Feeding babies. This is a topic that raises eyebrows among many parents and future parents! Following a small in-house survey, we asked YOUR questions to Cosette Gergès, co-founder of the company Nutritionnistes en pédiatrie , and her colleague Mélissa Larivière. Ready to become a nutrition pro ?
First of all, do you have any tips for a balanced diet during pregnancy?
The basics are the same as before pregnancy. We continue to encourage the consumption of foods from the different food groups as suggested by Canada's Food Guide. We don't need to eat for 2 or even eat 2x better, this adds unnecessary stress to the mother-to-be. To meet the increased needs of pregnancy, especially in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, get into the habit of eating regularly (about every 2 to 3 hours) rather than trying to eat more.
Between breast milk and formula (for a mother who must choose or who chooses not to breastfeed): how to ensure that the child has everything he needs in terms of nutrients?
The recommendations from Health Canada, the Canadian Paediatric Society and Dietitians of Canada are: "Commercial infant formula is sometimes the best practical choice when a baby cannot be exclusively breastfed by the mother." So until about 6 months of age, the baby's needs are expected to be met by breast milk OR commercial infant formula.
To date, there is no evidence that one brand is better than another. Manufacturers' NCPs are of comparable quality. The only recommendation is to use iron-fortified formulas to prevent anemia, starting at birth. The Canadian Paediatric Society, Dietitians of Canada and Health Canada recommend giving iron-fortified NCPs to babies who are not breastfed until they are 9 to 12 months old.
The question on everyone's lips: Puree, DME or combination?
We sometimes hear the following phrase and its variations when talking about BLW: "I feel like it's a very rigid practice..." Rest assured: it's not a fight between purees and pieces! We can all love them! The mixed approach or feeding led by the child and the parent (AME and AMP) is a way of feeding baby that is very close to the parents' reality. And what does it look like? Some parents start classic diversification for a few weeks to realize that baby appreciates being fed by his attachment figure, but that he also shows them his desire for autonomy.
What to do? Stop feeding baby and miss out on those moments of sharing and connection in the name of BLW labeling? Not necessarily. Baby can be fed by their parent for certain foods or meals, and be exposed to chunky foods at the same time to meet their need for autonomy.
That’s what it means to be sensitive to your baby’s needs: you observe them and adjust your approach. Being sensitive to your parents’ needs is important too. There may be mornings when you don’t have the patience to watch your baby make a face mask with his peanut butter toast. There may be appointments and your time is limited. There may also be times when spoon-feeding is a better option for your mental health if you have certain people around. Anything goes! And no matter what your scenario is today, spoon-feeding your baby for certain foods or meals may meet your shared needs. So why not? Any feeding approach should be adaptive and inclusive. The feeding approach should not be based on your baby’s abilities or your parents’ limitations. There are as many ways to feed a baby as there are babies who eat.
Store-bought or homemade puree? Frozen or not?
All answers are good! Depending on the reality and needs of the parent, pureed foods can be prepared at home, but there are commercial versions that are quite adequate. In this case, we look for fruit, vegetable, meat, fish or other purees that contain only the food and sometimes a little water, so as few ingredients as possible, without added salt or sugar.
As for freezing, whether it is purchased commercially or homemade, once the puree has been defrosted, it cannot be frozen again. For longer storage and to avoid waste, we suggest freezing (homemade ) food in small portions of about 30 ml. Once defrosted, a food can be kept for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator for vegetable sources and 1 to 2 days for meat, poultry, fish, seafood.
How to get a balanced meal?
The role of the parent is to offer a variety of foods throughout the day! For example, in a baby's plate, it is suggested to offer a food source of iron: animal or vegetable source; a food rich in vitamin C: often a fruit and/or vegetable; a food source of grains, ideally whole: quinoa, rice, pasta, bread, etc.; a source of fat: present in a food such as meat, dairy products, ground seeds, avocado or an addition during cooking or in the child's plate such as various oils.
How do we recognize signals of satiety?
We divide the signals into 3 alert levels.
Green alert:
● Baby points or leans toward food.
● He expresses his joy at the arrival of food.
● He opens his mouth or follows the spoon to demonstrate the desire for a
bite/spoonful.
● He vocalizes his hunger through sounds or makes signs.
Yellow alert:
● Baby shows impatience/irritability.
● He tries to climb into his high chair.
● He's roaming the kitchen.
Red alert:
● Baby is crying or screaming.
Finally, do you have any tips for parents whose baby refuses to eat or is difficult?
There is always a reason behind a refusal. So before looking for tips and tricks, you should try to understand the reason behind the behavior.
We don't help parents by throwing recommendations at them without asking questions. We need to know the baby, the reality and family values and parenting practices at the table so that the tips and tricks offered are realistic for families. Feeding a child requires patience, trust, a certain amount of letting go and sometimes an update of knowledge. The parent is or becomes the one who knows his baby best and the solutions often come naturally when he connects with his parental sensitivity. Among the questions to ask yourself:
1- Is baby hungry; do I recognize his signs of hunger and satiety?
2- Is baby sick? tired? growth spurt? teething? adjusting to daycare?
3- Is the baby in a position for success: sitting position, no distractions, sensitive approach to his needs, etc.
4- Do the foods offered correspond to his stage of development for chewing and fine motor skills? The size, format and texture of the food.
5- Do I take into account my baby's temperament and his level of desire for autonomy?
6- Is my parenting style consistent with the co-parent?
7- Does the baby seek, by all means, the connection with his attachment figure?
at mealtime?
And much more!
Want more tips on feeding your baby? The Pediatric Nutritionists team offers various webinars and training courses on their website. You can also get their brand new book Le s petits mangeurs intuifs: Accompanying my child from 0 to 2 years in the discovery of food .
And if you want to equip yourself for meals, our store is full of wonderfully designed products that will make your life easier!
Enjoy your food!
