After the last post on teething, I received a lot of DMs from new moms regarding diet in children. A good healthy balanced diet is very important for growth and development. Babies can develop a palate for food from a very young age. Today let's discuss introducing a healthy diet for children aged 0-1 year, which will help them in proper growth and development and good oral cavity.
#1 BREASTFEEDING
Exclusive breast milk till the age of 6 months.
World Health Organisation
You can continue breastfeeding until your child is 1 year old or even longer which is mutually decided by the baby and the mother.
It's not uncommon for a child to fall asleep while breastfeeding. This does not cause cavities in a child's mouth because breast milk is dispensed only on suckling. then you can stop feeding and put your child to sleep. Breast milk has the necessary nutrition and antibodies for the growth of a healthy child, not only the simple act of breastfeeding helps the child to bond with the mother and improves hunger satisfaction. The swallowing pattern that occurs during breastfeeding promotes healthy growth of the airway, face, and mouth.
Breast milk also contains natural sugars. Hence, make sure you wipe your baby's gum pads with clean gauze. Once you see your baby's teeth erupting start brushing your baby's teeth with a toothbrush and fluoride-contacting toothpaste, use only a rice size paste twice daily.
Did you know?
Babies who are breastfed exclusively for first 6 months are less likely to be over-weight.
The most important and difficult periods of breast-feeding are
During the first few days after the baby is born
When the mother returned to work
During weaning
Talk to your pediatrician/ lactation expert about how to handle these situations.
Did you know?
Babies who are breast-fed for less than 6 months are more likely devleop pacifier/ finger sucking habit - which affects the growth of jaws and face.
#2 FORMULA FEED and BOTTLE FEEDING
For mothers who can't breastfeed their infant, the pediatrician may suggest formula. For a baby who is 0 - 6 months make sure you use only formula or breast milk while bottle feeding. Also, ensure that you don't add sugar or other carbs like cereal, or porridge in the bottle.
Typically bottle-fed infants tend to develop malocclusion and snoring habits due to increased air during swallowing and change in swallowing patterns. Using an orthodontic nipple, a wide-based nipple or a nipple resembling the shape of a breast can avoid such issues.
Bottle-fed infants also develop Non-nutritive sucking habits because the emotional satisfaction of breastfeeding doesn't occur. If you see your kid developing any non-nutritive sucking habit make sure your little one stops the habit by age 3 and talk to your dentist.
Did you know?
Bottle feeding at night when the kid is asleep is causes early childhool caries
The risk of developing baby bottle cavities in bottle-fed infants is high, typically because the contact between milk and tooth is more. Both breast milk and formula contain forms of sugar and sugar is one of the major factors that cause cavities. When bottle feeding the kid make sure you remove the bottle as soon as your kid sleeps. Give a few spoons of water and regularly wipe your baby's gum pads.
Bottle feeding at night time can cause early childhood caries in kids. this can affect the baby's teeth as soon as they erupt. Giving any formula, breastmilk, juices, or liquids with any added carbohydrate can cause this. In case your baby is unable to sleep without a bottle in his/ her mouth you can simply give water which won't result in cavities.
Key takeaways
1. Exclusive breast milk till the age of 6 months
2. In case the mother is not able to sufficiently produce milk you can use formula feed as recommended by your pediatrician.
3. In case you are bottle feeding use only recommended formula or breast milk- Do not add any carbohydrates or sugars.
4. Avoid bottle feeding at night.
That's all for now. Please feel free to comment/ DM your questions. The next post will be about the
introduction of solid food for children above 6 months and weaning.
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