Allergies occur in humans at frequent intervals and it has severe reactions on the body. The digestive system of a baby is very weak as compared to well-built adult. You may stress the immature system of the baby, if you start feeding him/her at very early stages of life. You need to prepare yourself for dealing with different types of allergies in your baby before introducing him/her to solid foods.

In recent years, there has been a rise in the awareness of various harmful effects of allergies in babies. Many researchers state that numerous babies across the world suffer from food allergies.

It is essential to know what allergy actually is, as this may enable us to prepare ourselves to fight against it effectively. Allergy means altered reaction and you may find an individual suffering from allergy experiencing headaches, vomiting, rashes and asthma. When we introduce solid foods to a baby, he/she can get an allergic reaction to any food item and this may result in diarrhea, crankiness and even slight ear infection and asthma.

There are certain cases, where you may require consulting a doctor, because certain symptoms are persistent and can have serious affects on the baby and toddler. If you withdraw the food, which your baby is allergenic to, the prolonged illness may cure within a matter of few days. There are instances, where it takes more than three weeks for the baby child to recuperate from the infection completely.

You need to have complete knowledge of the symptoms of allergies in babies. The immune system of a baby is responsible for highlighting different symptoms of allergy. The following are few symptoms of allergies in babies:

• Itchy mouth
• Rashes, eczema and hives
• Continuous crying
• Sneezing, coughing and running nose
• Sleeping disorder

In fact, many symptoms of allergies in babies require instant medical attention. You need to also know food that is highly responsible for allergies in child. Some foods that cause allergy in babies are cane, beet sugar, wheat, rye, oats, barley, maize, chocolate, fish and shellfish.

You need to also know that what you can to do to curtail the chances of your baby contracting the allergies. Here are two things that you can do for safeguarding your baby from allergies:

• You need to wait for at least six months before introducing solid foods to your baby, because babies are not capable of digesting solid foods at the initial stages. In addition, the mother needs to breastfeed the baby for at least six months.

• Follow the technique of 4 days wait when you desire to introduce a food of different variety to your baby. When you begin with introducing any new food item, make sure it does not cause any reaction to the baby. There are certain reactions that take a few days to show up. Therefore, you need to be patient before introducing any new food to the baby.

You need to have in-depth knowledge of the food item before introducing it to your baby. Ensure that you give ample time to your baby’s digestive system to develop for digesting solid foods.

Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the body is not able to easily digest foods that contain lactose, or the natural sugar that is found in dairy products. Lactose intolerance is not the same as milk allergy. Milk allergy is due to a problem with your body’s defense system, called the immune system. Once lactose is in the body, it needs to be broken down into two simple sugars, glucose and galactose, to be absorbed into the blood stream.

There is an enzyme called lactase which is responsible for breaking down the lactose. Many people have a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is normally made by cells lining the small intestine. Without this enzyme they can’t break down milk sugar into simpler forms that can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Lactose intolerance is not very common in toddlers under two years of age, unless the toddler has a lactase deficiency because of an injury to the small intestine. A rare cause of lactose intolerance is called congenital lactase deficiency. Toddlers with this condition do not produce any lactase.

Your toddler may need to take a calcium supplement if he/she doesn’t get enough of it from the diet, since milk and foods made with milk are the most common source of calcium for most people. Vitamin D is necessary for the body to absorb calcium, therefore, your toddler’s diet should provide an adequate supply of vitamin D.

There are many of nondairy foods that are rich in calcium. These include :

• Green vegetables such as broccoli and kale.

• Fish such as salmon and sardines.

• Yogurt

Sources of vitamin D include eggs and liver. Sunlight is also a good source of vitamin D.

It is very easy for a toddler to get constipated. This common disorder is popular among toddlers who consume lots of milk, and dairy products while leaving out fruits and high fiber foods. Constipation is generally described as the infrequent passage of stools (bowel movements) or the passage of hard stools. Any definition of constipation depends on how often the toddler normally passes stools and the normal consistency of his or her stools.

How should we help our toddlers to relieve constipation? One of the solutions is to add more fiber foods to your toddler’s diet. Here are some of the high fiber foods recommended for your toddler.

1. Apples – Apples are rich in vitamin C and consists of about 5g of fiber for an unpeeled whole apple. Bear in mind that do not peel the apple for your toddler as this will cause it loses about half of its fiber.
2. Whole Grain Cereal – Whole grain cereal would be a great choice as a breakfast cereal for your toddler. In this case, you should choose whole grain cereal that is calcium fortified and has added fiber.
3. Vegetables – Most vegetables are good sources of fiber. Vegetables like cooked carrots, corn, peas, baked potatoes are high in fiber and are good in helping constipation relief.
4. Oatmeal – Oatmeal is a high fiber food that is good for your toddler. In this case, you should make some oatmeal foods and snacks such as oatmeal cookies and oatmeal bars for them.

In conclusion, you should try to make a good habit for your toddler to take more high fiber foods instead of high fat foods. This will prevent he/she from suffering obesity problem when he/she grows up.

Soy milk (also known as soya milk) is a non dairy form of milk that is made from soya beans. Unlike cow’s milk, soy milk is 100% lactose free and therefore it is a great alternative for your toddler if he/she suffers from lactose intolerance.

According to a study, about 2.5% of toddlers are allergic to cow’s milk whereas only 0.5% of toddlers are allergic to soy milk. Toddlers can have a cow’s milk allergy, which is the result of their body not reacting well to the proteins that it contains. There are two parts of milk, – whey and caseins. Some toddlers have an allergic reaction to the proteins in both of them or just one of them. In this case, soy milk would be a good alternative for them.

Soy milk may also provide your toddler with beneficial protein, calcium, B vitamins, vitamin E and essential fatty acids, which is helpful in maintaining his/her healthy. Soy milk is also low in saturated fat and sodium, but high in dietary fiber.

Additionally, one of the other key features of soy milk is that it contains isoflavones. These are thought to be linked with a number of health benefits including the prevention of heart disease, some cancers and osteoporosis. In countries where soy milk is present in the diet rather than cow’s milk, the frequency of these diseases is much lower.

Isoflavones are antioxidants which help protect our cells against free radicles and oxidation. Isoflavones are not present in cow’s milk. Therefore, it is very important for us to provide our toddlers with soy milk as this will prevent them from developing heart related diseases and cancers when they grow up.

In conclusion, we shall include soy milk in our toddler’s diet due to its associated health benefits.

Yakult is the only probiotic product in the world that contains exclusive probiotic, Lactobacillus casei Shirota. Probiotics are friendly bacteria or yeasts that have been used for centuries as natural ingredients in health-promoting foods, and recent scientific studies support the many health benefits of probiotics. Today, more and more people worldwide are turning towards probiotics for healthy living.

Yakult is a refreshing fermented milk drink. Each tiny bottle of Yakult contains billions active bacteria of the strain Lactobacillus casei Shirota. This special strain of lactic acid bacteria is strong enough to survive gastric juice and to reach the intestines alive. It helps to maintain a healthy balance of the intestinal flora, important for good digestion.

How is Yakult made? A solution of skim milk powder, sugar and water is ultra-heat treated, then fermented using selected, live lactic acid bacteria called Lactobacillus casei Shirota strain. Flavours are added, and Yakult is then bottled and packaged.

Today, Yakult is sold in 27 countries, although its bacteria cultures are still imported from a mother strain in Japan regardless of production location. Yakult is marketed in different sizes. In Australia and Europe, Yakult comes in 65ml bottles. In the USA, 80 ml bottles are available. In Taiwan and China, it comes in 100 ml bottles.

Yakult can be taken by both children and adults. After 12 months, the child’s intestinal flora is almost identical to that of adults. Therefore, the amount of beneficial bacteria in Yakult will help to re-establish a balance of intestinal flora in children and adults alike.

Yakult can be added to cereals, smoothies, milkshakes, cheesecakes or any other cold foods. If the bacteria are subjected to extremely high temperatures they die, so do not add Yakult to hot foods or beverages.

Is constipation is an issue for your toddler? In this case, your toddler’s pediatrician may suggest you to feed your toddler with high fiber veggies and fruits and make sure that he/she is drinking enough water. Alternatively, your toddler’s pediatrician may also suggest prune juice to treat your toddler’s constipation.

Prune Juice is one of the best-known constipation home remedies. Prune juice promotes regular bowel movements by the use of simple sugars which help draw fluids into the intestine. These fluids help soften your toddler’s stool and allow for healthy bowels.

Prunes consist of a water-soluble laxative principle. It is also a good source of iron and other factors useful in hemoglobin rebuilding during anaemia. Prune juice is therefore of distinct value in cases of low vitality and all disorders arising from constipation. Prunes are also a rich source of antioxidants, and are actually ranked as one of the highest fruits in antioxidant levels. It is also an excellent remedy for a sore throat taken either plain or mixed with a little honey.

Prune juice has been used for many years to treat constipation. There has been no evidence suggesting that prune juice damages the colon. This is why it is so highly recommended. If your toddler is suffering from constipation, feed him/her an ounce or two of prune juice twice a day.

]]> http://babynutritioncare.com/55/introduce-prune-juice-to-your-toddler/feed/ 0 http://babynutritioncare.com/49/introduce-marmite-to-your-toddler/ http://babynutritioncare.com/49/introduce-marmite-to-your-toddler/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:43:53 +0000 Alan http://babynutritioncare.com/?p=49

Marmite is a nutritious food that should be introduced to your toddler. My son likes it very much. It is a dark brown-colored savory spread made from the yeast that is a by-product of the brewing industry. It has a very strong, slightly salty flavor. The most common use is as a spread on toast or in sandwiches. It is generally spread very thinly because of its strong flavor. In addition, it can be mixed with porridge and fed to your toddler.

It contains the following ingredients :

• Protein
• Carbohydrate
• Fat
• Fibre
• Sodium
• Niacin
• Thiamin
• Riboflavin
• Folic acid
• Vitamin B12

Fruits should be introduced to toddler after he/she is able to digest the vegetables. The fruits can provide essential vitamins and minerals to the toddlers. It is recommended to scrape the fruit and give it fresh to your toddler. You can also give the fruit slice by slice if the fruit is soft like papaya and banana.

The recommended fruits are :

• Banana. This fruit is an excellent source of prebiotic which nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon. Probiotics produce vitamins and digestive enzymes that improve toddlers ability to absorb nutrients and compounds to protect them against unfriendly microorganisms and the body’s ability to absorb calcium.
• Kiwifruit. This fruit is rich in vitamin C and a very good source of dietary fiber. It is also a good source of the minerals such as potassium, magnesium and copper. In addition, kiwi fruit is a good source of the antioxidant vitamin E.
• Apple. This fruit contains both insoluble and soluble fiber and are an excellent source of antioxidants especially the peels.

• Papaya. This fruit is a rich source of three very powerful antioxidants, vitamin A, C and E.
• Pear. This fruit is rich in pectin, a soluble fiber, which helps the body to eliminate cholesterol and also protects against environmental toxins. Pears are also a good source of potassium, protein, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K.
• Avocado. This fruit contains fourteen minerals to stimulate growth, including iron and copper. In addition, it is a great source of antioxidants like vitamins C and E.
• Mango. This fruit is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The vitamin C in mango enhances the absorption of iron and so prevents anemia.
• Watermelon. This fruit is rich in the B vitamins which are necessary for energy production. It is also a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin B1, magnesium and potassium.

The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends that children age 1 to 3 years get about 40 calories per inch of height a day. This means that your 32-inch-tall toddler ideally should eat about 1,300 calories a day for normal growth and weight gain.

You should prepare balanced meals and healthy snacks for your toddler. Well balanced offerings, especially during snack time, will help you to overcome the inevitable lack of food intake during a meal. For example, if your toddler does not drink all of his milk at breakfast, give him cheese for a snack. If your toddler refuses to eat his meat at lunch, give him tofu bites dusted with Cheerio or Granola crumbs for a snack.

In these examples, while you may lament at the lack of calcium and protein intake during breakfast and lunch, you have taken the opportunity to “make up for it” during snack time!

Toss out the idea that your toddler will suddenly be eating “like the family” does! Remember, your toddler is still in a stage of slow-then-rapid-then-slow growth and is going through many changes! We find that feeding your toddler becomes less complicated and frustrating when parents realize what a serving size for a toddler really is.

When planning and serving meals to your toddler, try to have him/or her consume the following on a daily basis.

• 2 to 3 cups of calcium – milk (or yogurt, cheese or other calcium rich foods).
• 4 servings of fruits and vegetables. (Serving size: one tablespoon per year of age.) One serving should be high in vitamin C and another in vitamin A.
• 4 servings of grains – bread and cereal. One should be an iron-fortified baby cereal. A serving is about 1/4 to 1/3 an adult portion (1/4 slice toast, 1/4 cup pasta).
• 2 servings of proteins – meat, beans, eggs, tofu, or peanut butter. A good serving of protein should be served at every meal. One serving equals 1/2 ounce.

Toddlers should have 500 milligrams of calcium a day. This requirement is easily met if your child gets the recommended two servings of dairy foods every day. An important part of a toddler’s diet, milk provides calcium and vitamin D to help build strong bones. In addition, milk also contains carbohydrates, protein, fat, and zinc, as well as vitamins A, B2 and B12. Kids under age 2 should have whole milk to provide the dietary fats they need for normal growth and brain development. Offer cow’s milk in a cup after the child has begun the meal. If you are breastfeeding, only offer milk in a cup and avoid the bottle habit.

Most experts agree that kids can switch from infant formula or breast milk to whole cow’s milk when they reach 1 year of age. Before this age, cow’s milk is more likely to cause an allergic reaction and is tough for babies to digest. In addition, it is not the best source of iron.

Once you switch to cow’s milk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control, and other health experts advise parents to buy only pasteurized milk, which has been heated and processed to kill bacteria. Raw milk, they warn, may harbor contaminants and micro-organisms that can cause food-borne illness.

Some kids initially reject cow’s milk because it doesn’t taste like the familiar breast milk or formula. If your child is around 12 months and having this difficulty, mix whole milk with some formula or breast milk. Gradually adjust the mixture over time so it becomes 100% cow’s milk.

Some parents are anxious to wean their babies to cow’s milk, especially those who have been feeding formula since it can be a bit costly, but there are several good reasons to wait. Cow’s milk isn’t as rich in several nutrients, especially iron, as breast milk or formula, which is important for healthy first year development. Until the baby is eating a variety of iron-rich foods, feeding breast milk or commercially prepared formula ensures that the baby will get a sufficient amount of iron. Additionally, there is evidence suggesting that the early introduction of cow’s milk increases the chances of developing diabetes later in life. This is especially important in families with a history of the disease. Finally, children who switch to cow’s milk before their first birthday have higher incidences of allergies and eczema than those who wait.