Monday, 30 December 2013

Baby Feeding And Nutrition

The first year of the baby’s birth is the most essential year, nutrition and care in this period will stay with the baby forever.
Breast milk or formula milk plays the most crucial part in providing the essential nutrients in this period.
0-12 months the major nutrients the baby will receive will be from breast milk or formula milk.
Babies have very small appetite, they eat tiny and frequent meals and its important to make sure all their meals consists of all the vital nutrients.
It’s best to introduce solid foods only after 4 months, the first 4 months the baby’s diet should primarily consist of breast milk or formula milk.


From 6 to 8 months the introduction of other foods should be done. Earlier the baby had grown only milk but now that won’t be enough to fill up their appetite and their growing body needs. In this period cereal is a vital source of fiber and carbohydrates but its advisable to start on one grain at a time and see how your baby adjusts to it. You can start with rice cereals as rice is the lightest grain and then eventually go to oats barley and wheat. These grains are very essential as they will boost the baby’s growth considerably. Carbohydrates give the body essential strength it needs to develop.
Fruits and vegetables mash can also be added in this time, take a list of fruits and vegetables than can be given to your baby from your health expert.
It’s best to make a set meal routine for your babies by this time.
The faster they are accustomed to a set pattern its best for you and your baby.

Early morning feeds can be breast and formula milk as the baby is still in their sleep and so are the mothers, feeding them milk is the best option at that hour.
Mid morning feeds should be in form of cereal, there are various baby instant cereals available in the market you can choose which ever you feel is best for your baby.
Mid morning cereal of rice oats barley or wheat is good as it will fill your baby’s tummy and also be begin the day with essential nutrition.

After the baby’s mid morning nap in the afternoon a mash of fruits and vegetables should be fed to the baby. Fruits and vegetables are a good source of vital vitamins. Giving a mix of different fruits and vegetables will keep the baby happy and give their taste buds used to all kinds’ flavors in food. By giving them a good mix of vegetables the baby will be later be less fussy as they grow about eating their greens. Pureed vegetables like carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes are a good source of nutrition.

Pureed fruits like peaces apples bananas apricots give the baby a strong boost of vitamins.
While adding the above foods it is still advisable to give the baby 3 to 4 feeds of breast or formula milk. Till the baby is 2 yrs old its best to keep giving them breast milk or formula milk.

9 months on-wards is a good time to start with proteins, for this you can begin with eggs in small portion, best is to begin with one or two bites and then increase gradually. Chicken soup or mash chicken with boiled mashed rice also can be given in the evening to fill up your baby so that they sleep well and not get up frequently in the night for feeds.
For vegetarian’s cottage cheese, tofus are a good source of protein for the baby.
If you go to the baby section in the marts there are a huge variety of finger foods that are available for them you can certainly add them in your baby’s diet.


Cheese sticks are a good source of calcium and the baby will enjoy chewing on it as it will add the nutrition the baby needs and provide relief to the irritable gums. Baby food counters are loaded with different varieties of food, check their nutrients and buy it for your baby. most of these baby foods are packed with essential vitamins and nutrients and will add to your baby’s health.

For more details about Baby Feeding And Nutrition...Visit at http://www.justthefactsbaby.com/baby/feeding-and-nutrition

Wednesday, 25 December 2013

BABY NUTRITION TIPS

Getting nutrition during prenatal is crucial. Your nutrition will showcase on your baby health, if you have followed your diet and workout pattern obediently your healthy baby is the reward for your discipline.

After child birth your duties have doubled now you have to make sure you and your baby both are well take care off. Good nutrition is now vital for both of you.
Nutrients are fundamental for the development and progress of your baby.


Given below are stage wise tips for your baby’s nutrition-

Stage 1= 0-3 months

Your bundle of joy is in your arms now, this initial period your babies diet will only consist of breast milk. Some times due to certain reasons if the mother isn’t able to produce enough milk then formula milk is also added to the baby’s diet. Breast milk is the best milk for the baby at this stage, mother milk consist of some very vital minerals which enhance the baby health.
But some new mothers aren’t able to feed the baby so they opt for formula milk. Formula milk comes in 3 forms powdered milk, ready to use and in concentrated form. There are many varieties available in the stores one can always asks the pediatric to guide you in choosing the best one for your infant. These formula milks are also packed with all the necessary nutrients for the baby’s growth.
If your baby is relying only on breast milk please keep a good check on your diet and make sure you are consuming a good mix of all essential vitamins and minerals.

Stage 2= 3-6 months

This period also major nutrients will be thru breast milk or formula milk. By now your baby has grown and also the diet has increased it is the right time to start semi solid food for your baby. There are various baby food companies that make some nutritious cereals for the baby you can take your pick from any of them.
It is recommended to start one grain at a time for the baby; rice being the lightest of all, rice cereals will be a good way to introduce solid food. Along with cereals fruit pulp , juices as well as mashed vegetables can be added to your baby’s diet.

You can give 2 or 3 food serving of the above solid food  and the rest 6 -7 serving should still be breast milk or formula milk.

Stage 3= 6-9 months

As the baby is growing so are their taste buds, their preferences to food is something you will be able to judge by now.
Its best to still continue feeding the baby breast milk or formula milk as the essential nutrients these milk have cannot be replaced by any other food.
The baby schedule is more or less fixed by now, their food and sleep patters are more defined. As the baby has grown so has his appetite. At this stage more and more solids are added to the baby food. It’s the right time to introduce more grains to the baby’s diet oatmeal, wheat; maize can be added slowly and gradually. You can also start on all fruits and vegetables for the baby. Chicken soup is also a great source of essential nutrients and can be added to the baby meal plan.
The baby’s menu can be divided into 4 servings of solid food and reduce the milk to 3-4 servings.

Stage 4 = 9-12 months

Essential nutrient intake will show great benefits in your baby. Their rapid growth and development is something that you will be so proud off after all it was your hard work and persistence that is showing its results. The 1st year is a crucial time in the baby life their maximum development takes place in this year their over all physical as well as mental development takes place in this year.

A mother’s role is most crucial for the baby in this period.

By this stage your baby is relying more on solid foods and is inquisitive to taste everything. It’s time for the baby to join the family on the diner table. Their food still being softer and easily chewable for them. All food varieties are now a part of your baby’s food. You can start on proteins by giving the baby chicken soup, eggs. Calcium thru milk as well as cheese and cottage cheese can be given to them.

For milk it’s advisable to stick to formula milk till they are 2 and then start with whole milk as whole milk is heavy for the baby to digest.

Let your child taste everything and decide for herself her food preferences. Be gentle but firm and make sure your baby is getting the right nutrition thru her diet.


Friday, 6 December 2013

BABY HEALTH TIPS

EVERY MOTHER KNOWS WHATS BEST FOR HER BABY!

An unwritten rule and a completely true fact. Every mother is the best judge on what’s best for her infant. A mother’s instinct can never go wrong. So more than depending on outsiders for advice follow your own instincts.
Certain tips and care is essential to follow for the comfort of the baby, these guidelines can be taken from an elder in the family friends relatives even we are here to help sail the motherhood peacefully.

Certain tips essentially are to be taken in to considerations which are as follows

Traveling with the infant for the 1st time –
Babies can at times be uncomfortable while traveling. For air travel its best to consult your pediatric who may prescribe some syrups to make the baby comfortable. For long road travels it is essential to keep track and follow the set schedule of the infant. For instance if the baby is fed at a particular hour its best to stick to the same time schedule and make sure you feed it at the same time.
Their sleep and feed schedules should well taken care off and not disturbed.
As long as that is in place the baby is comfortable and you can enjoy your journey.

Hair and Skin care-
There are numerous baby products available in the stores today. Each one of them swears to be better than the other. But for a mother it is advisable to stick only to genuine company products which are dermatologist approved. You can also consult your pediatric or even other mothers to take their guidance on baby skin and hair products.
It is also vital to stick to one brand that you have used and the baby has adjusted too. Changing the brands on and off is not something advised to do.

Play time and Toys –
The best time to bond with your baby is when they are awake and in a playful mood.
It’s also the best time to teach the baby a few things. Every mother is highly recommended to make the most of that time all thru their growing years.
Toys only from reputed company’s and stores are best for the baby and also it is recommended to buy toys as per the age of the baby. Nowadays all toys have a marking of age on them like 0-3 months or 6-9 months or for 9-12 months or 3 years old ect. Pick up toys depending on the age group of your baby.

Baby Food-
Every child should be fed breast milk in the initial days of her birth. It has some very vital nutrition which are a must for every baby. As the baby grows depending on the food intake of the baby one can always start with top milk to enhance the growth of the infant. As the baby grows month by month more and more additions of solid food can be added to the baby’s meal plan.
Vegetables fruits and cereals are a very good source of nutrition for the baby in the later months.

Nappies and Diapers
Keeping the baby in diapers is essentially a good thing as it keeps the baby clean and comfortable. But frequently changing the diapers and while changing the diaper cleaning the area with a good wet wipe is also important.
A good diaper rash cream or simple petroleum jelly like Vaseline should be applied before wrapping the diaper. This will keep the baby’s skin soft and protect it from any kind of rash or infection of the diaper.
Hygiene is to be kept up most while handling an infant.

Colic crying or Discomfort
Babies do cry! That’s nothing to give you grief over. If the baby is uncomfortable it will explain it only by crying. Colic being a very common reason, there are syrups available to take care of colic crying, these syrups can be given to the baby but only after pediatric consultation.
Many a times if the baby is just cranky a little rocking, cuddling or even a soft song sung by the mother can calm the baby.

The key factor is understanding your baby and her needs. Babies easily adapt the routine you set for them and if this routine of feeding sleeping bathing and playing is followed precisely on time then there is nothing to worry about.

If your baby is happy you are happy and vice versa so stay happy!!