Learn where to get appropriate nutrition
information.
Plan a strategy to handle
nutrition advice in the media.
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Today's understanding of nutrition is
based on years of scientific study, yet we hear many myths regarding how to
feed an infant. To make wise food choices, you need sound nutrition
information. What we hear, what we know and what we don't know just may
surprise you! Let's take a look at some common myths about infant
nutrition.
Activity 1:
What infant feeding myths have been presented to
you?
Myth:
You need to have a good diet to breastfeed your baby
or your milk won't nourish the baby properly.
Reality:
Studies have shown this to be untrue. Even women who are getting
poor nutrition can usually produce adequate quality milk. However, women
who have good eating habits tend to produce more milk. Needless to say,
it's best to eat right during pregnancy and while you're
breastfeeding.
Myth: Small-breasted
women won't have enough milk.
Reality:
Either large or small, breast size has NOTHING to do with the amount of milk
a woman will produce. If a women is getting plenty of liquid, adequate
rest and relaxation, and lots of physical contact with their baby she will
produce enough milk. In fact, many women who believe they are not producing
enough milk are mistaken. The important thing to remember is the more the
baby nurses, the more milk your breasts will be stimulated to produce milk.
If you begin supplementing with formula, your breasts will not receive
adequate stimulation and your milk supply will decrease.
Myth: It's
OK to give your infant cow's milk if you run out of formula.
Reality:
Cow's milk should not be introduced to your infant before 11
months of age. Cow's milk has too much protein for your infant which
makes it harder for him to digest. It also has too many minerals
that can be hard on the baby's kidneys. Cow's milk is low in vitamin
C, vitamin E, iron and copper which are important to baby for growth.
Myth: It's
OK to give your infant goat's milk.
Reality:
The same applies for goat's milk when it comes to supplementing
milk. Goat's milk should not be introduced to your infant before 11
months of age.
Myth: Iron-Fortified
formula causes colic and constipation.
Reality:
The fact is, the iron in formulas contain a relatively small
amount or iron - only about 12 mg per quart. But it's enough iron to
keep a baby from becoming iron deficient and anemic. Low iron
formulas do not contain enough iron to prevent this deficiency nor
does it prevent constipation. In a study
where parents didn't know which formula they were using, either iron-containing
or low-iron formulas, there was no difference in the digestive tract
symptoms. If parents choose to bottle feed their infants, they
should use iron-fortified infant formulas as recommended by the American
Academy of Pediatrics.
1. If you're
breastfeeding you should not eat any sweets.
True
False
2. Breast size
does not determine the amount of milk that will be produced.
True
False
3. Cow's milk
is high in iron and vitamin C.
True
False
4.
Iron-fortified formula may help prevent iron deficiency anemia.
True
False
Myth: Infants
need juice.
Reality:
Offering juice early is unnecessary. Juice does not offer nutritional
value to infants; it contains no protein, calcium, fat, or iron. Juice
is mostly water and sugar. Because juice is sweet, too much leaves the
child with little appetite for the high-nutrient foods that kids need to
support their rapid growth and development. Wait until a child is
drinking from a cup to introduce juice. There is no need to offer
juice from a bottle at all; it may start a habit that is hard to break or
even lead to dental caries. Until the first birthday, limit juice to
four ounces per day. For toddlers, limit juice to six ounces per day.
Myth: Dental
caries cannot start until an infant has teeth.
Reality:
Decay or cavities can start before your baby even has teeth. You
can start the prevention decay at birth! Wiping your infant's gums at
least once a day with a clean, damp washcloth or gauze pad will help reduce
plaque build up.
Myth: Infants
should be introduced to solid foods when they start getting fussy, even
before 4-6 months.
Reality:
When infants are fussy, it doesn't always mean they're hungry. It
might be that baby needs his diaper changed, he's tired or just wants physical
contact. Introducing solids before baby is physically or
developmentally ready is harmful. It can lead to allergies or at the
very least "wasted" nutrition.
Here is a reference to feeding your infant:
Infant Feeding Guidelines
Birth to 4 months
Breast milk or formula
*4-6 months
Breast milk or formula. Add
iron-fortified rice cereal. Mix 1-2 tablespoon of cereal with
breast milk or formula and offer two times daily.
5-6 months
Breast milk or formula; iron-fortified
rice cereal. Add plain strained baby vegetables (such as peas,
carrots, squash, and green bean) and strained baby fruits (such as
bananas, applesauce, peaches, pears, and apricots). Offer 1-2
tablespoons 2-3 times daily. Offer one new food every 3-7 days and
watch for signs of intolerance (rash, spitting up, or diarrhea).
6-8 months
Breast milk or formula; iron-fortified
rice cereal- increase to 4 tablespoons or more daily. Add plain,
strained baby meats (such as beef, veal, lamb, turkey, chicken, or egg
yolk). Offer ½ to 1 tablespoon one to two times a day.
Again, try one new meat every 3-7 days and watch for signs of
intolerance. Increase both strained vegetables and fruits to 2
tablespoons or more per day. You may offer 2-4 ounces of fruit
juice, either plain or fortified with vitamin C in a cup.
8-9 months
Breast milk or iron-fortified formula;
iron-fortified cereal. Begin trying junior foods (half jar) or
mashed and chopped table foods (4 tablespoons or more per day), such as
meat, poultry, potato, and well-cooked pieces of vegetable.
Chopped canned fruit may replace strained fruit. Offer 1 to 2 small
servings of bread, crackers or toast.
10-12 months
Breast milk or formula; continue
iron-fortified cereals (4 tablespoons or more per day). Add
cooked, cut-up pieces of vegetables and soft fruits (4 tablespoons or
more per day), and tender meats. Casseroles with pasta or rice may
be offered. Increase amounts according to baby's hunger.
*Only if baby is developmentally ready. Baby stops pushing food out
of mouth with tongue and can support head and sit up with help.
Remember, every baby differs, some may be ready for these foods somewhat
later. Check with your baby's doctor.
Myth: Infants
need to take a vitamin supplement.
Reality:
Almost all infants get the recommended amounts of nutrients they need simply
from breastmilk, or iron-fortified formula, alone during the first four to
six months. After six months, appropriate solids foods will add the extra nutrients
needed. Simply follow the guidelines WIC provides for introducing
solids to your infant. Infants should not be given any supplements unless
instructed by your physician.
Plan
a strategy to handle nutrition advise in the media.
If you hear nutrition information in
the media you can always contact a professional in nutrition to
determine whether it is legit or not. You may contact any of the
WIC nutritionists to better serve you.
Let's Review!
List 4 infant feeding myths: 1.
2.
3.
4.
Where can you get appropriate nutrition information?
What is your strategy on determining legitimate
nutrition information.
Which
WIC Office do you go to?
Bullhead City
Kingman
Lake Havasu City
Where
are you taking today's lesson?
You
have completed the lesson on "Infant Feeding Myths”.If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail one of our
nutritionists.We’ll be glad to
answer any of your questions. Continue scrolling to check your answers.
