has become known as the baby food diet. The chief designer at Christian Dior, Hedi Slimane, was the first to turn to baby food in order to fit into his designer jeans. Since then, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and fashion stylist Mark Heyes(www.gm.tv) have all jumped aboard the baby food diet bandwagon.

• Some substitute the tiny portions for healthy, between meal snacks, while others substitute one or more jars of baby food for lunch or dinner. The skinny jean fashion trend seems to be at the root of it all, encouraging already skinny people to want to be even skinnier so they can shimmy into the smallest possible size jeans.

• It’s hard to fault a diet that is based on food we feed to babies. This has to be the healthiest food on the planet, right? Whether you go with the traditional Gerber or Beech-Nut foods or whether you scour health food stores for the organic Earth’s Best, it’s hard to argue against the fact that food we would give to babies is probably good for adults too. Nutritionists tend to agree that it makes for a healthy snack even if it can’t satisfy all an adult’s requirements for nutrition. Because the portions are just so tiny, there certainly isn’t much that can be said against it – as long as you are supplementing your baby food portions with a balanced adult meal at least once a day. A tot sized jar of ravioli, accompanied by a tiny helping of sweet potatoes and followed up with a petite helping of strawberries and bananas, is probably a much healthier alternative to a burger and fries, fried chicken and a biscuit, or a couple of tacos.

• Baby food doesn’t usually have additives like onions, cumin, garlic powder and all the other delicious spices we use to spark up the flavor in food, so it actually doesn’t taste all that great. The fruit jars don’t have added sugar – one of the reasons it’s so healthy to begin with -- however the result is that baby food is somewhat on the bland side. If you can handle the taste and you want to tuck a few jars in your briefcase, or your purse, we say, go for it. The baby food diet really can’t hurt you.

• However, if pure, unsalted, unadulterated carrots for a mere 25 calories are what you are after, why not try an actual real carrot? Raw carrots are one of the few foods that actually require more calories for your body to process than they provide in calories. Celery is another food that will burn more digestion calories than it provides in energy. And you when you pull a carrot stick out of your lunch bag in the break room you won’t feel quite as silly as you will dipping your tiny infant sized spoon into the mouth of a jar of Gerber.

• A baby food diet might be all the rage in Hollywood, but do you really think you can make it work at the office? If you think you can pull it off, and you don’t think you will gag on the taste, then we say go for it. After all is said and done, all you have to lose is weight.

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A,)Baby Food Nutrition

Baby Food Nutrition Guide: Introducing Solid Foods

• Introducing solid food to your baby can be a fun but challenging experience. Now that your baby is growing, she needs different kinds of nutrition that can’t be found in milk or formula alone. But what kinds of food should babies be eating? And how much food do babies require in order to maintain a healthy diet? We’ve compiled a step-by-step baby food nutrition guide that will ensure your children will develop excellent healthy eating habits - infant feeding has never been easier!

• half-year mark, his digestive system simply isn’t ready for solids. Starting baby on solids before this age also increases the risk of an allergic reaction to certain foods and increases the length of time that your baby will need to transition between spoon feeding and self-feeding.

• However, because babies very often become picky eaters at this stage, introducing solid foods to your baby can be challenging.

• It is also worth noting that when babies starting eating solid foods, their stool might change color and odor; it generally will have a stronger in odor and be less watery.

How Do I Know if My Baby is Ready to Start Solid Foods?

• Babies will often give their parents clues as to whether they’re ready to start eating solids. The following signs are good indicators that your baby is ready for this step:

• head control: your baby is able to sit up and can keep his head in a steady position
• your baby sits well when supported
• the "extrusion reflex" stops: your baby no longer pushes back milk or formula with his tongue
• your baby’s weight gain has increased considerably
• your baby is displaying a very strong appetitechewing motions. Babies’ tongues and mouths develop at the same time as their digestive system, as do their teeth
• curiosity in adult food
  

How Much Food Does My Baby Need?

• Start with a once-daily feeding when introducing solids to your baby. Have feedings when it’s convenient for both you and your child: make sure you are not pressed for time or that your baby is cranky or tired.

• Children’s appetites can vary from feeding to feeding. Look for signs that your baby is full, such as:

• leans back
• turns his head away. If your child turns away from a food, don’t push. Forcing food can be very upsetting for an infant and can cause eating problems later on in his life. Try to introduce the food again in a week or so.
• baby doesn’t open mouth. Sometimes babies need a long time to chew and swallow their food, so wait and make sure your baby is indeed full
• lack of interest in food
  

• By the time your baby is eight months old, she should be eating three solid meals a day.

Food Nutrition Guide: What Should My Baby Be Eating?

• Introducing healthy food to your child is essential in order to make sure she gets the nutrition she needs to develop properly and so that she develops healthy eating habits. Make sure your baby gets a variety of food from the food guide pyramid.

• At four to six months, the best solid food to introduce to your infant’s feeding schedule is plain infant cereal fortified with iron. Make sure the cereal is free of fruit or vegetables, because of their high sugar content. Rice cereal is a good starter food for your infant, as it is free of gluten and also has a low allergy risk. Mix cereal with milk in order to make a semi-liquid that is easy to digest. Also, try feeding your baby with a rubber-tipped spoon in order to avoid injury to his gums. If your baby doesn’t seem interested in the cereal, let him smell and taste it first using his own hands. Never add solids to a bottle of milk because it can pose a choking hazard and also confuses the two processes of eating liquids and solids.

• From five to seven months, introduce vegetables, which are an excellent source of fiber, such as peas, squash, green and yellow beans, as well as carrots and potatoes. String all foods or mash them so that they are easy to digest.

• Once your child reaches seven to twelve months, it’s a good time to start introducing sources of protein like mashed up chicken or other meat, as well as milk products like yogurt and cheese. Finger foods like unsalted crackers and bread crusts are other foods your baby is now able to digest.

• Remember that even after introducing solids to your infant, you should continue with breast milk up until your baby is about one years old, in order to provide a supplementary source of vitamins, iron and protein.

• Make sure to limit fatty foods, like French fries and butter, as well as sugary foods, like jello and fruit juice during the first year of your child life, in order to make sure their diet is healthy and full of the nutrition they need to grow.

• Foods that can pose choking hazards should also be avoided, such as popcorn, nuts, seeds and fish with bones. Foods that can cause an allergic reaction include peanuts and peanut butter and should be avoided for at least the first year of life. Signs of a food allergy include: a rash, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and breathing problems. If you suspect your child might be allergic to a certain food, talk to your child’s doctor right away.

How Can I Help My Baby Develop Healthy Eating Habits?

• Here are some easy tips to make sure your baby is eating healthy foods:

• don’t overfeed your baby
• don’t force your baby to eat
• make sure your baby’s diet is healthy and contains a balance of vegetables, carbohydrates and fruits and little to no fat or sugar
• don’t give your baby too many liquids. Give your baby no more than 16 to 24 ounces of milk a day an no more than 4 to 6 ounces of fruit juice
• make sure your baby doesn’t fill up on unhealthy snacks
• keep portion sizes under control. A typical serving for a baby should be roughly one-fourth that of an adult serving

B,)Baby Food Recipes 6 Months



Baby Food Recipes from 6 months

• There are no hard and fast rules here. All babies are different, with their own unique likes and dislikes. Just like you and me!

• The information and recipes in this section are meant as a guide - if your baby doesn't seem to want to try all of these foods just yet, then don't worry. Give it a week or two, then try again. His tastebuds are developing all the time - the meal he adamantly refuses today may be his absolute favourite food next week!

• NOTE: When introducing any new foods to your 6 to 9 month baby, remember to apply the four day rule. And ALWAYS check with your doctor before giving any new foods to your baby.

Baby Food Recipes

• Carrot and Lentil Soup (baby food recipes 6 months +)
• What you need:
  

• 1 cup dry, rinsed lentils
• 1 cup carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 4 1/4 cups of water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
  

• How to prepare:

• Gently fry onions in the oil until soft. Add carrots, lentils and water, bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover with a lid and let it simmer for 60 – 90 minutes until the lentils are soft. You might want to puree the soup with additional water if necessary.

• Pureed Pumpkin and Parsnip (baby food recipes 6 months +)
• What you need:
  

• 1 cup fresh pumpkin
• 1 medium parsnip
• small pinch of nutmeg
• 1 tsp fresh chives, chopped
  

• How to prepare:

• Peel the parsnip and the pumpkin and cut into small cubes. Simmer in a little water, until tender. Drain, then mash with a fork (or puree in a blender if you want the meal to be completely smooth). Add chives and nutmeg and stir well.

• Sweet Potato and Avocado (baby food recipes 6 months +)
• What you need:

• 1 small sweet potato
• 1 avocado, peeled
  

• How to prepare:

• Bake the sweet potato in it's skin for approximately 45 minutes until tender. Let it cool down a bit, remove flesh and mix and mash it together with the avocado.

• Banana Rice Pudding (baby food recipes 6 months +)
• What you need:

• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup warm milk (the amount you use depends on the consistency required)
• pinch of cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg
• drop of vanilla essence
• 1 tbsp raisins, soaked in warm water or apple juice to soften them
• 1 small, ripe banana (sliced)
  

• How to prepare:

• Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth :-)

• Baby's Zucchini Potato Soup (baby food recipes 6 months +)
• What you need:

• 1 lb zucchini, sliced
• 1 medium potato
• 1 small onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• olive oil
  

• How to prepare:

• 1 1/2 cups homemade vegetable stock
• Saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil until tender. Chop up th potato into small cubes and add to the pan. Cover and cook over a very low heat for approximately 15 minutes, stirring often. Add the zucchini and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Pour in the vegetable stock and bring to the boil. Simmer until the potatoes are tender (5 – 7 minutes). Puree and serve.

C,)Baby Solid Food Diet

Guide To Starting Solids

• Starting your baby on solid foods is the beginning of lifelong eating habits that contribute to his or her overall health. For this reason we have some general guidelines that can help you start your baby out on the right track to a healthy life.

• Breast milk or infant formula supplies all of your baby's nutritional needs for at least the first 4 to 6 months of life, so don't be in a rush to start solid baby foods. Starting solids too early can cause your baby to develop food allergies. Your baby's intestinal tract is not as fully developed during the first few months and introducing solids at this time can be too much to handle

• Another reason for not giving solid foods earlier than 4 to 6 months is unintentional overfeeding, since younger babies can not offer you signals when they are full, such as turning away or showing disinterest.

• A third reason for holding off on solids is your baby's inability to swallow solids correctly before 4 to 6 months of age and this can potentially cause choking. And contrary to the popular myth, starting solids early will not help your child to sleep through the night.

• When offering a new type of food, always feed it for several days in a row before starting another new food. This makes it easier to detect food allergies, which can present with diarrhea, vomiting, coughing, hives or a rash. Do not offer mixed ingredient foods until you are sure that the baby isn't allergic to any of the individual ingredients. Also, don't add any seasonings to your baby's foods.

• Other practices to avoid are putting your baby down for a nap or sleep with a bottle of formula or juice, as this allows sugar to pool in your baby's mouth and can lead to cavities. Don't feed your baby cow's milk, honey or egg whites until your baby is at least one year of age. Also, do not give carbonated or caffeinated drinks, candy or other foods that your baby may choke on.

• Remember, these are general guidelines and the amount and types of food that your baby eats may vary from day to day.

Food Allergies

• Preventing food allergies may be possible, especially if your child is at high risk of having a food allergy, including already having an allergy to aother food or formula, having other family members with food allergies, or having other 'allergic' type conditions or family members with these conditions, such as eczema, allergic rhinitis (hayfever) and/or asthma.

• Most importantly, breastfeed and avoid supplementing with infant formula or offering solids for at least the first six months of your child's life. If you are not breastfeeding or need to supplement, then consider using a hypoallergenic infant formula such as Nutramigen or Alimentum (soy formulas and goat's milk may not be good alternatives, because many infants that are allergic to cow's milk may also be allergic to soy). If you are breastfeeding, then you should avoid peanuts and tree nuts in your own diet, and consider avoiding milk, fish and eggs too (discuss this with your doctor, as avoiding too many foods may cause poor nutrition).

• If your child is at high risk of having food allergies, you should also delay offering solids until he is at least six months old (and continue breastfeeding), and begin with an iron fortified infant cereal. It is best to start with rice and oat cereals and introduce wheat cereals later. Next you can introduce vegetables, but avoid legumes (foods in the bean and pea family) at first, and then non-citrus fruits and fruit juices. Meat and protein foods can be added once your child is 8-9 months old.

• Foods to avoid until your infant is at least a year old include cow's milk, citrus fruits and juices, and wheat and egg whites until he is two. Also, avoid giving peanuts (as smooth peanut butter), fish and shellfish until your child is at least three years old. Whole peanuts and tree nuts should be avoided until your child is four because of the choke hazard.

• When you do introduce new foods, do so slowly and only give one new food every four to five days. This way, if your child does have a reaction or allergy, then you will know which food caused it and you will be able to avoid giving it again.

• Four to Five Months

• At this age, breast milk or formula is the only food that your baby needs and he should be taking 4-6 feedings each day (24-32 ounces), but you can start to familiarize your baby with the feel of a spoon and introduce solid foods. Cereal is the first solid you should give your baby and you can mix it with breast milk, formula or water and feed it to your baby with a spoon (not in a bottle). Start by feeding one tablespoon of an iron-fortified Rice cereal at one feeding and then slowly increase the amount to 3-4 tablespoons one or two times each day.

• Six to Seven Months

• While continuing to give 4-5 feedings of breast milk or formula (24-32 ounces) and 4 or more tablespoons of cereal each day, you can now start to give well-cooked, strained, or mashed vegetables or commercially prepared baby foods. Start with one tablespoon of a mild tasting vegetable, such as green beans, peas, squash or carrots and gradually increase to 4-5 tablespoons one or two times each day.

• Start fruits about a month after starting vegetables and again, gradually increase to 4-5 tablespoons one or two times each day. You can use peeled, cooked, or canned fruits (but only those packed in light syrup or water) that have been blenderized or strained

• You can also begin to offer 2-4 ounces of 100% fruit juices. Start by mixing one part juice with two parts of water and offer it in a cup.

• Eight to Nine Months

• While continuing to give 3-4 feedings of breast milk or formula (24-32 ounces) and 4 or more tablespoons of cereal, vegetables and fruit one or two times each day, you can now start to give more protein containing foods. These include well-cooked, strained or ground plain meats (chicken, beef, turkey, veal, lamb, boneless fish, or liver), mild cheese, peanutbutter (this is controversial though), or egg yolks (no egg whites as there is a high chance of allergic reactions in infants less than 12 months old). If using commercially prepared jars of baby food, do not use vegetables with meat as they have little meat and less protein and iron than jars with plain meat.

• Start with 1-2 tablespoons and increase to 3-4 tablespoons once each day. If your baby doesn't seem to like to eat plain meat, then you can mix it with a vegetable that they already like as you offer it.

• You can also start to offer soft table foods and finger foods at this age. Give soft, bite-size pieces of food, such as soft fruit and vegetable pieces, pastas, graham or saltine crackers, and dry cheerios, but do not give these foods if the child is going to be unattended in case of choking.

• You can also begin to offer 3-4 ounces of formula or 100% fruit juice in a cup at this time.

• Ten to Twelve Months

• Your baby's diet will begin to resemble that of the rest of the families, with 3 meals and 2 snacks each day and will include 3-4 feedings of breast milk or formula, iron fortified cereal (1/4 – 1/2 cup at breakfast), vegetables and fruits (1/2 cup/jar at lunch and dinner), protein foods (2-4 tablespoons each day), 100% fruit juice (2-6 ounces in a cup each day), and some finger foods.

• It is important to offer a variety of foods to encourage good eating habits later.

• Weaning

• There is no set age at which you should wean your baby. The current recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics is to continue to breast feed until your child is at least age one. It is also an age when most children can successfully drink from a cup and is therefore a good time to wean. You can gradually wean your child from breast feeding by stopping one feeding every four or five days and then gradually reducing the amount of nursing when you are down to one feeding each day.

• If you wean before the age of one, then you should introduce an infant formula and not cow's milk.

• Twelve Months and Beyond

• You may now give your baby homogenized whole cow's milk. Do not use 2%, low fat, or skim milk until your child is 2-3 years old.

• If using soy milk after your child is a year old, keep in mind that it is low fat. A toddler soy formula may be a better alternative, or try to make up for the reduced fat intake from milk in other areas of your child's diet.

• Your child should now want to feed himself with his fingers and a spoon or fork and should be able to drink out of a cup. The next few months will be time to stop using a bottle. As with weaning from breastfeeding, you can wean from a bottle by stopping one bottle feeding every four or five days and then gradually reducing the amount in the bottle when you are down to one each day.

• Remember that your baby's appetite may decrease and become pickier over the next few years as his growth rate slows.

• Until your child is at least 4 years old, you should avoid foods that can cause choking, including chewing gum, nuts, raisins, popcorn, chunks of peanut butter, hard candy, or hard, round foods (such as chunks of raw carrots, celery, grapes, or hot dogs).

• Large amounts of sweet desserts, soft drinks, fruit-flavored drinks, sugarcoated cereals, chips or candy, should be avoided, as they have little nutritional value.

• Also avoid overfeeding. Do not encourage your child to eat after he is full, as this can lead to a habit of overeating.

• Following these guidelines will help you give your baby the good nutrition he or she needs to grow up to his or her full potential and a healthy life.

D,)Gerber Diet

• Gerber, one of the best-known names in baby food, has been named this year's recipient of the "Salt Lick Award" due to the high sodium content in one of its prepared meals for toddlers.

• The Canadian Stroke Network and the Advanced Foods & Materials Network chose Gerber Graduates Lil' Entrees because the product line's Chicken & Pasta Wheel Pickups dinner contains 550 milligrams of sodium — more than half a toddler's adequate daily intake of 1,000 mg.

• The organizations say the amount of sodium in the prepared food is equivalent to that contained in two medium orders of McDonald's french fries. The McDonald's Canada website says a medium order of fries contains 270 mg of sodium.

• Yet labelling on the Gerber Graduates meal says it is "appropriate for children one year or older" and is "specially made for toddlers." Two other Gerber meals for toddlers also received dishonourable mentions for high salt content.

• "There is a concern that eating too much sodium in childhood can lead to a preference for salty foods and, consequently, an increased risk of disease as an adult," Dr. Kevin Willis — who leads efforts by the Canadian Stroke Network to raise awareness of the dangers of excessive sodium intake — said in a release.

• A high-sodium diet increases blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke, heart and kidney disease, and dementia. Too much dietary salt has also been linked to osteoporosis, asthma, stomach cancer and obesity.

Label overstates sodium

• A spokesman for Nestle, which owns Gerber, said reducing sodium "to an acceptable level" in the brand's six toddler meals is a key priority.

• "Current packages of Gerber 'Lil Entrees overstate the sodium level as they include the sodium contained in the brine [liquid] surrounding the vegetables, which is not consumed," Dr. Andrea Papamandjaris, head of Nestle's medical and scientific unit, said Tuesday in an emailed statement. "The package includes instructions to drain the brine before serving."

• The brine accounts for 19 to 33 per cent of the sodium, depending on the recipe, said Papamandjaris, noting that new packaging showing sodium levels only for the consumed food will be on store shelves in July.

• Health Canada's Sodium Working Group, appointed in 2007, is developing a salt-reduction strategy for Canadians, which will include voluntary reductions of sodium in processed foods.

• But the Stroke and Advanced Foods networks say some industry officials have responded to calls for less sodium by saying such cuts are difficult because Canadians have a taste for salty foods.

Higher standards expected

• The two networks suggest that craving for salt is likely programmed early in life — in part by the food industry itself.

• "One-year-olds do not demand salt in their food," said Dr. Charlene Elliott of the University of Calgary, who is studying the marketing of children's food.

• Food companies are "totally playing into adult conceptions of a meal," said Elliott, adding that unfortunately "there is a presumed halo effect around baby and toddler foods because people expect these foods to be held to higher standards."

• The two networks, which studied the ingredients in popular baby and toddler foods to determine salt content, found some popular brands have no added sodium.

• The list of toddler meals considered to have excessive sodium includes:

• Gerber Graduates for Toddlers Lil' Entrees, Macaroni and cheese with peas and carrots: 520 mg per serving.

• Parent's Choice (Wal-Mart brand) My Little Meals, Shells & Cheese with Frankfurters: 520 mg per serving.

• Gerber Graduates for Toddlers Lil' Entrees, Cheese Ravioli in Tomato Sauce with carrots, peas and corn: 480 mg per serving.

• Heinz Toddler Vegetables, Beef & Pasta Casserole: 470 mg per jar.

• Heinz Toddler Beef Stroganoff: 420 mg per jar.

E,)Baby Food Calories


Baby Food Calories

• Your baby's calorie needs are based on his activity level, his pace of development and gender. Boys typically need more calories than girls. It does not matter which foods you introduce your baby to first. Traditionally, parents start their baby off with baby cereals -- one tablespoon of baby cereal has 15 calories. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you introduce your baby to solid foods between 4 and 6 months.

High-Calorie Baby Food

• According to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, nutrient-dense, high-calorie packaged baby foods are: bananas, 90 calories in 3.5 ounces; peaches, 60 calories in 3.5 ounce; pears, 70 calories in 3.5 ounces; sweet potatoes, 70 calories in 3.5 ounces; peas, 50 calories in 3.5 ounces; and plain meats, 70 to 100 calories in a 2.5 ounce jar.

• The American Dietetic Association states that pureed meat or poultry may be the best first solid food because they are good sources for iron and zinc. Do not feed firm foods, such as hot dog pieces, because they are choking hazards.

• 5 Ways to Help Baby Sleep Tear-free tips to help baby sleep No obligation, privacy guaranteed www.SleepThroughNight.com

Low-Calorie Baby Foods

• Feed your baby foods with different textures and colors. Start with softer textures because it is your baby's preference. Try nutrient-dense, low-calorie foods such as pureed vegetables and fruits without added sugar. Some pediatricians recommend you start feeding your baby vegetables first because of babies' preference for sweet-tasting foods.

• Examples of typical, low-calorie pureed baby foods: applesauce, 50 calories in 3.5 ounces; green beans, 30 calories in 3.5 ounces; carrots, 35 calories in 3.5 ounces; squash, 35 calories in 3.5 ounces; dinners, 60 to 80 calories in a 4 ounce jar.

Increasing Calorie Intake

• If your pediatrician has determined that your baby is not gaining enough weight since beginning solid foods, try these ideas to stimulate his appetite. A pediatric center, Framingham Pediatrics, recommends that you increase his meals by 25 calories by adding an extra scoop of formula to breast milk or formula. Increase the amount of his food by adding a 1/2 cup of formula to 1/2 cup of infant cereal. For example, one fluid ounce of infant formula has 20 calories. Add 1 tsp. of melted butter to each 4 ounce jar of baby food. When he is about 9 months old, give him whole milk yogurt, mashed potatoes mixed with formula and butter, and strained meat with his vegetables for additional protein and calories.

Limiting Calories

• Babies are naturally plump, but you need to make sure that they are not being fed too many calories. Do not feed him foods that will lead to over nutrition. Remain loyal to feeding your baby nutritious foods and avoid feeding her "empty calories" -- sugary snacks, deserts and foods with high salt content such as fast food. Your pediatrician will inform you of your baby's development based on a growth chart. Do not limit foods simply because you think your baby is gaining too much weight.

Homemade Baby Foods

• Homemade baby food is economical, helps you watch your baby's calories and can include food that you already prepare at home. You can add nutrients, flavors and textures to meed your baby's needs. The easiest food for you to prepare for your baby between the ages 4 and 6 months is a mashed or pureed banana and applesauce. When he is 8 months old and needs more calories, feed him table food such as mashed potatoes, cooked egg yolk and sliced bread. At this stage, your baby has teeth and is using a spoon, and with your help, can try mashed, cooked beans and diced or mashed fruit.

F,)Baby Food Chart


Food Chart for Newborn Infant

• Breast Milk

• Newborn should feed on cue about 8-12 times per day until satisfied. They will usually breastfeed for 10-15 minutes per breast at each feeding. The feeding time typically decreases as the baby gets older and learns to feed more efficiently.

• If a newborn infant, in the first few weeks of life, is not demanding to be fed at least every 4 hours, he should be awakened to feed. Crying is a late sign that an infant is hungry. Other signs or “cue” that an infant is ready to feed include:

• fussiness
• agitation
• tongue movement
• lip movement
• fists in mouth
• opening his mouth when the skin around his mouth, cheeks or lips is touched
  

• Babies between the ages of 1 to 4 months will be feed less frequently than newborns. They usually feed 6-8 times a day (or every 3-4 hours). They may also begin to sleep through the night without feeding.

How Much Breast Milk is Enough?

• It is impossible for mothers to know exactly how much a newborn is drinking during a breastfeeding session. The best way to know if a newborn infant is receiving enough breast milk is:

• by counting the number of wet diapers produced in a day.
• by measuring the weight gain.
  

• A newborn infant may only have 3 wet diapers in a day during the first days of life. Wet diapers should increase in frequency and volume each day. After the first week, he should have 6-8 wet diapers a day. Infants between the ages of 1 to 4 should produce 6 or more heavy, soaked diapers per day.
• Weigh gain is a good indicator that an infant is getting enough nutrition from breastfeeding.
  

• Infant Formula

• For parent choose not to breastfeed, formula is the most acceptable alternative. There are many different types of formula available in the marketplace. They are different according to the food source on which they are based. They are described below.

• Cow’s milk based formulas:

• Cow’s milk based formulas are one of the most common types of infant formula on the market. These formulas come in both low-iron type and iron-fortified varieties. Most health authorities recommend using iron-fortified formula for infants who will be consuming formula exclusively until they are 9-12 months old.

• Example:

• Enfamil with Iron,
• Similac
  

• Infant formulas with Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids

• These formulas come in cow’s-milk-based and soy-based varieties. They have added DHA (docosahexanoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid). These two fatty acids, which support normal brain, eye, and nerve development, can also be found in breast milk. There is a lack of evidence at this time to support the claim that healthy children will have better visual acuity or mental test scores because they consumed formulas with DHA and ARA.

• Example:

• Enfamil A+,
• Similac Advance,
• Good Start with Omega 3 and Omega 6,
• Isomil with Omega 3 and 6
  

Soy-based Formulas

• You can choose soy-based formula if your infant suffers from milk protein allergy. However, soy-based formula may not be tolerated by children with non-IgE medicated cow’s milk intolerance. Yu need to speak to your doctor about what type of cow’s milk allergy your child may have.Soy-based formulas are not recommended as the first choice for healthy term infants who are not being breastfed. However it is recommended by America Academy of Pediatrics as save alternatives to breast milk or cow’s-milk-based formulas to provide appropriate nutrition for normal growth and development.
  

• Example:

• Enfamil Soy,
• Isomil
• Alsoy
  

• Protein Hydrolysate Formulas, casein-based

• This is a hypoallergenic formula. It is a better choice for non-breastfed infants with cow’s milk protein allergy. The protein of this type of formula is broken into very small units called peptides and free amino acids. This type of formula is very expensive.

• Example:

• Nutramigen

• Protein Hydrolysate Formulas, whey-based

• This type of formula contains larger. Because of that, it is not appropriate for children with a confirmed allergy to cow’s milk protein. The taste of this formula is similar to cow’s-milk-based formula. The cost is not as expensive as casein-based protein hydrolysate formulas.

• Example:

• Nestle Good Start
• Enfamil Gentlease A+
  

• Lactose-free Formulas

• Lactose-free formulas are based on cow’s milk. The lactose is removed. It is then added with corn syrup solids. This formula is for infant who suffer from primary lactose intolerance. It is can be used as an alternative for infants who develop secondary lactose intolerance.

• Example:

• Enfamil Lactose Free
• Similac Sensitive Lactose Free
  

• Follow-up Formulas

• This type of formula can be based on cow’s milk or soy. Follow-up formulas are iron-fortified. They are better choice than whole cow’s milk for older infants between ages of 6 to 12 months. They contain lower renal solute load than whole’s cow milk and are therefore easier on a baby’s kidney. It is proven that follow-up formulas offer more benefits than traditional infant formulas. Parents can comfortably use the same “starter” formula from birth until 12 months of age.

• Example:

• Nestle Follow-up
• Nestle Follow-up Soy
• Enfapro A+
  

• Added-rice Formulas

• Added-rice formulas combine rice starch and a conventional cow’s milk based formula. This formula is for healthy infant who occasionally spit up as the added starch is intended to help the formula settled in the child’s stomach. If your child spit up persistently, you should seek advice from a physician or a pediatrician.

• Example:

• Enfamil Thickened A+ for babies who spit up

• Specialty Formulas

• Specialty Formulas are for those infants have difficulty in digesting or absorbing carbohydrates, protein, fat and other nutrients. Generally these formulas are used under the supervision of a doctor or a dietician.

• Example:

• Alimentum
• Neocate Infant
• Pregestimil
  

How Much Formula is Enough?

• The formula consumed by an infant will increase with age. It will also vary depending on infant’s size and activity level. The following table shows an example of estimated intake:

• Age Feeds____________Day________________Quantity / Feed

• Birth to 1 week_________6 to 10______________2 to 3 oz / 60 to 90 ml
• 1 week to 1 month_______6 to 8_______________3 to 4 oz / 90 to 120 ml
• 1 – 3 months___________5 to 6_______________4 to 6 oz / 120 to 180 ml
• 3 – 7 months___________4 to 5_______________6 to 7 oz / 180 to 210 ml
• 7 – 12 months__________3 to 4________________7 to 8 oz / 210 to 240 m

Food Chart for 6 to 8 Months

• It is recommended to delay the introduction of solids until the infant is about 6 months old. Infant at the age of 6 months has digestive tract that is mature enough to digest complex proteins, fats and carbohydrates. They are also able to sit and to swallow non-liquid foods. However it is important to remember that solids must be introduced gradually. During the initial transition period, breast milk or formula will continue to be an infant’s primary source of nutrients.

• Table below acts as a guideline on how much foods you can offer to your child. Every baby is different. So you should make necessary adjustment according to your kid’s need.

• Foods___________________________6 to 9 Months

• Breast Milk_______________________Nursing on demand

• Iron-fortified single-ingredient food___wice daily of iron-fortified infant cereal,
• Other grain product______________Dry toast or unsalted crackers
  

• Meat and alternative_____________Mash or strained meat,Fish,Poultry,
• _______________________Well-cooked legumes (beans, lentil, chickpeas)
• _______________________Eggs yolks,Mashed silken tofu

• Vegetables______________Pureed or mashed cooked vegetables
  
• _______________________Progress to soft mashed consistency.
• _______________________4 to 6 tablespoons / 60 to 90 ml per day
  

• Fruits____________________Pureed or mashed cooked fruits
• __________________Very ripe mashed fruits such as banana or avocado
• __________________6 to 7 tablespoons / 90 to 105 ml per day
  

• Milk products______________Plain yogurt
• _________________________Cottage cheese or grated hard cheese
• _________________________1 to 2 tablespoons / 15 to 30 ml per day
  

• Texture__________________Thickened cereal,Finely mashed,Soft solids,

Food Chart for 9 to 12 Months

• Foods____________________________6 to 9 Months

• Breast Milk_____________________Nursing on demand
• Formula__________________Bottle feed of formula or whole cow milk
• _________________________3-4 feeds per day
  

• Iron-fortified single-ingredient food____A variety of infant cereal

• Other grain product________Plain cereals,Bread,Rice,pasta,
• ________________________8 to 10 tablespoons / 120 to 150 ml per day
  

• Meat and alternative_______Minced or diced cooked meat, fish, chicken,
• _________________________tofu,beans or egg yolk.
• ________________________3 to 4 tablespoons / 45 to 60 ml per day
  

• Vegetables_____________________Minced or diced cooked vegetables.
• _________________________6 to 10 tablespoons / 90 to 150 ml per day
  

• Fruits_____________________Soft peeled and diced fresh or canned fruit
• __________________________7 to 10 tablespoons / 105 to 150 ml per day
  

• Milk products__________________Plain yogurt.
• ____________________________Cottage cheese or grated hard cheese
• ____________________________2 to 4 tablespoons / 25 to 60 ml per day
  

• Texture_____________________Soft minced foods,Diced foods

Food Chart for 12 to 24 Months

• For child after the age of 1 year, you can usually switch from infant formula to whole milk. For those with poor weight gain, infant formula may still be needed. Please ask advice from a doctor or pediatrician on when to start whole (cow’s) milk.

• As your child ability to chew and swallow improves, he can manage a greater range of foods.

• Fruits: You can now give your child fruit in larger pieces. However softer varieties of fruits such as banana, peaches, pears and mangos are recommended. It is necessary to cut the fruits such as grapes or berries into smaller pieces because the whole fruit could possibly lodge in a small airway.

• Vegetables: Vegetables should be cooked until soft. Hard vegetables such as raw carrot should be served grated.

• Meats: As your child gets older, they are able to chew solid foods such as meats more easily. You can allow your child to sample of what the family is having.

G,)Baby Food Weight Loss

• Overview

Baby Food Weight Loss Diet

• With thousands of dieters actively dieting at any point of time in the United States, the emergence of new diets is common. According to the American Heart Association, many of the new diets that hit the market are considered fad diets because of their extreme dietary rules and restrictions, as well as their promises to help you lose weight quickly. One of the newest fad diets to hit the market is the baby food diet.

• History

• According to Marie Claire magazine, the baby food diet was first introduced by New York fashion designer Hedi Slimane. Hollywood soon caught on to the diet allegedly being used by famous actresses, such as Reece Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston. Like any Hollywood celebrity trend, the baby food diet quickly spread to become a popular diet fad.

• The baby food diet consists of replacing one or more meals each day with jarred baby foods. The amount of baby food you consume each day will vary depending on what your daily calorie goal is, how much weight you need to lose and how quickly you need to lose weight. The baby food diet also has several variations, with some methods replacing entire meals with the jarred food and others only using baby food as a replacement for sugary snacks.

• Function

• The baby food diet works by limiting calorie intake while still maintaining adequate amounts of nutrition through vitamins and minerals. When replacing a full meal with a jar of baby food, a dieter eliminates as much as 500 or more calories (depending on the calories typically consumed per meal and the calories in the baby food) from her daily intake. By reducing calories, dieters achieve a calorie deficit, which forces the body to turn to burning fat storage for energy, resulting in weight loss.

• Benefits

• Besides helping a dieter lose weight, baby food is also typically free of additives and high in natural vitamins and minerals. Baby food manufacturers produce hundreds of different flavors and types of baby foods, including gluten-free and vegetarian, giving dieters variety and options. Even organic baby food is available, which, according to the Mayo Clinic, may limit exposure to pesticides and growth hormones. Baby food also comes in clearly labeled prepackaged portions, making dietary portion control easier.

• Disadvantages

• Similar to most fad diets, the baby food diet also comes with its disadvantages. Those who are tempted to replace too many meals with baby food can potentially cut too many calories from their diet. When too many calories are withheld from the cells, your body reacts by lowering your metabolism and storing more fat, which works against weight loss. Extreme calorie restriction may also foster eating disorders, such as anorexia. Baby food may not be as satiating because very little chewing is needed. According to the American Society for Clinical Nutrition, the act of chewing during meals helps increase satiation.

H,)Baby Food Schedule

• Highlights

• Age: Birth to 4 months
• Age: 4 to 6 months
• Age: 6 to 8 months
• Age: 8 to 10 months
• Age: 10 to 12 months
  

• Use this guide to find out what and how much to feed your child at every stage of development from birth to 12 months. (See our toddler article for guidance on feeding children over 12 months.) Don't worry if your child eats more or less than the amounts listed — they're only meant as rough guidelines.

• You don't have to introduce foods to your child in any particular order. If you want to give your baby a taste of tofu at age 6 months, go ahead, even though it's not listed on our chart until age 8 months.

• It was once considered important to wait until age 1 or even age 3 before introducing highly allergenic foods like eggs, fish, and peanuts. Experts now believe that postponing these foods doesn't prevent food allergies.

Age: Birth to 4 months

• Feeding behavior
• Rooting reflex helps your baby turn toward a nipple to find nourishment

• What to feed
• Breast milk or formula ONLY
  

• Feeding tip
• Your baby's digestive tract is still developing, so solid food is off-limits for now.
  

Age: 4 to 6 months

• Signs of readiness for solid food

• Your baby probably won't do all these things — they're just clues to watch for.

• Can hold head up
• Sits well in highchair
• Makes chewing motion
• Shows significant weight gain (birth weight has doubled)
• Shows interest in food
• Can close mouth around a spoon
• Can move food from front to back of mouth
• Can move tongue back and forth, but is losing tendency to push food out with tongue
• Seems hungry after 8 to 10 feedings of breast milk or 40 oz. of formula in a day
• Is teething
  

• What to feed

• Breast milk or formula, PLUS
• Semi-liquid iron-fortified rice cereal, THEN
• Other grain cereals like oats or barley
  

• How much per day

• Begin with about 1 teaspoon dry rice cereal mixed with 4 to 5 teaspoons breast milk or formula (it'll be very runny).
• Gradually thicken consistency and increase to 1 tablespoon dry cereal mixed with breast milk or formula, twice a day.
  

• Feeding tips

• If your baby won't eat the cereal on the first try, offer it again in a few days.
• Get more detailed tips on how to introduce solids.
  

Age: 6 to 8 months

• Signs of readiness for solid food
• Same as 4 to 6 months

• What to feed

• Breast milk or formula, PLUS
• Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, oats)
• Pureed or strained fruits (banana, pears, applesauce, peaches)
• Pureed or strained vegetables (avocado, well-cooked carrots, squash, and sweet potato)
  

• How much per day

• 3 to 9 tablespoons cereal, in 2 to 3 feedings
• 1 teaspoon fruit, gradually increased to 1/4 to 1/2 cup in 2 to 3 feedings
• 1 teaspoon vegetables, gradually increased to 1/4 to 1/2 cup in 2 to 3 feeding
  

• Feeding tips

• Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your baby's not allergic.

Age: 8 to 10 months

• Signs of readiness for solid and finger foods

• Same as 6 to 8 months, PLUS
• Picks up objects with thumb and forefinger (pincer grasp)
• Can transfer items from one hand to the other
• Puts everything in his mouth
• Moves jaw in a chewing motion
  

• What to feed

• Breast milk or formula, PLUS
• Small amounts of soft pasteurized cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese (but no cows' milk until age 1)
• Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, wheat, oats, mixed cereals)
• Mashed fruits and vegetables (bananas, peaches, pears, avocados, cooked carrots, squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes)
• Finger foods (lightly toasted bagels, cut up; small pieces of ripe banana; well-cooked spiral pasta; teething crackers; low-sugar O-shaped cereal)
• Small amounts of protein (egg, pureed meats, poultry, and boneless fish; tofu; well-cooked and mashed beans with soft skins like lentils, split peas, pintos, black beans)
• Non-citrus juice (apple or pear)
  

• How much per day

• 1/4 to 1/3 cup dairy (or 1/2 oz. cheese)
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup iron-fortified cereal
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup fruit
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup vegetables
• 1/8 to 1/4 cup protein foods
• 3 to 4 oz. non-citrus juices
  

• Feeding tip

• Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your baby's not allergic.

Age: 10 to 12 months

• Signs of readiness for additional solid food

• Same as 8 to 10 months, PLUS
• Swallows food more easily
• Has more teeth
• No longer pushes food out with tongue
• Is trying to use a spoon
  

• What to feed

• Breast milk or formula PLUS
• Soft pasteurized cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese (but no cows' milk until age 1)
• Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, wheat, oats, mixed cereals)
• Fruit cut into cubes or strips, or mashed
• Bite-size, soft-cooked vegetables (peas, carrots)
• Combo foods (macaroni and cheese, casseroles)
• Protein (egg; pureed or finely ground meats, poultry, and boneless fish; tofu; well-cooked and mashed beans)
• Finger foods (lightly toasted bread or bagels, small pieces of ripe banana, spiral pasta, teething crackers, low-sugar O-shaped cereal)
• Non-citrus juice
  

• How much per day

• 1/3 cup dairy (or 1/2 oz. cheese)
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup iron-fortified cereal
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup fruit
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup vegetables
• 1/8 to 1/4 cup combo foods
• 1/8 to 1/4 cup protein foods
• 3 to 4 oz. non-citrus juices
  

• Feeding tip

• Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your baby's not allergic.