Category: Child Nutrition

Child Nutrition

Toxic Heavy Metals|Commercial Baby Food|Toxic Heavy Metal List

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Toxic heavy metals| Toxic heavy metals list| toxic heavy metal in baby food

According to the a new study, top brands baby foods contain toxic heavy metals, which can cause several consequences to a human body, not only kids but adults too. Not just baby foods but some store bought Indian spices like turmeric, Curry powder has high level of these toxic heavy metals too.

It can damage functioning of liver, kidney, lungs and other vital organs. Long term contact with some heavy metals can also disturb our endocrine and reproductive system.

It’s more risky for babies and kids as they are in their developmental age. Some studies says exposure to heavy metals can cause a permanent decrease in IQ. It can also lead to permanent brain damage.

According to FDA

• Inorganic Arsenic damages central nervous system.

• Lead can affect learning and lowered IQ

• Cadmium can develop Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Mercury can cause Autistic behavior at the age of 2-3 yrs.

These heavy metals are potential danger to human health, specially babies and kids. FDA says, even low level of harmful metals from food source, can add up to a level of concern.

But, not all heavy metals are harmful for human body, metals like

• Copper helps with iron absorption prevent cardiovascular diseases.

• Magnesium helps our body to control energy have healthy bones, muscle and nerve.

• Iron helps to form haemoglobin to transport oxygen from lungs to body tissues.

• Nickel helps with glucose metabolism.

• Zinc plays important role in building immunity.

All these are actually essential for proper body function.

As a Doctor and a Mom, my advice to every parent out there would be, Try to avoid packaged food as much as you can. I know it’s hard in the lifestyle we all follow these days, but we can try!

For me everything which comes out of a package is a treat, which comes after a meal. For more information read Difference Between Snacks and Treat|How Are They Different

Source :

Baby Foods Are Tainted with Dangerous Levels of Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury
Staff Report
Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy Committee on Oversight and Reform
U.S. House of Representatives

Child Nutrition

Difference Between Snack & Treats|How Are They Different

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Difference between snack and treats

I make sure, my kiddo is having 3 proper meals and a snack or two through out the day! Which goes as

• Breakfast

• Lunch

• Evening snack

• Dinner

Portions are managed according to her needs, following Responsive Feeding.

Parents are often mistaken about the difference between snacks & Treats. A snack is an important part of nutrition, should be taken as seriously as meals. When it comes to kids nutrition always remember, “Every bite counts!”

Snack vs Treats

A small portion of a meal or say a light meal is a snack, which we eat between meals. Which is nutritious.

While treats are less nutritious, usually very high in sugar & sodium. This is what makes them irresistible for kids, or even for adults.

I personally count packaged food as a treat, cookies, popcorn, store bought cupcakes, chips. Most of these have almost negligible nutrition value and are very high on sugar and sodium.

Studies says, kids who are exposed to foods which are high in sugar & sodium can be obese in future and have heart related illness.

We can not keep our kids away from junk food forever, that’s not even possible in the life style we follow these days! Once in a while treats are ok! Just make sure they are not skipping healthy meals cause they are full on treats. Moderation is the key here.

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Child Nutrition

What Is Baby-Led-Weaning?| Why To Consider It & Things To Watch For

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Picture via Pinecones & Pacifiers

Baby Led Weaning Is a modern approach to the tradition of feeding purées or specially made food for babies. It was first introduced in 2005 by Gill Rapley.

What is Baby led weaning (BLW)?

It is a process of introducing solids to babies as a complementary meal with breastfeeding or formula feeding at appropriate age. Which is 6 months, recommended by World Health Organization.

(For more details read When To Introduce Solids)

Process starts with finger foods or hand mashed food, Allowing baby to SELF FEED right from start. No spoon feeding.

Why you should consider BLW?

1. Baby can explore new textures, color, taste and colors.

2. Good for babies motor development like eye-hand-mouth coordinations

3. Baby can eat from family pot, no special food

4. Teaches baby how much to eat and when to stop according to their needs, which encourage Responsive Feeding.

5. BLW suggests to have meals together as a family, which helps baby to understand the routine and customs which family follows.

Things to watch for!

1. While offering finger food make sure its right shape and size, or it could be a CHOCKING HAZARD.

2. Food offered should be cooked and soft, easy to chew even with gums.

3. Always watch baby while he/she is self feeding and try to encourage them to eat.

4. Make sure your are offering right amount of nutrients.

Baby can reject the food at first, but it’s ok! Keep offering new textures later again. Give plenty of time for them to explore, do not hurry. They will eventually learn how to use spoon by watching you, that’s why it is advisable to eat together.

Risk Factors

• Baby not eating enough, as at first it’s a learning process for them, it’s hard for them to get food into their mouth

• Not getting enough of iron intake

• High sodium food, as baby is gonna eat what family eats

• Choking, if not offered appropriate size and shape of the food or raw foods like whole grape or an apple

You have to be little confident if you are considering to go with BLW, make sure YOU are also ready for the process with your baby.

If you are not comfortable enough, go slow!

You can actually practice both ways, the traditional way of offering purées and BLW, like I did. Just make sure the consistency of puréed or hand mashed food is thick enough, not runny. And follow Responsive feeding.

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When to start solids?
Child Nutrition, parenting

When To Introduce Solids? And Signs That Baby Is Ready!

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Introducing Solids

Parents get so excited when it’s time to introduce solids to their little bub! Now a days some Pediatricians recommend starting solids as soon as 4 to 5 months and some ask to wait until 6 months. And as a parent we get so confused, what to do!!!

Well, before the age of 6 months mother’s milk or baby formula is all they need to full fill their nutritional requirements. (you may consider giving Vit D supplements after consulting your doctor). Waiting until six months is actually a good idea cause it gives your baby time to develop fully to digest solid foods.

Other than Age there are some other factors parents should look for, to decide weather your baby is ready for solids or not!

Signs That Baby Is Ready For Solids

• Baby stay in sitting position with or without support.

• Can hold their neck steady on their own

• Good eye, hand and mouth coordination

• Swallowing food without pushing it out, overcoming tongue thrust

According to American Academy of Pediatrics when babies double their birth weight and their weight is 5.9kg (13 pounds)or above they are usually ready for their solids. And this usually happens around 4 months. But every baby is different!! Seeking your Pediatricians advice is the best thing to do.

Talk to your doctor and ask questions it helps a lot!

Disclaimer

This website provides medical information for use as information or for educational purposes. We do not warrant that information we provide will meet your medical requirements. It is up to you to contact a health professional if you are concerned about your or your child’s health.

Source

  • UNICEF
  • NHS (Start4life)
  • Adapted from Starting Solid Foods American Academy of Pediatrics
Child Nutrition

Feeding Your Newborn Baby! How often And How Much?

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Newborn babies are meant to get hungry very often! They need to eat every 2-3 hours. In an average 8-12 time in a day. Babies who are exclusively on breastfeeding could eat every 1.5 hours, that make around 15 times a day. It’s a good idea to feed your baby on demand, both day and night!!

This will also help you to increase your breast milk supply. Breast milk is produced as per your baby’s demand, the more your baby demands, the more milk will be produced.

If you are formula feeding your baby, please follow recommended measurements by your paediatrician. Newborn Babies have very small stomach size,over feeding them could cause them spitting up more often and have reflux.

It’s hard to tell if your baby is getting enough milk if your baby is exclusively breastfeeding .

You know you are feeding your baby enough when you see

  • Good amount of wet diapers
  • Appropriate weight gain
  • Baby is active and happy

Make sure, while feeding,baby is latching properly and swallowing. If not, you can consult your paediatrician or a lactation consultant.

Disclaimer: This website provides medical information for use as information or for educational purposes. We do not warrant that information we provide will meet your medical requirements. It is up to you to contact a health professional if you are concerned about your or your child’s health.

Is my new baby eating enough? (WebMD Medical Reference)

UNICEF IYCF

Child Nutrition

Responsive feeding and it’s benefits

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Every parent want their baby to be happy and healthy, and the first thing comes to our mind is, Are we providing our baby enough nutrition!!!!

Every Mother complains and I quote “kya karu thik se khana hi nai khati!!” So often parents end up with force feeding and add up distractions like watching tv, which is not a healthy option!

Responsive feeding will help your baby for better growth and development.

What is Responsive Feeding?

It means communicating with your baby, Responding to their actions. Understanding when they are hungry and when they are full.

Basically you feed baby when he is giving you hunger cues and stop feeding when baby is giving you cues that he/she is full. Babies have their own way to communicate, try to understand them! Please don’t say, “just one last bite!” and end up feeding them more & more.

If you think your child is not eating enough and rejecting food, stop the feeding session right there and offer again after some time! This time try different food with different texture.

Remember it’s not just about what are you feeding your kid, it’s also about how and when are you feeding them! Make sure of the surroundings, be gentle and talk to them lovingly while offering them food.

Benefits Of Responsive Feeding

1. Helps to Build good relationship with your baby

2. Lower chances of getting over weight now and in future

3. Healthy habits

4. Makes meal time easy

5. Helps you to interact with baby even better

Responsive feeding helps you understand their needs. Let them tell you what they like, what they don’t!!! How much they would like to eat, and when to stop.

Lets Make Meal Time Fun And Allow Our Babies To Explore New Tastes. Keep in Mind,

“ Even Your Baby’s Choice Matters!”

Introducing solid foods ( UNICEF United Kingdom)

IYCF (UNICEF New York)

Is Your Baby Hungry or Full? Responsive Feeding Explained (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Child Nutrition, Pregnancy

Fruit Juice For Babies After 6 Months???

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Fruit juice is absolutely No-No for babies before 1 year of age! Having juice in diet is directly related to dental caries and obesity. It’s also not recommended because it makes them full and it doesn’t have enough nutritional value.Even if it’s 100% fruit juice, pediatrician ask parents to avoid it until 1 year. Even after one year they suggest to limit the amount of juice in diet. According to Top paediatricians in USA,

1yr to 3yrs – 4oz of juice in a day

4yrs to 6yrs – 4-6oz in a day

7yrs and older – 8oz In a day

Eating fruits is always better then having a glass of juice! Mostly Fruits have good amount of fibres in it which helps little ones for good digestion. Once you make a juice out of it, most of the fibre content is lost.

If not whole fruits, you can offer them fruit purées.

Weighing in on fruit juice (aap publication)

AAP Recommends No Fruit Juice for Children Under 1 Year (healthy children.org)

Disclaimer

This website provides medical information for use as information or for educational purposes. We do not warrant that information we provide will meet your medical requirements. It is up to you to contact a health professional if you are concerned about your or your child’s health.