When your little one has mastered baby food, you can start with small pieces of finger foods. Basically, any foods that are cut up small enough to be picked up and eaten by baby are classified as finger foods. This is an important step toward independent eating and also allows baby new tastes and textures. Around 7 to 9 months is when most babies are ready to make this step, and they generally show their desire to eat on their own by grabbing the spoon you’re feeding them from.

So what are some of the best finger foods you can give your little one?

- Bananas are soft and easy to eat, plus packed with plenty of vitamins.

- Avocados are filled with good fat and super soft for little fingers.

- Sweet potatoes can be cut up in small chunks or sliced into fries. They’re sweet and power packed with nutrients.

- Cooked peas are easy to eat and even more fun to play with!

- Shredded, cooked chicken is a lean protein.

- Cheerios contain whole grains and serve as the perfect snack for little fingers. Instead of adding sugar, try the flavored varieties as a treat.

- Cooked lentils are soft and easy to pick up. They contain lots of protein and get baby used to eating beans.

- Garbanzo beans are also easy for baby to grasp and have a sweet taste that kids love! Serve them cold or hot.

- Whole wheat macaroni is filled with whole grains and tastes delicious with a bit of sauce or butter.

- Cubes of tofu are fun and easy to eat, plus absorb flavor. They can also be added to dishes such as macaroni and cheese.

- Pieces of low-mercury fish such as salmon or tilapia are tender and tasty. Cook these filets of fish in a small amount of butter or oil and season lightly for a delicious alternative to meat.

- Small chunks of cheese are tasty for baby and offer good fat and plenty of calcium.

Image c/o: thebabycorner.com

Can switching from breast to bottle cause digestive problems?

Many parents worry about their child’s bowel movements. It is something you probably haven’t thought about before, but once your baby is born, it is an important concern.

While it is important that your child has regular bowel movements, constipation in general and constipation caused by switching from breastfeeding to formula are often misunderstood by parents, resulting in unnecessary worry.

Constipation defined

Constipation is not the same for infants as it is for adults, leading many parents to become concerned that their child is experiencing this problem when it is not the case. Bowel movements change as a child develops, both in frequency and consistency.

Keep the following in mind when worried about your baby’s constipation:

• As a baby gets older, they may not have a bowel movement daily. This is normal.
• Straining during bowel movements does not indicate constipation for infants. Their developing digestive system may just be adjusting, and straining does not indicate a problem.
• If your baby’s stool is hard, pebbly, and dry, your concern about constipation is warranted. If not, don’t worry.

Constipation and formula

When a baby switches to formula from breast milk or from one formula to another, he or she might experience some constipation. This is normal and in many cases, they can outgrow the constipation as their digestive system adjusts.

The baby has only been exposed to a very limited variety of food sources and their digestive system has only been functioning since they were born, so it is natural that they would need to learn to digest and process new foods as they are introduced.

If the problem persists, make sure that you are using sufficient water in the formula and consult your doctor about either adding water into the baby’s feeding schedule or switching to another formula.

Maybe, but let’s look at why it can happen

While good health is always important, it becomes particularly important to keep a close eye on your health during a pregnancy. Not only are you responsible for the development and growth of another person, but you may face unusual or unforeseen health issues as a result of the demands pregnancy places on your body.

For this reason, it may be disconcerting to see that your cholesterol levels are higher than usual both during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Normal fluctuations

The good news is that these elevated cholesterol levels are entirely normal. Most pregnant women see a decrease in their cholesterol during the first trimester followed by higher levels for the remaining two trimesters.

The higher levels often persist while the mother is nursing.

The cholesterol is produced by your liver, which receives hormonal signals telling it to make more cholesterol than usual because you are pregnant. It does not reflect an unhealthy diet or poor health choices.

Cholesterol is important for babies

Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance that plays an important role both during pregnancy and nursing. It contributes to neurological development in the infant and is an important way to transfer energy. Cholesterol is able to hold a great deal of calories and can be completely digested by the infant after he or she is born, making it a great way for the baby to get the nourishment and energy needed at this time.

Additionally, the higher levels of cholesterol do not pose a threat to mothers during this period because the cholesterol is used by the body and transferred to the child rather than remaining in arteries to cause problems.

Diet “don’ts” for breastfeeding moms

In a previous post, we discussed good things to make sure that you incorporate in your diet while breastfeeding, including fruits, whole grains, sources of calcium, and lots of water.

However, there are also certain things that you should make sure to keep OUT of your diet while breastfeeding, as they can be dangerous to you and possibly to your infant.

Some of the things to stay away from while you are breastfeeding include:

-         Alcohol. This toxin is dangerous to development while your baby is in the womb and now that he or she is born as well.

-         Mercury. High levels of mercury are found in some types of fish including swordfish and halibut, so be careful with seafood.

-         Caffeine. This stimulant can be found in soft drinks, coffee, and tea, among other products, so read labels carefully before drinking or eating anything you think might contain caffeine.

-         Artificial sweeteners. These chemicals can be found in diet drinks and low-calorie foods and may be harmful to your baby.

-         Nutritional supplements. While it is important to get vitamins and minerals while breastfeeding, it is best to get them from fruits and vegetables than to take a multivitamin or other supplement. These supplements are not monitored by the FDA, so it is difficult to be certain that what you are putting into your body is safe for you and for your baby.

Have a question?  Ask your doctor.

If you have any questions about what to eat while breastfeeding, be sure to ask your doctor about specific issues. Being healthy will help you be the best mom you can be, so take care of yourself during this bonding time with your infant.

Diet “Do’s” while breastfeeding

You know that you had to watch what you ate while you were pregnant – certain foods could make you feel nauseated, while others were off-limits because they contained certain ingredients or chemicals that could hurt the developing baby.

However, now that you have gone through childbirth and are preparing to breastfeed your little one, you may be uncertain about the dietary rules for this new phase with your little one.

As with most things in life, moderation is the key

The good news is that there are not a ton of rules about what you have to eat in order to successfully breastfeed. Your body will produce a consistent quantity of high quality milk as long as you eat a varied, nutritious diet. However, certain things can be beneficial to your health and to your baby, so it is a good idea to incorporate them into your diet.

The following list is a few things you may want to keep in mind while breastfeeding:

-         Whole grains are a great source of fiber which can help with constipation

-         Hydration is essential. Breast milk is up to 87% water, so it is easy to get dehydrated when breastfeeding. Try to avoid carbonated drinks because they contain sodium – stick to plain water instead.

-         Fruit is always a good choice. Fruit contains water and fiber along with vitamins and minerals, helping a new mom get many of the things she needs in a single food source.

-         Don’t forget about milk for yourself as well. Both pregnancy and breastfeeding can take calcium from your bones, so be sure to give your body plenty of extra during this time in your life.

Stay tuned for more

In our next blog post – we’ll discuss foods you should avoid while nursing a baby.