WEBVTT KIDSREPORT.♪DR. FIRST: PARENTS HAVE BEENFEEDING ME LOTS OF QUESTIONS ASTO WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FORTHEIR INFANT TO START EATINGSOLID FOOD.FIRST, YOU NEED TO REALIZE ISNOT UNTIL LATE IN THE FIRST YEAROF LIFE THAT THE DIGESTIVESYSTEM IS DEVELOPED ENOUGH TO BESOLIDS.WHAT ARE SOLIDS FOR IN INFANCY?THEY ARE ONLY THERE TO HELP YOURBABY DEVELOP A FONDNESS FORTASTE AND TEXTURES.THEIR MAIN SOURCE OF NUTRITIONALGROWTH IN THE FIRST YEAR OF LIFEIS THROUGH THE MILKY WAY GIVINGYOUR BABY.THAT BEING SAID, ONE IS THE BESTTIME TO INITIATE SOLIDS?CERTAINLY NOT BEFORE FOR MONTHOF AGE BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY WHENYOUR BABY DEMONSTRATES GOOD HEADAND NECK CONTR FOR THAT REASONPRIMARILY AND TO REDUCE THE RISKOF FOOD ALLERGIES THAT THEAMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICSRECOMMENDS STARTING SOLIDSSOMETIME BETWEEN FOUR TO SIXMONTH OF AGE.AS TO WHAT FOODS TO START WITH,MOST PATRICIAN US RECOMMENDSTARTING WITH A SINGLE GRAINCEREAL LIKE RICE CEREAL, WHICHCAN BE EASILY DIGESTED ANDWHIPPING UP TO PUREE THATSHOVELS AND FRUITS, SAVING THISLEADER TASTE FOR LAST SO YOURBABY ADJUSTED AND EN SUITE TASTEFIRST.DON'T REDUCE ONE AND ONE NEWFOOD EVERY FEW DAYS TO MAKE SUREYOUR BABY DOESN'T DEVELOP A FOODALLERGY SO YOU WILL KNOW WHATTHE CULPRIT IS IF A NEW FOOD ISINTRODUCED.IF YOUR BABY THAT I LIKE A FOOD,WAIT A WEEK AND TRY AGAIN SINCEOFTEN THE SECOND OR THIRD TIME'STHE CHARM.HOPEFULLY TIPS LIKE THIS WILL GODOWN EASILY WENT COMES TOLEARNING WHEN AND HOW TO
Most parents are giving their babies solid food too early
Experts warn this may have negative effects in the long run
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Updated: 2:15 AM EST Feb 13, 2020
Could you be giving your child solid foods too early? The World Health Organization and The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents wait at least six months before feeding their babies anything other than breast milk or formula. By introducing babies to solids too soon, they'll miss out on important nutrients that can only be found in breast milk and formulas. These nutrients are particularly important during an infant's early development, but timing is everything. If you introduce your baby to solid foods too late, it can also have adverse affects. "Introducing them to complementary foods too late has been associated with micronutrient deficiencies, allergies and poorer diets later in life," researcher Chloe M. Barrera, who works for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.A study published in 2018 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey showed that only one-third of babies in the U.S. were introduced to complementary (aka solid) foods at the six-month mark. On top of that, two-thirds of people admitted to introducing food other than breast milk and formula before the recommended time. Because this survey was self-reported, researchers believe the numbers may actually be even higher. About 16 percent were given solids or other drinks before 4 months old, and about 38 percent started solids by 5 months, the study revealed. However, nearly 13 percent of babies didn't start solids until they were 7 months or older. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services are currently developing federal dietary guidelines for children under 2 years old, which will be released in 2020. While the details of this plan are being fleshed out, Jaclyn London, MS, RD, CDN, the nutrition director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, encourages parents to not only follow the six-month rule but to also focus on certain developmental behaviors. "There are certain developmental indicators that show when a child is ready for solids, including the ability to sit up with support, lean back and forth when interested in food, sufficient head and neck control and readiness for a variety of textures (ex. hands in their mouth)," she said.When a baby is ready for solids (remember, every baby is different), London recommends parents refrain from diving in headfirst. Start off with single-ingredient, finely pureed foods. She recommends simple solids like iron-fortified rice cereal. Most importantly, avoid any foods that could cause a potential choking hazard, like grapes, nuts or carrots.Of course, it's important to always check with your child's pediatrician before you make any changes to his or her feeding routine. This isn't about shaming parents, it's about making sure they have information to make the best decision for their child. (h/t Scary Mommy)
Could you be giving your child solid foods too early?
The and recommends parents wait at least six months before feeding their babies anything other than breast milk or formula. By introducing babies to solids too soon, they'll miss out on important nutrients that can only be found in breast milk and formulas. These nutrients are particularly important during an infant's early development, but timing is everything. If you introduce your baby to solid foods too late, it can also have adverse affects.
"Introducing them to complementary foods too late has been associated with micronutrient deficiencies, allergies and poorer diets later in life," researcher , who works for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
published in 2018 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey showed that only one-third of babies in the U.S. were introduced to complementary (aka solid) foods at the six-month mark. On top of that, two-thirds of people admitted to introducing food other than breast milk and formula before the recommended time. Because this survey was self-reported, researchers believe the numbers may actually be even higher.
About 16 percent were given solids or other drinks before 4 months old, and about 38 percent started solids by 5 months, the study revealed. However, nearly 13 percent of babies didn't start solids until they were 7 months or older.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services are currently developing federal dietary guidelines for children under 2 years old, which will be released in 2020. While the details of this plan are being fleshed out, , the nutrition director at the , encourages parents to not only follow the six-month rule but to also focus on certain developmental behaviors.
"There are certain developmental indicators that show when a child is ready for solids, including the ability to sit up with support, lean back and forth when interested in food, sufficient head and neck control and readiness for a variety of textures (ex. hands in their mouth)," she said.
When a baby is ready for solids (remember, every baby is different), London recommends parents refrain from diving in headfirst. Start off with single-ingredient, finely pureed foods. She recommends simple solids like iron-fortified rice cereal. Most importantly, avoid any foods that could cause a potential choking hazard, like grapes, nuts or carrots.
Of course, it's important to always check with your child's pediatrician before you make any changes to his or her feeding routine. This isn't about shaming parents, it's about making sure they have information to make the best decision for their child.
(h/t )
