How to avoid the common mistakes parents make with baby feeding
It is time for the transition: Baby has been exclusively breastfed for six months and the much anticipated D-day arrives - and many parents are ready to replace milk feedings with solid feeds, but our smart babies, - my amazing constituency, they know better and a struggle ensues. The usual complaint is “My baby doesn’t want to take solids, only breast milk, I am tired!”
Milk remains your baby’s primary source of nutrition between the ages of six and twelve months ! No surprise there. We call these semi solids and other feeds complementary feeds at this age for a reason: they are not yet the main source of nutrition, they are complementary to milk, and should not replace milk feeding at this age otherwise your baby’s health growth and development will be interrupted.
Some important tips to remember as baby’s nutritional needs are evolving and you are adjusting to the new reality:
Stick to your regular breastfeeding or formula feeding routine- this ensures your baby continues to receive essential nutrients for growth and development
Introduce semi solids and solids gradually: do not try to replace milk feedings abruptly
When you first begin to offer solids, do so thirty (30) minutes after a breastfeeding session or 60 minutes- one hour- after a formula feed- this ensures baby is not too hungry or fussy, or too full, and increases the likelihood of baby trying something new
When you are offering a new meal, it must not be too hot -temperature- or too spicy. it might put baby off semi solids
From the age of 12 months, we can allow an hour after a milk feed to encourage more solid intake
Start with small amounts of soft or mashed foods- cereals, purees, including pureed fruits and vegetables, finger foods- (foods that can be picked up by their little fingers), and gradually increase their variety and texture as your baby gets older; Continue to offer your baby a variety of foods, observing their cues- do they respond better to specific tastes or textures, for instance- and adjust as needed
Remember that this is a process- as we have mentioned elsewhere it is more important to offer a variety of foods, don’t get stressed about whether baby is eating enough. It is more important to expose your baby to different taste and textures, and to the rhythmicity of feeding and engaging in the social process of eating.
Good luck and let us know how you are doing !!