PARENTING QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Question:

What do they mean in the guides when they say between 4 to 6 months?

Answer:

They mean after the end of the 4th month of life (5 months old) and not later than the end of the 6th month of life (before 7 months old).

Question:

What’s the best time to begin solid foods?

Answer:

Based on current research, health experts recommend that babies should start solid foods from the age of 6 months. All the nourishment your baby needs for the first 6 months comes from either breast milk or infant formula milk, but after 6 months they need more iron and nutrients than milk alone can provide. You should aim to gradually increase the variety and amount of solid foods so that by 12 months they have become the main part of your baby’s diet. This will help your baby to grow and develop properly.

Question:

Why has the advice changed?

Answer:

The advice has changed as a result of new research into babies’ growth and development. This has shown that up to 6 months of age, babies’ digestive systems and kidneys are still developing. Weaning too soon may increase the risk of infections and allergies.

Question:

What are the advantages of weaning later?

Answer:

Weaning later may reduce the risk of asthma, eczema, digestive problems, allergies and obesity in later life. Weaning is also easier at 6 months. At this stage, your baby is more able to sit up and the “tongue thrust reflex” which makes smaller babies push food back out of their mouths is gone. You will be able to progress much more quickly from smooth to lumpier textures and finger foods.

Question:

My baby was 4.5kg (10lb) at birth – won’t he need solid food earlier?

Answer:

It doesn’t really matter what weight your baby was at birth – his digestive system and kidneys will still develop at the same rate as a smaller baby. There’s no need to introduce solid food earlier just because he weighs more.

Question:

My 5 month old baby seems very hungry – surely she needs to start on solids now?

Answer:

The most common reasons mothers give for starting weaning early are that their baby seemed especially hungry or had begun waking up at night again after a period of sleeping through. Babies have several growth spurts in the first few months when they need more calories and nutrients than usual. This doesn’t mean they need to start on solid food – extra breast or formula milk will be adequate to meet these needs. Growth spurts don’t usually last very long and babies generally settle down again afterwards. Research has also shown that introducing solid food has virtually no impact on how long a baby sleeps.

Question:

My older sister weaned her children at 4 months and they’re fine – why can’t I?

Answer:

Weaning from 4 months was the advice given for a number of years, but the new guideline of 6 months is based on more recent research and has been endorsed by health promotion bodies including the World Health Organization and most Public Health Agencies including the NHS in the UK & the HSE in Ireland. You may not see an immediate difference in your child’s health, compared to other babies that are weaned earlier, but you can be confident that you are giving your child the best chance to have good health.

Question:

What should I do if my baby will not eat?

Answer:

Do not worry – babies like adults can have ‘off days’. If food is refused, take the food away and give breastmilk or formula milk. If the problem continues, contact your Public Health Nurse.

Question:

Can I give bottled water to my baby?

Answer:

The ideal is to use cooled boiled water, but if this is not an option, then choose your bottled water carefully. Not all bottled waters are suitable for babies. It will usually say on the label whether it is suitable. Some waters may have too much sodium for young babies, which can make dehydrated and even thirstier. Check with your Public Health Nurse for more help.

Question:

Does my baby need vitamin supplements?

Answer:

Healthy babies who are breastfed or fed formula milk do not usually need additional vitamins. A good mixed diet that includes a variety of foods will provide all the necessary vitamins. Some breastfed babies however, may require Vitamin D supplements, because of the overcast climate. Discuss this with your Doctor.

Question:

I am worried about my baby’s hard bowel motions. Are these normal?

Answer:

Bowel motions should be bulky and soft. To avoid constipation be sure to give your baby plenty to drink in addition to feeds. Cooled boiled water can be given to any baby, in order to boost hydration. Babies over 5 months can be given fruit and vegetable purées (see Stage 1); babies over six months can be offered fruit and vegetables in addition to foods recommended (see Stage 2) such as wholemeal bread and wholegrain cereals.

Question:

Is it safe to microwave baby foods?

Answer:

If a microwave is used, the food must be thoroughly heated, left to stand for a few moments, mixed well and allowed to cool to feeding temperature. Always check and recheck the temperature before serving any baby food.

Question:

How will I know if my child has a food allergy?

Answer:

An allergic reaction can consist of one or more of the following:
• diarrhoea or vomiting
• a cough
• wheezing and shortness of breath
• itchy throat and tongue
• itchy skin or rash
• swollen lips and throat
• runny or blocked nose
• sore, red and itchy eyes
In a few cases, foods can cause a very severe reaction (anaphylaxis) that can be life threatening and you should seek immediate medical attention.

Question:

How do I get a relative to stop giving sweets to my child?

Answer:

The easiest thing to do is to take them for the child and say they can have them after meal time. The number of times that teeth come into contact with sugar has as much of an effect as the amount of sugar eaten. Therefore, sweets are best eaten in one go rather than over an hour or two. Regardless how many sweets your child is given, you should still decide how much they can eat.

Question:

My child will only drink sugary drinks. What can I do?

Answer:

Frequent sugary drinks increase the chance of tooth decay. If your child will only drink sugary drinks, it can take some time to break the habit. Start to dilute the drinks with water, increasing the amount of water gradually over time, so that the change isn’t too noticeable to them. Or offer them smaller quantities in a beaker at mealtimes. It’s always best to prevent these types of problem occurring in the 1st place.

Sources: World Health Organisation / Health Service Executive Ireland / HSC Public Health Agency Northern Ireland / NHS Public Health Agency UK