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A newborn baby receives all his nutrition from breast milk (or formula). After about 4-6 months — when he begins to show signs that he is ready for solids — a caregiver can begin to incorporate solids into his diet.
Breastfeeding or Formula?
According to the latest research, breast milk is better than formula:
- It may reduce a baby's risk of allergies, asthma, infections and other illnesses.
- It protects mothers from various diseases and helps restore their pre-pregnancy bodies.
- It is less expensive.
However, for women who cannot breastfeed or choose not to, formula is just fine for a baby. Formula — especially high iron-fortified formula — contains all the nutrients a baby needs for normal growth.
From the book Understanding Children.
Solids
Signs that a child is ready for solid foods (usually between 4 to 6 months old):
- Has control of head.
- Can sit up with support.
- Wants to breastfeed more than eight to ten times during a 24-hour period.
- Is getting enough breast milk or formula but is still hungry after feedings
- Can take food from a spoon and swallow.
From the book Understanding Children.
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Suggestions for Successful Breastfeeding
Although breastfeeding is the most natural thing a mom can do, it can be difficult at first and may take some time before a woman feels comfortable with it. To make the experience pleasant try the following tips: |
| 1. |
Experiment with different positions, such as the football, cradle or crossover holds, until one is found that is comfortable for both mom and baby. |
| 2. |
Help the baby "latch on" by tickling the rim of her mouth with the nipple or a finger. |
| 3. |
Be patient... wait for the baby to open her mouth before inserting the nipple in it. |
| 4. |
Check to see that the baby's mouth is covering a large amount of the breast. |
| 5. |
Hold the baby close while nursing so she feels secure and can nurse contentedly. |
| 6. |
Try to relax and enjoy a quiet feeding time while nursing. |
| 7. |
Wear comfortable clothes — those that button in front are often best. |
| 8. |
Pay attention to diet. Certain foods — such as chocolate — can cause upset stomach for babies. |
| 9. |
Consult a lactation specialist, doctor or other breastfeeding resources, such as web sites or books, if you are experiencing pain or other difficulty feeding. |
From the book Understanding Children. |
What do you think about Health and Nutrition?
Your ideas may appear on our site. Send them to Civitas. |
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Figuring out when to introduce solids or how to get a child to eat a well balanced diet — can be murky for mothers and other caregivers. Use our downloadable tool for great ideas for early eaters of all phases, including: |
| o | The right time to introduce a baby to smooth, single-ingredient solids |
| o | Identifying when a child is ready for a mushier combination of basic foods |
| o | Determining When a child is ready for soft, easily digestible finger foods |
| o | Suggestions for introducing toddlers to table foods |
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From the book Understanding Children. |
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