Between birth and age three, children grow and develop at a tremendous rate. Proper nutrition helps fuel this process. Children learn many important lessons about healthy eating during their early months and years of life.

The information in this article will help you learn how to make feeding your new baby or busy toddler a positive experience.

Feeding Your Baby

Off to a Good Start: Breastfeeding

Breast milk is the best food for babies, and almost all mothers can do it:

* Start breastfeeding as soon as your baby is born.
* Breastfeeding can take practice, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.
* Breastfeed on cue, whenever your baby is hungry.
* If you choose not to breastfeed or cannot breastfeed, use a store-bought, iron-fortified infant formula for the first 9–12 months.
* Don’t give your baby cow’s milk, goat’s milk, fortified soy or rice beverages, or homemade evaporated milk formulas.
* Breast milk is the only food a young baby needs. Don’t give your baby water, other liquids, infant cereal or other solid foods during the first six months.
* Give your baby vitamin D drops each day if you are breastfeeding.
* Formula-fed babies don’t need vitamin D drops (vitamin D added to commercial infant formulas)

Starting Solid Foods: Taste, Try and Grow

By about six months of age, your baby will be ready to try solid foods:

* Babies are ready for solid foods when they can keep their heads up, sit without support and hold food in their mouths for a few moments without pushing it out.
* Babies who are not physically ready to start solid foods can choke! Don’t introduce solid foods until your baby shows all the signs of being physically ready.
* Keep breastfeeding. Breast milk will help meet your baby’s nutritional needs during the transition to solid foods.
* Try solid foods when your baby is feeling alert and well. Stop feeding as soon as your baby becomes full.
* Start with iron-fortified infant cereals. Single grains, such as rice or barley, are best.
* Don’t add sugar, artificial sweeteners, honey, fruit juice or salt to infant foods.
* Don’t try another new food for three to five days to make sure your child doesn’t have an allergic reaction to the new foods.
* After your baby accepts cereals, try puréed vegetables, then fruits and finally milk products and meats or meat alternatives.
* Gradually change the texture of the food from puréed to minced to finger foods that your child can pick up and eat.
* Most babies are ready to eat finger foods by the time they are a year old.
* It should take four to six months to introduce a variety of solid foods to your baby.

Feeding Your Toddler

Children experiment with new foods between the ages of one and three. A few simple ground rules will help your toddler learn to accept a wide variety of nutritious foods. Mealtimes can be enjoyable for everyone.

Rules for Parents

* You decide what foods you will serve and where and when you will eat.
* Remember that you have the most influence over your child’s food choices.
* Serve foods in a form your child can eat without too much help.
* Let your child use fingers at first and then move to cutlery.
* Don’t let your child eat in front of the television or with other distractions near by.
* Stick to a schedule. Offering meals and snacks at regular times will help your child know what to expect.

Rules for Toddlers

* Children decide if they want to eat and, if so, how much.
* It’s normal for a child’s appetite to change day-to-day. Toddlers may seem to be constantly hungry some days. Other days they eat very little.
* If your child is not hungry, stay calm and try not to worry.
* Force-feeding your child creates negative feelings about food and eating.
* Serve small portions of food initially to avoid wasting food. You can always offer a second helping if your child is still hungry.

Make Healthy Eating Happen

Use Eating Well with Food Guide to plan meals and snacks for toddlers and preschoolers.

* Remember that portion sizes are smaller for young children than for adults.
* Limit the following foods to no more than one to two servings per week:
o potato chips, taco chips and other higher-fat/higher-salt snacks
o french fries and other deep-fried vegetables
o fruit roll-ups or fruit-flavoured gummy snacks
o pop, iced teas, fruit drinks, slush drinks or sport drinks
o candy, cakes and cookies
o granola bars that are topped with icing or chocolate
o sugar-coated or sugar-sweetened cereals
o wieners and other higher-fat deli meats
o deep-fried chicken, fish or meats
* Although 100 per cent unsweetened fruit juices provide nutrients, they also have significant calories and sugar.
* Limit the amount of juice your child drinks to 125 to 250 millilitres (one-half to one cup) per day.
* Avoid fruit “drinks,” “cocktails” and “beverages,” which may contain very little juice and plenty of added sugar. Look for “100 per cent unsweetened juice.”

Dealing with Picky Eating

Picky eating is common during the toddler years, and it usually poses few health risks. If your child refuses to eat, avoids new foods, asks to eat the same foods over and over again or shows other signs of picky eating, the following pointers should help:

* Stay calm.
* Becoming emotional in front of your child may reward their odd eating habits.
* Sneak diced or puréed vegetables and fruits into casseroles, muffins or sauces.
* Add milk or dry skim milk powder to hot cereals, mashed potatoes or soups.
* Serve meats and meat alternatives with tomato sauce or in soups or stews.
* Be patient. Children will eat when they are hungry.
* Don’t get into the habit of cooking special meals for your child.
* Seek support. Talk to your doctor or dietitian about your child’s problem eating habits.

Feeding your baby or toddler is an opportunity for you to promote their well-being while teaching them the basics of healthy eating. Seize this opportunity by first breastfeeding and then offering high-quality foods from all four food groups in Eating Well.

Source: HealthyAlberta.com

Your bundle of joy has finally arrived. You may be excited and exhausted all at the same time.

Regular activity after childbirth can help you:

• Strengthen muscles weakened after pregnancy and childbirth.
• Return to your pre-pregnancy weight (breastfeeding helps too!).
• Cope with the responsibilities of caring for your baby.
• Demonstrate an active way of life you want your child to follow.

This article will give you four good reasons to build physical activity into your busy day. Take steps to look after your health, not only for you, but also for your baby.

Reason # 1: Do It to Feel Good
It’s a good idea to check with your doctor before you start becoming more physically active. You may need more time than you think to recover from childbirth.

If you have had a healthy uncomplicated pregnancy, you should be able to begin an exercise program as soon as you feel ready. Be patient, and listen to your body. Begin slowly, and build up gradually.

You can begin exercises to tone your pelvic floor muscles to help prevent leaking urine when you cough or laugh. Kegel exercises can be done anywhere, anytime.

Regular physical activity will help you gradually return to your pre-pregnancy weight. Breastfeeding helps too. Moderate physical activity does not affect the quantity or quality of breast milk or affect your baby’s growth. To avoid discomfort from engorged breasts, consider feeding your baby or expressing milk before exercising.

Some activities you can start with include:

• Walking: If you walk briskly, wear a supportive bra.
• Yoga: Start slowly, or look for a postnatal yoga class specially designed for new moms.
• Postnatal fitness or strollercise classes: Look for classes designed for new moms or a class for moms and babies.
• Swimming: You can begin swimming after vaginal bleeding and discharge have stopped.

Reason # 2: Do It to Feel Good About Yourself
Baby blues are common. In the first few days after childbirth, you may feel tearful, exhausted, irritable or overwhelmed. These mood changes can be caused by many things, such as a change in hormone levels after birth, pain and tiredness from the labour or a lack of sleep from caring for the baby.

The “baby blues” will pass in one or two weeks. It will help if you look after yourself by getting some rest, fresh air and exercise, eating healthy food and accepting help from others.

If after two weeks you still feel blue or you can’t cope or can’t look after yourself or your baby, see your doctor or public health nurse (see also the “Life With a New Baby Is not Always What You Expect” link below).

Reason # 3: Do It to Connect With Others
Getting active together with other new moms and their babies can give you social support. You can make new friendships and future playmates for your baby. Check with your community’s recreation or family services department for programs designed for new mothers.

You might arrange for a friend or family member to give you a break from your baby, while you go for a walk with a friend or participate in an activity you enjoy.

Spending active time as a family will strengthen bonds and build memories.

Reason # 4: Do It for Your Baby’s Healthy Development
Research has shown that babies need active movement as much as older children to develop both their body and brain.

Babies need a chance to explore their world by rocking, rolling, crawling, kicking, climbing, swinging, throwing and catching.

For example, bounce your baby on your ankles or knees in rhythm to nursery rhymes or songs. Or place your baby on her tummy while you read to her or roll a ball, so that she will lift her head and watch it. For more ideas, see the resources below. Physical activity is good both for you and your baby, physically, mentally and socially. Being active will help you make this moment in your life both enjoyable and memorable.

Source: HealthyAlberta.com