EARLY INTRODUCTION OF SOLID FOOD TO BABIES

June 28, 2018

Here’s how to introduce solid food to babies gradually.

A recent study has shown that babies – as young as 4 months old- who are started too early on foods high in carbohydrates will likely have a lifelong struggle with excess weight gain and obesity. New research published in the April issue of Paediatrics has found that 40{54d2fcdcd494adb6982253be6fe8d5492e5f586157f419110131714f9092ec60} of mothers start feeding their babies solid foods much too early, with many claiming they were given the go-ahead by their healthcare providers.

The researchers found that mothers who used baby formula (54{54d2fcdcd494adb6982253be6fe8d5492e5f586157f419110131714f9092ec60}) were more than twice as likely as those who exclusively breastfed (28{54d2fcdcd494adb6982253be6fe8d5492e5f586157f419110131714f9092ec60}) to start solid foods. While many moms claimed their providers said it was fine to feed their babies earlier, other popular reasons for the switch to solids were that moms believed their babies were ready or that it would help them sleep better and longer at night.

The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) states that head and neck control and other coordination skills infants need to safely eat solid foods does not develop until around 4 months of age. The group also notes that introducing solids too soon ends the exclusive benefits of breastfeeding, which it recommends be continued until 6 months of age as it offers many health benefits including reduced risk of respiratory and ear infections, diarrhoea and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).However, it is recommend that a small amount of cereal be added to the formula to help babies with reflux.

Source: www.redorbit.com