Newborn babies and infants should be fed with utmost care. Mothers should know what is good and what is not for the baby. During all the stages of baby feeding whether it is breast-feeding, bottle feeding and introducing solid foods in all age groups care should be taken. One should also take into consideration, the condition of the baby whether the baby is responding to different types and brands of foods or whether he/ she is allergic to some foods. Based on these conditions one should prepare or select the best baby food available for feeding babies.
Before babies are fed, one should take all the precautions and keep them clean so that babies don’t get affected for small things. People should wash their hands and keep them clean before preparing baby foods or drinks. They should always sterilize baby bottles. Most of the mothers don’t wash their hands after changing diapers and bathroom. This results in babies getting infected with infant diarrhea.
Cylinders should be handled very carefully. Baby’s milk should not be warmed in microwaves. Milk warmed by microwaves will burn the throat and mouth of the babies as microwaves warm the milk unevenly. The most appropriate method is to warm the bottle under hot tap or water and then bring it down to room temperature. Then the bottle temperature should be tested before feeding the baby. The left over milk should be always discarded to prevent the growth of harmful germs and bacteria.
Babies should not be fed with regular cow’s milk when they are less than one year old. Because children below one year are prone to succumb to abdominal pain, low blood iron and other allergic reactions. If babies are fed with cow milk, whole milk should be served. Lower fat milk should be given only when only when doctors prescribe, which they normally do for children below 2 years.
Formula and cereal should be mixed in water. Cereal mixed with formula should not be served in bottle. Baby may suffocate if they are fed with this. Many people think that babies’ sleep well by following the second method but it in fact affects the baby.
People should avoid feeding babies with seeds and nuts, celery and raw carrots, whole kernel corn, raisins, large chunks of cheese or meat, pickles, sweets, vegetables etc which may result in suffocation of baby.
Mothers should follow the above precautions while feeding their babies.