There are many common opinions and myths about baby food that have now lost their relevance. However, many young mothers continue to follow obsolete tips.
It is important that mom consults with a doctor on issues that concern her and is careful when choosing baby food.
1. It is said that in breast-fed children, the risk of allergies is lower
First of all, it should be noted that medical organizations and health authorities around the world recommend breastfeeding as the gold standard for feeding children in their first year of life, the most suitable for babies. If a mother decides to stop breastfeeding or supplement it with mixtures, she needs to consult a doctor who will advise a suitable baby formula. Using this mixture will help ensure the healthy growth and development of the baby.
The main risk factors for allergies are heredity and the environment.
- Allergies can occur in infancy or childhood, regardless of whether the baby was fed breast milk or a mixture.
- Any child may have an allergy, however, if the family has allergies, the risk of its occurrence is higher.
- Children whose one or both parents are allergic are recommended to breastfeed. However, if for some reason the child is on mixed or artificial feeding, pediatricians most often recommend mixtures based on partially hydrolyzed whey protein (hypoallergenic mixtures). The use of such mixtures in children at risk of developing allergic diseases reduces the likelihood of developing atopic dermatitis.
- The most common type of food allergy in children in their first year of life is allergy to cow's milk protein.
- If a child is allergic to a particular product, his mother should refuse to use this product during breastfeeding.
- In the case of artificial feeding, it is recommended to choose infant formulas created specifically for children with a risk of allergies.
In some sources, you may find information that babies may be allergic to breast milk. This is not true, the baby cannot be allergic to breast milk. Symptoms of a gastrointestinal upset are often mistaken for her. Such an allergy is biologically impossible. However, the baby may be allergic to certain foods that her mother consumes during lactation, including cow's milk.
2. They say that regurgitation is observed only in children on artificial feeding
In general, functional regurgitation is a completely normal occurrence in infants whose gastrointestinal tract is not yet fully functionally matured, and it successfully passes with age. About half of all children burp at least once a day for the first three months of life.
Regurgitation is a process in which a certain amount of stomach contents is thrown into the oral cavity, as a rule, this occurs shortly after feeding. Belching becomes less frequent as the child grows older, and after 18 months of age, as a rule, they do not occur.
Reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux, is the ingestion of gastric contents into the esophagus. In some cases, reflux may be a sign of more serious problems, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), allergies, or cramping. Factors such as overeating can contribute to more frequent and abundant regurgitation.
Nevertheless, regurgitation can be avoided, or at least reduced in number, if certain rules are followed. Firstly, pick up a nipple in a shape that is most comfortable for the baby and does not allow him to swallow too much mixture, as well as air when sucking. For example, there are anatomical nipples that follow the shape of the mother's nipple. Nipples have small holes for newborns, a little more for six-month-old babies. Secondly, if the baby is worried about regurgitation, you should feed him in smaller portions due to more frequent feedings. Thirdly, try to keep the baby during feeding in a semi-vertical position, and after the meal is worn for a while, “stand up”, that is, vertically, and easily pat it on the back to help burp air.
It is also important to choose the right mixture. It is worth noting that to improve digestion, probiotics are added to some milk mixtures (that is, living microorganisms useful for the baby), others are enriched with prebiotics (they are “food for bacteria” and are necessary for the development of intestinal microflora). And only some mixtures contain both of these components.
3. They say that all baby formulas equally affect the development of the baby
Mixtures differ in age (for example, the first stage - for children up to 6 months., Etc.), indications (for example, basic, hypoallergenic, etc.), as well as in composition. All infant formulas presented in Russia must comply with uniform sanitary requirements.
Mixtures with prebiotics and probiotics and without palm oil, which contributes to the formation of soft stools, as in breast-fed babies, and good gastrointestinal tract function.
Palm oil, like breast milk, contains palmitic acid, but it occupies a different position in the molecular structure of fats, which leads to a different effect in relation to the digestion and absorption of fats and calcium. Palmitic acid from breast milk is well absorbed, while palmitic acid from palm oil is poorly absorbed, combines with calcium, which can lead to stool tightening.
4. They say that nutrition does not affect colic - all children have it. There is no cure for colic, and the child cannot be helped in any way - you just need to wait a few months and the cramps will go away on their own.
The composition of infant formula may affect the incidence of colic. Studies have shown that a mixture without palm oil contributes to a lower incidence of regurgitation, a decrease in colic symptoms and the formation of soft stools, as in breast-fed babies.
5. It is generally accepted that babies who are breast-fed are more likely to suffer from constipation
Constipation or difficulty with bowel movements is more likely to occur at an early age in children who are breast-fed. Dense stools are found in only 1.1% of children who are breast-fed, compared with 9.2% of children who are breast-fed.
The most common situation is when the baby has a dense, wax-like stool. In this case, the mother should pay attention to the fat component of the infant formula and, probably, after consultation with the pediatrician, change the mixture.
6. They say that a baby with artificial feeding should be fed on demand
In the case of artificial feeding, at first it is best to feed a newborn baby on demand or every time he cries because he is hungry. Over time, you will develop a specific feeding schedule. When you learn to understand his needs and signals, you can make your own feeding plan in accordance with his daily regimen.
When measuring the required amount of milk formula, always be guided by indicators such as the weight and age of the child, as well as the advice of your pediatrician.
7. They say that babies on artificial feeding do not need a dummy
All babies are born with the innate sucking reflex needed to eat and drink. On some children, sucking also has a calming and lulling effect. With natural feeding, the breast, in addition to being the source of food, also satisfies the sucking reflex. The baby sucking the chest not only gets saturated, but also calms down. Therefore, most children fall asleep on their mother’s breasts so often, even in a dream, making sucking movements. Such kids can do without a dummy. On the contrary, it is difficult for the baby fed with the mixture to satisfy the sucking reflex, so a dummy will come to the rescue here. However, you should not abuse the dummy, replacing it with maternal attention.
8. They say that qwater should be added
In reality, breast milk is both food and drink for your baby.
Breast milk is the only thing your baby should receive in the first months after birth. Mother's milk is ideal for satisfying the thirst and hunger of a baby. The baby does not need to be fed or supplemented. If for medical reasons you need to give the child any medicine, dilute it in breast milk. Feeding should be administered no earlier than 4-6 months, and it is better if the baby is up to six months old, will only be breast-fed. If the child is on artificial feeding, it is necessary to consult with the pediatrician even about the inclusion of normal water in his diet.
