what is tummy time and why it is so important in infants?

Tummy time happens when your baby lies on his tummy with weight on his forearms. Tummy time builds head, neck and upper body strength. Your baby should do it often each day

Start tummy time soon after birth. In the first few weeks, try tummy time for 1-2 minutes, 2-3 times a day. Your baby can build up to 10-15 minutes, several times a day.

Back to sleep, tummy to play. While asleep, baby spends a lot of time on his back with his head in one position. This can cause flat spots on the back of his head. Tummy time helps prevent this.

How to do tummy time?

       Place safe objects and toys close to your baby. Move them from side to side in front of her face. This encourages her to move, lift and turn her head.

     Get down on the floor next to your baby. Turn pages in picture books or magazines. This develops baby’s eye strength and keeps her interested.

 

    Put a non-breakable mirror next to your baby so she can see her reflection. Try tummy time in different places, like outdoors on a blanket.

Making tummy time interesting, fun and safe

      Let your baby know you’re there by talking and singing, stroking his back or tickling his hands

      If your baby doesn’t like tummy time on the floor, try tummy time on a rolled-up towel, your lap or large ball.

Supervise baby during tummy time. As he gets stronger and starts moving more, clear away dangerous things.

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Benefits of skin-to-skin contact with your newborn.

 

How do I do skin-to-skin contact with my baby?

Ask for your baby to be placed directly on your chest right after birth, with a cap on her head and a warm blanket across her back. It's best if this can happen as soon as your baby is wiped off, even before the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, and before your baby is cleaned, checked, and weighed.

But even if it takes a few minutes for this to happen, it's now well understood that skin-to-skin contact can make your baby's early moments in the world smoother and less traumatic. Skin-to-skin contact is also called "kangaroo care," because it mimics what kangaroo mothers do: hold their newborns in a pouch attached to their bodies for safety, warmth, and ease of feeding.

What are the benefits of skin-to-skin contact with my baby?

Skin-to-skin contact offers several benefits for newborns and their moms:

• Warmth. Newborns can't regulate their body temperature well (such as by shivering to keep warm). Your body heat keeps your baby warm and cozy.
• Comfort. Researchers have found that newborns who had more skin-to-skin contact cried less.
• Easier breastfeeding. Newborns who are placed on their mother's chest immediately after birth often begin "crawling" or nudging themselves toward the breast to begin nursing. Some studies have shown that babies who get plenty of skin-to-skin contact latch on easier and nurse for longer.
• Stable heart rate and other health markers. Researchers have found that newborn babies who had more skin-to-skin contact had more stable heart rates, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels than babies who had less.
• Protection against infection. If skin-to-skin contact with your newborn happens before the baby's even cleaned off, there's evidence that he'll be less prone to infection because he has more time in contact with the beneficial bacteria you transmit to him during a vaginal birth.

Skin-to-skin contact offers extra health benefits for premature babies, including:

• Improved neurological development
• Better and faster growth
• A shorter stay in the NICU

 There are also clear benefits of skin-to-skin for you:

• When it happens right after delivery, skin-to-skin contact causes your brain to release a hormone called beta-endorphin that works like a mild analgesic, helping you feel calmer and more relaxed.  
• It also causes your brain to release more oxytocin, a hormone that promotes both bonding and breastfeeding.

What if I can't have skin-to-skin contact with my baby right after birth?

Sometimes skin-to-skin contact isn't possible immediately after birth. If your baby has a health issue, seeing to his immediate medical needs is more important than skin-to-skin contact. If that's the case, don't worry – that closeness and contact can and will happen later.

If you have a c-section, you may not be able to have your newborn placed on your chest while you're on an operating table. However, many hospitals now routinely give moms the option of immediate skin-to-skin contact after c-sections. 

But if you're not feeling up to it right away, that's fine. Your partner can initiate bonding with skin-to-skin contact instead. Skin-to-skin with dad or another partner can help your baby with heartbeat and temperature regulation as well.

How long should I do skin-to-skin contact with my baby?                                                                                            Skin-to-skin contact isn't just for newborns. Holding your baby against your skin whenever you can during the first few months after birth helps you develop a close bond and makes breastfeeding easier. Your baby will be soothed by the warmth of your body, the feel of your heartbeat, and the sound and vibrations of your voice.

When will my baby see clearly?

                            

Your baby will be able to see pretty clearly by the time he's 12 months old, but his vision won't be fully developed until he's between 3 and 5 years old.

A baby's vision improves dramatically over the first year. At birth an infant can detect light and motion, then can make out faces and large shapes. By the end of the first month, a baby can make eye contact and focus on objects about 12 inches away.

By the time a baby is 3 to 4 months old, he can distinguish between colors and focus on smaller objects. As his depth perception improves, he can focus on objects up to 3 feet away and watch activity around him. If you move a rattle from side to side a few inches from his face he'll follow it with his eyes – a skill known as "tracking."

If your baby doesn't watch moving objects, or if he seems to have trouble moving one or both eyes in any direction by the time he's 4 months old, talk to his doctor. His routine well-child checkups include basic vision assessments, but he probably won't have a formal vision screening until he's 3 to 5 years old.

How to help improve your baby’s eyesight?

• Chat baby up. When you’re breast- or bottle-feeding, your face is close enough for even the youngest baby to see — and it’s also conveniently one of her favorite things to observe. So talk to her while you look her in the eyes — you’ll bond and help her begin to learn language, too.
• Hang a mobile. Babies love images with contrasting colors and patterns. So until your little one is able to sit up (at about month 3 or 4), securely hang a colorful, patterned mobile high above her crib or bouncy seat. (Just make sure to remove it as soon as she can sit to prevent her from becoming entangled).
• Mirror her. Another visual hit with babies: mirrors. While they can’t recognize themselves until about month 15, they do love seeing the changing image reflected back at them as they move.
• Bring baby along for the ride. Bring baby in a forward-facing carrier as you go about your day — whether you’re taking a walk around your neighborhood, shopping for groceries or just brushing your teeth. Describe what you see to boost her verbal development at the same time she’s observing the world around her.

Signs of baby vision problems

While many infant vision problems are only detectable by a pediatrician or an ophthalmologist, you can take a few steps to ensure early intervention on any potential issues:

• Snap photos. While “red eye” isn’t the look you’re going for, this nuisance actually shows that baby’s eyes are correctly refracting light. Pictures that show whiteness in baby’s pupils, on the other hand, indicate a condition known as leukocoria, which may signal serious problems (such as a cataract or a tumor) that require attention from a pediatrician right away.
• Watch for focus. In the first few months, it’s normal for a baby’s eyes to sometimes seem like they’re looking in different directions (a condition known as strabismus). However if this continues past 4 months, take your child to a pediatrician for an evaluation. Same goes if your baby doesn’t seem to focus on your face and instead appears to be looking through or around you, or if she consistently seems to be looking off to one side.
• Check if she’s interested in objects. If by around month 4 your baby can’t track objects or by month 7 doesn’t seem interested in any new visuals you show her (like that bright new toy you just bought), check in with your doctor.
• Monitor for other eye issues. Other symptoms that needs to take to the doctor include bulging eyes, eyes that seem to quickly flutter up and down or side to side, constant redness or wateriness, sensitivity to light, itchy eyes or eye pain.

If you notice any of the above or any other visual issues that don’t seem quite right, don’t hesitate to bring baby to the doctor for an exam.

Your Child's Immunizations

Babies are born with protection against some diseases because their mothers pass antibodies (proteins made by the body to fight disease) to them before birth. Breastfed babies continue to get more antibodies in breast milk. But in both cases, the protection is temporary.

Immunization (vaccination) is a way to create immunity to (protection from) some diseases. Sometimes this is done by using small amounts of a killed or weakened germ that causes the disease. Other times the vaccine is simply a small piece of the germ, such as a protein or a piece of its genetic material.

Germs can be viruses (such as the measles virus) or bacteria (such as pneumococcus). Vaccines stimulate the immune system to react as if there were a real infection. It fends off the "infection" and remembers the germ. Then, it can fight the germ if it enters the body later.

What Are the Types of Vaccines?

There are a few different types of vaccines. They include:

Attenuated (weakened) live germs are used in some vaccines such as in the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and chickenpox vaccines.

Killed (inactivated) germs are used in some vaccines, such as in the flu shot or the inactivated poliovirus vaccine.

Toxoid vaccines contain an inactivated toxin (harmful chemical) made by the germ. For example, the diphtheria and tetanus vaccines are toxoid vaccines.

Conjugate vaccines contain small pieces of the germ combined with proteins that help trigger a strong immune response. Many commonly used vaccines are made this way, including those that protect against hepatitis B, HPV, whooping cough, and meningitis.

mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines use a piece of the germ’s RNA, which is part of its genetic material. Some of the COVID-19 vaccines are this type.

The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) recommends that kids get combination vaccines (rather than single vaccines) whenever possible. Many vaccines are offered in combination to help lower the number of shots a child gets. This has been shown to be very safe. From the day a baby is born, their immune system is exposed to countless germs every day. A few more in a combination vaccine is very easy for the immune system to handle.

What Vaccines Do Kids Need?

The following vaccinations and schedules are recommended by the IAP. Some variations are normal, and recommendations change as new vaccines are developed. Your doctor will talk to you about the right vaccinations and schedule for your child.

    Indian Academy of Pediatrics schedule

Some of the vaccine are optional which are recommended for certain high risk children's. 

Vaccine Concerns:-

      Some parents may hesitate to have their kids vaccinated. They have questions or worry that a child might have a serious reaction or get the illness the vaccine prevents. But the components of vaccines are weakened or killed. In some cases, only parts of the germ are used. So they're unlikely to cause any serious illness.

Some vaccines may cause mild reactions, such as soreness where the shot was given or a fever. But serious reactions are rare. The risks of vaccinations are small compared with the health risks of the diseases they're intended to prevent.

Immunizations are one of the best means of protection against contagious diseases.

For any queries kindly contact me. Thank you. 

Age-by-Age Guide to Toys

How They Play: 0-12 Months

baby inspecting toy

For the first three months, your baby isn't able to do much more than observe her surroundings. Because her vision is still blurry, she sees bright, boldly patterned items best. "Toys don't have to be black and white so long as the colors contrast with each other,"As your baby grows, she'll enjoy toys that engage her other senses as well. That's why so many toys are designed to promote interaction in a variety of ways: They may make a squeaking or crinkling noise, have a nubby texture, and be soft and cuddly. Infants tend to mouth toys, and textured ones can help relieve teething pain.

Top Toys:

• Brightly colored, multipatterned crib mobiles (Note: Remove from crib once your baby can sit up)

• Rattles

• Unbreakable mirrors

• Floor gyms

• Activity boards

• Soft, washable, colorful stuffed animals or dolls with a smiling face

• Small stuffed fabric balls 

How They Play: 1-2 Years

playing with toy:

"Your baby is fascinated by cause and effect and will enjoy any toy that responds to his actions and makes use of newly acquired motor skills," For instance, he'll love toys that allow him to hit a ball with a hammer as well as toys with buttons that cause music to play or characters to pop up. Some high-tech toys for this age will name a letter, a shape, or a number when your baby presses a button. He's too young to actually learn his ABCs, but he'll still enjoy interacting with these toys and being exposed to language.

Top Toys:

• Stacking rings

• Nesting cups or boxes

• Push- or pull-toys that make noise or have pieces that pop up or move

• Hammering sets that let kids hammer pegs or balls through holes

• Simple, sturdy musical instruments like tambourines, drums, or maracas

• Shape sorters

• Large play vehicles, such as a school bus or a fire engine, plus plastic people that ride in them

• Puzzles with four or five pieces

• Rubber ducks or toy boats for bathtime.

Best Toys for Babies and Toddlers:

How They Play: 2-3 Years-

Your child's play is now more purposeful, and she has the fine motor skills needed to complete a puzzle or build with blocks by herself. She'll start to enjoy pretend play that imitates the actions of people around her. She'll like high-tech toys that make real-life sounds, such as telephones that ring or dolls that talk. No matter how politically correct you are, your child will probably play in a gender-stereotypical way—at least some of the time. A boy may use his dump truck to scoop up sand, while a girl might pretend to feed her doll and put it down for a nap. Boys and girls are both very active at this age and will still enjoy their push- and pull-toys. You can also introduce a ride-on toy: Start with one that your child can propel with both feet, and move up to a tricycle.

Top Toys:

• Dolls and stuffed animals

• Props for make-believe play, such as toy telephone, a tea-party set, a toy kitchen, or a doll stroller

• Ride-on toys and tricycles

• Musical instruments (especially popular are those with flashing lights on the keys that your child needs to press in order to play a tune)

• Large transportation toys with buttons to make a horn honk or a siren whistle

Puzzles

• Construction toys that snap together.

How They Play: 4-5 Years

 

There's a tremendous explosion in learning ability at this age, and it's a good time to introduce interactive educational toys that teach math and verbal skills, such as phonics boards or mini computers. "Choose toys that say positive things like 'Good job. Let's try again' instead of ones that make negative beeping noises whenever kids get an answer wrong,".Kids are now able to imagine that they're someone else and may fantasize about being airplane pilots, police officers, doctors, or teachers.

Top Toys:

• Art supplies and craft kits

• Blocks of different shapes

• Electronic phonics toys

• Construction sets with large pieces, such as Legos or Lincoln Logs

• Puzzles of greater complexity

• Action figures

• Barbies

• Dress-up clothes

• Transportation toys, such as parking garages, airports, and train stations.

How They Play: 6-7 Years

Your child is developing his own interests while learning from both his teachers and peers. Some kids like doing science experiments (with your help); others love making beaded jewelry or playing with dolls. Friends are becoming increasingly important, and your child will start asking for a particular toy (if he hasn't already) because "everyone else has it." This is the age when kids often become huge fans of computer games, but they also enjoy having their friends over to play sports, card games, and board games. Many like music-related toys, but the playing of actual instruments can still be difficult.

Top Toys:

• Remote-control cars

• Basic science kits

• Magnets, magnifying glasses, and telescopes

• Craft kits

• Barbies

• Game Boys

• Computer and video games

• Construction sets, such as Legos 

• Sports equipment

• Board games that involve strategy, including chess and checkers.

How They Play: 8+ Years

Kids this age enjoy outdoor sports as well as scooters, bicycles, and in-line skates. They acquire adult-like interests, abilities, and hobbies and may display a passion by becoming a collector. Girls still love doing crafts and writing in diaries, and boys find computer and video games irresistible. "These years are all about doing things that give kids a sense of mastery and competence,". "With computer and video games, kids can challenge themselves to get a better score than they did the time before," she says. "They enjoy competing with their friends, and you'll hear a lot of 'I got this score—what score did you get?' " Kids also like working on longer projects, some of which might take days to complete.

Top Toys:

• Computer and video games

• Craft kits

• More elaborate science kits

• Outdoor sporting equipment

• Intricate construction sets

• Board games like Scrabble, Monopoly. 

• Model kits

Newborn sleep: what to expect

                               

Newborn sleep: how much and when

Babies need sleep to grow and develop well. For newborns this is usually 14-17 hours in every 24 hours. But sleep patterns can vary a lot.

Newborns usually sleep in short bursts of 2-3 hours each. Some newborns sleep for up to four hours at a time. Newborns wake frequently to feed because they have tiny tummies. Your newborn might go straight back to sleep after feeding or they might stay awake long enough for a short play.

Some newborns get tired after being awake for 1-1½ hours. Some stay awake and alert longer.

Newborns sleep during the day and night. They don’t know that people sleep at night. The parts of their brains that control day-night sleep cycles haven’t matured yet.

Newborn play might just be a quiet cuddle or some time stretching out and kicking on a blanket. You might find that 10-20 minutes of play is enough for your newborn. You can increase playtime as your baby gets older and stays awake for longer.

Newborn sleep cycles

Newborns have two different kinds of sleep – active sleep and quiet sleep.

During active sleep, newborns move around a lot and make noises. They can be woken easily during active sleep.

During quiet sleep, newborns are still. Their breathing is deep and regular. They’re less likely to wake during quiet sleep.

When newborns sleep, they go through sleep cycles. Each newborn sleep cycle has both active sleep and quiet sleep, and takes about 40 minutes.

At the end of each cycle, newborns wake up for a little while. When they wake, they might grizzle or cry. If your baby wakes at the end of a sleep cycle, you might need to help baby settle for the next sleep cycle.

At night: newborn sleep and waking

In the first few months, newborns usually wake several times a night for feeds.

Between one and three months, your baby might start waking less often and have a longer period of sleep at night.

By the time your baby is around three months old, they might regularly be having a longer sleep at night – for example, around 4-5 hours. But you can expect that your baby will still wake at least once each night.

If your baby is premature or low birth weight, your pediatrician might recommend that you let your baby sleep for only a certain amount of time at night before you wake them for a feed.

Bathing a Newborn.

                         

How often to give your newborn a bath

A bath 2-3 times a week is enough to keep your newborn clean. But if your baby really likes baths, your baby can bath once a day. Bathing more than this can dry out your baby’s skin.

You can keep your baby’s genitals clean between baths by using warm water and cotton wool.

About 5-10 minutes is long enough for a newborn bath. This is especially important if your baby has dry or sensitive skin.

    A ‘top and tail’ bath is when you use cotton wool and warm water for your baby’s eyes and face, and a washcloth for their hands and bottom. ‘Topping and tailing’ means you can concentrate on the areas that really need a wash, and your baby can keep most of their clothes on while you do it. 

When to give your newborn a bath

You can bath your baby at any time of the day. It’s a good idea to pick a time when you’re relaxed and you won’t be interrupted. And it’s best to avoid bathing your baby when baby is hungry or straight after a feed.

If bathing relaxes your baby, you can use it as a way to settle your baby for sleep in the evening.

Where to bath your newborn

You can give your newborn a bath in a small plastic bath or even keeping the baby in the legs. By keeping the baby in leg might be easiest in the first few weeks. A plastic baby bath is probably easier once your baby gets bigger.

Tradional Leg method

You can bath your baby in any room that’s warm, safe and clean – it doesn’t have to be a bathroom.

You can also shower with your baby. Keep your baby’s face away from the pouring water and make sure to use warm, not hot, water.

                                      

                                                              Bath Tub.

Setting up a newborn bath: tips

Here’s how to get ready for a newborn bath:

1. Take the phone off the hook or turn your phone off while bathing your baby. You’ll be less likely to get distracted.
2. Make sure you have everything you need within reach – for example, towel, washcloth, cream or ointment, clean clothes and clean nappy.
3. Avoid using soap because this will dry out your baby’s skin. If needed, use a fragrance-free oil or a gentle non-soap cleanser at the end of the bath.
4. Position the bath somewhere stable and at a height where you can comfortably hold your baby.
5. Fill the bath with just enough warm water to wash your baby. Use jugs of water to fill the bath if you’re planning to bath your baby away from the tap.
6. Take off your watch and jewellery and wash your hands.
7. Check the water temperature is 37-38°C before you put your baby in the bath. If you don’t have a thermometer, use your wrist or elbow to test the temperature – it should be comfortably warm, not hot.
8. Before bathing your baby in a sink, briefly run cold water through the tap once you’ve finished filling the bath.
9. Don’t add extra water while your baby is in the bath.

Giving your newborn a bath: steps

These steps make bathing your newborn easy:

• Before undressing your baby, wipe their eyelids (from inner eye to outer eye) with cotton wool dipped in lukewarm water. Squeeze out extra water. Use a new piece of cotton wool for each wipe. Then wash the whole face. Be careful not to put anything into your baby’s ears or nose.
• Undress your baby, taking the nappy off last.
• Cradle your baby’s head and shoulders with one arm and support their body with your other arm. Gently lower your baby into the bath, feet first, keeping a close hold at all times.
• Supporting your baby’s head, lay your baby down in the bath so the back of their head is in the water. Gently splash some water onto their head. You don’t need to use shampoo.
• Gently wash your baby’s genitals and bottom last, using water only. Also clean out any bits of poo, vomit or milk from your baby’s body creases.

Children can drown in a few seconds in very shallow water. Never leave your baby alone in the bath, even if you’re using a bath seat or cradle. Never leave older children or siblings to supervise. If you’re disturbed by the phone or another task, take your baby out of the bath.

Drying and dressing your newborn after a bath: steps

Here’s how to take your newborn out of the bath, ready for drying and dressing:

• Supporting your baby’s head and neck, lift your baby out of the bath then place them on their back on a clean, dry, soft towel. If possible, dry your baby on the floor so they can’t fall. If you’re changing your baby on a raised surface like a table, keep one hand on your baby at all times.
• Wrap your baby in a soft towel and pat baby dry. Dry baby’s skin creases, including armpits, groin, under the chin, around the neck and behind the ears.
• If your baby’s skin is dry, apply a non-perfumed cream or ointment to your baby’s skin.
• If your baby has nappy rash, apply a thick barrier cream like zinc paste to the nappy area.
• Dress your baby, putting their nappy on first.
• Place your baby in a safe place, like a cot or bassinette.
• Empty the bath water.

Bathing your baby takes practice, so try to relax and take your time. You might like to start by bathing your baby when someone else is around to help. If you’re worried about losing your grip on your baby, you can make the bath less slippery by lining it with a clean cloth nappy or towel.

Helping baby enjoy bath time

To help your baby enjoy bath time, you can try placing your hand gently on their tummy. You can also place a warm wet washcloth on their chest and tummy. This can help your baby feel safe and secure in the bath.

If your baby doesn’t like baths, give them a ‘top and tail’ bath one day and a proper bath the next. Generally, babies get used to baths by around three months.

Key points:-

• Newborns need a bath only 2-3 times a week. A ‘top and tail’ on other days is fine.
• Before bathing your newborn, make sure everything you need is within reach.
• Wash newborns in a shallow bath of warm water. You don’t need soap.
• Never leave babies alone in the bath. They can drown quickly in very shallow water.

Giving Your Baby Fruit Juice – When Should Your Baby Have Fruit Juice?

 

   

When Can Babies Have Fruit Juice? Is Fruit Juice Ever Good for Babies?

The IAP(Indian Academy of Pediatrics) recommends using fruit juice sparingly for infants (Misuse of Fruit Juice) “It is prudent to give juice only to infants who can drink from a cup (approximately 6 months or older). One of the main issues with offering babies fruit juice is that the juice may displace the amount of breast milk and/or formula a baby drinks; and it may also hinder the amount of solids a baby eats.

Dental caries (problems with baby teeth and growing permenant teeth) have been associated with juice consumption. You see, teeth begin to erupt at approximately 6 months of age and prolonged exposure of the teeth to the sugars in juice is a major contributing factor to dental caries.

If you are considering offering your baby juice, it’s important to note that the Academy of Pedodontics recommendations state that “juice should be offered to infants in a cup, not a bottle, and that infants not be put to bed with a bottle in their mouth. Drinking too much fruit juice can lead to dental problems, malnourishment and even obesity.”

“Most issues relevant to juice intake for infants are also are relevant for toddlers and young children. Fruit juice and fruit drinks are easily over consumed by toddlers and young children because they taste good. In addition, they are conveniently packaged or can be placed in a bottle and carried around during the day. Because juice is viewed as nutritious, limits on consumption are not usually set by parents. Like soda, it can contribute to energy imbalance. High intakes of juice can contribute to diarrhea, over nutrition or under nutrition, and development of dental caries. ” IAP

Can I make homemade juice for my baby?

Making homemade juice is not recommended for infants as you are unable to pasteurize the juice and thus it’s possible that some bacteria or other unsavory items may get into the juice. For adults and older kids, this isn’t as much of an issue. Pasteurization of fruit juices helps to eliminate bacterial concentrations that may cause food poisoning. This is why it is recommended to NEVER give your infant (And even your toddler) apple cider that has not been pasteurized.

Feeding infants (of a certain age) raw fruits should pose no danger if you totally cleanse the fruit, peel the fruit and NOT store any remaining portions. Possible bacterial contamination in fresh fruits is just one of the reasons that many pediatricians recommend cooking fruits until a baby is about 8 months old.

This article is applicable to Toddlers – remember, infants are much more fragile in the digestive system.

“In the past few years there have been outbreaks of bacterial food poisoning from non-pasteurized, fresh pressed juices. These outbreaks were traced to juices made at companies where the equipment and or ingredients were contaminated.

Improper sanitary practices allows the contamination to occur. Pasteurizing is a high temperature treatment that compensates for lack of sanitary practices by killing the pathogen. For those companies that are scrupulously clean, pasteurization is an insurance measure.

I don’t see any problem with your juice making so long as you practice safe food handling techniques to make sure that your daughter’s juice is safe for her to drink. First of all, be sure your equipment is always clean and sanitary. You don’t need to boil it, but putting the different parts that come apart into the dishwasher is a safe way to keep them clean.

Secondly, make sure the ingredients you are using have been thoroughly washed. For those fruits and veggies where you can remove the skin first, you should, as most contamination is on the surface. For juices that contain berries, grapes and leafy greens, be sure they have been double or triple rinsed. Finally, buy your ingredients from a reputable place, where you are confident that foods have been stored in a sanitary manner. Once you have those foods at home, store them appropriately and use them quickly, before time has allowed any bacteria to multiply. The same practices apply to serving any fresh fruit or vegetable to your daughter, juiced or not”. 

What About Using the “Juice” from Fruits That Have Been Steamed/Boiled for Fruit Purées?

Using the “juice” that has seeped into your steaming water from the fruit you have been cooking is safe. Using this “juice” is NOT the same as tossing some fresh raw apples in a Juice machine, juicing them up and then serving them. Remember, the juice that has seeped into the steaming or boiling water has been boiling.

Uses for “juice” from steaming/boiling fruits when making baby food:

• Freeze in ice cube trays
• Mix into other Foods (Pear Juice with Chicken and Rice for example)
• Mix into cereals
• Use instead of plain water to make teething biscuits
• Pop the frozen cube into a baby safe feeder for teething relief.

Important Points About Offering Your Baby Juice

Your baby does not require any supplemental fluids such as water or juice for quite some time. Once your baby has turned 6-8 months old, with your pediatrician’s consult, you may then begin to offer very small amounts of water. If you think your baby is “thirsty” and would like a drink, try water.

If you decide to offer fruit juice as a “drink” try waiting until baby is at least 8 months old. **Offering juice as a constipation remedy is acceptable as young as 4 months old with the consult of your pediatrician** Giving your baby water as a first “beverage” instead of juice will be healthier in the long run. Always dilute any juice that is offered to babies and toddlers. We recommend diluting 75% water to 25% juice. Keep diluting for as long as possible. Juice should never ever be offered in a baby bottle. Juice in a bottle is a major cause of dental problems. Also, never allow your baby or toddler to drink from a sippy cup of juice throughout the day.

Won’t fruit juices give my baby Vitamin C?

The Vitamin C in fresh fruits has greater bioavailability than the Vitamin C that is added to fortified juices. Give your baby fresh fruits to help meet Vitamin C requirements; juices should never be considered an appropriate source of or a supplement for, fresh Vitamin C.

 

 Remember, always consult with your pediatrician regarding introducing solid foods to your baby and specifically discuss any foods that may pose allergy risks for your baby.