Lesson 1 How do I feed my baby? Lesson 1 How do I feed my baby? 2 Contents Lesson Preparation Lesson Plan Handouts !" Lesson Handouts !" Supplemental Handouts Background Reading for Instructor ©2007, Michigan State University Board of Trustees. The Infant Feeding Series (TIFS). All rights reserved. (Horodynski & Olson). Lesson 1 How do I feed my baby? 3 Lesson Preparation Goal Develop mother’s ability to determine when her baby is ready to be fed solid foods. Objective At the end of this lesson, the mother will be able to: 1. Identify normal or typical infant feeding behaviors. 2. Define a solid food. 3. Identify the health problems caused when a baby is given solid foods before he or she is ready. 4. Describe the correct use of a bottle, cup and spoon. Materials !" Camera and printer !" Bottle with formula (or non-dairy creamer), bottle with formula or non-dairy creamer and added baby cereal, sippy cup with juice, 2 bowls, 1 baby spoon and baby food for bowls !" DVD player !" DVD: “Tummy Trouble” !" Magnet and message insert for magnet !" Workbook and materials !" Workbook binder !" Baby pictures !" Scissors, scrapbook paper and glue !" Paper and pencils !" Lesson Handouts !" Interview guide: “How Was I Fed?” !" Journal Page !" Supplemental Handouts !" “Mealtime Advice: Is She Hungry … or Full?” !" “Nutrition for Kids’ Life: Feeding Your Baby Zero to Six Months” !" “From Bottle to Cup” !" “Nutrition for Adults’ Life: Breastfeeding” !" “Feeding Solid Foods to Your Baby: What Every Parent Should Know” ©2007, Michigan State University Board of Trustees. The Infant Feeding Series (TIFS). All rights reserved. (Horodynski & Olson). Lesson 1 How do I feed my baby? 4 Preparation Handouts Make copies of Lesson Handouts, if necessary. Materials Review Look over the Lesson 1 outline and add any notes you wish. Collect and prepare all necessary props, Workbook binder and Workbook materials. Read Remember the following Background Reading is for the instructor and should not be presented to the mothers. These materials are helpful to answer questions or add to the discussion when appropriate. Key Terms Review these terms used in the lesson. Solid Foods (for infants) !" “Health Concerns for Feeding Solid Foods too Early” Any food or liquid other than breast milk or formula. !" “For the Dental Patient: From Baby Bottle to Cup” Complementary Foods !" “Infant Feeding Behaviors” !" Development Stage chart (Gerber Products Company) !" American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendation The foods that are given in addition to breast milk or formula when the baby’s development is ready. Rice cereal is often the first complementary food a baby gets. “The Start Healthy Feeding Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers,” Butte, et al. (2004). Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 104(3), 442-454. (Reading of this article is optional. If you have access to this journal, the Background Reading is recommended.) ©2007, Michigan State University Board of Trustees. The Infant Feeding Series (TIFS). All rights reserved. (Horodynski & Olson). ut hando Lesson 1 How do I feed my baby? 5 Lesson Plan Goal Develop mother’s ability to determine when her baby is ready to be fed solid foods. Introduction Introduce yourself, if this is your first visit with the mother. Give a brief explanation of the plan to present six different lessons, one lesson each week about parenting and healthy infant feeding practices. Give a brief introduction of the topic you are discussing today. “ Today we will begin talking about how you would like to feed your baby. During the time I spend with you we will be talking about when it is best to start giving your baby solid foods, what we mean by solid foods for babies, and identifying health problems if solid foods are introduced too early to your baby. That is what we will talk about today — feeding your baby solid foods. ©2007, Michigan State University Board of Trustees. The Infant Feeding Series (TIFS). All rights reserved. (Horodynski & Olson). ” Lesson 1 How do I feed my baby? 6 Warm-up Exploration WORKBOOK AND COVER Feeding Your Baby Solid Foods What is a Healthy Baby? You will do a series of activities that help the mother know what a solid food for a baby is and when and why to feed solid foods to her baby. Begin by asking the mother to describe a healthy baby. Write down responses to use later. Then have her cut out pictures of healthy babies (or use precut pictures) and glue as a collage on a piece of paper. As she creates the collage, ask her what she thinks is “healthy” about each baby. IF THE MOTHER IS PREGNANT: Have her insert her collage into the cover of her Workbook. IF THE MOTHER HAS A BABY: Take and print a picture of her baby for the cover, OR have her bring a picture from home for the cover. “ We are going to make a Workbook for you to use during the six lessons and then keep at the end. To start, we are going to make a collage of pictures of healthy babies. How would you describe a healthy baby? What does a healthy baby look like? What does a healthy baby do? ” Activity 1 DISCUSSION Recommendation for Feeding Solid Foods Use each mother’s responses you wrote down from the Workbook cover activity about what is a healthy baby to guide the talk into “healthy feeding.” Introduce the idea that it is recommended that babies do not receive solid or complementary foods until they are physically ready. This may be as early as 4 months old, but is usually closer to 6 months. Ask the mother what she thinks about the recommendation as it relates to a healthy baby and to her baby. Ask what reasons might be for giving babies solid food early. ©2007, Michigan State University Board of Trustees. The Infant Feeding Series (TIFS). All rights reserved. (Horodynski & Olson). Lesson 1 How do I feed my baby? 7 “ Doctors, nutritionists and other health care professionals recommend that babies not be given anything other than breast milk or formula until the baby is close to 6 months old. What do recommendation? Do you think this recommendation applies to most healthy babies? Do you or many other things we normally eat. For an infant, solid food is a little different. Here are some things a mother think it is a good recommendation for your baby? What would be reasons a baby might be given something other than breast milk or formula Activity 2 “ An example of a solid food for an adult might be a hamburger you think about this before 6 months? a bottle (make sure it is visibly thickened), juice in a sippy cup (clear with handles), applesauce in a bowl, mashed potatoes in a bowl with a spoon. ” might feed her baby. Are these solid foods? “ Actually, health care ” professionals consider any food or liquid the baby gets that is not breast milk or formula to be “solid food.” Another word they might use is “complementary,” or they may say “complementary DEMONSTRATION foods.” When a baby is about 6 What are Solid Foods? months old, breast milk or To address the definition of a solid or complementary food, give examples of baby foods of varying textures and have mother name which ones are “solid foods.” Remind the mother how health care professionals define solid food (i.e., anything other than breast milk or formula). formula can no longer give a Examples for discussion: formula in a bottle, formula thickened with cereal in skills, which she will need as she baby all the nutrients he or she needs. Solid foods, in addition to breast milk or formula, give her the nutrients she needs. Solid foods also teach her about new flavors, textures and eating grows older. ©2007, Michigan State University Board of Trustees. The Infant Feeding Series (TIFS). All rights reserved. (Horodynski & Olson). ” Lesson 1 How do I feed my baby? 8 Activity 3 After viewing the DVD, talk with the mother about what she saw. Here are three questions to stimulate discussion: 1. When should a baby start solid foods? DVD “Tummy Troubles” To address why the recommendation exists, have the mother give all the reasons she has heard about why babies should not have solid foods until about 6 months. Then discuss that a baby’s body is not ready for solid foods this early and feeding solid foods too early might cause the baby problems. (For reference see Background Reading “Health Concerns for Feeding Solid Foods too Early”). Play the DVD episode for Lesson 1, “Tummy Troubles.” “ From the DVD, those are all reasons you have heard about why a baby might be given solid foods earlier than about 6 months. Actually, a baby’s body is not ready to digest solid foods until she or he is closer to 6 months old. Giving your baby solid foods too early might cause some problems. (For reference see Background Reading “Health Concerns for Feeding Solid Foods too Early”). Let’s look at this DVD, which shows why the baby’s digestive system isn’t ready for solid foods yet. 2. How does food move through the baby’s stomach? 3. What makes breast milk or formula best for your baby? If you do not have access to a DVD player, show and discuss the Nasco Infant Stomach Models Flip Chart with the mother. NASCO Infant Stomach Models Flip Chart may be purchased from NASCO Nutrition. You may also use the three questions to stimulate discussion. Next, introduce the typical baby feeding behaviors that do not always mean babies are ready for solid foods. (For reference, see the Background Reading “Infant Feeding Behaviors.”) “ We talked earlier about reasons people might give their baby solid foods early. Maybe there are things happening with the baby that make it seem like the baby needs solid foods, when he or she really doesn’t. Let’s go over some of those reasons. ” ©2007, Michigan State University Board of Trustees. The Infant Feeding Series (TIFS). All rights reserved. (Horodynski & Olson). ” Lesson 1 How do I feed my baby? 9 Activity 4 “ After your baby is 6 months old, the best way for him or her to have fruit is to give mashed DEMONSTRATION or baby food fruit. If you do give Bottles, Cups and Spoons your baby fruit juice it should Use the visual aids of a bottle full of formula, a sippy cup filled with 4 ounces of juice, and a bowl of applesauce with a spoon to discuss how to explain the use of bottles, cups and spoons to feed a baby. These ways of feeding a baby can reinforce when babies are ready for foods other than breast milk or formula. only be 2 to 4 ounces once a day “ Bottles are for formula and breast milk only. Do not put cereal in the baby’s bottle. When you are feeding your baby with a bottle you should hold your baby so you can see when she is hungry and full. You should not prop the bottle and never put the baby to bed with the bottle. A bottle in bed can cause cavities in and only from a cup, never out of a bottle. Use cups at snacks and meals; do not let your baby walk around with a cup. Sipping on juice or formula often can cause your baby’s teeth to get cavities. “ ” Bowls are for all other solid foods and you should wait until your baby is old enough to sit up and eat from the spoon. Closure ” Summarize the key points of the lesson. your baby’s teeth, even if they’re not in yet. “ ” Today we discussed that a solid food is anything other than breast milk or formula. We also talked about reasons babies are not ready for solid foods until they are about 6 months old. Do you have any questions? ©2007, Michigan State University Board of Trustees. The Infant Feeding Series (TIFS). All rights reserved. (Horodynski & Olson). ” Lesson 1 How do I feed my baby? 10 Journal Page To help each mother process the information she receives, we have included a Journal Page with each lesson. The Journal Page is an optional homework page the mother can fill out after completing the lesson: “The three things I liked the most in this lesson are …,” “These are things I can do to help my baby …” and, “I still have questions about … .” al journ Following completion of the lesson and summary of the key parts, give the mother her Journal Page for Lesson 1. Let her know this Journal Page is for her to write down her thoughts about the lesson. Ask her to complete the Journal Page during the week, sometime before Lesson 2. Ask her to write down any comments or concerns she would like to discuss with you during your next visit. Next Workbook remind her to bring a picture from home for her cover. 3. Have mother put all Lesson Handouts in her Workbook. 4. Give the mother her Supplemental Handouts. 5. Have the mother add the Supplemental Handouts to her Workbook. For Next Lesson 1. Give the mother an interview guide to interview a female relative about how the relative fed her baby. Ask her to complete the interview and bring to the next lesson to put in her Workbook. 2. Ask the mother to bring a picture of herself as a baby (if she has one) that she would like to include in the Workbook. Finish Up 1. Give mother the magnet magnet with the message insert for her refrigerator. Let her know you will have a new message insert after each lesson. 2. Give mother her Journal Page for Lesson 1. 3. Schedule the next lesson. 1. Have mother put her collage in her Workbook OR if she’s pregnant, insert it in the cover. 2. If the mother has a baby, put the picture you took into the cover OR ©2007, Michigan State University Board of Trustees. The Infant Feeding Series (TIFS). All rights reserved. (Horodynski & Olson). Lesson 1 Handouts How do I feed my baby? Lesson 1 Handout My New Baby Workbook My Name ________________________________________ My Baby’s Name __________________________________ My Baby’s Birth Date _____________________________ My Baby’s Weight and Length at Birth __________ pounds, __________ ounces __________ inches C ©2007, Michigan State University Board of Trustees. The Infant Feeding Series (TIFS). All rights reserved. (Horodynski & Olson). Lesson 1 Handout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esson 1 Handout R<& K*,/&H,4&/*,/&9(34/&47B(8&9778&57;&+,20&57;3&I,I5P& S<& K*,/&G,80&57;&80)(80&/7&+(20&57;3&I,I5&/*,/&9(34/&47B(8&9778P& T<& K*030&8(8&57;&+0/&(-973G,/(7-&,I7;/&9008(-+&57;3&I,I5P&K*7& *0BM08&57;P& =9&57;&*,20&7-0%&MB0,40& I3(-+&,&M()/;30&79&57;340B9& ,4&,-&(-9,-/<&=9&-7/%&H0&H(BB& /,D0&,&M()/;30&79&57;&?,-8& (9&M744(IB0%&57;3&I,I5@&/7& (-)B;80&(-&57;3&H73DI77D< !"##$%&'()*(+,-&./,/0&1-(2034(/5&67,38&79&:3;4/004<&:*0&=-9,-/&>008(-+&.03(04&?:=>.@<&ABB&3(+*/4&30403208< ?C73785-4D(&E&FB47-@<& Lesson 1 Supplemental Handouts How do I feed my baby? Reprinted with permission, ©2005, Gerber Products Company. How many times will it take your baby to get used to a new food? It could be more times than you think. Research has found that it takes repeated exposures (sometimes up to 10 or 15 times) before baby accepts some new foods. Ultimately, you want your baby to know and love as many fruits and veggies as possible. Because the more healthy foods he eats now, the more likely he’ll be to choose them down the road. Try, try, try again! Once your baby has started eating solid foods, you’ll notice that she’s beginning to learn all kinds of new skills. Even if she can only take a few spoonfuls, she’s learning that food can come in many tastes and textures. Once she gets the hang of it, your baby will open her mouth wide for the spoon. You may notice her moving the food backward with her tongue, or even putting her hands in her mouth while she eats, to help her learn to swallow solids. Spoonfeeding is messy business—which only gets messier when she learns to feed herself. But be patient and before you know it, she’ll be eating like a pro. Mastering new eating skills. Mealtime Advice YO U N G E R B A B Y OLDER BABY • May even fall asleep • Smiles and looks at you, or even coos when you’re feeding her • Turns her head away from the spoon • Spits out familiar food or pushes it away • Becomes distracted or notices surroundings more • Opens her mouth and moves towards the spoon • May try to swipe food toward her mouth • Gestures—she may nod or point or grab the spoon “I’m full!” • Stops sucking • Flails her arms and legs “I’m hungry!” • Spits out nipple “I’m full!” • Cries or fusses “I’m hungry!” Reading her hunger and fullness cues Whether your baby is still breastfeeding or formula feeding exclusively, or has started eating baby foods, she is the best one to tell you whether she wants to eat or that she’s full. If you learn to understand her hunger and fullness cues—and respond to them—you’ll help her understand her own feelings of hunger and fullness. Is she hungry...or full? ’s Hungry ! ’s Hungry ! She’s F ull! She She’s F ull! She WO1008 Nutrition for LIFE Feeding Your Baby Zero to Six Months Feeding your baby in a healthy way helps your baby to grow and develop. You can make choices to start your baby on a lifetime of good nutrition. IN THE BEGINNING Breastfeeding only is the best choice until your baby is six months old. Breastfeeding (or formula) gives your baby all the nutrition she needs for the first six months. Hold and look at your baby while feeding her. These close feelings of cuddling, snuggling and talking help your baby feel loved and comforted. If You Are Breastfeeding Breastfeed whenever your baby seems hungry. This may be as often as 10-12 times each day in the 1st month. Your baby is getting enough if he has six or more wet diapers each day, is gaining weight, and is alert when awake. If You Are Formula Feeding ! LIFE ! Start with 1-2 oz. of formula per feeding. Your baby may drink each day about 2 oz. of formula for each pound he weighs. An 8 lb. baby may drink 16 oz. of formula in 24 hours. The amount he drinks will increase as he grows, but may be more or less at a feeding as your baby goes through his grown spurts. Mix formula according to directions on the package. Bottles are for breast milk and formula only. Never prop a bottle or put your baby to bed with a bottle. This may lead to tooth decay. FEEDING SOLID FOODS ! ! About the middle of her first year, watch for signs that your baby is physically ready to have solids foods. These signs might appear as early as 4 months or as late as 7 months. ! ! LIFE Near six months, breast milk cannot give your baby all the nutrients she needs. Solid foods, or “complementary foods”, provide iron, zinc and other nutrients your baby needs. Eating solids also teaches your baby about new flavors, textures and eating skills she needs as she gets older. No longer pushes food out of mouth with tongue ! Can move food from the front of the tongue to the back to swallow ! Can sit with support and hold head steady ! Recognizes a spoon and opens mouth for the spoon A common first solid food is iron-fortified rice cereal. Mix 1 teaspoon of rice cereal with 4 tablespoons of breast milk or formula. Increase the amount and thickness of the cereal over time. Next food choices are pureed baby meat, a good source of iron and zinc, and strained fruits and vegetables with vitamin C. Read the label. Vitamin C helps your baby use iron in cereal better. The order in which you introduce meats, fruits and vegetables, is not important. Just give each single-ingredient food for 2-4 days before adding the next food. If you think your baby is reacting to a new food, such as having a rash or upset stomach, call your doctor. LIFE By Beth H. Olson, Ph.D., MSU Extension Nutrition Specialist, Family and Consumer Sciences 2/06 Developed by Family and Consumer Sciences Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity institution. Copyright 2003 by the Michigan State University Board of Trustees. Family and Consumer Sciences grants permission to use this publication for educational purposes only with credit given to MSU. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. HUNGRY OR FULL? FEEDING TIPS The amount your baby drinks or eats can vary from feeding to feeding, and day to day. Watch for signs your baby is giving you that he is hungry or full. Don’t push your baby to finish bottles or food. ! Put your baby in a high chair and sit facing him. Signs your baby is hungry ! Use a small, long-handled baby spoon. ! ! ! ! Put cereal to her lips, not in her mouth, so she can use her sucking skills. ! ! ! ! Introduce one food at a time. Signs your baby is full ! Stop feeding as soon as he shows you he’s full. ! ! ! ! ! ! ! SAFETY TIPS Fussing and then crying Squirming and stretching, clenching fists Sucks fist “Roots” or turns head for breast or bottle Leans forward for food Opens mouth for spoon or even reaches for spoon ! ! ! ! ! Stops sucking, lets go of breast or bottle nipple Turns head away Becomes sleepy or falls asleep Pushes away bottle or spoon Closes mouth Loses interest in eating, starts to play Always wash your hands before feeding your baby. Clean all bottles and dishes with hot, soapy water and rinse well. Check the temperature of any heated bottles to make sure they’re evenly warmed, not hot. Never microwave a bottle or baby food. Throw away any breast milk or formula left in a bottle at the end of a feeding. Don’t feed your baby directly from a baby food jar. Put the baby food in a dish, and throw away any that is leftover. FURTHER INFORMATION Consult your doctor if you see a problem. La Leche League A resource on breastfeeding www.lalecheleague.org American Academy of Pediatrics William H Dietz, M.D., Ph.D., Loraine Stern, M.D. Guide to Your Child’s Nutrition, New York: Random House; 1999. Available at www.aap.org. Physicians Practice Communications Network www.medem.com Go to: Learning Centers and then Infant Nutrition Also Library Entry: Children’s Health USDA, Food and Nutrition Information Center www.nalusda.gov/fnic Go to: Topics A-Z: Breastfeeding and Infant Nutrition Also go to: Resource List: Child Nutrition and Health Lesson 1 Supplemental Handout 7*"8#9"//&%# /"#:)' :77/*&80),5&),-&7));3&,4&477-&,4&57;3&G,G5H4&/00/*&4/,3/&)7I(-+&(-<&=9& 57;3&G,G5&4(J4&B(K;(84&/*,/&*,20&4;+,3&L (-)B;8(-+&I(BD%&93;(/&M;()0&73& 973I;B, L&/*040&B(K;(84&),-&),;40&/77/*&80),5<&:77/*&80),5&937I&B(K;(8& (-&,&G,G5&G7//B0&(4&),BB08&NG,G5&G7//B0&/77/*&80),5<O& S# !"#$%&'#(")*#+,+(-.#/%%/$#./,(#$%,&/$(0 • P7-H/&J37J&57;3&G,G5H4&G7//B0<& • Q0203&J;/&57;3&G,G5&/7&G08&R(/*&,&G7//B0<& • P7-H/&B0/&57;3&G,G5&),335&,&G7//B0&,37;-8<& • C0BJ&57;3&)*(B8&B0,3-&/7&83(-D&937I&,&);J&G5&*03&9(34/&G(3/*8,5<& 1"2#/"#.%&%3/#/$%#*45$/#/*,46465#3)'0 • S()D&,&);J&24/$")/&,&-7T4J(BB&2,B20<&:*(4&2,B20&4/7J4&57;3&)*(B8&937I& B0,3-(-+&/7&4(J<& • U77D&973&,&4-,JT7-&73&4)30RT7-&B(8&R(/*&,&4J7;/<& • V*7740&,&);J&R(/*&/R7&*,-8B04<& • A&R0(+*/08&G,40&/*,/&J;BB4&/*0&);J&;J3(+*/&R*0-&(/&/(J4&R(BB&D00J&(/& 937I&4J(BB(-+<& 1"2#/"#).%#/$%#/*,46465#3)'0 • F9903&I(BD&?(9&57;3&G,G5&(4&7-0&50,3&73&7B803@&73&93;(/&M;()0&7-B5&,/& 9008(-+&/(I04&,-8&(-&/*0&/3,(-(-+&);J<& • =9&57;3&)*(B8&(4&/*(34/5&G0/R00-&I0,B4%&79903&R,/03&(-&/*0&/3,(-(-+&);J<& • W7;3&)*(B8&4*7;B8&-7/&),335&,&);J&,37;-8%&*,20&(/&R(/*(-&30,)*&(-&/*0& ),3&73&/,D0&(/&(-&/*0&4/37BB03<& • W7;3&)*(B8&4*7;B8&G0&4(//(-+&R*0-&4*0&/,D04&4(J4&937I&/*0&/3,(-(-+& );J<&=9&*0&R,BD4&73&3;-4&,37;-8&R(/*&,&);J&*0&I,5&9,BB&R(/*&/*0&);J&(-& *(4&I7;/*&),;4(-+&403(7;4&(-M;35<& • :3,(-(-+&);J4&4*7;B8&7-B5&G0&;408&973&,&4*73/&/(I0<&F-)0&57;3&)*(B8& *,4&B0,3-08&*7R&/7&4(J&4*0&),-&;40&,-&7J0-&JB,4/()&);J<& A8,J/08&937IX& AI03(),-&P0-/,B&A447)(,/(7-&P(2(4(7-&79&V7II;-(),/(7-4<&?"##Y@<&>37I&G,G5&G7//B0&/7&);JX&V*7740&/3,(-(-+&);J4&),309;BB5%&;40&/*0I&/0IJ73,3(B5<! "!#$!%&'(!#))*+,!-./, Z[$<& !"##$%&'()*(+,-&./,/0&1-(2034(/5&67,38&79&:3;4/004<&:*0&=-9,-/&>008(-+&.03(04&?:=>.@<&ABB&3(+*/4&30403208< ?C73785-4D(&E&FB47-@<& WO1013 Breastfeeding Breastfeeding is the ideal way to feed babies. It also helps keep your baby from getting sick as often. Breastfeeding is a special time for you and your baby to get to know one another. It is also convenient, inexpensive and good for your health. ! HOW OFTEN SHOULD I FEED MY BABY? BENEFITS FOR MOM: • Your body gets in shape more quickly. • Breastfeeding may help you lose some of the weight you've gained while pregnant. • Breastmilk saves money and time. • Breastfeeding has been found to reduce the risk of some diseases such as cancer and diabetes. You should nurse whenever your baby shows signs of hunger like increased alertness or activity, mouthing or rooting. Crying is a late sign of hunger. Your first feeding may be as early as 20-30 minutes after birth. For the first few days, baby may eat every 1 to 3 hours which is about 8-12 times every 24 hours. Newborns need to eat often because they have small stomachs and breast milk is easy to digest. As your baby gets older, the feedings may be about every 3-4 to four hours and may last about 10-20 minutes. These are only estimates and your baby may not fit in this range. ! HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY BABY IS GETTING ENOUGH MILK? When your baby is three to four days old, you should see at least 6 wet diapers and 2-4 loose yellow stools each day. Urine should be pale yellow, not deep yellow or orange. You should feel baby sucking and hear baby swallowing while feeding. Baby should look alert and healthy when awake. NUTRITION DURING BREASTFEEDING Mothers who are breastfeeding should continue to eat a healthy diet by following MyPyramid (see back page). Continue to eat high-fiber whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and dairy, such as low fat milk and yogurt. It is also important to drink enough fluids while breastfeeding. Try sipping on water, milk or juice while breastfeeding, as well as drinking water whenever you are thirsty. By Beth H. Olson, Ph.D., MSU Extension Nutrition Specialist, Family and Consumer Sciences 12/05 Developed by Family and Consumer Sciences Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity institution. Copyright 2005 by the Michigan State University Board of Trustees. Family and Consumer Sciences grants permission to use this publication for educational purposes only with credit given to MSU. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. Common Challenges with Breastfeeding Sore Nipples When you first start nursing, you may feel some discomfort, but you should not feel pain. If you do, try changing your baby’s position on your breast. Your baby should be facing right at your breast and nipple. If your nipples crack or bleed, get help from a lactation consultant. It can help to rinse your nipples in water and expose them to air before nursing. Engorgement Engorgement is when your breasts feel hot, very hard and swollen. This may be due to your breasts being full of milk, and happens more when you first start breastfeeding. The best way to help this is to feed your baby often and make sure your baby is nursing correctly. Use ice packs between feedings to reduce swelling. Take a warm shower to get milk flowing prior to feeding. If you are away from your baby during regular feedings, use a breast pump or hand express. Sickness For most illnesses, you will still be able to nurse. Mom starts producing antibodies within one hour of getting sick and passes the antibodies to her baby. Ask your doctor if you are sick and before taking any medications. HOW LONG SHOULD YOU BREASTFEED? The American Academy of Pediatrics says that breastmilk is all the nutrition your baby needs for the first six months. Near six months, your baby may be ready for solids. Your baby may be ready when she can sit with support, control her head and upper body, and move her head forward to eat and away when she’s full. It is recommended that you continue breastfeeding for at least 12 months, then as long after as you and your baby want. If you stop breastfeeding before 12 months of age, use iron-fortified formula. Babies cannot digest cow's milk until one year of age. IF YOU NEED HELP If you have any questions, ask the nurses or lactation consultant at the hospital. After leaving the hospital, you may be able to call back for help, or call a private lactation consultant (see below). Other people who can help are your baby’s doctor or nurse, your doctor, or a WIC nutritionist. FURTHER INFORMATION USDA Food Pyramid: www.mypyramid.gov Lactation consultants: La Leche League www.lalecheleague.org or the phone book The National Women’s Health Information Center www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding ILCA’s INSIDE TRACK a resource for breastfeeding mothers A Publication of the International Lactation Consultant Association Feeding Solid Foods to Your Baby: What Every Parent Should Know By Jennifer Bañuelos, BS, Kara Ishii, MSW, and Jane Heinig, PhD, IBCLC C Congratulations! Your baby is a few months old now and seems to be growing so fast. You may be thinking about starting solid foods. You want the best for your baby, but when and how to begin feeding solid foods can be confusing. Here are some helpful tips about feeding solid foods to your baby. Your Baby’s Needs: Birth to 6 Months ! Birth to about 6 months: Breast milk only. Exclusive breastfeeding provides all the nutrients your baby needs during the first few months of life. As your baby grows, more calories and nutrients will be needed than can be easily provided by breast milk. Around the same time, your baby’s mouth and digestive tract begin to change. These changes prepare your baby to eat solid foods. The introduction of solid foods, along with breast milk, is an important part of your baby’s development. Solid foods should begin to be given at around 6 months of age. But babies develop at different times and have different needs. Talk to your doctor before giving your baby solid foods. ! About 6-7 months: Iron-fortified infant cereal and breast milk. ! About 6-8 months: Strained or mashed vegetables, fruits, and meats; juice in a cup; and breast milk. ! About 7-10 months: Finger foods (dry cereal, crackers, tortillas, cooked vegetables, soft fruits), and breast milk. ! About 8-12 months: Mashed or chopped foods from the family meal (ground or finely chopped meats, fish, or poultry; cottage cheese), and breast milk. Don’t panic if your baby doesn’t eat solid food right away. Remember, this is a time for learning. Feeding solid foods must be started slowly and Your baby must learn to eat solid foods. As your with patience. Your baby needs time to get used baby adjusts to the new foods, you should slowly to different tastes and textures. As you add new offer other kinds of foods. ! foods, you should continue breastfeeding as normal. Your Baby’s Needs: 6-12 Months Here is a guideline to give you an idea about when babies can usually eat which kinds of foods. 23 August 2005 Myth Busters (next page) Best Ways to Feed Your Baby (next page) ILCA’s INSIDE TRACK A Publication of the International Lactation Consultant Association Myth Busters Myth #1: Solid foods should be introduced when your baby eats more often than every 3 hours. Babies have different stomach sizes and eating habits. Some babies need to eat every 5 hours. Others may need to eat only every 2 hours. Counting hours between feeds does not tell you if your baby is ready to eat solid foods. Myth #2: You must start solid foods early or else your baby will become picky and refuse them later. Before 6 months of age, your baby does not need solid foods.There is no proof that your baby will refuse solid foods if you wait to begin feeding solid foods until 6 months or later. Breast milk has many flavors. Breast fed babies are more likely to try different foods. Helpful tips Myth #3: Feeding your baby cereal is a good way to help your baby sleep through the night. Cereal is a solid food. Giving solid food to your baby too early is not healthy for your baby. Also, your baby’s stomach is about the size of his or her fist. It does not hold much food.This is why feeding must occur more often.As your baby grows, he or she will begin to sleep longer. FOODS not to give your baby ! Soda ! Hot dogs ! Candy ! Chips ! Popcorn ! French fries ! Raisins ! Nuts ! Cow’s milk (not before 1 year of age) ! Added salt, sugar, or spices ! Whole grapes If you have a family history of allergies, talk to your doctor about what not to give your baby. Your Local Lactation Consultant best ways to feed your baby " Breastfeed first, then offer a little cereal. " Feed your baby from a plate or bowl, This will keep your milk supply the same. " Keep your breastfeeding schedule the same, even when adding solid foods. " Feed your baby when there are few distractions. " Never give cereal or any other foods through the bottle. " Start with foods that are smooth and runny. They will be easiest for your baby to swallow. Slowly add texture as your baby gets used to the food. not from a jar. The food left in the jar will spoil quickly from the baby’s saliva. " Feed your baby when the family eats. This will make him or her more likely to try new foods. " Do not force your baby to eat. He or she is more likely to eat if it is not forced. " Give only 2 to 4 ounces of juice per day. Too much juice is bad for your baby. " Give only one new food every few days. This will make it easy to see if your baby has allergies to any foods. © 2005 International Lactation Consultant Association. ILCA’s INSIDE TRACK may be photocopied and distributed freely but not sold, either by, for, or to any person or profit, non-profit, public, or private entity. Questions? Call (919) 861-5577.