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Infant Milk Diet
Milk is one of the most important parts of any infant’s dietary intake. While doctors will always agree that the best form of dietary milk for any infant is always its mother’s breast milk, this may not always be a possibility for all women. However, with the advances of science over the years, a number of very effective milk feed formulas have been developed that can act as very effective substitutes. For mothers that are able to breastfeed, the amount of infant milk consumption is suggested as being nothing but breast milk for the first 6 to 12 months. A few of the many advantages that milk for infants helps with include the fighting off of a number of chronic conditions, prevention of allergies and improving the baby’s immune system to ward off some of the more common infections.
However, some mothers may be concerned with the problem of how to provide milk for infants with allergies. In the event that the allergy is the result of some other allergen, breast milk is known to be one of the most effective options to help develop the baby’s immune system to fight the allergy. However, things may get more complicated in the event that the breast milk or lactose is the allergen. Before getting into the details of infant milk intake in the event of an allergy, it is important to make sure that a parent is able to understand the difference between milk allergy and lactose intolerance as they are very often confused with each other. A milk allergy is said to be present in the event that the baby’s immune system reacts to the protein content in milk. Studies have shown that children suffering from eczema are more likely to suffer from milk allergies. Lactose intolerance, on the other hand, is a situation that develops when the baby’s body faces significant difficulty in dealing with a type of sugar present in milk – known as lactose. While a milk allergy is likely to cause a lot of distress in the parents, it helps to know that most children grow out of a milk allergy by the age of three.
Milk for infants is a very important aspect of their dietary intake also because of the fact that the calcium content in the substance plays a huge role in the development and strengthening of the baby’s bones and skeletal system. With regards to infant diet recommendations in terms of breastfeeding, the World Health Organization has developed a global strategy on Infant and young children feeding. These recommendations state that a child should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of his or her life in order to achieve optimal growth, development and health. The term exclusive implies that the infant will not consume any other dietary foods or drink, including water, however, does allow the child to receive medication, ORS or drops and syrups. The second phase of the World Health Organizations recommendations require the infant to receive nutritionally safe and adequate complimentary foods along with breastfeeding up to the age of two years. One of the major stumbling blocks a mother is likely to face in the second phase of the recommendation is the fact that most children are likely to get tired of breast milk by the age of two and will look to switch onto solid foods by this time. As a result, it is important for the mother to try and coax the child to take an interest in the breast milk as well as the complimentary foods for the proper development of the child’s body.
With the continuing research into the scientifically produced milk that is safe for babies, soy milk for infants is one of the more regularly discussed types of the produce. However, one question asked regularly by a number of parents is whether rice milk for infants or soy milk for infants is a safe option for growing infants. However, studies have shown that, while these options of infant dietary products are highly thought of, it is important to never confuse them with breast milk as they substantially lack the same amount of nutritional value that is required to sustain a healthy growth. Another aspect to keep in mind is to avoid ever switching your infant from soy based formula to plain soy milk because of the fact that the soy formula is formulated with the nutrients that that are required for the baby’s growth while soy milk is not.
A lot of parents tend to be a little unsure about the difference between soy milk, rice milk for toddlers and whole cow milk for toddlers. Whole cow milk is milk that contains natural calcium, which is more beneficial for the body as it is easier to absorb. Moreover, it contains ‘good’ fats that are crucial to the development of the toddler in addition to the fact that it is a good source of protein and vitamins A and B12. Rice milk, on the other hand, is considerably low in fat and is not recommended for toddlers under the age of 2, because it is also low in quantities of protein and calcium than whole cow milk. Soy milk contains lower level of fat that whole cows milk while containing insufficient amounts of natural calcium that toddlers and babies require for normal growth and development.
In the event that you discover that your child is suffering from some kind of milk allergy, you may need to consult your pediatrician about what the best options are in dealing with the problem. However, most medical specialists will agree that in the event you decide to skip whole cow milk, you should avoid feeding your child these other versions of milk. Instead, make it a point to make sure that you infant gets the required quantities of calcium, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals from other natural sources. However, these milks can be provided to your infant on an occasional basis without them having an adverse effect on your child’s health and growth patterns. Infant Diet
You want the best for your little bundle of joy. This is true especially when it comes to your infant’s diet. You want to provide nutritious food that will promote growth and health. From birth to the age of three, your child’s brain is developing fast and needs all the nourishment it can get. Physically too, your child is growing and needs nutrition for strong bones, muscles, teeth, skin and hair. Most pediatricians may recommend breastfeeding milk for infants from birth up to the age of 6 months. Thereafter, complementary foods may be introduced gradually as diet for infants. Your child will benefit immensely if you can continue to breastfeed up to the age of one. If breastfeeding is not an option, you may also try iron-fortified infant formula. If you notice that your infant is lactose intolerant, you may have to consult your doctor and find a lactose free infant formula. When your infant is ready for complementary foods, you can introduce semi solid and then solid foods gradually. Usually after 6 months, your child will show signs that he/she is ready to try complementary food by leaning in to try foods and moving away to express dislike or to signal that he/she is full. With the variety of natural and processed options available, most parents would benefit from an infant diet chart that can help them understand their child’s diet needs from the very beginning. Infant diet categorized according to their age and development can help you make the right choice for your child. You may also consult your pediatrician for a customized infant diet chart. This may also be beneficial in case the baby was born premature and needs special care pertaining to its diet for health and development. However, here is a general guideline that denotes infant diet once you have checked with your doctor or pediatrician. • At birth and up to 6 months your infant diet may consist of breast milk or infant formula fortified with iron.
• At 4 to 6 months, you can gradually introduce soft foods such as rice or oatmeal. As they gain strength in their mouth and tongue, they will learn to swallow the food. Keep a watch for poor digestion with certain foods or food allergies or intolerance of any kind.
• By 6 to 7 months, your baby is ready to try soft vegetables like carrots, French beans, green peas, and squash. Make sure that these vegetables are well-cooked and strained for easier digestion. Fruits like apple, banana, peaches, and so on can also be part of infant diet so long as they are unsweetened and strained. Do not feed your baby fruits with pits, seeds, peels, large portions or chunky food to avoid choking or gagging.
• After 7 to 9 months, you can introduce your baby to food items such as mashed vegetables and fruits, grain products such as soft bread, and fruit juices. You can also try to introduce to the baby diet diary products such as mild cheese. As your child starts to consume solid or semi solid foods, encourage your baby to drink water, milk or juices. If you are feeding your child store bought or adult juices, dilute it to half strength to limit the intake of sugar and concentrates.
• At 8 to 9 months your baby’s digestive capacity may allow for the consumption of strained meat such as chicken, lamb, beef, and so on. Whether you are feeding your infant a diet of vegetables, meat or eggs, limit the use of salt. Also, avoid any herbs or spices, for better digestion.
• At 10 to 12 months, your child may be able to eat at the family table. Introduce a wide variety of cooked vegetables, pitted or seeded fruits, whole eggs, meat, fish, bread and cheese, cereals, rice, pasta or noodles. Your infant may also start self-feeding at this stage. Experts believe that once your infant has started eating solid foods, it is best to introduce your baby to a wide variety of foods. This will allow your child to make healthy eating choices at a later age. Children are also less likely to be fussy about food if they develop a palate for all kinds of foods early on. However, consult your doctor or pediatrician if you notice any signs of discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, and allergic reactions.
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