FEEDING YOUNG CHILDREN

INTRODUCING FOODS Infants

BREASTFEEDING VS. FORMULA

What do you know about this?

Which is better?

Why would people choose not to breastfeed?

BABY TIPS!It’s only safe to warm up breastmilk or ready-made formula in a bottle, and there are a couple easy ways to do so:

Fill a jug or bowl with warm water. Place the bottle in the warm water for no more than 15 minutes, as any longer could cause bacteria to develop. The water should be hot enough to heat the bottle, but cool enough so that you can place your hand in it. Seal the bottle with a cap over the nipple while it's in the water. Once the bottle is warmed through, shake it to make sure the temperature is even.

Use an electric bottle warmer. It will take around four minutes to six minutes to heat a bottle to the perfect temperature for your baby. ALWAYS test the bottle before giving it to a baby.

BABY TIPS!

WARNING!!!

Don’t warm yourbaby’s milk in a microwave, because uneven pockets of scalding milk can form. The milk will also continue to heat up for sometime after you've taken it out of the microwave. Some babies have had burns to the mouth and throat after drinking microwaved milk.

The intense heat produced in a microwave may also destroy some of the nutrients in your baby's milk.

BOTTLES!

➢Never prop a bottle for a baby to drink!

➢Only allow a baby to hold a bottle when the baby shows they are ready.

➢Always supervise infants who are drinking from their bottles, regardless of if they can feed themselves or not.

➢Demonstrate bottle feeding.

INTRODUCING FOODS: 0-4 MONTHS

Baby should only be feed formula or breast milk.No cows milk (until 12 months)

No water/juice

No food of any kind

Why? The baby’s digestive system is not developed fully

INTRODUCING FOODS: 4-6 MONTHS Breast milk or formula is still the primary source of nutrition.

If the baby is ready… Add baby cereal to their diet

Can also add pureed vegetables

No honey! (until 12 months)

HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY BABY IS READY?Baby sits up with some/no support

Baby holds up his/her head by himself/herself

Baby does not push food out of their mouth with his/her tongue

Baby reaches out to grab your food and other things

Baby should be able to move food to the back of the mouth and swallow. You may notice less drooling

INTRODUCING FOODS: 7-9 MONTHSBreast milk and formula remain in the baby’s diet

Cereal can be served at a thickened consistency served in a bowl

Pureed vegetables can continue to be introduced

Pureed fruit can be added at this time after the baby has been introduced to a variety of vegetables

INTRODUCING FOODS: 7-9 MONTHS

Well-cooked, strained or finely mashed meats

Egg yolks is best for the baby – fat and nutrition

Finger foods can be introduced at this point and are fun for your baby

They develop motor skills as they pick up cut up pieces of fruit and veggies.

INTRODUCING FOODS: 10-12 MONTHS Baby is able to drink breast milk, formula, water and 100% fruit juice in a sippy cup. Do not give your baby high sugar drinks such as soda or Kool Aid.

A variety of soft table food can be given to the baby. The foods should be soft in the mouth as to prevent choking hazards

ALLERGIES Wait at least 3 full days between introducing new foods because of allergies.

• Signs to look for:

• Stomachache.

• Diarrhea.

• Vomiting.

• Skin rash.

• Wheezing.

• Swollen lips, eyelids,

hands, or feet

• Most common foods:

• Cow’s milk.

• Wheat.

• Soy.

• Egg whites.

• Peanuts and peanut

butter.

• Tree nuts.

• Fish.

• Shellfish

BABY TASTE TEST

As a class, we are going to taste-test a variety of baby foods.

Be ready to DESCRIBE the taste. Is it slimy, mushy, sweet, sour, etc.

Remember – this is the FIRST TIME babies are experiencing these flavors and tastes.

FEEDING YOUNG CHILDREN Toddlers and

Beyond

2 GUIDELINES 1. Provide a wide variety of

nutritious foods at regular two- to three-hour intervals (usually three meals and two or three snacks each day).

2. Allow the child to be responsible for deciding how much of each food to eat and the order in which to eat them; the child may decide not to eat anything.

GOOD TO KNOW

•Provide small meals and snacks to maintain a consistent supply of energy.

•Do not present dessert as a reward or incentive for eating.

•When you eat away from home, bring a few crackers or wedges of fresh fruit to take the edge off their appetites.

• Children should always sit when eating—most choking occurs when children are running.

• Children generally eat better when an adult sits with them.

• Eliminate the distractions of television, toys, or other activities.

OFFERING NUTRITIOUS FOODS

•Avoid offering children foods low in nutrients and extremely high in fat and sodium. Young

•children need only about 1000 calories per day.

•Children often prefer raw vegetables to cooked ones.

•Choose real fruit and vegetable juices rather than artificial fruit drinks.

•The best role models for good eating habits are the adults and older children who care for children.

EXAMPLE FOR OLDER CHILDRENA sandwich is a good start to making a nutritious meal or snack. Just add a few extras to a favorite sandwich and you have a meal that most young children will eat and enjoy.

For example, the following is a suggested lunch menu:

Apple and tuna sandwich

Carrot or celery sticks

Glass of milk

Cookie

PLANNING MEALSChildren enjoy being helpful. Encourage them to help you make their snacks and meals. Think of ways they can help.

1. Select a meal or a dish the two of you can make together. List all the ingredients and utensils. Then label each step in the preparation of the meal or dish.

2. Write a C next to each step that a child can do. For the steps you must do, write an S.

ANSWER THIS QUESTION SILENTLY

Describe how you would handle

this situation: A 2-year-old you

are watching refuses to eat.

CHOKING HAZARDS

Never leave a small child unattended while eating.

Children should have a calm, unhurried meal and snack time.

Always have children sit down when they are eating. Most choking occurs when children are walking around with food.

Cut foods into small pieces, removing seeds and pits. Cook or steam vegetables to soften their texture. Cut hot dogs and other foods lengthwise and widthwise.

Offer plenty of liquids to children when eating, but solids and liquids should not be swallowed at the same time. Offer liquids between mouthfuls.

Think of shape, size, consistency and combinations of these when choosing foods.

COMMON FOOD ITEMS (BUT ANY FOOD COULD BE A RISK)

Hot dogs

Fish with bones

Popcorn, chips, pretzel nuggets, and snack foods

Candy (especially hard or sticky candy)

Whole grapes/cherries (all raw vegetables and fruits)

Dried fruits, sunflower seeds, all nuts, including peanuts

Peanut butter, (especially in spoonfuls or with soft white bread)

Ice cubes and cheese cubes

IF POSSIBLE, GET CPR AND FIRST-AID TRAINING

You would be properly trained to handle a choking situation!

Children less than a year old – Place the child face down over your arm and hit the child four times between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.

Children older than a year old – Do the Heimlich Maneuver.

If something happens, CALL 911!

BRAINSTORM

Kid-Friendly & Fun Food

Allergies Anyone?

KID FRIENDLY AND FUN!