- Over half of parents (62%) admit they do not know what nutrients their babies need when it comes to weaning
- Annabel Karmel advocates the need for more meat, fish and cheese in a baby’s diet
New research, released today
by Annabel Karmel and DK Books, has revealed that a staggering 62% of parents
are unaware what nutrients their babies need when the all-important weaning
stage arrives. Worries include not knowing which critical nutrients are
required, what to do when it comes to integrating milk feeds and how to ensure
their children are receiving a balanced diet – which 81% of respondents
admitted they needed advice on.
Despite leading busy lives and
being notoriously time poor, nearly 9 out of 10 parents make their baby’s food
from scratch in a bid to ensure they get what they need. Additionally, nearly 40%
prepare fresh food specifically for their baby separately to their family meal.
Although these statistics are positive, 1 in 10 parents found knowing when to add
key foods into a baby’s diet such as meat, fish, cheese and eggs one of the
hardest aspects of weaning. All these food types contain vital nutrients and
vitamins which are needed to ensure healthy growth and development.
The issue is further
exacerbated by a lack of knowledge around managing milk feeds. Introducing
solids is important as once a baby reaches six months, milk alone will not give
them the critical nutrients they need, especially when it comes to iron and
essential fatty acids. Nearly 1 in 3
found managing milk feeds the hardest part when it comes to weaning. Similarly,
just feeding a baby fruit and vegetables at six months isn’t sufficient – at
this stage they need to be introduced to a wide variety of additional food
types and groups.
What are critical nutrients
and what should babies be getting?
At the age of six months, it is essential for
babies to be weaned onto a varied diet. The below information outlines what
babies should be getting as part of their everyday diet.*
Iron
|
From six months to two years babies need
more iron than at any other time of their lives. Babies who don’t get enough
can have sensory and cognitive impairment and it may affect their motor
development. It is essential to give iron-rich foods at least twice a day
from six months.
|
The best sources of iron are red meat and
dark poultry. Other iron rich foods are fortified breakfast cereals,
wholegrain cereal products such as pasta, egg yolk, pulses, dark leafy green
vegetables and dried fruit such as apricots and dates.
|
Fats
|
Around 50% of a baby’s energy needs to come
from fats and oils for growth and development, and a lack of fat can affect
cognitive development. It can be hard getting fats into a baby’s diet as they
don’t eat much, so it’s important to choose dense energy foods.
|
To encourage babies to eat fats, vegetables
can be tossed in melted butter; full fat yogurt can be added to fruit. Babies
should have whole milk and cream, full fat cheese, and foods should be cooked
with oils such as rapeseed oil and olive oil when possible.
|
Fibre
|
There are two types of fibre but only one
is good for babies. Insoluble fibre can’t be digested and should be avoided
as it sweeps food through the digestive system making it difficult to absorb
important minerals. Soluble fibre can be digested and is good for a healthy
heart. Too much however can cause tummy ache.
|
Soluble fibre can be found in oats, beans,
pulses, vegetables, fruits including dried, and wholegrain bread.
|
Protein
|
This is the main nutrient for growth but
can’t be used efficiently by the body unless the baby has enough energy.
|
Protein rich foods include fish, meat,
milk, cheese, nuts, eggs, beans, soya, and pulses.
|
Essential fatty acids (EFSs)
|
The most important EFA for babies is
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega fatty acid which is essential for brain
development and the development of the retina.
|
The only decent food source is oily fish
such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, pilchards and fresh tuna (not canned).
However, babies shouldn’t eat oily fish more than twice a week. DHA can also
be found in eggs from hens fed with omega-3-rich grains.
|
Carbohydrates
|
These are also energy providers, and
alongside fats, provide the fuel required for a baby’s body to make the best
use of protein food.
|
Babies should get both white and wholegrain
versions of grains, rice, bread and pasta. Potatoes, sweet potatoes and
fortified breakfast cereals are also good sources.
|
Zinc
|
Zinc is needed for the development of a
healthy immune system and a diet high in zinc helps to boost a baby’s
immunity.
|
All iron rich foods are also high in zinc
(see previous list).
|
Vitamin D
|
This vitamin is important for bone growth
and is essential for developing immunity. The recommendation is to give 8.5-10mcg
supplement daily, infant formula contains the supplement but breastfed babies
should receive drops.
|
This vitamin is made by the body when
sunlight shines on the skin. Food sources containing vitamin D are oily fish,
egg yolk, and fortified foods such as margarine, milks and cereals.
|
Vitamin C
|
This is essential for iron absorption,
healing healthy skin and bones and boosting immunity.
|
All fruit and vegetables are good sources
but especially berries, papaya, mango, citrus fruit, kiwi fruit, broccoli,
cauliflower and sweet peppers.
|
*All information is taken from Weaning by Annabel Karmel - a fully
revised and newly updated version of the bestselling book originally published
in 2010.
Internationally renowned cookery author, Annabel Karmel says; “Weaning
is such an important part of our baby’s development, but with a fifth of
parents admitting to not being confident about introducing new foods to a baby,
there is clearly a job to done around educating parents about critical
nutrients. Ensuring a baby eats correctly and
absorbs the right amount of critical nutrients, suitable to their age, is
essential. My new book offers a wealth of experience, guidance and top tips on
this subject as well as brand new delicious recipes to entice your little ones.
This is a time for exploration and we want babies to grow up with a love of
food having been introduced to a plethora of tastes, textures and flavours
along their weaning journey”.
www.dk.com
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