What to Expect the First Year (75 page)
Read What to Expect the First Year Online
Authors: Heidi Murkoff
Wondering about how to keep your outdoor garden pest-free and also safe for your little one? Get information on outdoor pest control from the EPA,
epa.gov/pesticides/lawncare
; from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences,
niehs.nih.gov
; and from
growsmartgrowsafe.org
.
Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that may be toxic to humans and may adversely affect brain development, is found in many polycarbonate plastic products. Happily, the FDA doesn't allow baby bottles and sippy cups to contain BPA because of the potential effects of the chemical on the brain, on behavior, and on the prostate gland in infants and young children. And most baby toys and teethers made from plastic are BPA-free (check labels to be sure). But some plastic containers and plastic cups not marketed specifically for children may still contain BPA.
Children, because they're less able to metabolize or absorb the chemicals that end up in their systems, and because they're still growing and developing, and because they do a lot of drinking and snacking from plastic containers, may be most vulnerable to BPA exposure. Which is why it's wise to avoid buying or using products with BPA. How can you tell if a plastic container contains BPA? Simply look for a number on the bottom. If it says “7,” it likely contains BPA. The number “1” on bottled water means the bottle is made from polyethylene plastic and does not contain BPA.
Many homes built before 1978 still harbor paint with high concentrations of lead beneath layers of newer applications. As paint cracks or flakes, microscopic lead-containing particles are shed. These can end up in household dust and on a child's hands, toys, clothingâand eventually, of course, in the mouth.
Check with the EPA's National Lead Information Center (
epa.gov/lead
) for information on testing the paint in your home for lead. If testing shows there is lead, it'll need to be either completely removed by a professional trained in hazardous waste removal or covered with an approved sealant.
But lead paint doesn't lurk just on painted walls. Older toys, some new imported ones, and furniture can also be painted with lead. Keep up to date with furniture and toy recalls by going online to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (
cpsc.gov
) or the CDC (
cdc.gov/nceh
).
What's so dangerous about lead? Large doses of lead can cause severe brain damage in children. Even relatively small doses can reduce IQ, alter enzyme function, retard growth, and damage the kidneys, as well as cause learning and behavior problems, and hearing and attention deficits. Most doctors will do a finger-prick (or heelstick) test for lead at around 12 months, but you can ask for an earlier screening if you live in a high-risk area or in a pre-1960s building, if your water supply is contaminated with lead, if a sibling, housemate, or playmate has been diagnosed with high blood levels of lead, if you or another adult in your home has a job or hobby involving lead exposure, or if you live near an industry that is likely to release lead into the air, soil, or water.
If testing shows that your child has high lead levels in his or her blood, it may be helpful to consult with a specialist in treating this problem. Chelation therapy and the use of iron and calcium supplementation may be recommended to remove the lead and prevent the damage it can cause.
The Sixth Month
Baby is personality plus these daysâand it's a personality all his or her own. Socializing with mom, dad, and just about anyone who passes by the stroller or carrier is still high on baby's list of favorite activities, and you'll find the long sentences of babble, punctuated by giggles and squeals, more and more fascinatingâto you and your little one. Games of peekaboo delight baby, as does shaking a rattle or anything else that makes noise. The passion for exploration continues, and extends to your face, which baby will pull at as if it were a favorite toy (your hair, jewelry, and glasses aren't safe from those little fingers for now). At some point this month it'll be time to break out the bib and high chair and spoon up that momentous first bite of solids.
Sleeping.
How much sleep will baby be getting this month? Those sleep numbers haven't changed much from last month: around 15 hours on average, with about 10 or 11 of them coming at night, and 3 to 4 hours during the day, split up into two or three naps.
Eating.
Baby's still eating similar amounts as last month, though solids may be added to the mix this month.
⢠Breast milk. Count on an average of 5 to 6 feeds a dayâthough some babies nurse lots more than that. Baby will be drinking somewhere between 24 and 36 ounces of breast milk a day.
⢠Formula. You'll be bottle-feeding an average of 4 to 5 times a day, around 6 to 8 ounces of formula per bottle, for a total of 24 to 32 ounces of formula a day.
⢠Solids. If you're starting solids this month, you'll be starting small: about 1 tablespoon of baby cereal (mixed with a small amount of breast milk or formulaâenough to thin to a soupy consistency) twice a day, or the equivalent in fruit or vegetables (also a small amount thinned down to start). Feed to appetite, but expect the amount baby takes to increase gradually, up to 4 tablespoons per meal as baby gets used to solids and expresses an eagerness for more.
Playing.
Is baby starting to sit? That new position will give your cutie a whole new perspective when playing. Best bets this month include action/reaction toys (such as ones that light up or play music), toys that encourage crawling (cars or trains or balls that roll), picture books a baby can look at on his or her own or on your lap, roly-poly toys (they right themselves when rolled over), activity toys, play gyms, and anything baby can safely mouth (teething toys or soft blocks, for instance).
It's the moment you've been waiting for ⦠or soon will be. Somewhere between 4 and 6 monthsâwith the pediatrician's official go-aheadâyour baby will be ready to take on a brand new feeding frontier: solids. And you'll want to be ready, too, for that momentous first meal. But as you prepare (Spoon, check! Bowl, check! Bib, check! Video to record it all, check!), remember that as exciting as those debut bites of solids will be, your little one won't be ready to turn in the breast or bottle yet. While first feeds are funâand an important foundation for the lifetime of eating that lies aheadâthey're more about gaining experience than piling up nutrients. Breast milk or formula will continue to provide most of your baby's nutritional requirements until the end of the first year.
Ready ⦠set ⦠splat! A sense of timingâand a sense of humorâare key when you introduce solid foods to your baby. Here are some rules to feed by:
Time it right.
The “perfect” time of day to feed your baby is whatever time
works for both of you. If you're breastfeeding, you might try solids when your milk supply is at its lowest (probably late afternoon or early evening). On the other hand, babies who wake up bright eyed and eager might be happy to sample solids for breakfast. Experiment: Offer a first course of formula or breast milk to whet that appetite, then bring on the solids. Or try an appetizer of solids followed by a main course of milk. Start with one meal per day, then move up to two (probably a morning and evening meal) for the next month or so.
Monitor baby's mood.
As trying as those first feedings may be for you, they're even more of a challenge for your little one. So keep in mind that a baby who's
cheerful and alert is more likely to open wide for an incoming spoon, and one who's cranky or getting sleepy may want only breast (or bottle). If your baby is firmly in the fussy camp, be flexibleâyou might want to skip solids at that meal and try them next time.
Don't rush.
Food is never fast when it comes to babiesâyou'll be surprised at how long it takes to get one little spoonful into that little mouth (and ultimately down the hatch). Give yourself and your baby plenty of time for feedingsâand have plenty of patience, too. You will need it.
Sit pretty.
Holding a squirming baby on your lap while trying to deposit an unfamiliar substance into an unreceptive mouth is a perfect script for disaster. Before your baby actually takes bite one, let him or her practice sitting in the high chair or feeding seat for a couple of days, adjusting the height of the tray or seat so it fits just right. And don't forget how wiggly your little worm can beâ
always
fasten the safety straps, including the one around the crotch. If baby can't sit up at all in such a chair or seat, it's probably a good idea to postpone solids a bit longer.
Gear up.
Skip the silver spoon Aunt Marlene sentâa silicone, plastic, or corn-based model with a small, soft bowl is much easier on tender gums. Count on having several on hand during feedings (one for you, one for baby, a spare when one lands on the floor) to foster baby's sense of independence and to avoid power struggles (yes, those happen even at this age). For you, choose one with a long handle for maneuverability (experiment with both a deeper and shallower bowl to see which is easier to deposit food from). For baby, a short, curved handle is easier for tiny fingers to grip and will avoid a self-inflicted eye poke. And while you're gearing up, don't forget to put a bib on (on baby, that isâyour bib is optional). A word to the wise: Get your baby into the bib habit right from the start or you'll face big-time resistance later. It can be made of soft plastic, cotton, or paperâas long as it's big enough to cover the chest and belly, you're good to go. Also consider a diaper-only dress code for meals early on, room temperature allowing, unless your baby dislikes being undressed.
Make some introductions.
Before even attempting to bring spoon to mouth, put a dab of the food on the table or high chair tray and give baby a chance to examine it, squish it, mash it, rub it, maybe even taste it. That way, when you do approach with the spoon, what you're offering won't be totally unfamiliar.
Ease in.
For someone who's brand new to the concept of spoon feedingâand unfamiliar with textures and tastes beyond liquid and milkyâsolids can come as something of a shock. So ease in. Start by gently placing about a quarter teaspoon of food on the tip of baby's tongue. If that's swallowed, place the next quarter teaspoon a little farther back. At first, expect almost as much food to come out as goes in. Eventually your little one will get the hang of spoon feedingâand respond with a wide-open mouth.
Count on rejection.
Even bland tastes can be an acquired taste for a brand-new solids eater. Babies may reject a new food several times or more before they decide to like it. So don't push when baby snubs what the spoon is delivering, but do try, try again another day.
Invite imitation.
What your baby monkey sees, he or she may be more likely to do. It's an old parent trick but a goodie: Open up wide and take a pretend taste from the spoonâand don't forget to smack your lips and relish your make-believe bite enthusiastically (“yummy, yummy!”).
Know when enough is enough.
Realizing when to stop feeding is as important as knowing when to start. A turned head or a clenched mouth are sure signs that baby is finished with this meal. Forcing a baby to eat is always a lost causeâand can actually set up future food fights.
Feeding your baby isn't only about feeding healthy foods. It's also about making sure the food you buy, prepare, and serve your little one is as safe as can be. Happily, with just a few precautions and a lot of common sense, you'll be all set when it comes to food safetyânow and as your baby's menu expands:
⢠Always wash your hands with soap and water before feeding baby. If you touch raw meat, poultry, fish, or eggs (all of which harbor bacteria) during the feeding, wash your hands again. Obviously, wash them, too, if you blow your nose or touch your mouth.
⢠Store dry baby cereals and unopened baby food jars and pouches in a cool, dry place away from extremes of heat (over the stove, for example) or cold (as in an unheated basement).
⢠Wipe the tops of baby food jars or pouches with a clean cloth or run them under the tap to remove dust before opening.
⢠Make sure the button is down on safety lids before opening a jar for the first timeâwhen opening, listen for the “pop” to make sure the seal was intact. Discard or return to the store any jar that has a raised button or that doesn't pop. Make sure the cap on an unused pouch is sealed before opening it for the first time.
⢠Whenever you use a can opener, make sure it's clean. When you can't get it clean or it starts to look rusty, it's time to toss it.
⢠Remove one serving at a time from a jar of baby food with a clean spoon, or squeeze out spoonfuls from a pouch (don't let baby suck food out of the pouch if you want to save leftovers). If baby wants a refill, use a fresh spoon to scoop it out of the jar or squeeze again. Don't feed baby directly out of a baby food jar unless it's the last meal from that jar, and don't save a bowl of food that baby's eaten from for the next meal, since enzymes and bacteria from baby's saliva will cause it to spoil more quickly. If you're using a pouch, be sure the top of the pouch doesn't touch a used spoon when you're squeezing out the food.
⢠After you've taken a serving out of a jar or pouch, recap the remainder and refrigerate until it's needed again. If juices and fruits haven't been used within 3 days, and everything else within 2 days, toss them. Have a hard time keeping track of what you opened when? Start labeling.
⢠Try to mix only one serving at a time of baby cereal (it's fast and easy, so no need to prep in advance), though if you've made more than baby can eat (assuming you haven't double-dipped a spoon that's been in baby's mouth), you can store it in the refrigerator for a few hours (longer than that and it gets too thick and dry).
⢠It's not necessary to heat baby food (baby won't care if it's room temperature or cold), and it's an extra step you can easily skip. But if you do, heat only enough for one meal and discard any uneaten heated portion. You can place the baby food in a heat resistant dish over simmering water or place the pouch in hot water to warm it (but you'll have to throw out any leftovers once the pouch has been warmed). Or less ideally, you can use the microwave, keeping these important caveats in mind: First, make sure the dish is microwave safe. Second, heat for only 5 seconds, then stir, and test the temperature of the food on your wrist. If it's still cold, heat for another 5 seconds, then stir, then testâcontinuing with this pattern until the food is slightly warm. Keep in mind that though the container may stay cool, the contents continue to heat for a few minutes after you take it out of the microwave, and may be hot enough to burn baby's mouth.
⢠When preparing fresh baby foods, be sure utensils and work surfaces are clean. Keep cold foods cold and warm foods warm. Don't keep opened food at room temperature for more than an hour.
Click here
for tips on storing homemade baby food.
⢠Cook eggs well before serving. Raw or undercooked eggs can harbor salmonella. (To be extra safe, you can use pasteurized eggs.)
⢠Make sure all juice, milk, cheese, and other dairy products you serve your baby are pasteurized (never “raw”) to prevent bacterial infection.
⢠When tasting during food preparation, use a fresh spoon each time you taste, or wash the spoon between tastings.
⢠When in doubt about the freshness of a food, throw it out.
⢠When out and about, carry any open jars, pouches, or containers of anything that needs refrigeration in an insulated bag packed with ice or an ice pack if it will be more than an hour before you serve it. Once the food no longer feels cool, you'll have to toss it. Better still, pack unopened food that doesn't require refrigeration (but be careful never to store it in extreme temperatures, like in a hot car).