The baby is growing up and it is time to introduce solid food into his diet. Are you prepared? Suddenly you find yourself face to face with your first babysitting experience and need to feed a baby? Here are some practical tips and help.
Steps
Step 1. Start when the baby is ready
Breast milk or formula (liquid or powdered) is usually recommended for babies up to 6 months. Do not rush. If you start too early, solid food could cause allergies and eating disorders. When the right time comes you will realize it because the child:
- He sits alone.
- Turn your head or turn your head away when you try to do something unpleasant to his face (like wipe his nose).
- Show interest in people who eat.
- He is hungry even after about 250ml of milk.
Step 2. Use a high chair
It would be ideal, but if you don't have it, you could also use a car seat, for example! Only seat the baby on your lap in desperate cases as it is uncomfortable and messy. Check that the chair is safe and that the child is properly fastened.
Step 3. Place a protective tarp on the floor to avoid mess and extra cleaning
On sale you can find specific ones, but painters' sheets, garbage bags or chair covers are also good.
Step 4. Wash your hands
Always wash your hands before preparing or serving food. This rule also applies when cooking for children.
Step 5. Choose some appetizers
If you have a slightly older child, choose snacks that are appropriate for their age. Cheerios cereals, rice cakes, meat sticks or dried vegetables are good examples. Also serve them as an appetizer while waiting for the main meal.
Step 6. Grab a bowl or two
Usually a bowl is used for cereals and one for the side dish. Opt for plastic bowls as small children are known to have a tendency to drop things. Obviously check that the bowls are clean!
Step 7. Choose a type of cereal
Even experienced children should have a meal consisting of cereals at least once a day. Cereals are in fact considered one of the most nutritious solid foods for children. Cereals should be the main dish of the meal. More "experienced" children usually eat various grains such as oats, barley or rice. Prepare them as directed in the package. To flavor them, you can add fruit or vegetable puree. The dish that is usually recommended for the first time is rice mixed with breast milk or formula. For starters, make sure it is liquid enough so the baby can swallow it easily. Always check the temperature of the food before giving it to the baby!
Step 8. Choose the right food
THE Experienced children usually eat ready-made food. The appropriate age for that particular food is usually indicated in the jars. If you decide to heat it, pay attention to the temperature!
Step 9. Avoid plastic containers marked with the number 7
Recently there have been some debates about the plastic used for food containers. Packaging with the 7 mark for recycling has been attributed to the release of substances that are probably toxic to the body. However, since there are still conflicting opinions, it is advisable to prefer glass to plastic.
Step 10. Do not use expired or contaminated food
Always check the expiration date and make sure the jar lids are sealed. Rinse the containers before use. Use jars or tubs only if there are no or no leftovers. If you are storing them, pour them into a bowl, cover it, and keep it in the fridge. The baby's saliva or dirty spoon could introduce bacteria or viruses on the food that you will reuse. Remember that leftovers must be consumed within 48 hours.
Step 11. Use a baby spoon
Classic or dessert spoons may be too hard for the baby's gums. Baby spoons have protective cases or change color to indicate too high a food temperature. Either way, it needs to be clean.
Step 12. Have some napkins handy
Paper or fabric, the important thing is that there are. Children get dirty!
Step 13. Put a bib on the baby
The bigger the better. A waterproof bib is a great choice for preventing food stains on baby's clothes.
Step 14. Use a cup
Babies who start eating solid food also need fluids. Find out if you prefer a straw cup or a regular plastic cup. Use filtered or clean water. If you want, you can also dilute some juice.
Step 15. Feed the child
An experienced hungry child usually opens his mouth to indicate where to put the spoon. Take a bite of food and offer it to the baby. Wait for him to swallow before giving him more. They usually only eat a tablespoon of it at first, so don't expect big bites.
Step 16. Give the baby a drink
After 5-10 mouthfuls, offer the cup to the child by gently bringing it to his lips. One or two sips are fine. This step is sure to create a mess!
Step 17. Pay attention to the baby's hands
Children are curious and tend to grab anything they can reach including bowl, cup, spoon and tea! They also delight in watching the falling things.
Step 18. Let the child help you
Older ones can do this on their own, while little ones may grab the spoon or cup just when you are feeding them. If possible, encourage them to help you even if it could create further clutter.
Step 19.
Know when it's enough.
If the baby moves his head, cries, whimpers, pushes the spoon away, and starts throwing food, he probably doesn't want any more. Give him a toy, distract him, or take him out of the room when it's time to tidy up and clean up after the meal.
Step 20. Make a note of what you eat
Many parents write down what, when and how much the child ate. This step is especially useful for identifying possible food allergies or intolerances and monitoring special needs in the child's diet.
Step 21. Clean
Clean the baby with napkins, especially hands and face. Use lukewarm water. Prepare the various dishes to wash. Clean the high chair with a mild detergent and water. Prepare napkins, bibs, and dirty clothes for the washing machine.
Step 22. Finished
Advice
- Are you tired of the objects that the child drops all the time? Babies like to drop things off the high chair and see what happens. This “game” is universal and extraordinarily educational and fun for a small child, but it can be irritating and annoying for adults. The game in question could end in an unpleasant way, with the annoyed and grumpy child, obese animals and nervous parents. For the moment, no solution has been invented to this dilemma, but it can be mitigated by giving the child toys suitable for being thrown on the ground. Don't force the baby to eat if he doesn't want to. And don't forget: patience is the greatest help.
- Not sure what the baby likes? They usually prefer apples, carrots and bananas.
- Does the baby cry but opens his mouth to indicate that he is hungry? Maybe you feed him too slowly. Or it's time to change the diaper. Check for any straps in the high chair that may bother the baby. It could also be that he misses his mom, is tired or frustrated for some reason.
- If your dining room has carpeting or fabric chairs, use a Scotchgard-type product to protect the fabrics. Children seem to have the special ability to drop the food that stains the most into the finest fabrics.
- Buy specific products for cleaning furniture or carpet if these materials are present in the room where you feed the baby. Always keep them available and do not delay cleaning or the stains could become permanent. If possible, cover certain materials with old towels or sheets etc …
- Check it out always that the high chair is properly fastened.
- Consult your pediatrician: find out what foods and when you can give them to the baby. If you are a babysitter, ask the parents.
- Too dirty and messy with food? If the temperature is medium-hot, during the meal, undress the baby and leave him with the diaper, to avoid soiling other clothes. Sometimes it's easier to give it a bath than to clean it.
- Buy a stain remover spray for clothes and fabrics.
- Keep a damp towel handy to clean up any food or other debris. This will reduce post-meal cleaning. You'll still have a lot to clean, but food stains are easier to get rid of if they're not caked.
Warnings
- Babies still without teeth should only be offered baby food.
- Ask your pediatrician for advice on how to get started.
- Do not give honey or peanuts to children under one year.
- If you are giving cheerios or other round oat grains, break them in half.
- Avoid foods with a high percentage of allergies such as strawberries, eggs and starchy foods.
- Beware of choking hazards. Peanuts, grapes, hotdogs are potentially dangerous foods if offered to very young children.
- Always check that the high chair is safe.
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Never leave your baby alone in the high chair.
