Bloem - Sep 2021

FOCUS ON CHECKERS BABY promotion
feeding
IVE YOUR
ITTLE ONE
E BEST
R LESS
your child
We are all concerned about our children’s eating
habits at one point or another.
So how do we make the transition from milk to
enjoying various foods?
The World Health Organisation encourages breastfeeding for the first
six months of life, and thereafter the introduction of a variety of food is
recommended at different stages of a child’s growth and development.
We are encouraged to introduce both variety and texture to a baby’s
diet.
Studies have shown that fussy eating habits are often formed if
textured foods are not introduced early on in a baby’s life. Textured
foods, for example, can be a fruit or vegetable which is mashed with a
fork or available in a convenient pouch, such as Delish.
Research has indicated that 20% of babies were defined as being
fussy eaters in cases where textured or lumpy food was not introduced
between 6 and 9 months of age. In contrast, babies who were fed a
variety of textured foods were happy to explore different tastes and
enjoyed their food at mealtimes.
So how else can we encourage our baby or toddler to eat?
• Most children will refuse a type of food in the beginning, but one
needs to persevere. You often have to offer a food up to 10 times
before a child will accept it.
• Be relaxed. A stressed mom or dad can result in a fussy or stressed
child at mealtimes.
• Children are very busy and prefer playing instead of sitting and
eating, so keep meals small and mealtimes short.
• Encourage your child to self-feed, even though they might make a
mess.
• Often parents are worried that their child isn’t eating enough.
Children will never voluntarily starve themselves, unless they are ill.
• Healthy eating habits lead to a healthy body and is important to
avoid eating problems later on in life.
• Children mimic their parents’ behaviour and often a parent who is
deliberate about the food they eat, will translate into fussy eaters.
• Fruit mixed with cereal or yoghurt make great starter meals.
• If a child does not like a particular food, leave it for a few days, and
then try again.
getitmagazine.co.za/bloemfontein
September 2021 Get It Bloemfontein 29
Text: NATURES CHOICE, WWW.NATURESCHOICE.CO.ZA