Q&A: Feeding Questions
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Our 4-month-old drinks about 32 fluid ounces of formula a day. Is that too much?
A: Every baby is different, and some simply are big eaters. However, this may be a sign she's ready to try solid foods. When you introduce solid foods depends in part on your baby's physical maturity and the amount of breast milk or formula she consumes in a day. If your baby is between 4 and 6 months old, can hold her head steady, transfer food from the front of her tongue to the back and is consuming about 32 fluid ounces a day, she's probably ready for solid foods.
At the age of approximately 4 to 6 months, your baby's digestive system also is becoming mature enough to handle cereals. Begin by offering two to three tablespoons of cereal (mixed to a soupy consistency with breast milk or formula) in a small baby spoon.
At this early age, breast milk or formula still should be her primary source of nutrients. But introducing cereal is a good way for her to learn the first steps in swallowing solid foods. As always, check with your pediatrician for advice about when and how to add cereal to your baby's diet.
My baby won't eat cereal even though he's 5 months old. Help!
A: Each infant has his own individual time clock for developmental readiness. At this age your baby may not be ready for solid foods, and pediatricians generally recommend that you focus Baby's nutrition on breast milk or iron-fortified infant formula. Wait several weeks before trying cereal again. Iron-fortified rice cereal is a good place to start, because it's easy to digest and not likely to cause an allergic reaction. After a few months, if your baby still isn't interested in cereal try feeding him cooked, pureed vegetables or mashed fruit. Some babies are just slow to warm up to cereals and other solid foods!
I want to teach my daughter good eating habits. When is it too early?
A: It's never too early to start teaching good eating habits. Here are some tips to start her on the right path:
- Feed your baby a variety of foods - except those that may cause allergies: chocolate, berries, legumes, egg whites, nuts, peanut butter, corn, citrus, fish, wheat (until 8 months), and honey. If your baby doesn't like a food, try it again later. Babies aren't used to the taste and texture of food so it may take 10 to 15 tries before she figures out if she likes it or not.
- Though you'll be expanding your baby's menu, continue feeding cereal. With cereal, you'll also be helping ensure your baby gets all the iron she needs.
- Never force food on your baby. When your baby gives cues that she's full, such as turning her head, stop offering food.
- Avoid using her favorite foods as a reward.
- Keep mealtimes positive by creating a relaxed meal environment.
Can you give me any help for getting my baby to eat instead of playing with his food?
A: Mashed potatoes and applesauce may seem more appealing to your child if he can finger paint with them first. But don't let mealtime turn into playtime. If your toddler shows little interest in eating after more than half an hour, wipe him off and call it a meal. Don't discourage your toddler from experimenting with the food on his plate as he eats it. If he wants to dip his cheese into his peaches, let him. He may not like the taste, but he'll have plenty of time to learn more conventional food combinations later.
My baby will only eat pieces of bread or cheese. How can I get him to try something else?
A: Every now and then a child may get into a rut and insist on eating only one food. If your toddler insists on eating only one thing, you may need to take action. Calmly present an alternate food-maybe a little finely chopped chicken or some applesauce-on a plate with a variety of other foods. State matter-of-factly that dinner looks good. Then without showing concern, wait to see what happens. Don't resort to coercion or bribery. If you must, tell your toddler that he can have bread and cheese tomorrow.
My baby is starting to try lots of foods, but he doesn't like them. Will he always be picky?
A: If your toddler is a picky eater, you're not alone. The good news is, he won't always be this finicky. For now, here are some hints to help your picky eater eat healthfully and get the nutrition he needs:
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Offer your toddler lots of flavors and textures. Remember, a food that's refused today may be accepted tomorrow. It may take 10 to 15 tries before your toddler really decides if he likes a new food.
- Beware, don't fall into the trap of serving only foods that your baby seems to like.
- Expand his food horizons by offering new foods, or familiar foods served in a new way such as mashed banana served on a piece of waffle.
- If you're formula-feeding, consider switching to NESTLÉ® GOOD START® 2 SUPREME DHA & ARA. This iron-fortified milk-based formula helps meet the changing nutritional needs of older babies and toddlers 9 to 24 months old- especially when there's a gap between what they eat and what they need. Plus, GOOD START 2 SUPREME DHA & ARA is the only older-baby and toddler formula that provides the gentleness of easy-to-digest 100% whey COMFORT PROTEINS with the benefits of DHA & ARA, nutrients found in breast milk that support healthy brain and eye development. For toddlers who are 12 months or older, GOOD START 2 SUPREME DHA & ARA is a nutritious alternative to cow's milk, as it has more of the important nutrients like iron, vitamins C and E, and zinc, than whole milk while also providing the calcium that a growing toddler needs.
Will my baby need water or formula in addition to my breast milk?
A: It's not necessary to supplement breast milk with water or formula unless your doctor tells you there's a medical reason to do so. If your baby is in the nursery at the hospital, insist that he not receive any water, formula, or sugar (glucose) water, but be brought instead to breastfeed. This ensures that Baby's primary source of nutrition is breast milk.
And hold off on using pacifiers until after your milk supply is well established. (This may take two to four weeks.) Your milk supply increases to match the level of your baby's sucking, so make sure all the sucking is done at your breast. In your baby's first four to six months, water, juice, and other foods are not necessary. Baby will get all the nutrition he needs from your breast milk. And even as you introduce solid foods, breast milk or iron-fortified infant formula should still be the primary sources of nutrition for your baby.
Lillian M. Beard, M.D.
Pediatrician
Pediatric Health
Lillian M. Beard, M.D., a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, is an Associate Clinical Professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She is a frequent guest expert and spokesperson on national TV programs, discussing issues related to children's health. Dr. Beard practices pediatrics in Washington, D.C.
This is intended as general information that should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician.
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