{"id":199406,"date":"2021-08-24T05:13:11","date_gmt":"2021-08-24T03:13:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/?p=106392"},"modified":"2021-08-24T05:13:11","modified_gmt":"2021-08-24T03:13:11","slug":"laager-rooibos-and-dietitian-mbali-mapholi-share-complementary-feeding-tips-for-babies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/laager-rooibos-and-dietitian-mbali-mapholi-share-complementary-feeding-tips-for-babies\/","title":{"rendered":"Laager Rooibos and dietitian, Mbali Mapholi, share complementary feeding tips for babies"},"content":{"rendered":"

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With the tumultuous past few months, parents and caregivers with babies are having to contend with the challenges of nurturing youngsters with the additional daily stress of living through a pandemic. Laager Rooibos and partnering dietitian, Mbali Mapholi, seek to make this parenting journey that much easier by sharing useful tips on complementary feeding for babies aged four to six months.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe understand that parenting can be tough, and the past few months haven\u2019t made this role any easier,\u201d said Wandile Ngubane, Laager Brand Manager. \u201cWe\u2019re committed to helping parents and caregivers ensure children get the best possible start, which is why we\u2019ve called on leading South African dietitian, Mbali Mapholi, to share useful insights into providing healthy nutrition for babies when they are introduced to foods.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the trickiest transitions for parents to navigate is complementary feeding. This is when breast milk or baby formula isn\u2019t meeting the sufficient nutritional requirements of infants, and so other foods or liquids need to be included in the diet.<\/p>\n

\u201cYoung children need enough nutritious food every day to grow healthy, strong, and be able to meet their full development capacity,\u201d explained Mbali. \u201cAt around six months old, your baby is growing quickly and needs more energy and nutrients than at any other time in their life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why is it important to add solids to the baby\u2019s diet?<\/p>\n

Until around 6 months old, breast milk or formula is sufficient as the sole source of nutrition for babies. And while this will remain the primary source of nutrition until 12 months, the nutritional needs of a baby increase to support growth and development. This is why solids need to be introduced. However, it is important to remember that babies have a small stomach and need soft, nutritious foods in small quantities throughout the day.<\/p>\n

What nutrients are important at 6 to 12 months?<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Protein: Babies still get protein from breast milk or formula but their requirements have increased a bit. Some of the food sources for protein include beef, chicken, maas, eggs, legumes, beans and fish.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Calcium: This is important for the development of bones and teeth, but cow\u2019s milk shouldn\u2019t be given to babies until their first birthday. There are plant-based calcium food sources to add such as green leafy vegetables, tofu, sardines, fortified baby cereal, beans and lentils.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Whole grains and complex carbohydrates: These are packed with nutrients and proteins that are good for babies. Some food sources include whole-grain bread, whole-grain cereal (baby cereal for spoon-feeding or bite-size cereal for self-feeding), fortified maize-meal, lentils, beans, potatoes and peas.<\/p>\n

What is the role of vitamins?<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Vitamin A: This keeps eyes, skin and the immune system healthy and can be found in chicken liver or fish.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Vitamin C: This supports the immune system; the growth and repair of bones, teeth, gums and tissues; is important for wound healing; and helps with iron absorption. It is found in oranges, spinach, bell peppers, kiwis, tomatoes and potatoes. Laager Tea4Kidz+ is also fortified with Vitamin C, making it the perfect nutrient-enriched hydration.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 B-Vitamins: This helps the body use fat, protein, and carbohydrates to produce energy. These are found in an abundance of fruits and vegetables, legumes and grains, among other foods.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Vitamin E: This protects the cells from damage, supports immunity and helps the body make red blood cells. It\u2019s found in sunflower oil, margarine, avocados and peanut butter.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Zinc: For children, zinc is particularly important for growth and immune function. It\u2019s found in eggs, lentils, chicken, oats and brown bread.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Folate (or Vitamin B9): This keeps the baby\u2019s heart and blood vessels healthy and is found in spinach, certain fruits, beans, meat, eggs, grains and seafood.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Iron: Bottle-fed babies get their full share of iron from fortified formula, but breastfed babies need another source. This could be meat, egg yolks, wheat germ, whole grain breads, fortified cereals, cooked dried peas and other legumes.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Omega-3 fatty acids: These are vital for the infant\u2019s growth, vision, and optimal brain development (which is why they\u2019re known as brain food!). These fabulous fats are served up naturally in breast milk, but also are used to enrich some formulas and baby foods. Other food sources include fatty fish, meat, tofu, flaxseed and canola oil.<\/p>\n

*Fluids: Once the baby starts on solid foods, small amounts of fluid will start to come from other sources like water or caffeine-free, sugar-free beverages like Laager Tea4Kidz. This range of Rooibos tea is specifically designed for kids, and comes with all the associated benefits of Rooibos such as antioxidants, allergy alleviation, enhanced sleep and improved gut health.<\/p>\n

Tips for starting complementary feeding<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Start slowly as babies have exceedingly small tummies. Your baby can eat anything except honey and cow\u2019s milk, which they should only eat after their first birthday.<\/p>\n

2. As the baby\u2019s intake of solids increases, milk intake should remain the same.<\/p>\n

3. Offer water or Laager Tea4Kidz in a cup, not a bottle. Avoid fruit and vegetable juices as these may cause dental issues.<\/p>\n

4. Do not add sugar, salt, or any seasoning on baby food and beverages. You can add oils, nut butter, margarine or peanut butter to your baby\u2019s foods and drinks to improve their nutrition.<\/p>\n

5. At 6 to 8 months, it is suggested to puree or thoroughly mash home-cooked food items.<\/p>\n

6. From 9 to 12 months, they can start to eat more textured food items. This is when they can hold and eat chopped up foods.<\/p>\n

7. Each meal needs to be both easy for your baby to eat and packed with nutrition. Make every bite count.<\/p>\n

8. Cooking your own baby meals at home is the best way to go about meeting their nutritional needs on a budget.<\/p>\n

9. If your baby refuses a new food or spits it out, do not force it. Try again a few days later. You can also try mixing it with another food that your baby likes.<\/p>\n

Through the More4Momz (www.more4momz.com) website, Laager Tea4Kidz share other useful parenting tips and delicious recipes to keep children interested in healthy food options. For more helpful dietary information, follow @Urbandietitian. For more information on Laager Rooibos or Laager Tea4Kidz, visit @LaagerRooibosTea on Facebook or Instagram, or www.joekels.co.za.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Source: MyPR.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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