New foods- Once the period of breast milk is over, there comes a time when babies have to start taking their first foods. Flavors, textures, everything seems to surpriseyou and, in some cases, cause rejection.
During the first days of life and except for extraordinary exceptions, newborns assume that when they are hungry, breast milk is the solution. This natural formula not only offers all the nutrients they need but also has a unique and special taste that is very pleasant.
The rejection of unknown foods
Sooner or later the time will come to expand its menu. So it will be necessary to help the child to try new foods. Some children constantly enjoy discovering flavors, while others prefer not to risk and limit themselves to what is known. In these cases, patience is fundamental. After all, on average, an infant tastes a new flavor 15 times until it ends up accepting it.
In addition, not only infants and young children can get to suffer neophobia, (fear of the unknown). It is a situation that can also occur with adults and, eventually, includes food . In the youngest children, these types of disorders tend to be overcome naturally after they reach five years of age.
Learning by imitation
Parents are an example for children. Therefore, family habits make a big difference . If adults are always willing to try new things and innovate with food, children will be too.
Therefore, the best way to help the baby to try new foods is that you consume them first . The action of imitating is conditioned to the confidence and security that the older members of the family generate, a group in which older brothers are included.
Tricks to help the baby try new foods
Mealtime should always represent a positive and joyful experience, without punishment. From a very young age it should be taught that eating healthy and balanced is also fun.
If babies eat some foods by force it will only generate rejection and repulsion. At the same time, parents should be aware that there are flavors they like more than others . Without suppressing the favorite ingredients, as long as it treats of foods with positive values and few contraindications, they must be combined with the novelty or what is not so appetizing.
Vary the presentations
The colors are also part of the strategies to help the baby try new foods. It can not be overlooked that many times, food ‘enters’ through the eyes. If the foods are not attractive, they will hardly be eaten. Sometimes the rejection of new ingredients is not related to taste: the unwillingness of the baby to eat can be related to the presentation and textures.
A fruit like banana can be visually attractive, chopped into small pieces or even in its natural form. But for a small child, with few teeth, it will be extremely difficult to chew. If the fruits that originate the rejection of children by their texture are in the form of puree, they will offer an image not so ‘graceful’, but they will be simpler ingest elaborations.
Let him experience
The rejection in other opportunities is not even focused on the fruits or vegetables offered. Some cutlery can be very intimidating. A good way to help a baby try new foods is to allow them to bring food to their mouths with their own hands.
Situations to avoid
Almost always due to ignorance, but also to allow the levels of anguish in the face of failures to increase disproportionately, some parents resort to solutions that, rather than helping, hinder the work of including new foods.
Among the most common mistakes is trying to distract babies, for example with television or videos on YouTube. It must be inculcated that the hours of the meals are only for eating. To be with family and enjoy the dish.
But without a doubt the worst mistake is to use force as a measure of pressure . There are parents who practically put their spoon in their mouths without leaving them enough time to swallow. In the end, for the baby, eating will begin to relate to painful and traumatic situations. Equally ineffective is applying a ‘policy’ of punishments and awards. Situations that can also lead to traumas, as well as other unhealthy situations, such as blackmail or even dental problems at a young age when ignored. Should you need help and you are just residing in the state of Virginia, there is a pediatric dentist in Roseville, VA. They would gladly assist your child with utmost care.
