Babies grow into toddlers and along the way reach many development milestones. Some of these milestones involve diet. As your child matures and is able to try and tolerate a wider range of foods, how do you know when it is safe to take the next step forward? When is your baby old enough to:
Stop breastfeeding?
The World Health Organisation advises that babies be wholly breastfed for at least six months and that it should continue until the child is at least one year old while solid foods are introduced.
Drink water?
For the first six months, babies only need breast milk or infant formula and solids are introduced afterwards. Water can be encouraged along with expressed breast milk or formula at nine to 10 months of age.
Consume dairy products?
Cow’s milk does not contain a sufficient amount of iron, so it is not recommended as the milk of choice until the child is at least one year old. By then, other foods containing iron should be a part of the child’s diet and compensate. Dairy products such as yoghurt and cottage cheese can be introduced at around six months of age and are wonderful sources of energy, calcium and protein.
Eat wheat or rice baby cereal?
Cereals can be introduced at around six months of age together with breast milk or formula. Introducing commercial varieties of cereal, in conjunction with breast milk, will help guarantee your child is getting the required amount of iron in his or her diet.
Consume solid foods?
The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends introducing solid foods to babies between four and six months of age. This is when babies begin to lose their ‘tongue-thrust reflex’ or extrusion reflex, which is important for sucking the breast or bottle but interferes with feeding. If your baby can sit up well with support and shows interest in the foods he sees you eating, it is probably a good time to begin introducing solid food.
Eat honey?
Wait until your child is at least one year old before introducing him or her to honey. Honey may contain the spores of a bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum. These spores may be unsafe to a baby, who is not yet able to handle this pathogen.
Try nuts and peanuts?
Substances such as peanut butter may be introduced before 12 months, but should be thinly spread on bread or a cracker. Do not give it by the teaspoon full to prevent gagging. Whole nuts should not be given to children under the age of five due to their potential choking hazard. The small, hard, round shape of nuts is the perfect size to block a young child’s airway. In some cases, doctors recommend delaying the introduction of peanuts or nut products if there is a history of allergies within the family. Talk to your doctor about what is best for your family.
This information is provided purely as a guideline. If you are worried about a specific issue pertaining to your baby’s diet, consult your family doctor or paediatrician.