6 TO 12 MONTHS
The weaning process is about introducing foods, which will nourish your baby as milk becomes insufficient as a calorie and nutrient source. It is a gradual process where the baby learns about new tastes and textures and not only how to eat them, but also how to digest and process them. It is therefore important to get the pace of introducing new foods right.
Many countries are faced with the issue of malnutrition presenting as overweight or obesity, i.e. risk factors for the development of non-communicable diseases in later life. As under- and over nutrition may coexist in children from the same country, it is important that the advice provided by complementary feeding guidelines meets the needs of all children helping them to grow and develop into healthy adults
Our attitudes to food are shaped not only by the flavour but also by many other factors. How we introduce foods to our children may influence how they feel about food so make the whole experience positive. Show baby how you enjoy healthy foods and encourage them to try a variety of foods whilst they are enthusiastic about new things. It may take until the baby is about 12 months before they are structured into three meals and two snacks a day and food have taken the place of milk from a calorie point of view. Do not feel you need to push the baby through each weaning stage as quickly as possible. Take it at your baby’s pace and focus on the quality of food as well as the quantity.
Choose the best quality food you can afford. Organic foods reduce the risk of adding a chemical burden to an immature body so are worthwhile where possible. Although it is not usually possible to make all baby’s food from scratch, where this is possible it means the food is fresher so may be higher in nutrients and it is easier to vary the taste and texture. There is no harm however in buying good quality ready-made foods when needed. As long as baby is getting a variety of healthy foods, and is growing well, it is likely they are getting all they need.
Another reason not to rush the weaning process is that some foods can aggravate the digestive system. Introducing foods too early may irritate the gut and make babies feel uncomfortable and apprehensive about foods and could even encourage infections, food sensitivities, and allergies. This is more likely to be a risk if the parents or close relatives have food allergies or are Atopic and have eczema, asthma, or hay fever.
When to start weaning
The Government of Kenya and the World Health Organization recommends that babies be introduced to solid foods at six months. It takes six months for the baby’s kidneys and digestive system to develop enough to be able to deal with solid food. The baby also needs to be ready to learn the mechanics of eating such as being able to bite and chew. Babies who were born premature may need to be weaned later than six months and this would need to be discussed with the appropriate healthcare practitioner.
The complementary feeding (CF) period from 6 to 24 months is part of the first 1,000 days during which infants undergo a huge developmental change with regard to bodily functions, personality, and will. The infant’s energy needs and nutritional requirements will exceed what breastfeeding can provide, and the child is developmentally ready to receive solid foods. During this transitional period, infants also progress from an exclusively milk-based liquid diet to the family diet and self-feeding. Thus, the CF period is not just an important time to satisfy an infant’s nutrition, but also a time to form healthy food preferences and feeding practices and to further stimulate the infant’s ongoing, healthy development. Inappropriate CF can lead to stunted growth and development, and unhealthy food choices and eating habits and/or result in childhood obesity, all of which have detrimental consequences for long-term health and survival of the child
Signs that baby may be ready to wean
The general rule is wait until baby is six months. If you feel that baby needs to be weaned sooner discuss this with your healthcare practitioner first. Weaning should not be delayed longer than six months unless there is a medical reason or baby was premature.
Which milk?
If you are able to breastfeed, this remains the best milk for babies at this stage of their development. It may be lower in some nutrients than formula but the nutrients are available in a natural and easy to absorb form and breast milk also has immune-boosting agents. This immune support may not only help protect babies from infections but also reduce the chance of developing allergic reactions to foods. Breast milk also contains omega-3 fats, which are needed for baby’s continuing brain development.
If you are not able to breastfeed then discuss which would be the best milk substitute with your healthcare practitioner. Ideally, choose a formula with the omega-3 fat DHA added.
If the baby does not react well to formula then discuss alternatives. Eczema can be a sign that baby is not doing well on cow’s milk formula for instance and other formulas could be considered. Soya formula may be appropriate for some babies as May allergen-reduced formulas. Avoid kinds of milk, which are not designed for babies such as dairy, soya, rice, oat, and nut milks until the baby is 12 months old and then look for versions with added calcium. Before this age, they may be too low in calories and nutrients to support baby’s development.
First foods
Make this key milestone a relaxed and happy one. Choose a day and time when you are not rushed. Give baby some milk, but not a full feed, so baby is relaxed but not full. Choose the time of day baby is most settled but ideally not just before a nap in case their food does not stay down. Many parents find late morning works well. Start the routine as you mean to go on by seating baby in a high chair or baby seat at the table so they get used to the routine of eating at a table and taking time for food. This supports digestion and helps them focus on their food.
Baby’s style
There are two key styles of weaning. Puree weaning introduces baby to texture gradually and teaches baby to swallow before they learn to chew. Baby Led weaning teaches baby to chew before they learn to swallow. There is no right or wrong way and there are potential benefits and drawbacks to both methods.
First Food Tips
1. Variety and texture Spend the first few weeks of weaning adding in new flavors then begin to focus more on increasing the texture of foods. Introduce thicker purees and soft lumps then, as these are tolerated move to chopped foods. Finger foods such as carrots, cooked until they are soft, can be tried.The increasing texture is not only needed to keep stimulating a baby’s desire for variety but also aids speech development. The muscles used to suck, lick, bite and chew are the same ones used for speech and eating gets these muscles in training.
2. Baby-led weaning Traditional weaning starts babies on purees and moves on in stages to lumpy and then solid foods. The food is fed to baby and it is the adult who is in charge of the process. Baby Led Weaning gives baby more control over the process as they are allowed to feed themselves. Babies learn to chew then swallow, puree fed babies to swallow then chew.Concerns could be that baby
1. Will not get enough nutrients as
2. Less food is likely to be actually eaten until the art of chewing and swallowing is learned.
3. The food will also be less processed as it will be a while before the baby can fully chew and so may be harder to digest.
You will find out what works best for you and your baby.
After introducing a new food include that food in meals for 3 days before the next new introduction so you can check if there are any adverse reactions. When you are happy baby is fine with the new food, you can mix it with another accepted food to increase the variety of flavour.
Gagging reflex
All of us have a gag reflex to help prevent choking but in addition until about 4-6 months babies have a tongue thrust reflex, which makes them automatically push their tongues forward when things touch the back of the throat. This helps protect babies from swallowing things they should not but can make the introduction of food tricky for some as they initially push it back out.
Which foods to introduce when
Foods should be introduced in order of their easiness to digest and their least risk of being allergenic. If either of the parents or in baby’s genetic history, there are environmental or food allergies then it may be wise to introduce potentially allergenic foods later. If the child’s immediate family are Atopic and have asthma, eczema, or hay fever then you may wish to discuss when to trial potentially allergenic foods like peanuts with your healthcare practitioner. It is also safer to avoid peanuts when breastfeeding.
Food allergies
Some food allergies can cause anaphylaxis and can be life-threatening so if the baby’s lips swell, they get a sudden rash or have any trouble breathing seek medical treatment immediately.
Symptoms of a potential food allergy
• Swollen Lips or Throat
• Itchy throat or tongue, which may cause a cough
• Wheezing
• Skin Rash
• Diarrhea and Vomiting
Most common food allergies
• Cow’s Milk
• Eggs
• Wheat
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Fish and Shellfish
Food intolerances
Some foods can cause delayed symptoms and may trigger a food intolerance or sensitivity. This is not life-threatening but the reaction may increase over time. Introducing only one new food at a time may help you spot food sensitivities. Blood testing can be done over the age of two years.
Symptoms of a potential food intolerance
• Skin Rashes
• Runny or Blocked Nose
• Eczema
• Loose Stool
• Feeling unwell after food and becoming a fussy eater
How much and how often to feed
Baby will start on just a couple of teaspoons of food and build up to three balanced meals and two snacks a day. As baby progresses through the weaning stages work towards main meals including each of these food groups:
A protein and fat-rich food such as beans, lentils, tofu, fish, meat, and eggs. If the protein is naturally low fat such as beans, lentils and tofu also include a fat such as gently frying in olive or grapeseed oil or adding ground nuts or seeds. Hemp or flax oil added cold to foods is ideal to add if the baby does not eat fish.
Vegetables and fruits – include orange or red and green varieties each day.
How much baby eats will vary, look at how much is eaten over the week rather than each day, as appetites will differ according to many things that baby is not yet able to express. It can take many attempts for babies to accept a new flavour so after 3 days of giving baby a new food to taste if it is still rejected stop for a few days then try again.
Source: Harley’s Digital Marketing &
Idah Muthama – VitabioticsKe
