Within the first year of a child's birth, if not properly taken care of, they can be susceptible to various diseases. Therefore, parents can greatly help in nurturing their baby by paying attention to the following ten key points in infant feeding.
1. For infants who are breastfed, they can start consuming vegetable juice and fruit juice at 2-3 months old. At 4-5 months old, they can eat a small amount of boiled egg yolk and rice soup, as well as a small amount of cod liver oil and vitamin C. At 6-7 months old, they can eat some soft porridge and soft noodles. At 8-9 months old, they can eat vegetables, meat soup, tofu, and egg custard. At 10-12 months old, they can eat soft rice, steamed buns, and biscuits.
2. It is best to introduce one type of food at a time, and once they are accustomed to it, then introduce a second type. The amount of food should gradually increase each time, but do not overfeed.
3. Feed complementary foods before breastfeeding, as the baby's stomach is empty at this time, making it easier to accept and digest food.
4. Pay attention to the baby's digestion. If there is indigestion, reduce or temporarily stop the complementary foods.
5. During breastfeeding, mothers should pay attention to their nutrition to ensure an adequate milk supply. The mother can consume fresh vegetables, beans, eggs, and meat, and should avoid a monotonous diet.
6. The wet nurse should regularly maintain nipple hygiene, frequently clean and change clothes, and wash the nipples before breastfeeding.
7. The frequency of breastfeeding should be every 3-4 hours, and it is best not to feed during the night. Each breastfeeding session should last for 20 minutes, and for weaker infants, the feeding time can be slightly longer, but not exceeding 30 minutes.
8. After each feeding, hold the baby on the shoulder and gently pat their back to expel the air they swallowed, in order to prevent regurgitation.
9. During the day, in between two breastfeeding sessions, give the baby water once, but not in excessive amounts. When giving water to the baby, a small amount of salt can be added.
10. After 3 months, consciously develop the habit of eating in the baby, laying the foundation for weaning. Weaning should be done by the baby's first birthday, and no later than one and a half years old. If weaning is delayed, the breast milk becomes thin and cannot meet the baby's developmental needs, which can lead to malnutrition or anemia.
It is best to wean in autumn or spring. Gradually reduce the number of breastfeeding sessions and replace them with complementary foods to wean the baby.
