Are You Feeding Your Baby Correctly?

1. The first foods to start with are:

•Bread, rice or pasta

•Meat, egg or fish.

•Rice cereal, mashed or pureed fruits and vegetables

Rice cereal, mashed or pureed fruits and vegetables. These are least allergenic foods and these foods are very similar to milk in taste and texture, so it is easier for the babies to get adjusted to these foods.

Explanation

Rice cereal, mashed or pureed fruits and vegetables. These are least allergenic foods and these foods are very similar to milk in taste and texture, so it is easier for the babies to get adjusted to these foods.

2. Foods high on allergy list are-

•Rice, apple, pears

•Bananas, carrots, sweet potato

•Nuts, eggs, fish

Nuts, eggs, fish. It is best to start egg/fish after 8 months of age and nuts (ground) only after 1 year of age. The other 2 options are the least allergenic and can be started from 6 months of age.

Explanation

Nuts, eggs, fish. It is best to start egg/fish after 8 months of age and nuts (ground) only after 1 year of age. The other 2 options are the least allergenic and can be started from 6 months of age.

3. When starting with new foods, start with-

•Single foods first

•Mix of two or more foods

•Any, single or mixture of foods, makes no difference.

Single foods first. It is better to start with single foods first, so that baby gets to know the taste of each food, plus if baby shows any dislike or allergy or intolerance then mother can identify the food.

Explanation

Single foods first. It is better to start with single foods first, so that baby gets to know the taste of each food, plus if baby shows any dislike or allergy or intolerance then mother can identify the food.

4. Cow's milk can be given to babies

•After 1 year of age

•Before 6 months of age

•Between 6-9months of age

After 1 year of age. Cow’s milk should not be given before 1 year of age as it may irritate the digestive system or put stress on the kidneys, Hence advisable, to give it after 1 year of age.

Explanation

After 1 year of age. Cow’s milk should not be given before 1 year of age as it may irritate the digestive system or put stress on the kidneys, Hence advisable, to give it after 1 year of age.

5. Babies have increased risk of getting allergy, digestive problems or becoming obese if

Weaning is started before 6 months of age

Weaning is started after 9 months of age.

Weaning is started at 6 months of age.

Correct Answer- Weaning is started before 6 months of age. Weaning at 6 months of age is based on recent research supported by WHO. Till 6 months, baby gets all nourishment from breast milk (or Infant formula); why to rush babies into solid foods so soon. Weaning too late (after 9 months) is not advisable as milk alone cannot fulfill all the nutritional needs plus babies show difficulty in accepting new foods.

Explanation

Correct Answer- Weaning is started before 6 months of age. Weaning at 6 months of age is based on recent research supported by WHO. Till 6 months, baby gets all nourishment from breast milk (or Infant formula); why to rush babies into solid foods so soon. Weaning too late (after 9 months) is not advisable as milk alone cannot fulfill all the nutritional needs plus babies show difficulty in accepting new foods.

6. The best drinks for babies after 6 months is -

•Water

•100% fruit juices

•Soda drinks

Water. Babies, right from the beginning should learn that the best way to satisfy thirst is to drink water. Fruit juices (even 100%) are loaded with fruit sugar and when given in excess (more that ½ cup a day) can cause tooth decay or diarrhea. Soda drinks, due to the presence of high sugar, caffeine, phosphoric acid and artificial colors is the unhealthiest drink for babies.

Explanation

Water. Babies, right from the beginning should learn that the best way to satisfy thirst is to drink water. Fruit juices (even 100%) are loaded with fruit sugar and when given in excess (more that ½ cup a day) can cause tooth decay or diarrhea. Soda drinks, due to the presence of high sugar, caffeine, phosphoric acid and artificial colors is the unhealthiest drink for babies.

7. Healthy feeding is

•Feeding variety of foods in different forms and textures at different stages

•Feeding with a fixed schedule and fixed menu

•Feeding whenever baby is crying

Feeding variety of foods in different forms and textures at different stages. It is healthy as babies enjoy eating, get adjusted to new foods and also get complete nourishment as different foods are rich in different nutrients. In addition, fixed menus/schedules can result in monotony, which can result in dislike for food. Lastly, babies do not always cry when they are hungry, so feeding when baby is crying cannot always be the solution

Explanation

Feeding variety of foods in different forms and textures at different stages. It is healthy as babies enjoy eating, get adjusted to new foods and also get complete nourishment as different foods are rich in different nutrients. In addition, fixed menus/schedules can result in monotony, which can result in dislike for food. Lastly, babies do not always cry when they are hungry, so feeding when baby is crying cannot always be the solution

8.

Babies are ready to eat the same foods as the family eats-

•Between 6-9 months

•At 1 year

•At 2 years

At 1 year. If weaning is done at the correct age and gradually different foods with different textures are introduced, babies should be able to share the meals with the rest of the family on his/her first birthday.

Explanation

At 1 year. If weaning is done at the correct age and gradually different foods with different textures are introduced, babies should be able to share the meals with the rest of the family on his/her first birthday.