Feeding a baby or toddler can be challenging and overwhelming. There are so many options to choose from, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the choices you have. Feeding issues in infants is common for every new mom. I know this feeling because when my son was born, I had no idea where to start with him. It didn’t help that I had no experience with being a parent before this point either! But now that he’s almost four years old and doing well on his own we’ve become very good at feeding him foods that he loves – which is just as important as the food itself!
Some infants initially struggle to eat and drink. They can vomit, avoid trying new foods, or reject certain foods. Food and liquid may be difficult for them to keep in their mouths. These feeding issues in infants are typically normal and temporary.
How often should my baby eat?
When your baby is hungry, feed him or her. The best time to do so is when he or she is awake, alert and happy. Alternatively, you can try offering the breast before bedtime for the first few weeks of life (or whenever you wish).
This is often easier said than done. It means that you have to be able to feed your baby without being interrupted, which can be hard when others are around. If you need some help with this new aspect of parenting, it might be worth looking into hiring a postpartum doula.
What should I feed my baby?
- Breast milk is best. If you can’t breastfeed, use formula. Iron-fortified formula is available at most grocery stores, medical supply stores and online retailers. If your baby is bottle-fed and gets a “bottle” that contains iron, ask the pediatrician if you should give her or him an iron supplement immediately after feeding time (the recommended time to take a supplement).
- Infants should be fed iron-fortified foods from birth through 6 months of age. Infants who are not breastfed may need additional sources of iron like infant cereal or other ready-to-eat foods with added vitamins A & D as well as fortified juices such as apple juice with added vitamin C (ask about this when purchasing prebiotics).
Is it okay to start solids without cereal?
It’s okay to start solids without cereal, but it’s best to wait until your baby is at least 4 months old.
Start with a small amount of pureed food and increase as your baby gets older. If you add cereal after starting solids, it will not be helpful in helping them develop their eating skills.
If your baby is ready for solids, it’s best to start with a single-grain cereal. This will give them the vitamins and minerals they need in their diet. However, if you want to add other foods to the mix, wait until your baby is at least 6 months old before doing so.
Will my child’s eating habits be affected if I don’t introduce foods in a particular order?
No, your child will be fine. The order of introducing foods is not important and it is just a suggestion. The order of introducing foods can vary from person to person and there is no right or wrong way of doing it.
When you introduce a new food, try giving them small amounts of it at first so that they get used to the taste before increasing the amount in their diet.
More nutrients can be found in breast milk or formula than in any solid food you might offer a kid. Wait until your little one indicates willingness. Around four months, some babies are prepared.
When you do introduce solid foods, consider the fact that at this age, solids are not nutritious. At this age, solid foods are just consumed for flavor and to practice the mechanics of an unique texture.
Watch for developmental readiness indicators such as:
- Baby can maintain an upright posture with good head and neck control.
- When you eat, the baby exhibits an interest in the food.
- Baby can use a spoon to taste food
- Breastfed infants should begin with single-grain cereals like rice or oatmeal. These cereals have iron added to them.
How to identify feeding issues in infants?
Does my child need a slow-flow nipple or other special products designed for infants?
Slow-flow nipples are recommended for babies who are still learning how to drink from a bottle. If your baby is taking longer to suck on the nipple, slow flow nipples may help them get used to drinking more slowly and gradually increase their intake of formula.
Other special products may be helpful for babies with special needs such as cleft palate, laryngectomy surgery (a voice box), or speech impairments. These include pacifiers that have been specially designed for those specific needs; however, these do not necessarily need to be replaced every day because they last longer than traditional pacifiers (about one month).
Basic guidelines to reduce feeding issues
When feeding your baby or toddler, there are some basic guidelines you can follow. Be flexible and patient, don’t be afraid to ask for help from others who have more knowledge on the subject, try new things when they work out well and change your mind if they don’t work out as expected.
Don’t be afraid to try new things! Your child will learn through trial and error if something doesn’t work right away then it’s okay – take another approach or change plans altogether until something works better!!
Conclusion
While it’s never easy, most toddlers are able to feed themselves well. If you’re concerned about your child’s feeding habits, talk to the doctor or pediatrician to get some answers. You can lessen the chance of food poisoning by following proper food handling and preparation rules. Avoid serving all unpasteurized meals and drinks to young children, including raw milk and unpasteurized juice and cider. Eggs that are uncooked, partially cooked also to be avoided.
Feeding issues in infants or issues may include dysphagia, which is a difficulty swallowing. This is the inability that food or drink has moving smoothly from the mouth via the throat, oesophagus, and stomach. Aspiration due to dysphagia may result in pneumonia and/or other serious lung problems.
You must choose food items to procure and the timing of serving them. Children will nag their parents for less nourishing foods, but adults should make the decisions about what foods are kept in the house on a regular basis. No children will go hungry. They’ll consume whatever food is in the refrigerator and cabinets at home. Even if their favorite food isn’t particularly healthy, you can still buy it occasionally to keep them from feeling deprived.