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Foods for Babies

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nusrat-diu:
                                                      Breastfeeding: Nature's Perfect Baby Food
                                                                      Deepak Chopra
                                                               www.huffingtonpost.com 

                                                               
The moment a mother delivers a new person into the world, her next amazing feat begins: producing and delivering the perfect food for that baby.

Hormonal changes at delivery trigger the lactation process. Breast milk is the ideal combination of protein, fat, immunity boosting factors and key nutrients to help a baby's body and brain grow strong. The act of nursing also seems to lower mothers' risk of breast and ovarian cancer. For the most part, breastfeeding requires just mom, baby and a comfortable chair or bed. No dishes, no groceries, no bottles! However, this natural process is not without its rough spots. Nipple soreness, anxiety and exhaustion strike most nursing moms at some point. The most important advice to new moms: Don't give up. Make sure to line up expert help from maternity nurses or a lactation consultant.

A summary of some common challenges during breastfeeding, along with solutions and tips can be found below. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends nursing a newborn exclusively for at least six months and preferably continuing, after the baby begins eating solid foods, for a full year or more. Nearly every mom and baby can do it. They just have to learn to dance together.

Breastfeeding Obstacles

Mom and baby just can't get comfortable.

Closeness is key. Whether you cradle the baby, hold her football-style at your side or let her lie beside you, bring her face close to your breast so she can latch on securely. Don't strain your back by leaning forward.

The baby is not gaining weight.

It is common for babies to lose a little weight after birth, then settle into a pattern of gaining a pound a month or more. Consult your pediatrician. If your baby has six to eight very wet diapers a day, and is nursing at least every two or three hours, there is likely no cause for alarm.

The mother's breasts are heavy and sore.

Engorgement is the signal to feed the baby. If your breasts remain engorged between feedings, try pumping the milk and freezing it to alleviate soreness.

The mother feels she has too little milk.

Nursing is a positive feedback system. Breastfeeding signals the brain that the body needs to keep up the baby's food supply. When mothers stop nursing for a bit out of frustration or exhaustion, the body reads it as a sign that baby has had enough, and cuts production. Try to keep breastfeeding or pumping milk even when the going gets tough.

The baby seems to nurse nonstop!

Breastfeeding on demand is a round-the-clock job. Newborns often nurse every 90 minutes to two and a half hours, because breast milk is quickly digested and these tiny people have a lot of growing to do! Plan to spend many hours bonding with and feeding your infant in the first few weeks. As the baby grows, both of your bodies become more efficient at breastfeeding and it begins to take less time.

The mother has nipple discomfort.

First, make sure the baby is securely latched on, taking in the nipple and most of the areola for maximum comfort and efficient feeding. If nipples become cracked and sore, apply a 100 percent lanolin cream. Watch for signs of infection, and consult your lactation consultant or physician if soreness persists or worsens.
 

nusrat-diu:
Baby Constipation - It's heartbreaking when your baby is constipated.
Your baby hasn't had a bowel movement for 3 or more days - is this normal or is this constipation? Your baby's infrequent bowel movements are hard and dry - is this normal or is this constipation? Find answers to these questions and learn all about constipation and babies.

There are many causes of infant constipation. One of the most common causes of constipation in babies is the introduction of solid foods.

Common Causes of Infant Constipation are:Introduction of solid food(s) - breastfed babies may be more prone to constipation when solid foods are introduced. This is because their tiny tummies are used to processing the easily and highly digestible mother's milk

Diets low in fiber

Diets of excessive dairy products (yogurt, cheeses, milk)

Foods such as Bananas,  Applesauce, Cereals, Breads, Pasta and White Potatoes may contribute or cause constipation

A change in diet usually relieves a baby with constipation. The following tips may also help the constipated baby get things "moving".


Remedies and How to Treat Constipation in Babies
There are many things you can do to help relieve baby's constipation. You can change baby's feeding pattern and/or engage in some physical exercises.

Exercises to Help Relieve Infant Constipation include:Tummy Massage - Gently massage and rub baby's tummy in a clockwise direction.  Place your hands at baby's navel and massage in a circular motion, moving your hand(s) out and away from the center of baby's belly.

Bicycle Legs - Place your baby on her back and lightly hold her legs in a half-bent position.  Gently begin to move your baby's legs as if she is riding a bicycle.  Alternate "Bicycle Legs" with Tummy Massage.  *"Bicycle Legs" also may help to relieve a baby who is gassy.

A Warm Bath - Some medical professionals suggest giving your constipated baby a warm bath.  The thought is that this may help relax baby and "get things moving" again.  Give a tummy massage as you are drying baby.



Relieving Constipation in Babies Younger than 4 Months:
Try giving one to two ounces of diluted fruit juice such as grape, prune or apple-prune twice daily and practice some of the above exercises.  (Always consult your pediatrician about the appropriateness of new foods/liquids to help alleviate constipation) Learn about Fruit Juice in your baby's diet.


Relieving Constipation in Babies 4 Months to 12 months + by Changing the Food Diet
Adding more fiber to baby's diet may help get things moving again. Try strained foods that contain high fiber such as:apricots

prunes

peaches

plums
 pears

peas

spinach
 

For older infants who are just beginning solid foods, you may want to avoid baby foods such as rice cereal, applesauce and bananas as these may aggravate constipation.

 
 
Get the BRAT Out!
If your baby is constipated, reverse the BRAT diet
The BRAT diet is used for the treatment of diarrhea in infants because these foods help firm up stools. An easy and natural way to remember how to help alleviate baby's constipation is to cut out the foods that contribute to it! BRAT stands for

Bananas,
Rice,
Applesauce and
Toast

If you ever forget which foods to cut out, remember BRAT and cut out those foods!

Barley or oatmeal cereals, prunes, peaches, plums, apricots and most vegetables are preferred when baby has constipation.

Juices are helpful, especially apple or prune, but use in moderation, as they are not as nutritious for babies as formula or breast milk.



Why can I give my baby apple Juice but NOT applesauce when baby is constipated?

There is a difference in the amount of sugars and pectin in apple juice and applesauce:

Apple juice contains more sugars and liquids so it helps relieve constipation.

Applesauce is the whole of the fruit. It may contain a higher level of pectin - which firms up stools and may thus lead to constipation.
"Apple juice also has a mild laxative effect that may help provide relief from constipation commonly experienced by little ones." Apples contain pectin, which will add bulk to your stools, and their cleansing action will encourage bowel movements. They have a laxative effect yet are also used for to help people get back on a regular diet after suffering bouts of diarrhea.

The pectin in the apple fiber apparently is why whole apples will firm up bowel movements. Think of Kaopectate - a popular over-the-counter diarrhea remedy. Kaopectate , actually contains an oxidized form of pectin. Also, that same fiber pectin is what dietitians have been telling us for decades is necessary to keep us regular and to prevent constipation. While it will help prevent constipation by helping to keep the bowels regular, it will not help alleviate constipation.

When it comes to bowel regularity, apples contain two types of fiber; insoluble and soluble. The insoluble fiber works like roughage, while the soluble fiber (pectin), which is found primarily in the skin, acts as a stool softener by drawing water into the stool and increasing stool bulk. Because pectin firms up an excessively loose stool, it’s also used to treat diarrhea.

Source: www.wholesomebabyfood.com

nusrat-diu:
                                                                             Top 10 first baby foods
Is your baby ready to transition to solids? Unsure where to start? Thanks to some slick advertising, many think jarred baby food is the only way to provide your baby with a good nutritional start. So, not true! You can quickly and easily make your own baby food. Here is a collection of ten easy starter foods for your baby, from the moms of Mothers' Support Network.

First, why make your own baby food?


Increased nutritional value: When you cook the food fresh, you preserve the nutritional content of the food. Canned baby food contains water, sugars and starchy fillers that actually dilute the nutritional quality of the food. The living enzymes have been cooked out of jarred (preserved) food.


Elimination of additives: If you choose organically grown produce, you know that your baby is not receiving any harmful chemicals, pesticides or herbicides.


Improved freshness: Have you seen jarred baby food? It looks, tastes and smells different than fresh because it's been heat processed (cooked) twice. Why not give your baby the very best.


Added variety: You choose what fruits and veggies to feed your baby. You can create your own food combinations and you can expose your baby to all kinds of foods.


Enhanced control: Preparing baby food at home provides you with control of your baby's diet and knowledge of exactly what goes into your baby's food.


Lower costs: The average baby in the United States will consume 600 jars of baby food. Parents who use processed baby food spend an average of $300 or more on baby food during their infant's first year of life. Making baby food at home is extremely cost-effective. Baby food prepared at home can cost as little as $55 in the first year. (Source: Cheryl Tallman and Joan Ahlers, Fresh Baby)


Ease: For most of these foods you can simple steam, mash with a fork, and mix in breast milk or water to the consistency your baby prefers. This will vary from baby to baby, so experiment to find your baby's favorite preparation. Some babies are more sensitive to textures and might prefer food that has been through the blender or food processor to reach a nice creamy finish. Other babies are ready right away for foods they can pick up or that is thick enough to stick to their fingers.


Controlled stages: As your baby matures, simply process the food less and less, mixing in less liquid, then none at all, then giving small pieces to pick up instead of mashing.

NOTE: Be sure to start solids slowly and watch for allergies. We don't recommend starting solids until 6 months of age. However, some babies are ready to start before then. Some signs your baby might be ready are: first tooth, sitting up by themselves, grabbing at food on your plate.

1. Rice cereal or oatmeal. Pediatricians recommend starting with an iron-fortified cereal, however you can make your own out of whole grains whose nutrients are intact and don't need fortification. Simply take brown rice, rolled oats or barley flakes and use a blender or food processor (or even a clean coffee grinder) to grind the grains into a powder. This powder then becomes your baby cereal. Cook this powder for 15 minutes until a thin soupy consistency is achieved. It's best to mix with breast milk to begin. You can also try adding blackstrap molasses for extra iron.

2. Avocado. Sodium free, avocados contain such valuable nutrients as fiber, potassium, vitamin E, B-vitamins, and folic acid, in addition to beneficial phytochemicals such as gluthathione, beta-sitosterol, and lutein. Avocados are also full of mono- and polyunsaturated fats, which are important for your baby's brain and neurological development. Simply take a fork and mash up a ripe avocado and spoon into mouth. Easy.

3. Sweet potatoes. Besides just tasting good, these root vegetables are an excellent source of vitamin A. In addition, they are a very good source of vitamin C and manganese and a good source of copper, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, potassium and iron. To prepare for your baby, simply boil, steam or bake potatoes (with skin on) until they are very soft. Peel and mash with a fork. You can add water or breast milk for a smoother consistency. You can freeze leftovers in ice cube trays and then transfer to airtight containers.

4. Bananas. Bananas are a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber and manganese. Bananas are also VERY easy to serve to baby -- simply mash, add breast milk if needed to thin, and serve! We do caution you to not overdue it on bananas, as it can constipate baby. Also, banana skins are very porous, so be sure to buy organic bananas.

 
5. Apples. Apples are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C and vitamin K. Babies love apples and they are easy to prepare. Here's a basic recipe: Combine 1/2 cup water, 5 medium apples, cored, peeled and diced in a large saucepan and bring to a gentle boil. You can add a pinch of cinnamon for flavor (if desired). Lower heat and simmer until you get the consistency you want. Then puree the sauce to remove any large pieces, cool and serve. You can also bake an apple in the toaster oven with a sweet potato.

6. Peas. Peas are a great finger food for babies that want to do it themselves. They are a good source of dietary fiber, potassium, zinc, and vitamin A. Simply steam and serve, cutting larger peas in half. For added convenience you can keep peas in the freezer.

7. Peaches. Peaches are high in vitamin C and vitamin A and they contain a great amount of fiber. Peaches are known to have a diuretic affect and also are a natural laxative. The peach is a great fruit to give to your baby in the summer if constipation has become a problem. Peaches may be poached, steamed or baked and then mashed or pureed. Peaches tend to loose their nutritive value with prolonged cooking so baking or steaming them may be the best choice of cooking for optimal nutrient retention.

8. Pears. Pears are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C and copper. Serving pears is as easy as mashing with a fork! However, if using for a very first food, you might try steaming and straining to get a smoother consistency.

9. Acorn/Buttermilk Squash. Winter squash is an excellent source of vitamin A. It is a very good source of vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber, and manganese and a good source of folate, omega-3 fatty acids, thiamin, copper, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, niacin and copper. To prepare squash, cut into small pieces and steam or boil. Puree, mixing in water or breast milk if desired, and serve.

10. Carrots. Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin K. In addition, they are a very good source of vitamin C, dietary fiber and potassium. When preparing carrots, steaming is the very best method for cooking as it allows the beta-carotene to be more bio-available and readily used by the body. You should peel, cut into small pieces and steam until soft. Puree, add water or breast milk, as desired, and serve.

SOURCES: www.wholesomebabyfood.com and The George Mateljan Foundation
 

nusrat-diu:
Does cooking affects the vitamin C levels in food?

Vitamin C is water soluble - in other words, it dissolves in water. It is also sensitive to light and to heat.
In order to preserve as much vitamin C as possible in the foods you serve your baby, here are some simple guidelines to follow...

Try to ensure that the fruits and veggies you buy for your baby are truly fresh. Produce that has been sitting on store shelves for days on end will have lost some of its vitamin C content. Buying local produce - particularly from farmers' markets - is ideal, because you know that it has not been transported a long distance. If you only have access to fruits and veggies that are clearly NOT as fresh as they should be, then frozen or even canned produce may be preferable. Even though some vitamin C is lost during processing, it may still be less than the amount lost by extended exposure to light and heat.
Look for ripe produce - or allow it to ripen - before serving to baby. Fully ripe fruits and vegetables contain more vitamin C than unripe.
Store your fruits and veggies in a cold, dark place (preferably the fridge!) to minimize vitamin C loss.
Serve fruits and vegetables to your baby raw whenever possible. This doesn't apply to all produce, of course, and may not be appropriate for all babies, depending on their age, stage of development and sensitivities.
If it's possible, try to make baby's food and serve it to him on the same day, as the freezing and subsequent thawing of baby food does contribute to vitamin loss. However, a parent's life is a busy one... and making batches of homemade baby food for the freezer is still preferable to buying commercial baby food, which has undergone infinitely more processing!
Try making baby food with unpeeled fruits and vegetables, as most of the nutrients are stored in - or just under - the skin. Again, there are situations where this may not be appropriate.
Cook fruits and vegetables for the shortest time possible, until they are 'just done' rather than mushy. Overcooking is the quickest way to destroy their vitamin C content!
Try steaming fruits and vegetables rather than boiling them, as less vitamin C is lost this way. Research has also shown that cooking in the microwave keeps in even more vitamins than steaming, although many parents still prefer not to microwave their babies' food.
If you DO boil fruits and vegetables for your baby, add the cooking water back into the food whenever possible. This makes use of the vitamin C that has dissolved - or 'leached' - into the water.
Avoid cooking your fruits and veggies in copper pots - this is believed to destroy their vitamin C content.
Have you ever been told that adding baking soda to your veggies as they're boiling will help retain their bright colour? It will also cause nutrient loss - so don't do it! Vegetables cooked for as short a time as possible should still look bright anyway!



Read more: http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/vitamin-C.html#ixzz1Lfagff34

nusrat-diu:
Giving water to baby - 6 months+
The general consensus here seems to be that, although it is not essential, introducing a little water after 6 months of age is not harmful to your baby. Many parents like to give water after solid foods, particularly high protein foods like meat and eggs. If you are considering giving water to baby at this stage, remember to check first with his health care provider.
There are certain circumstances where extra water might be a good idea - if baby is constipated, for example, or has diarrheah. In either case, seek medical advice before offering water to your infant.

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