NOTE: The information contained in this section does not replace the care of a health professional. If you are in any doubt about the health or well being of your child seek professional assistance.

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Question: She does not want to eat but she really likes to breastfeed

"hello,
My little girl Gabriella is 9 months old but she does not want to eat but she really likes to breastfeed. What should I do to teach her to eat? "

Leanne Answers:

Hi There,
I am just wondering if Gabriella is eating solids and how much, it may be that she is eating enough for her age. Generally though by 9 months they are on finger foods and having 3 meals and 1-2 snacks a day plus 2-4 breastfeeds.

You may find that she is like many bubs and simply isn’t into mushy food and that finger foods are more appealing. So you could try letting he nibble on some grated cheddar cheese, some sultanas or slices of avo or some sliced soft fruit. Also feeding meshes can be useful.

I have some tip sheets on Huggies on starting solids and also a book, they might give you some more ideas on finger foods and portable snacks, the links are:
Solids 
Which foods when and fridge chart

If you notice though that she isn’t putting on weight as she is or that she really wont eat any solids it might be a good idea to pop into see yoru CHN or GP.

Another option if it seems to be a feeding issue would be to talk to a paediatric speech pathologist such as the gals at No Fuss Feeding (website of same name). If your bub found chunky food difficult it may also strengthen this idea. Paediatric speech pathologists deal with all things to do with the mouth. Much of what a baby eats or rather when they can eat certain foods is determined by their oral development. I really think you will find them helpful, you can also find them in the yellow pages.

Hope that helps,
Leanne

Question: My little boy is 10months and was eating drinking so well untill the last month

"Hi Leanne, My little boy is 10months and was eating drinking so well untill the last month. He would have my vegie puree and 5 bottles a day. I keep introducing water with no luck. I have tried a few different types of cups. The last month he has been refusing vegies and just wants to eat apple puree and custard or the rafferty garden range of purees which are fruit based. He can have as little as one bottle a day to at the most 3..which I dont think is enough fluid. This all started when he was admitted to hospital with Rosela and seizures... the seizures are under control with tegretol. He started seizures after his six month needles. "

Leanne Answers:

Hi There,
It is really common for bubs to go off their solids after a period of illness so you aren’t alone! They can make associations with foods they were eating prior to getting sick and go completely off them. I would recommend popping into see your CHN and having a chat. Particularly if you are noticing he isn’t gaining weight at his usual rate.

Another option if it seems to be a feeding issue would be to talk to a paediatric speech pathologist such as the gals at No Fuss Feeding (website of same name). If your bub found chunky food difficult it may also strengthen this idea. Paediatric speech pathologists deal with all things to do with the mouth. Much of what a baby eats or rather when they can eat certain foods is determined by their oral development. I really think you will find them helpful, you can also find them in the yellow pages.

Try also offering him food in different ways, finger foods, meshes and so on. With the water though choose a nice sipper cup and stick with it, offer it as often as you can, every little drop will bring you closer to acceptance. My son didn’t click with water until 11 months so keep going!

In the meantime though keep offering his food at the usual times. On the issue of vegies you may have to try to balance the scales back in favour of vegies by slowly adding more vegies to his fruit and overtime getting to where it is predominantly vegies. It’s hard once they have a taste for sweet foods to revert. Also try the sweeter vegies such as sweet potato and corn.

So I hope some of that helps with resettling into a good routine.

All the best,
Leanne

Question: Patrick who is 10 months old is not interested in eating at all

"Hi Leanne,
My name is Pamela, and a proud mother of three boys. My youngest Patrick who is 10 months old is not interested in eating at all. He has been like that since 6 months and I'm really starting to get a little concerned because he is not getting the nutrients he's supposed to. It is really starting to drive me up the wall bacause I have absolutely tried everything, even the jar foods. I'm also breastfeeding, but it's only 4 times a day. I've also been to so many doctors telling me not to worry. Please help me, I don't know what to do anymore. Thanks heaps. Pam. "

Leanne Answers:

Hi Pam,
There are two things I would mention, firstly if you have opted for finger foods for baby. You would be surprised at how many bubs completely skip the whole mushy food business and go straight to solid chunks and finger foods. So if you haven’t already tried, see how he goes with grated cheese, or slices of soft fruit and veg such as avo, banana or watermelon, small sandwiches etc.

For more ideas I have some tip sheets on Huggies about finger foods, the links are:
Finger foods and beyond and healthy eating habits
Snack ideas

Lastly, I would highly recommend talking to a paediatric speech pathologist such as the gals at No Fuss Feeding (website of same name). If your bub found chunky food difficult it may also strengthen this idea. Paediatric speech pathologists deal with all things to do with the mouth. Much of what a baby eats or rather when they can eat certain foods is determined by their oral development. I really think you will find them helpful, you can also find them in the yellow pages.

I hope that helps.
All the best,
Leanne

Question: If I buy bottled water, do I still need to boil it before giving in to my baby?

"I am due to have a baby in 3 weeks and have just moved into a house that is on tank water. I'm wondering when the time comes to bottle feed if I buy bottled water do I still need to boil it before giving in to my baby?? "

Leanne Answers:

Hi There,
To the best of my knowledge no you don’t need to boil bottled water, it would be safe to say that the manufacture of and supply of water is just as tightly controlled as any other food or beverage.

Hope that helps,
Leanne

Question: Now he only wants to eat fruit or yoghurt or cruskits

"My nearly 8month old boy has never been too interested in solids. But now he only wants to eat fruit or yoghurt or cruskits - If I offer anything else he purses his lips. I'm pretty sure it's not the chunky food thing - cause he has eaten whole meals of chunky stuff on numerous occasions - I think it is the flavours he dislikes. He rarely eats a breakfast, and is breastfed 4 times a day. Any ideas on how I can encourage him to eat more - and a more varied diet? Will it be affecting him nutritionally? Thanks! "

Leanne Answers:

Hi There,
Sounds like you have a little man who really knows what he does and doesn’t like. Also once bubs get a taste of fruit they can find vegies pale in comparison. I would keep offering him the stuff you would like him to eat even if it is rejected. Try offering it in different ways and if he is onto chunks now offer him meals similar to your own.

On the issue of vegies you may have to try to balance the scales back in favour of vegies by slowly adding more vegies to his fruit and overtime getting to where it is predominantly vegies. It’s hard once they have a taste for sweet foods to revert. Also try the sweeter vegies such as sweet potato and corn.

Sometimes bubs skip the whole mushy food stage (who can blame them) and go to finger foods, that’s where a feeding mesh can be really helpful. Your bub may in a few weeks would be okay with some finger foods (say some slithers of banana or avo or grated cheese)? Once these bubs get going they can really make up for lost time so batten down the hatches and watch your food bill.

So try offering him food a with a little more texture, perhaps where he can feed himself (a feeding mesh can be great) or finger foods, keep offering and at 9 months swap to food first then milk he may just kick on then. If he is growing at his usual rate he is likely to be fine, but it would be good if you can get some baby cereal into him, even if it is in mashed vegies or fruit.

If you feel things get worse or just don’t progress pop into see your CHN or GP or ask about seeing a paediatric speech pathologist.

All the best,
Leanne

Question: I'm trying to vary my toddlers food but she refuses new foods

"Hi Leanne, I'm trying to vary my toddlers food intake but when i introduce a new food she refuses and i feel like i'm giving her the same food. She is fourteen months old. what do you suggest?
Thanks, louise "

Leanne Answers:

Hi Louise,
Fussy eating really does hit in the toddler years.

Most health care professionals will say as long as your preschooler is gaining weight at her usual rate and is happy and healthy then she won't starve herself. But as a parent that can be little comfort. Basically it comes down to persisting with offering the healthy stuff even if it is rejected, sneak in the good stuff where you can, avoid the battles (no-one wins those ones), get them involved, offer a healthy supper down the line if dinner is rejected and your toddler complains of being hungry and try to use the foods they do eat as a basis for making other food/meals that are more likely to be enjoyed. As they get older too they really get into helping you and will tend to eat foods they have helped to prepare more than those they have had no contact with.

I think the Jessica Seinfeld book using purees is a good idea, but I reduce the sugar, use olive oil and don’t add salt, I also have a recipe book based on my fussy foodie.

I have a tip sheet on fussy eating on Huggies that might have some pointers, but again I really think it would be best to get some help with this, the link is:
Picky Eating

Keep an eye on her growth and development and if you notice any changes to that or health (for example if she doesn’t gain weight or drops percentiles) then it would be a good idea to pop into your GP.

If you really feel out on a limb and wanted some professional help you might like to consider contacting a naturopath, nutritionist or dietitian who specialises in children. They will be able to firstly review what your little one does eat and tell if there may be some nutritional issues to be addressed and if so, how they are best dealt with. Then advise you on the fussy eat and what tips and tricks might help.

Another option is a feeding expert, the gals at No Fuss Feeding (website of the same name) are excellent with feeding issues, and it’s their specialty. Or in a similar vein an early childhood consultant who can help with behavioural tips.

I hope that helps.
All the best,
Leanne

Question: I am looking for wheat free recipes for my eight month old

"Hi, I am looking for recipes for wheat free for my eight month old. Can you help?
Thanks Rebecca "

Leanne Answers:

Hi Rebecca,
It can be really hard finding some recipes specifically for bubs with allergies and intolerances, so here are what I think two good sites both with recipe books.

Allergy recipe books
RPA - Friendly Food Recipe and Food Intolerance Book from the Allergy Unit at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia www.cs.nsw.gov.au/rpa/allergy/resources/foodintol/friendlyfood.cfm
Anaphylaxis Australia- A recipe book containing 80 recipes free of dairy, egg, wheat and sugar. ... Finding allergy–free recipes for those special occasions can be difficult. www.allergyfacts.org.au/product.html

Hope that helps.
Cheery oh,
Leanne

Question: I was given a leaflet on testing a hair with this natropathic organisation for food intolerances

"Hi Leanne,
I have a 5 month old baby that has had a history of what it seems like as gut irritation. Early on with breast feeding issues, it was suggested by a lactation consultant that she may have issues with dairy so I have basically gone off diary to feed. Her reasoning was the sqirming when feeding and odd poos. I had chronic nipple pain so am now part bottle and part breast and have given her goat milk based on the suggestions. Bub still sqirms on the boob most days but not for all feeds.....she has a part asian history too which possibly suggests milk may be a problem (people have said!). I of course will be introducing food soon and would really like to know what tests should be done to know what may be bothering her. I would also like to know if he really is intolerant to milk or whatever, do you have any suggestions or is it too early. I was given a leaflet on testing a hair of her with this natropathic organisation, but this is costly and probably not reliable?? Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks so much
Jo "

Leanne Answers:

Hi Jo,
I think there may be a reasonable chance that with an Asian influence lactose intolerance could be the culprit. Breastmilk of course does have some lactose, cows milk is much higher, but cheddar cheese and yoghurt are very low. So children who react to drinking milk but not cheese generally would have a lactose intolerance and not a full blown allergy to cows’ milk protein.

Yes I think probably a bit early to test and you are likely to find out the situation as you slowly introduce solids. I have some tip sheets on Huggies on starting solids and also a book, I take a very slow and steady approach and am pretty conservative with the known allergy foods, the links are:
Solids 
Which foods when and fridge chart

If you find as you go along baby has reactions then look at a referral to an allergy unit but avoid the invasion for now.

See if they help guide you.
All the best,
Leanne

Question: The doctor said to stop giving her a bottle and then she will eat

"Hi, My daughter is 13mths old & hardly eats solids. she is not under weight infact she is a healthy 10.5kgs @ 81cms tall. We offer her 2 main & 2 snack meals a day but she simply turns her head or will mouth the food & spit it out!! She will occasionally eat vanilla custard, weetbix or Yoghart but thats really it. She has between 4 - 5 bottles a day ( 2x 200ml & 2/3 x 150ml) The doctor said just stop giving her a bottle & she will eat but she simply screams & I don't feel comfortable forcing the issue. Should I take the advice and take the milk off her & let her starve until she eats or please tell me there is a better approuch.
Thankyou "

Leanne Answers:

Hi There,
I have to agree in part that the bottles are very likely to be interfering with her appetite, if it is milk it may also be interfering with her iron levels which in turn can lead to fussy eating. But...

As a mum I totally understand the stress of dealing with a cold turkey approach, easier said than done I believe. I would recommend talking to a feeding expert for some tips on reversing the trend you face. The gals at No Fuss Feeding would be a good place to start or contact an early childhood consultant near you; most preschools would have the name of someone they would recommend. It really will be largely behavioural techniques and then tips to introduce foods. Potentially you may have to slowly reduce down the bottles (dropping say ¼ of a bottle a week at a time), like a weaning process, offer bottles after meals. Don’t worry if they are rejected, give some time then follow-up with the smaller bottle. Hopefully she will be hungry enough to eat at the next meal and so you can see how you slowly reverse things.

All the best with it,
Leanne

Question: I'd like a list of what foods she can eat and when she should start having them

"Hi Leanne, My name is Jess. I have a 6 month old little girl. I'm just curious to have a list of what foods she can eat and when she should start having them. eg. fish, meat, different vegies and fruit. If you could help me that would be great "

Leanne Answers:

Hi Jess,
Solids is such a great time, but it can be very confusing with all the varied information out there. Basically though I recommend starting with baby cereal and vegies first, starting fruit a little later I think can help with avoiding the preference for sweet foods that babies naturally have. Then around 7 ish months you can also introduce cheese, yoghurt and fish, then next would come white meat, red meat and so on. Its important to be onto chunky foods around 9 months and finger foods at this time can be a god send!

I have some tip sheets on Huggies on starting solids and also a book, the links are:
Solids 
Which foods when and fridge chart

So I hope this helps guide you, always remember baby is your best guide.

All the best,
Leanne

Question: At what age can you start introducing cows milk?

"At what age can you start introducing cows milk? also how is the best way to prepare it such as do you you add water etc to it?
thanks sarah. "

Leanne Answers:

Hi Sarah,
Cows’ milk isn’t recommended until after 12 months, generally it is offered straight and in a cup, for toddlers who don’t eat a great amount of other calcium-rich foods 2 cups over a day is plenty and always offer it after foods as it can very easily displace proper meals.

I have a tip sheet on weaning and cows’ milk, it should be on Huggies soon but in the meantime you can download it from my site at www.cadencehealth.com.au/babyandchild.htm , it’s about half way down the page. It explains how much milk toddlers need in order to reach their daily serving and RDI of calcium.

All the best,
Leanne

Question: How often should she be doing a poo? At the moment it's once every 2 or 3 days

"Hi Leanne, i am a first time mum. My baby girl ashlea didnt take onto to the breat after 6 long exhausting weks of trying.I have her on karicare gold formula which is ok, but not the best as she gets alot of wind and belly pains.How often should she be doing a poo?at the moment its probably once every 2 or 3 days.Seems such an effort for her.I didnt really want to have to change formulas unnecessarily, as she is used to this, last time i changed to this it was a long two weeks of her getting used to it. Ant ideas.I know she is not constipaetd as her stools are not hard or pallet like. "

Leanne Answers:

Hi There,
Constipation as you know is dry hard stools that are difficult to pass. They occur because the body hasn’t enough fluid so it removes as much as it can from food/fluid that passes into the body, literally wringing it out. So what is left as it passes through the intestinal channel becomes dry and solid and hard to pass. Some little ones go every day others may only go a couple of times a week, if this is normal for them and they show no discomfort then it is likely to be fine, changes in bowel habits should be checked out. You will find that most babies heave and push and go bright red and then produce perfectly soft stools, which makes you wonder what all the commotion was about, all very normal.

Constipation is very common when bubs start off on solids or move onto formula. Babies’ kidneys are still developing and find it hard to process food/formula bi-products. This is why the need to start water with solids for example. Other thing to keep your eye on is the dilution of the formula. Ensure the scoop isn’t tightly packed it should just be a scoop from the tin and leveled off with a clean knife. Sometimes baby massage can be helpful and formula with probiotics may help to keep poos softer. If you feel you need to change it might be good to ask your CHN or chemist about a suitable formula for your bub.

If you find that this doesn’t help pop into see your CHN or GP for a quick check of things.

All the best,
Leanne

Question: I've noticed a dramatic change in both her sleeping and her eating habits over the last week

"Hi Leanne,
My baby is 11 & 1/2 weeks old, she's approx. 5 1/2kgs. I have been expressing breastmilk and bottle feeding her since birth. I've noticed a dramatic change in both her sleeping and her eating habits over the last week. She has started sleeping for only 1/2 hour slots during the day and tiring very quickly. But has also really reduced her bottle intake. She used to drink approx. 120mls every 3-4 hours and more recently has only been drinking 80mls 6 hourly. She still wakes 2x at night and drinks a full bottle. We've been to the DRs and they have advised she's ok but no explanations. Please help me understand if this is normal?? "

Leanne Answers:

Hi There,
This is a big change for a very young bub, but if baby is growing at her usual rate then it is likely that things are just fine.

Babies are in fact very good at self-regulation so as long as she is gaining weight at her usual rate, is happy and healthy then things are likely to be going just fine. Keep offering baby her usual feeds even if they are rejected, they can have fussy phases. These fussy times are now called the 'wonder' weeks you can find more about on this site www.cyh.com just type the words into their search area. The main fussy times are 5, 8, 12, 17 and 26 weeks etc. Babies can temporarily go off their feeds, so that is why it is best to keep offering just incase it passes.

It sounds to me that you are doing all the right things. If you notice a stagnation or drop in her growth pop back to your GP and push the issue, baby’s growth is one of your best indicators that she is getting enough nourishment.

All the best,
Leanne

Question: She has not been feeding enough lately, when half way through a feed she pushes her bottle away

"hi my baby isabel is 41/2 months old. She has not been taking enough feeds lately, normally she was taking about 200-250 ml of formula every 4-5 hrs, now she takes just about 150 each time, as soon as shes half way thru a feed, she starts pushing her bottle away,i wind her in between as well but she doesnt take more. i'v seen a doctor in case shes not well, but shes good and healthy. I dont know wat else to do "

Leanne Answers:

Hi There,
Your bub is by far your best guide. Babies are in fact very good at self-regulation so as long as she is gaining weight at her usual rate, is happy and healthy then things are likely to be going just fine. Keep offering baby her usual feeds even if they are rejected, they can have fussy phases. These fussy times are now called the 'wonder' weeks you can find more about on this site www.cyh.com just type the words into their search area. The main fussy times are 5, 8, 12, 17 and 26 weeks etc. Babies can temporarily go off their feeds, so that is why it is best to keep offering just incase it passes.

It sounds to me that you are doing all the right things. If you notice a stagnation or drop in her growth pop back to your GP.

All the best,
Leanne

Question: I was wondering if she can have egg that is cooked into food

"my daughter is 10 1/2 months old and i was wondering if she can have egg that is cooked into food eg: muffins, meatballs etc.. I know she can have cooked hard boiled egg yolk but not white. "

Leanne Answers:

Hi There,
Yes that’s right egg white is notoriously the reactive part of eggs as it is a protein and protein is a larger molecule for the body to deal with. Often in this case where you are talking about such small amounts it is a trial that is best, so pick a food that has all ingredients she has safely eaten previously, but add the whole egg and see how baby goes with a little. You should know quickly if it is okay. I would imagine if there isn’t a strong family history and baby hasn’t had reactions to other foods that it will be fine.

Good luck,
Leanne

Question: Two weeks ago she decided that she didn't want me feeding her solids anymore

"Hi,
I am a mother of a 6 and a half month old girl. She was started on solids at four months and graduated to having three healthy meals a day, as well as being breastfed. I had to start topping her up with formula at around four and a half months and as of yesterday she is not having breastmilk anymore.

Approx. two weeks ago she decided that she didn't want me feeding her solids anymore. She started refusing her veges and then her cereal and I could only get a small amount of fruit into her if I was crafty. This problem also led her to not sleep through the night as well.

She sits up very well and is about to start crawling. She has excellent head control and can eat a slice toast or a biscuit and drink from a tommee tippee.

I'm worried that she isn't gettng the iron etc. that she needs and have tried giving her chunks of meat to suck on with no success. The only food I can successfully get into her now is toast, crackers, some cooked fruit and veges (in a mesh feeder) and biscuits. I don't feel this diet is good enough for her.

Have you got any advice you can give me to help this situation, I don't want to force feed her but I want her to be healthy. Her tea takes about 3 hours and I am not liking the amount of butter, salt and sugar she has in her diet.

Thanks, Katherine Lyon "

Leanne Answers:

Hi Katherine,
Sounds like solids started with gusto and now it is leveling out a little. I guess the first thing to say is that as you have found babies have an innate preference for sweet and salty and once they get a ‘whiff’ of that it can be hard to deter them from foods that have these tastes. Still baby is very young and in many ways you could start over given she is only just over 6 months, many bubs are only just starting out. So don’t go down the force feeding line, it is likely to simply make things worse. Creating a negative association to food can be very hard to change. Be careful with the chunks of meat they can be a choking hazard unless in a feeding mesh, baby cereal has a similar iron level to meat so keep trying baby with this.

It is possible that as baby is now completely on formula that she is filling up on this and just doesn’t have the room for solids, which is fine, she will be getting all she needs from her milk feeds. So for now go with what baby is indicating, stick to healthy foods, don’t offer foods that bub doesn’t need as yet (those with sugar, salt etc). Go slowly, be confident that if baby is growing well and at her usual rate she is likely to be just fine. As her tummy grows she will gain more room for solids once again.

If you find that her growth rate changes or you remain concerned pop into see your CHN or GP for a quick check that all is okay.

You may like some more ideas on solids and who to progress so I have some tip sheets on Huggies on starting solids and also a book, the links are:
Solids 
Which foods when and fridge chart

Hope that helps.
All the best,
Leanne

Question: Do you think he sounds like he has a Lactose Intollerant problem?

"G'day Leanne, I'm a first time user & new member so I'm not positive if I'm in the right area to ask this particular question??

Our Son, Lincoln just 11mths has a problem with Dairy Foods. He reacts in a way like mosquitoes have bitten him around his mouth. It's all red, but once you wash his face the redness subsides. He doesn't itch it,& I don't think he's aware the area is irratated.If he rubs his eyes though I immediately have to flush them as his eyes bung up & he becomes irratable with discomfort. If he touches the foods his hands are not affected in any way. I haven't given him a large amount to watch for any signs of diarrhoea. We have been advoiding all dairy foods as I'm still breastfeeding & he's content with that. I know it's not suggested till 12mths, but I noticed this when he sucked on the lid of my flavoured milk bottle recently. Since then I have tried him with Cream, Custard, Milk & ice-cream. All the foods gives this reaction.

Lincoln's 1st birthday is approaching & my husband & I have discussed we will have to eat the icing from his cake before giving it to him. He's fine with egg, peanuts etc. Do you think he sounds like he has a Lactose Intollerant problem & should I see our Dr?? So far I have discussed this with the town midwife & our friends have said 'Don't worry just keep trying him with dairy foods, He'll get used to it" Is that right??
If you reply I would be soo appreciative, Priscilla :) "

Leanne Answers:

Hi Priscilla,
Well welcome to the Huggies Baby Club, it such a fabulous support and site. You have posed your question to the right area.

I am just wondering if you have trialled him on yoghurt or cheese? I guess the questions I have in my mind are:

1. Is it lactose intolerance (if so he may be okay with low lactose foods such as yoghurt and cheddar cheese)
2. Is it a food additive and not a reaction to dairy? In which case he may be okay with very ‘clean’ brands that don’t have any additives.
3. Is it a cows’ milk protein allergy?

 
Personally I would ask for a referral by your GP to an allergy unit at your nearest hospital and have your son tested, this really the best way to know. Seeing a specialist will mean if your son does react to a food then you can also get advice on how to ensure his diet is still healthy even without this food.

Some children out grow an allergy or intolerance, but it is best to avoid the culprit for some time to allow babies immunity to strengthen, this may mean up to another year, but really a specialist would be best to advise you on this also. Continual bombardment of the immune system can leave you with a cranky child who is tired. Also you just don’t know if there is an internal reaction along with the local one around his mouth so being conservative wouldn’t hurt. Then trial the food and see how things go.

Hope that helps. All the best,
Leanne

Question: I remember reading that too much formula can interrupt their appetite and interest in solids

"Hi Leanne,
I remember reading somewhere that after 9 or 10 months a baby shouldn't be drinking more than 600mls of formula a day as it can interrupt their appetite and/or interest in solids. My son is almost 10 months old and drinks approximately 620mls of formula a day & his daily diet is the following:-
Breakfast - 4tbsp baby museli & half a slice of toast with butter & vegemite.
Lunch - 5tbsp fruit & one tub of baby yogurt
Dinner - 5tbsp meat & vegies with 3tbsp of rice pudding
Snacks - One strawberry, a small portion of tasty cheese and half a cruskit biscuit

Do I need to consider cutting back his formula soon? I make all his food and I think he's eating enough for his age. Thank you!
Melissa "

Leanne Answers:

Hi Melissa,
Yes formula can interfere with appetite as does milk with toddlers. The main thing to keep an eye on is that your baby is eating chunky food and finger foods now, he is getting more of a variety of foods, having 3 meals and 1-2 snacks a day and drinks ample water, which it looks to me that he is having.

Below is a chart used to calculating formula requirements but remember it is just a guide, your baby is by far your best guide!

Figure 3.10 Average formula requirements for infants and toddlers

At 9 months you can offer food before solids, so this should help to make sure formula doesn’t interfere with solids.

If your bub is growing at his usual rate, is happy and healthy then it is very likely you are both going just fine.

All the best,
Leanne

Question: Sometimes her nappies are dirty with rock hard poo and it really hurts her

"My baby is 10 weeks old and was breastfed for 9 weeks. I had a low milk supply and she was not feeding enough therefore she is now having S26 Gold. Sometimes her nappies are dirty with rock hard poo and it really hurts her. Should i change the formula and if so, which brand???
Thanks
Natalie "

Leanne Answers:

Hi Natalie,
Constipation is dry hard stools that are difficult to pass. They occur because the body hasn’t enough fluid so it removes as much as it can from food/fluid that passes into the body, literally wringing it out. So what is left as it passes through the intestinal channel becomes dry and solid and hard to pass. Constipation can also occur when children put of going to the toilet (they are often far to busy to bother, or some put off going because of past unpleasant experiences). Some little ones go every day others may only go a couple of times a week, if this is normal for them and they show no discomfort then it is likely to be fine, changes in bowel habits should be checked out.

Constipation is very common when bubs start off on solids or swap to formula as it is much denser. Babies kidneys are still developing and find it hard to process food and formula bi-products so they need a little more fluid to help with this. Keep your eye on the formula dilution. Ensure the scoop isn’t tightly packed it should just be a scoop from the tin and leveled off with a clean knife. Sometimes baby massage can be helpful and also formula with probiotics may help to keep poos softer. If you find that things don’t improve you might like to chat to your CHN or local chemist about a formula suitable for baby.

If you find that things just don’t get better pop into see your CHN or GP for a quick check of things.

All the best,
Leanne

Question: What age it is safe to give a baby vegemite on some finger sized bread pieces?

"I was wondering when it is safe to give a baby vegemite on some finger sized bread pieces? i know my daughter used to love it, but i just can't remember what age i gave it to her.
thankyou
melanie "

Leanne Answers:

Hi Melanie,
Well if you posed this question to 10 mums and even 10 health professionals you would likely get 10 different answers. Personally given the high salt content I would wait till 12 months, babies’ kidneys are not as adept at filtering as ours are so too much sodium can upset this subtle balance. Lots of mums though start much earlier (though I wouldn’t recommend before 9 months), the main thing in that case is moderation and just a tiny amount would suffice.

Sorry no definitive answer on this one, mum’s choice.

All the best,
Leanne

Question: I need some ideas for lunch time, and snacks

"Hi Leanne,
I was wondering if you can give me any tips on foods I can give my seven month old. I make my own vegies for dinner, but I need some ideas for lunch time, and snacks. He is a big chubba bubba at 9 kgs and generally isn't fussy. Any ideas?
Thanks Sian "

Leanne Answers:

Hi Sian,
Sounds like you and baby are going great, well done!

Yes it starts to get a little repetitious around this time doesn’t it? You can though start looking beyond fruit, veggies and baby cereal by trialing bub on yoghurt and cheese (both are low in lactose) and then fish. All three of these foods are fabulous for healthy babies. So this means you can add a little cheese to a meal or mix some mashed fruit with yoghurt or add some tinned mashed salmon to rice and so on.

Around 8 months you can introduce white meat, then after this red meat and so on, by 9 months you will be flying as meals will be getting portable and similar to yours.

Don’t forget that at around 7 months you are increasing the texture so you are working up to fork mashed foods and then to chunks. By 9 months he is likely to also be having 2 snacks and finger foods which really makes things more interesting...

I have some tip sheets on Huggies on starting solids and also a book, the links are:
Solids 
Which foods when and fridge chart
Finger foods and beyond and healthy eating habits

So I hope some of this gives you some more ideas for meals.

All the best,
Leanne

Question: My 22 month year old son refuses to eat any type of vegetables

"Hi Leanne,
My 22 month year old son refuses to eat any type of vegetables. He use to eat everything now doesn't. His favorite foods are hot potatoe chips, eggs, toast with cream cheese, eats all fruits however he refuses cow milk prefering formula milk. Any suggestions, i am becoming concern he is not getting proper nutritional intake.
Thanks Kath "

Leanne Answers:

Hi Kath,
Fussy eating can really have you pulling your hair out! I have a five year old who is showing signs of coming out of it, but on glimpses. I still sneak stuff into all sorts of meals, makes it easier to go with it when I know he has been getting health food albeit disguised.

Most health care professionals will say as long as your preschooler is gaining weight at his usual rate and is happy and healthy then he won't starve himself. But as a parent that can be little comfort. I believe it comes down to:

1. Persisting with offering the healthy stuff even if it is rejected
2. Sneaking in the good stuff where you can which makes avoiding the battles (no-one wins those ones) easier
3. Getting them involved
4. Offering a healthy supper down the line if dinner is rejected and your toddler complains of being hungry
5. Trying to use the foods they do eat as a basis for making other food/meals that are more likely to be enjoyed. For example cream cheese on a bagel, pasta with bacon and a cream cheese base, bread and butter pudding made with calcium enriched milk such as soy or rice, try sweet potato chips etc.
6. Swap lunch and dinner if that helps and make meal portions achievable (small but healthy).
7. Check milk or other fluids aren’t interfering with their appetite.
8. Repeat the mantra “this, like all things in infancy and childhood, will pass” and it will!

I have a tip sheet on fussy eating on Huggies that might have some pointers, but again I really think it would be best to get some help with this, the link is:
Picky Eating

Also I think the Jessica Seinfeld book using purees is a good idea, but I reduce the sugar, use olive oil and don’t add salt, I also have a recipe book based on my fussy foodie.

If you feel you really would like some help and also to check that he is getting all he needs, there are a few options you might like to consider, if you wanted to start out with the obvious you might like to see a naturopath, nutritionist or dietitian who specialises in children. They will be able to firstly review what your little one does eat and tell if there may be some nutritional issues to be addressed and if so, how they are best dealt with. Then advise you on the fussy eat and what tips and tricks might help. You may just find also that the formula as much as it probably feels like a stop gap may be interfering with your toddler’s appetite?

Another option is a feeding expert, the gals at No Fuss Feeding (website of the same name) are excellent with feeding issues, and it’s their specialty. Or in a similar vein an early childhood consultant who can help with behavioural tips.

Keep an eye on his growth and development and if you notice any changes to that or health (for example if he doesn’t gain weight or drops percentiles) then it would be a good idea to pop into your GP.

I hope some of this provides relief, it will pass, maybe not soon but it will so keep offering the good stuff don’t given into junk and you will eventually end up with a great eater once again.

All the best,
Leanne