The natural food for infants is mother’s milk, which is by far the best. Mother’s milk is richer in iron than cow’s milk. If the mother is on a good diet, eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including daily citrus fruit, the baby will receive all the necessary vitamins, minerals, protein, fat, and carbohydrate. Unless the mother is in a weakened condition or is suffering from disease, she should nurse her child, and nine times out of ten would be able to do so by using the right diet.
Also, read: How to breastfeed your baby
Note: Diet recommendation for nursing mothers will be featured our next article on pregnancy.
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Regularity in infant feeding is essential. The child should not stay at the breast more than thirty minutes, and if the milk supply is plentiful ten to fifteen minutes is usually adequate. All infants should be weaned by the end of the first year. Weaning should be gradual. Give a bottle once a day with the breastfeeding, increasing the number of bottles each day until the child is entirely weaned.
Also, read: The recommended dietary patterns for infants and toddlers
Cane sugar in any form should never be given to infants under any circumstances. Many times cane sugar is the cause of fever and other ailments. Malt sugar, malt honey, or honey should always be used in place of cane sugar.
Diarrhea in infants can be stopped by the use of thin rice or barley water. For an older child, use oatmeal gruel. This should be given until the looseness is checked.
Soybean milk is a good food for infants and children and can be given from the first day. In using soybean milk, you eliminate the danger of contaminated milk and also disease is not encountered. The flavor of soybean milk can be improved by the addition of a little-powdered oatmeal, powdered wheat malt, or barley malt.
ALSO, READ: Health Benefits of Soy Milk
For infants, soybean milk should be diluted by using one-fourth water to three-fourths soybean milk. Discretion must be used in diluting soybean milk as in other infant’s food, depending upon the needs of the infants. When the infant has a weak stomach, or is not strong constitutionally, dilute the milk more. The milk can be given full strength at the age of five or six months. When the baby is six months old, dilute four tablespoonfuls of whole wheat flakes in boiling water until completely dissolved, put through a fine sieve, and add to the baby’s bottle. This will give added nourishment in an excellent form. A smaller amount of wheat flakes may be added earlier with benefit.
Begin feeding wholesome simple foods in puree form, such as greens, vegetables, fruit juices, and gruels, when the first teeth appear. Orange juice and tomato juice may be given from the beginning, starting with a half teaspoonful at about the age of one month.
When a child is given meat, white flour products, cane sugar products, candies, etc., he loses his taste and desire for wholesome natural foods. The eating of these detrimental things by children is responsible for many illnesses.
Never allow children to eat between meals. Irregularities in eating ruin the digestive organs by keeping them over-worked, causing indigestion and nervousness.
If the baby is being fed cow’s milk, vitamin C and D may be lacking. A simple way to make sure the infant is getting sufficient vitamins is to use a multivitamin concentrate which contains vitamins A, C, D, and sometimes B complex. But overdosage with vitamins, particularly vitamin D, should be avoided.From solid food to sippy cups, spoons, and kids' ability to feed themselves, here are the major eating milestones and when to expect them. See all baby videos in baby center
Also, read: The Best for You and Your Baby
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