Breastfeeding/
Formula feedingFoodFoodThis is a subject that most seem to have an opinion on...so here is mine! I like to remember that every baby is a unique little being and therefore is going to be different. You will know when your baby is ready for solids by her being interested in what you are eating, not being satisfied after a breast or bottle feed, has had slow weight gain or little weight gain for a while, she doesn't thrust her tongue out automatically when you place food on it, she is atleast 4 months old, there is no history of allergies in the family & she can hold her head up well. So where to from here? Most people start their babies out on plain rice cereal. Be aware that if you start your baby on sweet foods, she is less likely to take to her veggies if you introduce them at a later stage. A common early vegetable mix is simply pumpkin with a little potato in it. Boil up half a butternut (you can use any type of pumpkin, I have chosen butternut because it is a sweeter taste than the kent pumpkins), add a good size potato. Boil until soft. Don't add any salt to the water. Once boiled, blend in a food processor until smooth. Store in small sized portions in the freezer. Ice cube trays placed in freezer bags work well for this. Then just defrost as needed. When she is atleast 6mths you can mash the pumpkin mixture, but make sure there are no large lumps. There is such a huge range of foods you can try your baby on. Squash, zucchini, sweet potato, asparagus, avocado, leeks, broccoli, cauliflower, bananas, apples, pears, tomatoes... and on and on! Try mixing 1/3 cup of Ricotta cheese with pureed apple or pear for your baby! It can last, covered, in the fridge for up to 2 days. A simple mashed up banana is inexpensive, very easy & a great source of vitamin B, that is important for growth, developing a healthy nervous system & converting food into energy! Another popular one is pureed avocado. Just mash it up! You may want to add a little bit of your baby's normal milk. Avocado is a fantastic source of vitamin E, which is needed to help develop & maintain strong cells & a health nervous system!It is generally best to start out on the blander foods, and if adding a new food to your baby's diet, do it gradually over a few days. It is also recommenced that you wait until atleast 6mths of age until offering foods such as meats and fish. 9mths of ages for wheat products like pasta, oats & bread. It is also advised to wait until your baby is atleast 12mths old before giving them eggs, honey, peanut butter & whole cow's milk. You may wish to bring your baby up on a vegetarian diet. This can be perfectly healthy as long as they are getting enough protein & iron. A dietician can help you design a healthy vegetarian diet so that your baby gets all the requirements her body needs to grow strong and healthy.If you are after some tried & true recipes for your baby, be sure to check out our recipe book!
Sleeping
TeethingThe information contained in the pages of Aradiia.com are a guide only & are not designed to replace medical advice. For any medical advice, see your local Child Health Clinic or doctor