Dilemma: Feeding	My Child

(Part 2)

In the second part to our feature on feeding babies, we look at how a mother can feed and nourish her grown up baby or child. As babies grow older and bigger, they will require more nourishment and will be exposed to a totally new world of food and drinks. With good guidance and freedom to explore and taste new things, babies soon take a bite into the adult diet and take their baby steps into the big world. There are many myths and fears that young or first time mothers go through, some of them being rational but others requiring a pinch of salt! Learn the truths and secrets to better feeding your baby in a manner that they soon grow accustomed to eating healthy and wholesomely for their growth. Remember babies and children know nothing about nutrition and health (and no matter how much you try to explain to them, they will not understand your logic) and will only want to be playful; so try to make meal times as pleasurable and tolerable as possible. If your child is being forced to do something he doesn't like, chances are he will avoid it the next time.

Text By Miranthi Dole

One year and counting;

As your baby celebrates the first year of life, food can move on to normal adult food that is nutritious and wholesome to aid growth. Adult food can be gradually introduced to the baby but it's recommended to keep the food bland and with no traces of spices to make your baby upset. In order to condition your baby to getting used to eating on his own and eating more than what he was used to; mothers are advised to even at a early age of six months; when the baby is offered weaning food, to keep the baby by your side whilst you are taking your daily meals with the rest of the family. This routine will familiarize the baby with normal adult life and will more importantly allow the baby to see how and what you are eating; so that the baby is used to seeing these kinds of foods and will also subconsciously know that he can trust the food that his mother is consuming.

Adult Food
If your child wants to eat what you eat and mimics your good eating habits it is a blessing from the Lord above. This is quite rare and you have to always try to feed the baby food items that he can hold on to in his little hands; let the baby eat it on his own, even if he spills or makes a mess of things. If the baby doesn't eat his food but plays with it and keeps it in his mouth only to spit it out in the very next moment; let him be and learn to get accustomed to the new tastes and conditions of food. Even if your baby munches on the food and later on throws it up, do not be alarmed; this is all the natural process of familiarization for the baby with adult food. After months and months of sucking on his mother's breasts for milk, the baby will take some time to adjust to new meals and methods of eating using his hands. The ideal foods to give your child in these instances are apples or bananas (cut into pieces that the baby can easy hold, and not swallow or choke on).
Even if your baby munches on the food and later on throws it up, do not be alarmed; this is all the natural process of familiarization for the baby with adult food.

Small and hard to eat items of food such as peanuts should be strictly avoided, as it can cause aspiration. The baby will not be able to tackle solids such as nuts at such an early age; and therefore such foods that the baby can get choked on, should be kept out of the reach of the child.

Junk Food

If your baby loves junk food then you have to first wonder who introduced him to it in the first place. Babies cannot know about junk food and cannot get addicted to its taste without first being introduced to it by his parents. As such children that are introduced or exposed to junk food heavily are prone to crave it more than a child that has been raised on nutritious and healthy foods. Junk foods are rich in energy and fats, which when given instantly traps their taste buds and gets them addicted to the food. What is most important for any child that must be heeded by his parents and immediate family; is to not to introduce any junk food to the child. Sometimes a fond uncle or aunt may try to feed the baby some junk food, but you must be firm and make them understand that you do not intend to give your child such foods. Remember you are the one who will have to suffer the consequence of your child acting stubborn and wailing out for junk food that doesn't give him any nutritious value. Instead get your child used to natural healthy food all the time, from the start. Having said this it is important to make the food interesting and visually appealing to the child to attract him to the food. If you have kept a control of his diet at an early stage, then the problem of junk food is least likely to arise.
