Silkysteps early years forum - planning ideas for play

Hi, until the end of weaning is a statement that means you'll be looking to cater and plan nutritionally for a range of baby & children's needs as they move through and complete each 'stage of weaning, progressing from a solely fluid/milk diet to one with varied tastes, textures and viscosities.

The time frame involved for this will be unique to each individual child, baby, their families and carers.

Quote:

Not all babies develop at the same pace, but most should be ready to start trying solid foods at around six months.

Source - healthy start.nhs.uk

Weaning at six months is a guidance recommendation by the department of health - weaning leaflet

Breastfeeding may continue for some years. Benefits of breastfeeding from breastfedbabies.org

More on the types and benefits of formula can be found in a grid on page 347 of the level 3 handbook - on amazon.co.uk
Types of formula:
Whey dominant milk
Casein dominant milk
Follow on milk
Soya milks

Nutritional information - definition
Vitamins and minerals - calcium, iron, folate
Proteins
Sugar - simple carbohydrate
Starch - complex carbohydrate - on Netdoctor.co.uk
Fat
Water
Sources of fibre

Knowledge about weaning: The foods standard agency suggest that weaning is a four-stage process, starting when a child reaches the age of 6 months. Stages of weaning on BBC.co.uk

1 - First foods - pureed, small spoonfull servings
--- quantity of milk feeds remain the same
2 - Increasing the number of solid feeds in a day gradually to a recommended 3.
--- quantity of milk feeds remain the same
3 - Introducing lumpier foods and finger foods
--- quantity of milk feeds remain the same
4 - Moving to chopped foods and increasing the size of meals to three main a day, supplemented where needed with fruit, veg and healthy snack foods between meals.
--- milk feeds remain important - 500 to 600ml a day

Vitamin supplement guidance - A, C and D being give to breastfed babies from the age of 6 months or 12 months for bottle fed babies - if the formula being given is already fortified.

For bottle fed babies careful formula preparation will prevent food poisoning bacteria from growing in feeds, equipment.

Foods not recommended for children under a year old:
-- Salt: impacts on the kidneys & contibutes towards future health problems.
-- Sugar: a carbohydrate that can contribute to weight gain, create a risk for diabetes and facilitates tooth decay.
-- Raw or partially cooked egg: risk of feeding children bacteria that causes food poisoning.
-- Honey: poses a risk of botulism.
-- Any foods that prompt or are an allergy concern.
-- Foods that pose a choking hazard - whole nuts
-- Foods that potentially contain mercury.
-- High fibre foods: these focus babies digestive energies on processing the fibre and prevent the absorption of other essential nutrients.
-- Cows milk: is recommended for children over the age of 12 months.
-- Low fat foods
-- Foods high in saturated fat

Cultural conflicts:
Giving honey to newborn babies.
Adding honey to a bottle feed/drink as a comforter.

Dietary considerations:
Vegetarian, Vegan, lactose intollerance
News item for not delaying the introduction of gluten during weaning and coeliac disease, facts about diabetes

Estimated average requirementsfor calorie intake
Age . . . . . . . . . Male . . . . Female
-------------- (mj) (kcal) - (mj) (kcal)
0 - 3 months - 2.28 (545) - 2.16 (515)
4 - 6 months - 2.89 (690) - 2.69 (645)
7 - 9 months - 3.44 (825) - 3.20 (765)
10 - 12 mths - 3.85 (920) - 3.61 (865)
1 - 3 years --- 5.15 (1230)- 4.86 (1165)
4 - 6 years --- 7.16 (1715)- 6.46 (1545)

1991 COMA report on dietary reference values DRVs - information on nutrition.org.uk and as pdf nutritional requirements

Hth xx