Feeding Milestones

Watching your child polish off a plate of broccoli can be strangely satisfying. There is something about seeing kids willingly eat vegetables that can foster a sense of accomplishment in moms. For some mothers though, mealtime can be daunting as not every child happily eats everything off their plate. Some kids are happy eaters while others may refuse everything. Even determining when to start feeding your baby solid food varies from child to child.

The first six months
The most important thing to remember is that breast milk or formula should constitute the majority of your child’s diet for the first six to nine months . Choosing whether to breastfeed, formula feed, or a combination of both, is a very personal decision. Many people and organizations have an opinion but ultimately it is your choice. Speak to your health care provider, talk to moms who can share their varying experiences and do your own research to make your decision on feeding. The link below looks at different feeding options and can be used as a good starting point when making your decision that is right for your baby and for you:
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A solid start
“Health Canada and the Canadian Pediatric Society both recommend that the introduction of solid food not begin until the age of six months,” says Cindy Zizek, Registered Nurse. “There are several signals, such as your child’s ability to sit-up on their own, that indicate that they might be ready for solid foods. Follow your instincts. Always talk with a family health practitioner before you get started.”

Signs your baby may be ready to start solid foods
• Baby is consistently waking more frequently in the night
• Baby is interested in the foods you are eating
• Baby seems unsatisfied after feedings
• Baby frequently seems bored or disinterested in feedings
• Baby is crying more often between feedings
• Baby is falling off growth curves on plots of weight measurement
• Baby is able to sit in an upright position and able to hold his or her head up

Zizek explains that starting solids should begin gradually and can take months for the baby to accept different textures and tastes. Moms should start by feeding iron rich foods such as meats, poultry, cooked egg yolk, beans and lentils and iron fortified cereals. Don’t compare your child’s eating habits to other babies. Some babies will happily consume everything in the bowl, while others will only taste one small spoonful of each new food.

“To observe for any allergic reactions to the food, new foods should be introduced one at a time, waiting three to five days between each new food,” says Zizek.

Making food at home
One way to know exactly what your child is consuming is to make your food at home. When moms make their own baby food, they can control the amount, variety and texture of the food. The move from puree to lumpy table food is at the mother’s control . In addition to saving money, making the food can be fun. Consider hosting a baby food exchange with other moms. This allows moms to offer their baby a variety of foods that are local and in season with various textures.

Tips for making food at home
• Always start with a clean surface area and hands
• Never refreeze frozen items
• Store and freeze purees in ice cube trays covered with plastic wrap. Once frozen, transfer to airtight freezer bags, or containers, and label with the date
• Baby food can be frozen for one month in the freezer and, once thawed, will keep for 48 hours in the refrigerator

Zizek provides these words of encouragement for mothers starting to feed their child solids: “Moms should trust their own judgment and follow their baby’s cues for feeding amounts. In the beginning, the introduction of solids is not about amount, but about introducing your baby to new tastes and textures. Starting off with a teaspoon or two over multiple days may be all your baby wants or needs.”

Foods to avoid

Grapes, raw carrots, wieners, sausages, cherry tomatoes	To prevent choking, serve finely sliced lengthways and not in circular pieces
Honey	Do not serve until one year of age to avoid the risk of botulism. Honey may contain botulism spores which cannot be killed by the immature gastrointestinal tract
Whole milk	Do not serve until 12 months of age. Small amounts of dairy products, such as yogurt and cheese, may be introduced at eight months
Skim, 1% and 2% milk	Do not serve until at least 2 years of age, after consultation with your health care practitioner
Egg white	To avoid possibility of food allergy, do not serve until one year of age
Egg yolk	May be served, well cooked, at nine months of age
Popcorn, hard candies, chewing gum, nuts, olives, raisins	To prevent choking, avoid until four years of age. In the case of nuts, there is also the risk of allergy. If you are concerned about the potential for a nut allergy (e.g. someone in your family is allergic), speak to your doctor
Peanut butter, shellfish	Do not serve until 18 months to help avoid the possibility of food allergies

Toddler-time
By the time your child reaches toddlerhood, he or she should be introduced to a number of tastes and textures from a variety of food groups including grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, meats and beans . To develop positive eating associations, toddlers should enjoy meals with the family. Chunky handles make it easy for little hands to grip and scoop food. Consider handing your child their own toddler forks and spoons such as the Playtex™ Toddler Utensils which were designed with a feeding expert to help teach toddlers to self-feed.

Your toddler’s desire to explore is keeping her on the move constantly, which means he or she is burning calories all day long. Skip the three-square meals and instead feed your child four to six times a day in addition to breastfeeding or cow’s milk intake. Once again, listen to your instincts and your child. Feed them when they are hungry and don’t force-feed them when they are not .

“Remember that starting solid food with your child is a journey,” says Zizek. “Offer a variety of foods, colours, flavours and textures. Encourage your child to sit with your family from a very young age. Your baby’s association with food today will last with them for their life.”