Lifestages - Weaning and nappies

Question 1

Weaning

Answer 1

Weaning is the process of starting to introduce solid foods.
* The baby needs to show signs of being ready: sitting upright, taking an interest in the parents’ food, putting food in their mouth.
* Current guidelines recommend not introducing solids until six months of age.
* At this point the gastrointestinal tract and immune system have matured to a level where new foods are more likely to be tolerated.
* Weaning too early (four months) or too late may increase the risk of allergies.
* Breastfeeding whilst weaning (six–12 months) can protect the baby from allergenic foods via antibodies in breastmilk

Question 2

Introduction of foods

Answer 2

Introduce single ingredient foods one at a time with 3–4–day intervals to observe any food reactions.
* Foods which are known for allergic reactions (eggs, peanuts, fish and wheat) should be introduced closer to 12 months of age.
* To introduce peanuts between 4–11 months is suggested to prevent allergy formation in children with a family history of allergies.
* Continue breastfeeding during the introduction of solids.
* Probiotics can be given to children to strengthen immune system.

Question 3

Weaning age skills and appropriate foods

Answer 3

Age (months): Six months
Feeding Skill: The ability to swallow non-liquid foods.
Appropriate Foods Added to the Diet: Thin porridge with breast milk; sieved vegetables and fruits.

Age (months): Six–eight months
Feeding Skill: Able to feed self; develops finger grasp.
Appropriate Foods Added to the Diet: Textured vegetables and fruits, protein, iron-rich foods

Age (months): Eight months
onwards
Feeding Skill: Begins to hold own bottle, reaches for and grabs food and spoon.
Appropriate Foods Added to the Diet: Whole (soaked) grains, pieces of soft, cooked vegetables/fruit, lean meats, fish, casseroles, eggs, mashed legumes (soaked / cooked well), yoghurt.

Question 4

Weaning tips

Answer 4

• First offer a very small amount of puréed (runny consistency) vegetables on a spoon.
• Increase to a smooth paste and move on later to mashed or minced food.
  Vegetable or fruit purée:
• Carrots, broccoli, pumpkin, butternut squash.
• Banana, apple, pears, avocado (fruit must be ripe and peeled).
  Thin porridge:
• Barley, millet, rice.
• Use expressed breast milk to prepare.

Question 5

Baby-led weaning

Answer 5

Baby-lead weaning:
* Lets babies feed themselves finger foods right from the start.
* Supports the development of hand-eye co-ordination, chewing skills and dexterity.
* Offers babies an opportunity to explore the taste, texture, aroma and colour of a variety of foods.
* Encourages self-regulation.
* Less time-consuming than preparing puréed foods.
* Baby is part of the dining experience, although that may encourage the baby to eat foods they are not ready to digest

Question 6

Foods to Omit

Answer 6

Foods to Omit:
* Concentrated sweets, baby food desserts have no place in an infant’s diet.
* Products containing sugar alcohols can cause diarrhoea, e.g. glycerol, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol used as sweeteners as well as in chewing gum.
* Canned vegetables —contain too much sodium, sugar or preservatives, and are nutritionally inferior to fresh / frozen produce.
* Honey should never be fed to infants because of the risk of botulism (a rare but serious bacterial infection).
* Soya products —they are hard to digest and contain compounds with oestrogen - like compounds (‘isoflavones’).
* Cow’s milk —apart from the side-effects linked to excess protein intake, cow’s milk consumption before 12 months can cause:
o Iron deficiency anaemia (impairs iron absorption).
o Deficiency of linoleic acid (low in cow’s milk).
o Gastrointestinal blood loss (can cause occult blood in infants).
o Type 1 diabetes (in genetically predisposed infants)

Question 7

Nappies

Answer 7

Disposable Nappies:
* Most disposable nappies contain a range of chemicals including dioxins, sodium polyacrylate, tributyl-tin, plastics, dyes and fragrances. These can irritate the skin.
What’s the alternative?
* Use natural cloth nappies, wash in fragrance-free, low-chemical detergent.
* Dry in the sun —it reduces bacterial growth.
* Allow ‘free time’ without a nappy, which may also assist potty training.
* Use calendula cream for any skin irritation.