Contents:
- Medical Video: Tips to train your baby to self-feeding | How to encourage your baby to self-feeding
- What is that baby-led weaning?
- When can you start baby-led weaning?
- What food is suitable given?
- Are there any weaknesses baby-led weaning?
- How to practice baby-led weaning safe for babies?
Medical Video: Tips to train your baby to self-feeding | How to encourage your baby to self-feeding
Babies who have reached the age of 6 months are usually more active and begin to be able to do many things. At the age of 6 months, babies can be given foods that are denser than breast milk. At this age too, babies can begin to learn to eat, ranging from soft food such as baby porridge, to soft foods such as team rice.
Introducing the first meal to the baby is not as easy as imagined. False, maybe the baby can get sick. You as a mother must understand the condition of the baby and also know what foods can be given to babies who are just starting to learn to eat.
Lately there have been methods to introduce food to babies in a way self-feeding, namely the baby feeds himself.
What is that baby-led weaning?
Baby-led weaning is one way to introduce food to the baby by letting the baby feed itself. Baby-led weaning this was originally popularized by Gill Rapley, a health visitor from England.
Baby-led weaning encourage your baby to eat the food he wants and with the amount they want too, not what you want. That way, your baby can explore food and find out what he wants. Give the baby various types of food so that the baby knows various types of food.
When can you start baby-led weaning?
Experts along with the American Academy of Pediatric (AAP) recommend the right time for babies to start doing baby-led weaning is 6 months old. At this age, babies in general are able to sit alone and take things near them. In addition, their tongue's reflexes are better, they can chew and remove food, and their intestines are better prepared to digest food.
However, age is not the only benchmark your baby can practice baby-led weaning or not yet. Some babies may be able to practice it baby-led weaning at the age of 6 months, but some others may not be ready because they have not been able to take something, have not been able to chew food, or maybe they have special needs. Depending on the condition of each baby, the mother must know the capabilities of her baby.
For mothers who feel their babies are able to practice it baby-led weaning, it's best to introduce the baby with baby-led weaning when eating with family. The baby will see the people around him eating so he wants to imitate it. Babies can easily mimic the actions of older people. They often try to take food from their siblings or parents and feel happy if they can do what their siblings or parents do.
What food is suitable given?
Suitable food is given to practice baby-led weaning is a food that is easily held by babies or commonly referred to as finger food. In addition, it is important to provide food starting from the soft one because the baby's teeth have not grown fully. Cut the food into small pieces so that it can be held by the baby. Do not give food that makes the baby choke.
Give the baby a variety of foods from different food groups every day so the baby can fulfill the nutrients he needs. Some examples of foods that can be given to babies are:
- A group of carbohydrates, such as potatoes, pasta, bread, or soft rice
- Fat groups, like avocados
- Protein groups, such as chicken or soft boiled meat, eggs, fish that have no thorns
- Groups of fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, papaya, broccoli, steamed carrots so that they become soft
- Dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt
No need to add salt, sugar, or other flavor enhancers to baby food. This is so that the baby knows the natural taste of every food he eats. In addition, it is also to prevent babies from just loving sweet foods or salty foods for a long time. If the baby only likes sweet or salty food, then he can develop the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart disease when he grows up. Therefore, avoid giving babies very sweet or salty foods, such as chocolate, biscuits, or other packaged foods.
Are there any weaknesses baby-led weaning?
Naturally, if a new baby learns to eat often drop the food to the floor, especially in babies who practice baby-led weaning. There are many lessons when babies feed themselves. The baby learns to grasp, take, put food in his mouth, then chew and swallow it. Babies will have difficulty when they first do it, but over time they will get used to it. You as a mother must be patient with it.
In addition, babies who are 6 months old and who are learning to eat are at risk of developing iron deficiency. Starting at the age of 6 months, iron levels in the baby's body will decrease so that iron intake is needed from food. However, it is still difficult for babies to eat foods that are rather hard, such as iron-rich meat. To meet the baby's iron needs, the mother must be smart about this by giving meat puree, green vegetable puree, or fortified cereals.
How to practice baby-led weaning safe for babies?
Baby-led weaning will be safe for babies if practiced in the right way. Some tips for practicing baby-led weaning safely, including:
- Avoid providing foods that can make a baby choke, such as beans, whole grapes, apples with skin, and others.
- Do not leave the baby when he is eating or when the baby is near food.
- Babies must eat in a sitting position.
- Note if the baby has allergies. The baby will react if he is allergic to certain foods. Avoid giving food that makes babies allergic.
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