Infant Feeding: Tips for a Successful Mealtime

One of the most important and often challenging factors a new mother may face revolves around the feeding process. Feeding a newborn is a constant commitment, but also a wonderful opportunity to begin forming a bond with your newest family member. The feeding process can be broken down into a few simple steps, providing you with the best methods to succeed in maintaining the wellness of your child. Consider these tips as you prepare to begin the feeding process - make mealtime relaxed and enjoyable for the both of you.

Readiness

In the beginning stages of your child’s feeding process (from around the 6 month period on), it’s important to detect your child’s readiness. This term refers to certain cues that your child displays regarding their desire to feed. The first few signs you’ll notice include:

• Munching motions of the mouth as an early sign of chewing
• A higher gag reflex tolerance
• Sitting up on their own without support
• Picking up objects with the forefinger and thumb (pincer grasp)

Soon after basic abilities become visible, other signs of readiness will begin to present in your child, including reaching for food and opening their mouth as it approaches.  Prior to continuing to the next step, it’s important to introduce a strong feeding routine.  This can be accomplished by sitting your child in a high chair at the table during family mealtime – this is a great opportunity to practice chewing and tasting soft foods other than breast milk

Introducing Complementary Food

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), complementary foods should be added to a child’s diet when breast milk is no longer able to meet their nutritional needs. The transition from breastfeeding to family foods is commonly referred to as complementary feeding. This type of feeding should be timely (slowly incorporating new foods at six months of age), adequate (meeting the nutritional needs of a growing child), and appropriate (suitable in texture and given in sufficient amounts). For example, feeding your child the right amount of iron is essential to their growth and can be made complementary by adding one teaspoon of single-grain cereal to four or five teaspoons of breast milk or formula. As swallowing becomes more frequent, consider adding more cereal, soft vegetables, mashed banana, apple sauce, sweet potato, fruits and other nutritious foods to their diet.

Helpful Resources

Soon enough your child will be eating foods of different tastes and textures, which may pose more questions and concerns for you. The Speech-Language Institute of Salus University (SLI) has teamed up with The Breastfeeding Resource Center to provide helpful classes to new mothers as they begin the feeding process. Upcoming groups and classes focused on infant feeding include:

Complimentary Speech-Language and Feeding Screenings

Wednesdays in June: 11:30 am - 1 pm

Screenings are provided by Kyomi Gregory, Ph.D., CCC-SLP and Salus University Speech-Language Pathology graduate students.

Cue-Based Breastfeeding

Wednesday, June 29th: 10 am - 11:30 am

Instructed by Kyomi Gregory, Ph.D., CCC-SLP and Salus University Speech-Language Pathology graduate students.

This group will focus on parents following their child’s lead. Parents will be provided with cues that can alert them to changes in the child’s behavior and signs of infant stress. Infant-guided interventions will also be provided.

Classes will be held at The Breastfeeding Resource Center’s Abington office located at:

1355 Old York Rd.

Suite 101

Abington, PA 19001

For more information on infant feeding classes, call 215-886-2433 or visit breastfeedingresourcecenter.org.

Quick Tips on Infant Feeding

Solid foods to start with:

• Avocado, banana, pear, or sweet potato
• Introduce one new food at a time (wait 2-4 days between new foods)
• Be alert for allergic reactions (diarrhea, rash or vomiting)

Foods to avoid:

• Foods that can be choking hazards (bite sized foods such as grapes)
• Citrus fruits and juices (high acidity can contribute to painful diaper rashes)
• Hard-to-chew foods (popcorn, nuts, raisins, etc.)
• Honey or corn syrup

Prevention of a Picky-Eater:

• Expose child to the sight of new foods on his/her plate
• Use tactile play with food
• Be patient - learn what your child prefers, and slowly expand to new foods