Feeding babies are easy compared to toddlers. Once a baby starts eating solid food, they can become choosy and selective in their food. They scream and create tantrums if they don’t like the food. Sometimes, they will not even eat and that can upset their constitution. There is also a time for meals which the toddler has gotten accustomed to. If the meal is not ready at the prescribed time, the toddler can become very unruly and demanding. If the disruption happens often, it can affect the eating habits of the toddler.

If a toddler likes a particular food, that could become the same food at every meal – breakfast, lunch and dinner. They may eat it endlessly day in and day out for weeks on end. Though they are eating regularly, it is not good to eat the same food all the time. They should be eating different food and maintaining a balanced and healthy meal. Here are some comments to make them eat a balanced meal.
Continue feeding them the food they like but mix some other food into it. If they like eggs, try mixing some meat or vegetables with the egg. Children normally go for pasta dishes or pizzas. It is fairly easy to add in other types of food with those dishes. When you mix in the other food, try to maintain the flavor and taste that they are like. Children will notice the additional toppings but might not mind them if the taste is similar to the food they like. After a while, try adjusting the taste slightly. Show them it’s the same food being served to them. If they notice the change in flavor, go back to the original food and try adjusting slowly again. Once they get used to the new flavor, try other types of food. It is good to expose them to different varieties of food so they can learn to eat a balanced meal as they grow up.

Sometimes, toddlers like to follow the example of an elder or a friend. If they see an elder or a friend eating a particular food, they will follow suit and eat that food too. They might not like the taste initially but since they see the elder or friend enjoying the food, they will make an effort to also like the food. You have to show them you are enjoying your food and ask them to try it also. Do it slowly until they get used to the new food. Feed them alternately between your food and the food they like. You have to also change food regularly so the child does not see you are also eating the same food all the time.

Try eating their food too. A toddler may accept his meals if he sees the parents are also eating the same food. Don’t offer them the food. Toddlers are curious and will ask what you are eating. Tell them they can’t have any of it. Toddlers have a tendency of wanting things that they can’t have. Share the food with them grudgingly. They will appreciate your allowing them to try your food and may even want more afterwards.
It is vital you introduce the toddler to a variety of foods. Get them accustomed to different foods and help them build up a well rounded diet.

In order for your baby to have as much nutrients as she can without causing you much discomfort, she must latch on your breast properly and securely. An improper latch can cause you much pain due soft tissue injury on your nipples. Here are ways to help you and your baby get a proper latch during breast feeding.

Position is always a prime consideration during breast feeding. You and your baby have to be comfortable and relaxed during feeding. See which hold is best to help your baby feed comfortably. The best position for most mothers is to have the baby face her body turned on the side, with baby’s chest and stomach facing or touching the chest of the mother. This way, your baby is totally facing the breast, and does not need to crank or turn her head in an awkward manner to latch on. If you’re doing the football hold, the baby should be on her back, with her face right at the front of the breast. In all positions of feeding, what’s important is that the lips are directly in front of the nipple.

Once the baby has latched on, the rule is to have as much nipple and areola in the baby’s mouth. A tip of the nipple is not enough for your baby to suck out milk causing her to suck on it excessively. If you have a large areola, letting your baby suck in about an inch is just right for proper latching. Mothers will small areola will have to let her baby suck in a bit of the surrounding breast surface.

Hold your baby as close as possible without suffocating her. The chin should be causing a small dent in the underside of the breast, with her nose lightly touching or resting on the upper breast area. This would ensure that your baby will suck in as much breast surface without causing much discomfort on your part. If you notice that the breast is not making contact with the nose and breast of the baby, unlatch the baby and re-do the process all over again.

Your baby’s lips should be rolled out or flanged. Some call it “fish lips,” for lack of better analogy. This ensures that the baby is sucking on breast tissue and not on her lips. A noticeable pink margin should be seen surrounding the breast. Your baby’s tongue must also be over the lower gum line. This will aid in supporting the nipple while the baby feeds. It may be difficult for you to see if the tongue is indeed out, so you might want to ask someone to check it for you. They can check this by gently pulling the lower lip of your baby. You can support your breast by cupping underside of your breast with your thumb and middle finger while gently using pressure to push your breast towards your chest. Support the lower jaw of your child with the use of your forefinger. What you should hear is your baby swallowing milk and not a clicking, slurping type of noise. Your baby’s cheeks should also appear full and not sucked in.

Breastfeeding is something that both you and your baby should learn. Good latching is achieved through massive trial and error, so don’t feel too bad if you have to try and try again. If your baby is not latching properly, put her off the breast by placing your clean small finger through the corner of her mouth. If you still have problems with latching, consult a lactation specialist to pinpoint and correct the problem.

Photo by jessicafmOne major concern for mothers when they go home from the hospital with their baby is how often and how much they should feed the little infant. One common mistake of hospitals after discharge is not teaching first-time mothers how much the baby would demand breastfeeding and why.

Breastfed babies need more feedings compared to formula fed babies because breastmilk is digested faster than formula milk. This is because the protein molecules in breastmilk are made by nature to be smaller in structure to help your baby’s tiny and underdeveloped digestive system to break down and absorb. You will notice the difference when you see compare the poop of a breastfed baby to that of a baby who is formula fed. The poop of a breastfed baby is loose compared to the poop of a formula fed baby.

Breast-fed babies usually feed every 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours. Unless your baby has a medical condition, your pediatrician will tell you to breastfeed your baby on demand. At night time, you must make sure that your baby does not go beyond 4 hours without feeding. You must also need to consider the stomach capacity of your baby. At the first day of life, your baby can take only about 1 teaspoon per feeding, and by day 5, your baby will be able to take in about an ounce of breastmilk. Every two to three months, the capacity will increase by an ounce or 2. However, your baby will be the one to determine if she’s full or not. Don’t force her to feed more than she would need for she may vomit the excess milk. If you change wet diapers 6-8 times, with stool of 2-3 times a day. Your baby should be steadily gaining weight, and will look content after each feeding. If you wish to help your baby gradually increase her stomach capacity, feed your baby in a quiet environment free of distractions. Research has it that babies consume an extra 25% of normal stomach capacity when her concentration is centered in feeding.

Premature babies are to be fed in a different manner. You need to stick to your pediatrician’s advice on when to feed your premature baby. Premature babies are as they are: premature so the reflexes and cues normally seen in hungry and full-term babies are not observed. They need to be stimulated and even awaken at night in order to feed. You can stimulate them by coaxing them with a finger or a nipple rubbed at their cheek.

It is important to take into consideration how to properly feed your baby. This would ensure that your baby is well fed and will develop properly. This would also ensure that any possible eating problems in the future will be avoided.

Photo by InferisChoosing between breastfeeding and bottle feeding/formula feeding is a personal choice for a mother. It is a choice that is respected by your physician and pediatrician, and they will give you some guidance on how to do so. However, pediatricians do encourage that you breastfeed for the first 6 months because it has a lot of benefits for your growing infant.

BREASTFEEDING

Breastfeeding has a lot of benefits for both you and your growing infant, making it the first choice that pediatricians advocate for infant feeding.

ADVANTAGES

Free: produced by your own body, you do not need to worry about your budget in order to give your baby the nutrients that he needs.

Gets you back in shape: breast feeding causes you to consume a certain amount of calories for production and secretion. Think of breastfeeding like you’re jogging in the morning, only you’re sitting or lying down and bonding with your infant. Aside from that, it helps your uterus go back to its pre-pregnancy state faster.

Promotes resistance to common disease and infections: colostrum, the initial breast milk produced by a mother is rich in Immunoglobulin IgA. This form of passive-natural immunization helps is important for the infant for his immune system is still immature. Breastfed infants have lesser incidence of getting sick compared to formula-fed babies.

Aids in better digestion: the protein of breast milk is easier to digest and absorb compared to those found in infant formula. Because of this, there is lesser incidence of constipation and diarrhea.

Promotes mother-infant bonding: While you’re breastfeeding, you always hold your infant close. Skin-to-skin contact makes your baby more attuned to your body temperature, heartbeat, and scent.

DISADVANTAGES

Discomfort: some mothers report slight pain whenever the infant suck, especially during the first time. The problem primarily lies on the improper latching of the infant. You and your infant needs to be comfortable with each other, and it takes the both of you to teach each other how to feed your infant.

Only you can feed your baby: if your baby has gotten so used to your scent, it may be difficult for your partner or other caregiver to feed your baby.

BOTTLEFEEDING/FORMULA FEEDING

Some mothers have to forego breastfeeding for a number of reasons. Medications, health conditions, intolerable discomfort, or being a busy breadwinner may opt the mother to bottlefeed their infants.

ADVANTAGES

Feeding convenience: you don’t have to worry about getting yourself exposed or looking for an appropriate place to breastfeed your infant.

Anybody can feed your infant: since the milk can be prepared by anyone, anybody can feed your infant while you’re away. This way, fathers can also have the opportunity to bond with their babies the way mothers can.

Allergy issues are easily resolved: unlike breastfeeding, you immediately know what caused the allergy of your infant. You do not need to constantly thinking about what you eat.

DISADVANTAGES

Lesser nutrients: in comparison to breast milk no matter what formula companies do, they cannot match the nutritional content of breast milk.

Warming: some infants wish to have their formulas in a certain temperature. This may be a problem when you’re not at home or while traveling.

Digestive issues: there may be a need to change formulas every now and then. Some formulas cause either constipation or diarrhea.

Added costs: some special formulas can be very costly and expensive.

Consider all of these factors when you’re choosing between breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Remember that each person you talk about how to feed your baby will have certain preferences and bias. You and only you can decide which feeding will be most beneficial for you and your baby.