Here is more about: Introducing solid foods
There are factors considered in determining when to feed your baby with solid foods. These factors include age, appetite and growth rate. As to age, most babies are ready for solid foods between ages 4 months and 6 months. At six months of age, milk alone may not be enough anymore to satisfy his physical needs. Solid foods supply the key nutrients that his body may now need such as iron.
Parents need to determine if their babies are ready to receive solid foods. Do not rush to start giving solids to your babies. Starting solid foods early can cause your baby to develop food allergies. Before giving solid foods, the baby must have met the following requirements:
• able to swallow and digest solid foods
• sit well with support
• can hold and control head upright
• interested in seeing other foods
• able to close lips over a spoon
Introducing your baby to solid foods is the start of lifelong eating habits that will aid in his overall health. It should be done with the help of your pediatrician. Keep on feeding your baby breast milk or formula as usual. Solid food can’t replace all the nutrients that breast milk or formula provides during that first year. When your baby’s doctor says it’s ok to begin supplementing your baby with solid food then that’s the time you can start.
Start with rice cereal, which is gluten-free and less allergenic than other foods. It contains the highest levels of iron, a basic need for fast-growing infants. When feeding your baby, use a rubber-tipped spoon to avoid injuring his gums. Begin with just a small amount of cereal on the spoon tip. Allow your baby to get used to the taste and texture of food. Babies need to practice keeping food in their mouths and swallowing.
Introduce other solid foods gradually, one at a time, waiting at least three days after each new food. It will also allow you to observe for signs of food allergy to your baby then you will know which food caused it and you will be able to avoid giving it again next time you feed. If your baby has a high risk of food allergies, you should delay offering solids until he is at least six months old.
You may give solid foods in the following order:
• rice cereal or oatmeal
• other cereals
• fruits
• yellow vegetables like ( corn, yellow peppers, yellow squash)
• green vegetables like: Asparagus, Cabbage, Artichok, Cauliflower, Sorrel, Fenugreek, Nasturtium, Pumpkin, Dandelion, Sweet Potato, Colocasia, Tatsoi, Watercress, Moringa, Purslane, Endive, Cucumber, Borage, Radichetta, Mushrooms, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Broccoli, Dandelion Greens, Boy Choy, Romaine Lettuce, Chicory, Arugula, Kale, Mustard Greens, Collard Greens, Turnip Greens
Make sure the foods you’re introducing are safe for his young digestive system. Avoid foods like cow’s milk, citrus fruits and juices, and egg whites until your infant is at least a year old. If your baby turns away from a particular food, don’t force him to take it. Try again in a week or so. To enhance success, offer the first solid foods when your baby is not full. You need to listen to your baby, support and encourage his own natural development as much as possible.
All about Child Obesity
It is a strange irony that, in our health-conscious society, child obesity seems to be a bigger problem than ever before. No matter how much people do to try to educate themselves and others about the health risks of being overweight, the situation just continues. Kids spend less and less time running around out of doors and more and more time sitting in front of the television or the computer. Instead of developing healthy habits early on, they develop health problems that can last them a lifetime.
The best approach to child obesity is to try to prevent the problem before it starts. In my family, we made a concerted effort to do just that. We have tried to limit the amount of time our children spend watching television and to make sure that they get at least a bit of exercise each and every day. Still, no matter what we do, it does not seem to do enough. Although my older child, Martha, is in pretty good health, her younger siblings are all overweight to one degree or another. They do not eat healthy foods when they are at school or, if they do, they have problems with portion control.
We have not gotten to the point of considering serious options like surgery but I know that, if things continue as they have been, it may one day come to that. In the meantime, I’ve been doing a few less drastic things to help get the kids into shape. One of the most effective ones is making them join sports teams. My kids hate playing sports, but they know that they have no choice in the matter. I don’t care if they become athletes or not, but I want them to be sure to exercise each and every day. That is, after all, the key to a long and healthy life.
Note: for more about Child Obesity here is more info and review obesity
Besides that, I have been making my youngest go to obesity in childhood programs. It teaches her healthy eating habits, tricks to overcome food cravings, and things like that. She has only been going for a few months, but already she is starting to look better. She also seems to feel a lot better about herself, judging by how her mood has improved in the past few weeks. It is too soon to tell, but we might be winning the battle against child obesity – at least in my family.