Selective baby feeding: the basics
Selective baby feeding: the basics
This is not a comprehensive overview of the topic. It is, rather, a very short introduction to the idea of selective baby feeding.
Selective baby feeding is when one or both parents choose to feed their infants with breast milk or formula for most of the infant’s nutrition, but also give them solid food later on in life. This can be done to introduce them to new flavors, nutrients, textures, and variety. There are many reasons why parents might use selective baby feeding as a method for their child’s upbringing.
Read on to learn more about the benefits of this style of parenting.
Introduction to selective baby feeding
When choosing the food and products that will make up your baby’s food, there is a huge amount to consider.
Many people might think that feeding your baby is simple, but there are many more choices than some realize.
How much to feed your baby, the ages and types of foods that you can choose from, the types of foods you should avoid, and a whole lot more can be a confusing topic.
Parents often want to feed their babies as much as they can but know that many children need a little something extra at certain times, such as teething, growth spurts, disease, or when traveling.
You will be surprised how many parents think it is silly or wasteful to feed babies baby food rather than breast milk. These parents should really consider the facts.
The benefits of selective baby feeding
Children who were breastfed are more likely to:
Eat with ease Have healthy immunity Get all the nutrients they need Be psychologically healthy Be healthy as adults Make strong lifelong bonds with their parents Read on for more reasons why selective baby feeding is beneficial for both the child and their parents.
Choosing breast milk for food When an infant is born, the breastfeeding relationship is established in the first few weeks.
It is called the “baby-led” approach. As long as the parents are willing, they are free to feed the infant at any time. If they choose to do so, they can feed the baby solid food as well, and not worry about making sure that they have enough breast milk or formula.
How does selective baby feeding work for parents?
As described earlier, many parents choose to give their infants only breast milk or only formula for their early nutrition.
However, parents can feed their babies solid foods as well, perhaps later than the age of six months, or perhaps at other times, depending on the child’s eating preferences.
If a child chooses to eat only solid foods later in life, they might have a lower incidence of allergies and other ailments.
Some parents choose to give their babies breast milk or only formula until they are exclusively formula-fed.
However, parents can also choose to use formula or other foods for their infant. This may be a child whose preference for breast milk is overcome by their need to drink, or some other reason.
Conclusion
Selective baby feeding is a way for parents to teach their baby that solid food is a fun and exciting adventure, a way to introduce them to new tastes and textures.
The benefits of selective baby feeding include teaching babies to self-regulate when they get hungry, to learn how to avoid the dangers of fussiness, and providing a nutritional foundation in a fun and enjoyable manner.
