Complementar feeding

Question 1

Describe the signs that an infant is ready to commence complimentary feeding, making reference to the guidelines for when an infant should initiate this. (50%)

Answer 1

Signs that a baby is ready for solids :

• can reach out and grab things, bringing them to their mouth
• start chewing their toys
• can sit up with some or no support and control their head

Stages of weaning:
* stage 1: 6 months: small amounts of pureed or blended foods offered once daily;
* stage 2: 6-9 months: thicker consistency with some lumps; mashed, chopped. Soft finger foods. 3 meals /daily.
* Stage 3: 9 to 12 months: firmer foods, 3 meals / daily followed by fruit or plain yoghurt.
* Stage 4: 12 months + : family foods (without added salt and sugar) as 3 meals with healthy snacks in between e.g. vegetable sticks, slices of fruit, crackers, bread sticks

Question 2

Infants commence complimentary feeding, what food should be included

Answer 2

Foods from all groups should be included such as:
* Vegetables and fruits
* Baby rice, potatoes (including sweet potatoes), yam,
* Pasta, bread, oats and breakfast cereals
* Meat, fish, lentils, beans, eggs and tofu (soy)
* Plain yoghurt and cheese
* Ground nuts and nut butters mixed in food

Question 3

Infants commence complimentary feeding, Food should avoid:

Answer 3

Foods to avoid:
* Added sugar
* Salt
* Honey
* Shark, Marlin, and Swordfish
* Raw shellfish
* Soft cheeses like brie, camembert, chevre goats’ cheese, roquefort and unpasteurised cheeses
* Fresh pate made from meat, fish or vegetables
* Whole nuts and peanuts .
* Eggs

Question 4

Discuss the advice you would give to the main carer of a 5, 12 month year old girl who has been referred to the dietitian for advice on iron deficiency anaemia. She is not currently showing any signs of faltering growth. (50%)

Answer 4

Babies are usually born with a good store of iron to last them until
about 6 months of age. After that iron rich foods need to be included when in the infant’s diet.
As she iron deficiency anaemia, its important to introduce in her diet iron in food.

There are 2 types of Iron – haem and non-haem iron. These are absorbed differently by the body.
* The haem Iron is absorbed much more easily and it is found in meat such as chicken, fish, beef, pork, liver.
Red meat e.g. beef and lamb contain three times as much iron compared to fish and chicken.
* Non-haem iron is found in plant foods such as grains, vegetables, tofu, beans, leafy green vegetables, nuts and eggs, as well as iron-
fortified cereals.
No-haem sources are absorbed better when eaten with foods rich in vitamin C.

Food that reduces the Iron absorption sould be avoided, such as:
* Tea with meals
* snacks
* cow’s milk- as it’s low iron
* Unprocessed bran, high bran bread and bran rich cereals