Lydia gives tips on how to introduce solid foods to your baby
Bonus spoke to mother of two and dietitian by profession, Lydia Sehlapelo to find out which solid food a mother can introduce to her baby for the first time, as well as what nutritional value some of the foods have for a baby's development.
POLOKWANE – The first solid food introduced to a baby should be easy to digest, very soft and a texture that’s close to the milk or formula your baby is used to.
Bonus spoke to mother of two and dietitian by profession, Lydia Sehlapelo to find out which solid food a mother can introduce to her baby for the first time, as well as what nutritional value some of the foods have for a baby’s development.
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“I have always been a very fussy mother, especially with regards to the food that they eat as in my line of work, nutritional value is very important to health and growth. I try to feed my children as much healthy food as possible and less junk. I always advise mothers to opt for preparing food for their children themselves, if possible on a daily basis, because the fresher the food, the more nutritional value it contains,” she explained.
She tells BONUS moms the benefits of introducing solid foods to their young ones:
1. Helps to stabilise their energy, as they contain less preservatives and sugars.
2. Improve their minds and helps to control their moods.
3. Helps them maintain a healthy weight, they get the right amount of nutrients and vitamins from the food.
4. Help prevent mental health conditions. These include depression, anxiety, and ADHD.
“Some foods have been certified to be triggers of some mental health conditions, this is why a good, healthy and a nutritious diet is always recommended for all babies,” she added.
The following foods can be tried for solid food feeds:
• Baby cereal, such as oatmeal, rice, barley.
• Sweet potato.
• Banana.
• Avocado.
• Apples.
• Pears.
• Green beans.
• Butternut squash.
Lydia says before giving a baby the above foods, always ensure to mash it with a fork to make it soft and easy for them to swallow. If you like, you can even sprinkle a little bit of the formula milk over the food.
