# It
is important to follow the “Three day wait” rule when introducing your
baby to new solid foods, especially in the beginning stage. Patience is the key to this rule.
# This is really a simple way to check for possible reactions to new foods such as food sensitivities, food allergies or digestive troubles like tummy pains, painful gas or even poop troubles. It also enables you to easily begin an “elimination diet“.
# Allergy reactions :- Most kids are not allergic, be extra-careful if there is an history of food allergy in your family. If the child is allergic, the reaction would materialize in those three days, maybe through a rash or swelling. If nothing happens, then that food is safe and you can introduce a new one.
# So always introduce new foods, one food at a time and at a space of 3 days apart. For example, if you are introducing baby to avocado on Monday, then wait until Thursday to introduce another food.
# Following a slow pattern of introducing solid foods to your baby will help pinpoint allergic reactions and to pinpoint any digestive issues a new food may cause. Allergic reactions typically will occur within the first 24 hours.
# When you should introduce :- After baby has crossed 6 month and when your baby shows interest. Baby should be able to sit with minimal support and hold the head up. I heard starting too soon increased obesity and diabetes.
# Best time to introduce :- Introduce new foods during the morning or early afternoon. This will enable you to monitor it well and deal with any adverse reactions when your pediatrician is in office.
# First Solid Foods :- The first solid food you introduce should be rice cereal. Then you can follow with Cereals varieties, pureed vegetables and then fruits.
# Why veggies first then fruits :- Introduce vegetables before fruits or baby might refuse them as fruits have sweet taste. Adding fruits alone is not very nutritious though, so fruits should be added along with other more nutritious foods. The more colors on our plates, the healthier the meal probably is! For healthier purées, make your own as you will know what goes inside rather than store bought ones.
# Texture :- Don’t give any textures your baby will choke on. To start with introduce the puree in fine texture. Each baby will have unique food preferences, but the transition should go something like this - Pureed or semi-liquid food, strained or mashed food then small pieces of finger foods
# How much to feed my baby :- Babies will let you know when they are full by turning away, pursing their lips, spitting out food, or throwing foods. As they eat more food, they will need less breast milk or formula. In general a baby who is gaining weight normally will self regulate volumes.
# Home made foods or Store bought :- Home made is always the best. You can even take whatever you are cooking for your family and put it in a food processor or some blenders and with a little water to get it to a texture baby can eat. There are many baby food cook books and ideas of how to freeze meal-sized portions so you can make multiple meals at one sitting.
# Combining Foods :- Once you have introduced several new foods without a reaction, you can then begin to mix them together as you wish. Combining two foods together.
# Baby Stools :- Don't be surprised if your baby's stools change color and odor when you add solids to his diet. If your baby has been exclusively breastfed up to this point, you'll probably notice a strong odor to his formerly sweet-smelling stools as soon as he starts eating even tiny amounts of solids.
# How long you should follow this 3day Rule :- When your baby is around 9-10 months of age, you will have introduced many new foods and will have a good idea about what foods may be allergenic or cause your little one digestive upsets. At this stage, paying less attention to the 3 day wait rule is common.
Breastmilk fed babies vs Formula fed Babies :-
# Babies who have had breast milk have had sweet all along! Breast milk is very sweet, yet babies who are graduating to foods often love the new flavors and textures with foods. Formula babies haven’t had the sweet milk, but they can still develop a healthy appreciation of flavors with addition of new foods.
Wholemilk Restrictions :-
Cow’s milk is not a meal in itself (like breast milk or formula). It is missing many vitamins and minerals, so babies need to continue breast milk or formula until at least a year. Cow’s milk may lead to allergies or eczema, including formulas made with cow’s milk.
# Restrictions till 12 months :- Wait until baby is at least a year old before giving him eggs, fish or peanut butter. Baby should be fed breast-milk or formula till 12 months. Only between ages 1 and 2, all toddlers need whole milk.
# There are still foods that should be avoided, such as honey and soft non-pasteurized cheese, as these may cause illnesses in babies, not allergies. Wait until baby is 12 months to introduce these foods.
# If your baby turns away from a particular food, don't push. Try again in a week or so.
Disclaimer - I have gathered all these information from my son's pediatrician, friends, family and google. As always, you should consult with your baby’s pediatrician before you feed anything to your baby.
If you enjoy reading my blog, Join my page on Facebook | follow me on Twitter | add me on Google+.
Cheers,
# This is really a simple way to check for possible reactions to new foods such as food sensitivities, food allergies or digestive troubles like tummy pains, painful gas or even poop troubles. It also enables you to easily begin an “elimination diet“.
# Allergy reactions :- Most kids are not allergic, be extra-careful if there is an history of food allergy in your family. If the child is allergic, the reaction would materialize in those three days, maybe through a rash or swelling. If nothing happens, then that food is safe and you can introduce a new one.
# So always introduce new foods, one food at a time and at a space of 3 days apart. For example, if you are introducing baby to avocado on Monday, then wait until Thursday to introduce another food.
# Following a slow pattern of introducing solid foods to your baby will help pinpoint allergic reactions and to pinpoint any digestive issues a new food may cause. Allergic reactions typically will occur within the first 24 hours.
# When you should introduce :- After baby has crossed 6 month and when your baby shows interest. Baby should be able to sit with minimal support and hold the head up. I heard starting too soon increased obesity and diabetes.
# Best time to introduce :- Introduce new foods during the morning or early afternoon. This will enable you to monitor it well and deal with any adverse reactions when your pediatrician is in office.
# First Solid Foods :- The first solid food you introduce should be rice cereal. Then you can follow with Cereals varieties, pureed vegetables and then fruits.
# Why veggies first then fruits :- Introduce vegetables before fruits or baby might refuse them as fruits have sweet taste. Adding fruits alone is not very nutritious though, so fruits should be added along with other more nutritious foods. The more colors on our plates, the healthier the meal probably is! For healthier purées, make your own as you will know what goes inside rather than store bought ones.
# Texture :- Don’t give any textures your baby will choke on. To start with introduce the puree in fine texture. Each baby will have unique food preferences, but the transition should go something like this - Pureed or semi-liquid food, strained or mashed food then small pieces of finger foods
# How much to feed my baby :- Babies will let you know when they are full by turning away, pursing their lips, spitting out food, or throwing foods. As they eat more food, they will need less breast milk or formula. In general a baby who is gaining weight normally will self regulate volumes.
# Home made foods or Store bought :- Home made is always the best. You can even take whatever you are cooking for your family and put it in a food processor or some blenders and with a little water to get it to a texture baby can eat. There are many baby food cook books and ideas of how to freeze meal-sized portions so you can make multiple meals at one sitting.
# Combining Foods :- Once you have introduced several new foods without a reaction, you can then begin to mix them together as you wish. Combining two foods together.
# Baby Stools :- Don't be surprised if your baby's stools change color and odor when you add solids to his diet. If your baby has been exclusively breastfed up to this point, you'll probably notice a strong odor to his formerly sweet-smelling stools as soon as he starts eating even tiny amounts of solids.
# How long you should follow this 3day Rule :- When your baby is around 9-10 months of age, you will have introduced many new foods and will have a good idea about what foods may be allergenic or cause your little one digestive upsets. At this stage, paying less attention to the 3 day wait rule is common.
Breastmilk fed babies vs Formula fed Babies :-
# Babies who have had breast milk have had sweet all along! Breast milk is very sweet, yet babies who are graduating to foods often love the new flavors and textures with foods. Formula babies haven’t had the sweet milk, but they can still develop a healthy appreciation of flavors with addition of new foods.
Wholemilk Restrictions :-
Cow’s milk is not a meal in itself (like breast milk or formula). It is missing many vitamins and minerals, so babies need to continue breast milk or formula until at least a year. Cow’s milk may lead to allergies or eczema, including formulas made with cow’s milk.
# Restrictions till 12 months :- Wait until baby is at least a year old before giving him eggs, fish or peanut butter. Baby should be fed breast-milk or formula till 12 months. Only between ages 1 and 2, all toddlers need whole milk.
# There are still foods that should be avoided, such as honey and soft non-pasteurized cheese, as these may cause illnesses in babies, not allergies. Wait until baby is 12 months to introduce these foods.
# If your baby turns away from a particular food, don't push. Try again in a week or so.
Disclaimer - I have gathered all these information from my son's pediatrician, friends, family and google. As always, you should consult with your baby’s pediatrician before you feed anything to your baby.
If you enjoy reading my blog, Join my page on Facebook | follow me on Twitter | add me on Google+.
Cheers,
