Stages of infant development and introduction to solids
By the end of this lesson:
You will be able to identify two readiness cues that tell
you when your infant is ready for solid foods.
You will learn at what age infants start solid foods.
You will understand the recommended order of the
introduction of solid foods.
First name
Last name
Birthday of name entered above
Activity 1:
List three cues that show your baby is developmentally ready for solid foods.
1.
2.
3.
There are many cues that your infant gives to let you know she's
hungry. You may be surprised at how many there are in a newborn
baby. When your newborn is hungry she may open her mouth, put her hand
in her mouth, make sucking noises and, of course, cry. The sole diet of
an infant from birth to at least 4 months should be only breastmilk
or iron-fortified formula. Any other forms of milk or solids should not
be introduced. These foods or milks can cause problems for the
developing infant. It is much safer to wait until your infant is at
least 4 months and only if she is developmentally ready!
What are Cues That Babies are
Developmentally Ready for Solid Foods?
ü
They
are able to sit upright with support
ü
They open their
mouth when they see a spoon coming towards them
ü
They can move
the food from the spoon and swallow without pushing back out of mouth
ü
They make
chewing motions
ü
Drooling decrease as they become efficient at swallowing
ü
They have doubled
their birth weight (usually around 6 months)
ü
They have the ability to
reject food:
Turning head
Keep mouth tightly closed
Forcing food back out of
mouth
The foods that a baby can eat depend on the baby's growth stages and
nutritional needs. Breastmilk provides optimal nutrition for baby's
growth and development through the first year of life. Breastmilk
and formula are still the easiest to digest for the baby's first six
months.
What is the Average Age for the
Introduction of Solid Foods?
ü
The
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting solids around six months
of age.
ü
The chances of
developing allergies are greater during infancy. Limiting the baby's
diet for as long as possible (preferably six months) reduces the risks of
introducing allergens.
ü
At six months of
age the digestive system in most infants is mature enough to handle new
foods. The baby will be able to handle different foods without an
allergic reaction.
AGE
GROWTH STAGES
ADDITIONAL NUTRIENT NEEDS
FOODS TO OFFER
Birth to 6 months
Suckles
Roots for nipple
Only breastmilk or iron fortified formula
none
5-7 months
Sits with support
Follows food with eyes
Begins to swallow thickened food
Iron fortified infant cereal:
-Rice
-Oats
(feed with spoon)
6-8 month
Hand to mouth movement
Moves tongue to side
Controls position of food in the mouth
Controls swallow
Up and down chew
Vitamin A and Vitamin C
Strained or mashed:
-vegetables
-fruits
-infant juice (diluted with water. Begin teaching baby to drink
from a cup.)
7-10 months
Bites
Rotary chew
Moves food from side to side in mouth
Forms lips to cup
Grasp develops
Sociable
Greater interest in solid foods
Drinking from cup improves
Thumb and fingers (pincer grasp) develops
Protein
Trace elements
(allow baby to feed self with spoon)
Gradually decrease number of feedings from breast or bottle as baby
eats more solid foods
Mashed or chopped foods from the family meal;
ground or finely chopped meats, fish or poultry;
cottage cheese;
egg yolk (whole egg at one year)
Caution: Babies can easily choke on
nuts, seeds, popcorn, raw vegetables, peanut butter and hotdogs.
Young children should be watched carefully while they are eating.
Activity 2:
1.
If your infant can sit upright at 3 months, you should start feeding him
solids.
True
False
2.
By limiting the baby's diet to breastmilk or iron-fortified formula, you
will reduce of risk of introducing allergens.
True
False
3.
Your baby should be introduced to a cup by 8 months of age.
True
False
4. Why should you wait to introduce solids until your baby is between four and
six months?
What Do I Start With?
ü
A baby spoon
ü
A plastic bowl
ü
High chair (if baby has difficulty
sitting upright, place a rolled towel on either side)
ü
PATIENCE
What Should I Start With and How Much?
ü
Rice cereal is a good
first choice. It's easily digested and very few people are allergic to it.
ü
Begin with 1-2 teaspoons of cereal
mixed with 1-2 teaspoons of breastmilk or formula
ü
As your baby becomes accustomed to
eating from a spoon, you can begin to thicken this mixture.
ü
When baby is comfortable with spoon
feeding, you can offer 2-3 feedings a day
ü
Use single ingredient foods
ü
Look for allergic reactions like
skin rashes, wheezing, vomiting, abdominal pains or diarrhea.
ü
Allow 3-5 days before introducing
new foods. This gives baby time to adjust to each new food. If
there is a reaction, it is easier to tell which food caused it.
Caution:
Honey may cause infant
botulism, a food poisoning that can be fatal. Do not give this to
children under a year of age.
Feeding Do's and Don'ts
DO wait 3-7 days to add each new food to your baby's diet.
DO learn to recognize your baby's signals. Never force food on
your baby if they don't want to eat.
DO let your infant pace the feeding.
DO be patient with yourself and your baby. Remember if it
doesn't work today it may work tomorrow.
Do keep a sense of humor. Early feedings can be unproductive,
messy, frustrating and often very funny.
Do offer food that baby has refused 7-10 days later. It may
take 8-10 times before a new food is accepted.
DON'T put your baby to bed with a bottle. This can
promote baby bottle tooth decay.
DON'T feed cereals or other solids through the bottle. Your
baby may gag or choke.
DON'T put your baby in a reclining position while feeding (such as in
an infant carrier). The baby may choke or gag.
DON'T season baby food that you buy. Babies don't need
added salt or sugar.
DON'T feed directly from the baby food jar. Saliva from the
baby's mouth can contaminate the remainder of the food in the jar.
DON'T serve any food from the microwave without first stirring gently
and then testing the temperature.
Remember! Never use Food as a Bribe
or Reward
When should Table Foods Be Introduced
By nine months, the infant should be getting himself into
and out of the sitting position, playing with both hands, bringing toys to
his mouth and grabbing for the spoon during feedings.
Watch your baby's jaw as they are offered
food. When an up and down munching motion becomes apparent,
pureed meats, beans, cooked egg yolk, cottage cheese and plain yogurt
may be added to the diet.
Now is the time to bring the baby to the table at meal
time with other family members, if you haven't already done so.
The nine month old is ready to try self feeding with a
spoon.
What are Some Good Table Foods to Start
With:
ü
Start
with small bits of soft fruit such as bananas or vegetables
ü
Mashed potatoes
ü
Well- cooked mashed vegetables
ü
Yogurt
ü
Canned, drained tuna or salmon (no bones)
ü
Mashed or
refried beans
ü
Mashed egg yolk
(wait until at least a year of age before introducing egg whites--baby may
have an allergy to egg white)
What About Finger Foods?
Finger foods help baby gain finger control and
coordination, as well as fostering independence. At about 8 or 9
months, a baby may start feeding himself. Examples of finger foods:
ü Grated fruits and vegetables
ü Whole grain
bread strips
ü Unsweetened cold
dry cereals
ü Cubed soft foods
When Should a Cup Be Introduced
Your baby may be ready to
start drinking from a cup between 6-8 months. The 6 month old who
is sitting up unsupported and is using both hands for play is
developmentally ready to begin learning to drink from a cup. Start
with a small amount of breastmilk or formula in the cup, hold the baby
on your lap and show him how to drink. Small amounts of apple, pear
or other juice may be offered in the cup. Infants do not need
more than 4 ounces of juice a day. This is also a good time to
introduce plain water.
Activity 3
1.When an up and down munching motion
becomes apparent (usually at 9 months), you can give your infant which
food? Mark all that apply:
pureed meats
whole egg
egg yolk
peanuts
cottage cheese
2. Why should you introduce rice cereal first?
3. What is the importance of waiting several days before introducing a
different food?
4. List some good examples of finger foods to
introduce to an 8 or 9 months old.
1.
2.
3.
Feeding time is a learning time for both
you and your baby. Be patient and attentive to your baby's
needs. Love is just as important as food for your baby's health.
Which
WIC Office do you go to?
Bullhead City
Kingman
Lake Havasu City
Where
are you taking today's lesson?
You
have completed the Infant Class on “Infant Feeding Guidelines”.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.
They
are able to sit upright with support
They open their mouth when they see food coming towards them
They make chewing motions
They doubled their birth weight
Activity
2:
1.False.
Even if your infant can sit upright at 3 months, you should wait until
the infant is at least 4 months before introducing solids.
2. True 3. True
4. The chances of developing allergies are greater during infancy.
Limiting the baby's diet for as long as possible reduces the risks of
introducing allergens. Also, at 6 months, the digestive system
is mature enough to handle new foods.
Activity 3:
1.Pureed meats, egg yolk,
and cottage cheese are examples of foods to introduce to a 9 month old
infant. Egg whites should be avoided due to possible
allergies. Peanuts are a choking hazard and should not be
introduced until much later.
2. Rice cereal is less likely to cause an allergic reaction and is
easily digested.
3. If there is an allergic reaction, it is easier to tell which
food caused it.
*
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