During pregnancy a mother is very careful about her consumption of food and drinks as, the intake of foods by pregnant women directly affects the health of unborn child. And even after child comes into the world, they need to care more. The diet of newborn baby is very important, as initially they possess weak immune system. Thus, they have to rely on their mothers.
Young kids and newborn babies need to drink good amount of fluid as, it is important to build good health. A baby’s weight contains more proportion of water. Thus, it is essential to keep the young ones hydrated. It does not matter if your baby is fed by bottle or breast; baby milk contains all kind of nutrition that is needed by baby. But, it is been proved that a baby feed on breast milk is healthier than the one fed on bottled milk. Breast milk contains hind milk and foremilk that is very much essential for baby. Foremilk helps in quenching the thirst and provides good amount of lactose to the baby, while hind milk supplies required amount of fats.
It is been recommended by nutritionist and pediatricians that a baby should be fed only with milk for at least six months. You may introduce some solid food into their diet after the sixth month. It is suggested to parents that they should induct fluids at the same time. But, let their main diet remain milk. It is said that all drinks rather than water contain added sugar, which is not good for their health. Do not use nipples for longer time, as they may lead to speech impairment and tooth decaying.
As we mentioned earlier, the best drinks for babies is water or milk. You do not need to induct any fluid other than water. Water is the best substitute drink, which will keep your baby hydrated and prevent your newly born baby from ailments such as constipation and diarrhea. Dehydration also causes cramps in their stomach, which might lead to severe infections. Babies are easily susceptible to infections, thus drinking good amount of water will keep them away from harmful infections. It will also protect them from several illnesses.
But, if you want to introduce fruit juice in their diet, it is very much essential to remember certain things that will prevent side affects. Always remember that:
- Feed them fresh fruit juice that is 100% natural and contains natural sugar. You will have to water down one part of pure fresh fruit juice to ten parts of boiled water. Let the diluted drink cool down.
- Do not give them drinks that have been sweetened with artificial sweeteners such as saccharin. You may add artificial sweeteners to the drinks of kids above three years.
- Avoid fruit squashes that are available in the market as, they contain good amount of artificial sweeteners, preservatives, flavors, and colors. These all are excluded from baby diet.
- Baby drinks that are sold in the market also contain artificial sugar, so it is advisable that parents avoid buying such food items.
- Strictly keep away carbonated drinks from kids, as they are loaded with sugar and acid. They destroy the health of your kid’s tooth by decaying them. According to recent figures, due to excessive intake of carbonated drinks have increased the rate of tooth decaying in kids. Pre-school kids are affected more.
- Do not opt for alternative milk to baby’s diet- like do not feed them with cow’s milk before he is one year.
We would like to even recommend certain precautions that will keep your child healthy and happy.
- Let the breast milk or baby milk remain the staple diet for baby under the age of one.
- Boil the water and cool it before giving it to your baby. Provide your baby with water between meals.
- Never serve drinks that contain sugar in bottle.
- Do not allow your baby to drink their milk in bed. Parents should never give the bottle when they are lying on beds.
- Once the baby is twelve months, do not give them bottles.
- 100% natural food juice is beneficial for their health. You may give these juices with breakfast or main meals.
- Never give squash in feeding bottle and include them only in main meals
- Keep away the diet and frizzy drinks from them.
- Pediatricians do not recommend valve cups and seal cups.
These are some basic precaution you need to take while feeding your baby. Keep your baby healthy and happy.
