heinz starting right guide

8/6/2019 Heinz Starting Right Guide

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A nutritional guide for your child’shealthy development

contains:

menus

information on products related to food allergies

commonly asked questions about baby food

resources for parents

Starting Right

For more information, call 1 800 565 2100or visit our website at www.heinzbaby.com/nutrition

www.heinzbaby.com



Feed your baby the right foods at the right time

Table of Contents

As a new parent you may be asking yourself "how can I be sure

I'm feeding my baby properly?"

That’s a critical question as nutrition is the cornerstone of good

health. Good early dietary habits are important for your child’s

development and growth, and are also the key to a lifetime of good

eating habits and health.

Providing your baby with a balanced diet is actually not that

difficult. It’s just a matter of giving your baby the right food at the right time. That’s where this booklet can help.

"Starting Right" was first developed in consultation with the

Canadian Pediatric Society in 1996 to address the principal issues

concerning your child's diet and to give you some practical

guidance regarding what is best for your child. Since then there

have been changes to the recommendations. The current version

has been revised to reflect current recommendations. We hope you

will find the information helpful. Good nutrition is an ongoing

process - and the sooner you get your children started on the roadto proper eating, the better.

Idamarie Laquatra, Ph.D.

Director-Global Nutrition

H.J. Heinz Company

Presented by the H.J. Heinz Company of Canada Ltd.

Revised 2005.

Nutrition during Pregnancy

1

Breastfeeding 4

Formula Feeding

6

Introducing Solid Foods

7

Homemade & Store Bought Baby Foods

11

Feeding the Older Infant

13

Feeding the Toddler & Preschooler

17

Infant Growth Charts

21

A Guide for your Child’s Nutritional Needs

23

Nutrition & Feeding: Frequently Asked Questions

25

Who to Turn to for Advice

27



1 2

Nutritionduring

Pregnancy

First trimester

The beginning is very exciting! Physical changes are not apparent but yourbody is undergoing drastic hormonal changes.These changes do not affect

all women,but you may experience “morning” sickness as a result.

Also,you may have cravings for certain foods and beverages due to hormone

changes that affect your sense of taste and smell.As long as you meet your

nutrient needs,it’s okay to eat, in moderation,the foods you crave.

During the first 3 months of pregnancy, you need extra food energy,but not

too much -- an additional 100 calories/day is all. In addition,you need 5 g

more of protein every day.Eating somewhat larger servings of meat and meatalternatives,fish, seeds, nuts and,or legumes will give you the extra protein

your body needs.

Second trimester

Your baby is growing fast and you can see changes in your body.You may

still have sudden food cravings.You may also experience heartburn, as thegrowing fetus puts pressure on the stomach. To prevent heartburn,you

should eat frequent small meals and relax while eating. Eat slowly, chewyour food completely, and avoid spicy or greasy foods.

Eating an extra serving from each of the four food groups or eatingnutrient-dense foods will provide the additional 300 calories/day that

are needed at this stage.In addition,you need 15 g more of protein.On average, you want to gain only one pound per week during the

second trimester.

Third trimester

This stage is critical for the health of your newborn baby and it’s also when

you gain most of your weight.You should maintain a weight gain of onepound per week. Doctors recommend that you continue to take an additional

300 calories/day over what you were consuming before pregnancy.It isalways wise to consult your doctor/dietitian and have them assess your diet

and nutrient intake, and to monitor your weight gain.

Maintain a well-balanced diet Maintaining a well-balanced diet and proper

nutrition, as recommended by Canada’s Food Guide

to Healthy Eating, during your pregnancy is

important for your health and for the proper growth

and development of your baby.

You should visit your family physician regularly to

ensure that you are healthy and your pregnancy is

progressing well. The doctor will monitor your diet

and weight gain to ensure that you’re gaining

sufficient weight to support a healthy baby.



3 4

Vitamins and supplements during pregnancy

Some women may need vitamins and supplements to balance anutritious diet. Ask you doctor/dietitian to help you choose an

appropriate supplement for you nutritional needs

Calcium

An additional 500 mg/day of calcium is recommended for fetal bonedevelopment and to maintain your bone strength.This can be easily

achieved by adding 2 cups of milk and other dairy products to your diet.Soy milk and soy products with added calcium,canned sardines with

their soft bones, cheese, etc. are also good sources.

Iron

You need a large supply of iron to support the increased blood volume

required during pregnancy. An additional 18 mg/day is recommendedduring the second and third trimester. Diet alone won’t supply this so

iron supplements are recommended during this part of your pregnancy.

Folic acidIt is extremely important that you get enough folic acid before andduring pregnancy to help reduce the risk of serious brain and spinal cord

birth defects.Fruits, orange juice, green leafy vegetables,and fortifiedcereals products are good sources of folic acid

Alcohol and herbal supplements

You should avoid alcohol during pregnancy as it can lead to Fetal Alcohol

Syndrome.Also you should consult your doctor about using herbalsupplements as they may cause harm to your fetus.

Keeping fit and staying active willmake you feel better throughout your pregnancy and help you during labor and delivery. Build up your strengthand endurance by participating inregular low-impact activities in coolconditions. Be sure to drink plenty of

water before and after exercise.

TIP

The most complete foodBreast milk is the most complete food you canoffer your baby.It has just the right level and

quality of nutrients that your baby needs. It is safeand easy to digest which means fewer feeding problemsfor your baby.It’s also a special time for you to build a

close and comforting bond together.

A defense against infections

Another excellent reason to breastfeed is because it

provides a natural defense against infections such as respiratory,intestinal,and ear infections. Plus it stimulates the development

of your baby's own defense system.

How to nurse successfully

Start breastfeeding as soon as possible after

giving birth.

Ask to “room-in”while in the hospital so you

can feed your baby on demand.

Healthy newborn babies need to feed often –as many as 10 to 12 times in a 24 hour period.

The more you feed your baby, the more your

milk supply will increase.

Your diet

Your diet affects the quality of your milk so make sure you’re eatingnutritiously. Eat according to the Canada’s Food Guide To Healthy Eating

and have the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables.

Breastfeeding



5 6

Choosing the right formula

Breastfeeding is best for your baby. But if you choose to bottle-feed your

newborn,a commercial iron-fortified infant formula is an acceptable

alternative because it provides similar amounts of energy (calories), protein,vitamins and minerals to those normally found in breast milk.

Breast milk or formula is recommended in the first year of life.

Most infant formulas need to be mixed with water, but you can also find

formula that is ready-to-serve. Cow’s milk-based formulas are the mostcommonly used and are best for non-breastfed babies with no family

history of allergies. Ask your doctor about which formula is best for yourbaby.

Preparing formula properlyCleanliness is one of the best defenses against possible illness so it is wiseto sterilize the feeding bottles you use for at least the first four months of

your baby's life.

Many parents find it easier to use disposable liners. Remember that the

nipples that come with these bottles are not disposable and must still becarefully cleaned and sterilized before each use.

Simple steps to feed your baby safely:

Wash your hands.

Wash the bottles thoroughly and remove all milk residue fromthe bottle and nipple with a brush.Immerse the bottles in boiling water for five minutes to sterilize.

Allow bottles to dry before filling.Prepare formula according to the instructions on the package,

place in clean bottles and refrigerate immediately.

Do not reuse leftover formula after a feeding

TIP

Vitamin supplements for breastfed babies

Your doctor may recommend the following supplements for your baby:

Vitamin D

If you are breastfeeding your baby,a daily vitamin D supplement of 400 I.U.fg (10 µg) is recommended.

IronBreastfed babies will need extra iron at around six months.They should

have 7 mg of iron per day, which can be obtained from iron fortifiedinfant cereals or an iron supplement

Vitamin B12

If you are a strict vegetarian and are breastfeeding your baby may need a

vitamin B12 supplement.Your doctor, once aware of your diet,willrecommend an appropriate supplement.

Weaning

You are going to hear a lot of different advice about when to wean yourbaby. Nursing for six months or more is best for your baby and mostdoctors recommend continuing longer if the baby is healthy and

growing well.

TIP

Newborns feed as frequently as every two hours. This can be

quite tiring for you, so rest as much as you can. If you breastfeedfrequently, your breasts are less likely to become engorged.

Formula Feeding

Use prepared formula within 24 hours or else discard.



Do not force feed. As long as your baby is healthy and achieving normal

growth,respect your baby’s cues about the types and the amounts of foodhe eats. If he rejects a food, try the food again a few days or a week later. If

your baby still does not want it or like it, let it be. If you force your baby to

eat, you may be setting the stage for poor eating habits and creatingnegative associations with food and mealtimes.

What to start withIntroduce the right foods at the right time.The general rule is to introduceiron-fortified infant cereals first, followed by vegetables,fruits and then

meats.

Infant cereals

Most doctors recommend beginning with a rice cereal, as it is the least

likely to cause an allergic reaction such as a rash,diarrhea, tummy ache orfrequent crying.Once this is well accepted by your baby for at least one

week, you can progress to another “single grain” cereal such as Barley. Do

not give your baby mixed grain cereals until you are certain your baby cantolerate the different grains.

Infant cereals are fortified with iron.Therefore, if your baby has been taking

a standard iron supplement, it will no longer be necessary once your baby

begins eating infant cereals regularly.Iron-fortified infant cereals areparticularly good first solid foods because they are also enriched with

calcium, phosphorus and vitamins B1, B2 and niacin which your baby needsfor healthy growth and development.

7

When to start

When your baby is around six months of age, you

can start introducing complementary foods. Your

baby will start showing interest in food or become

dissatisfied with only breast milk or formula.

Introduce solid foods gradually, one at a time. This

way your baby will learn to appreciate each new

taste and texture and you can easily identify any

food allergies. Your baby may spit the food out the

first time, so try offering it a few more times on

different days.

Foods Introducing

Rice

More complex grains (barley, oatmeal)

Multi-grain cereals

Cereals with fruit

Introduce cereal in this order:TIP

8



9 10

Preparing cereal

Prepare infant cereal by combining the recommended amount in a bowl,with lukewarm breast milk, formula or water. Make the consistency such

that your baby can swallow easily.The consistency of the cereal mixed withbreast milk, formula or water should be thinner when your baby is just

starting cereal.

Begin by offering a bit of breast milk or formula first to take the edge off baby’s hunger. Then offer one teaspoon of cereal mixed with breast milk,formula or water at each meal and slowly increase the amount at your

baby’s own pace.At first you may put cereal on your finger or just place the

spoon up to the lips, not in the mouth. Allow baby to suck on the spoon andbecome familiar with the feel of the spoon until baby learns to take food

from the spoon.The texture of cereals can be thickened as your babydevelops chewing skills.

Vegetables and fruits

The next thing to introduce is finely pureed or strained vegetables and

fruits, rich in vitamins A and C and other important nutrients.

The procedure for starting is the same as for cereals: introduce one new

food at a time, a few days apart, and keep an eye out for undesirablereactions. Offer single foods, such as pureed peas or carrots, before

combinations.

Serve vegetables first

Vegetables are typically the most difficult for infants to accept and like, so

it’s best to start with them first. Fruits are naturally sweeter and babiesusually prefer them. So it could be harder to get your baby to eat vegetables

if you offer fruit first.Start with one teaspoon of vegetables at a time andgradually increase the amount. Again, babies should not be force-fed.

If using store bought baby food, feed from a dish rather than straight from

the jar.

Sample Menu for around 6 months

* Around 6 months babies are usually eating 6-7 breast milk or formula feedingsof 150-180 mL each per day. Around this age you may choose to introduce small amountsof infant cereal at breakfast and dinner; begin with 1 tsp and gradually increase amountsto 1-2 tbsp.

Meat and other alternatives

You’re ready to move to the next stage after your baby has become used to

vegetables and fruits and is not quite so surprised when you offer new

foods.This is when you can introduce strained meat, fish and poultry oralternatives such as dried beans,lentils, or egg yolk.These foods are rich in

protein and iron.They help meet your baby's needs for this incredibly activegrowth period.

When baby is tolerant of a variety of foods, and you have seen no sign of

allergic reaction,mixed varieties or dinners may be served. Avoid egg white

during the first year as it may cause an allergic reaction.

180 - 240 mLBreast milk or formula

feeding

1 - 2 tbspInfant cereal


feeding

1 - 2 tbspPureed single

vegetable


feeding

1 - 2 tbspInfant cereal

1 - 2 tbspPureed single

fruit


feeding

Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snacks



Store bought foods are as wholesome, nutritious,and safe as properly

prepared homemade baby foods.They are commonly referred to as strainedand junior foods. Baby food manufacturers demand that quality and safe

standards are maintained in a number of areas.

Here are things to watch for:

Ingredient purity: Ingredients do not include any salt, additives,

preservatives or modified food starchNutritional purity: Fruits and vegetables are pureed in the water they are

cooked in so that valuable nutrients are retained

Process purity: the best jarred baby foods are tested for quality, safety,and

nutritional content before they are vacuum-packed and safety sealed

Sample Menu Plan for 7 – 9 Months

12

3-5 tbspStrained meat

4-6 tbspStrained

vegetable

2-3 tbspStrained fruit

180-240 ml

breast milk orformulafeeding

3-5 tbspStrained

vegetable/meat

combination

2-3 tbspstrained fruit

180-240 mlbreast milk or

formulafeeding


formulafeeding

3-5 tbspInfant cereal


Good food habits: a lifetime of good health

Helping your baby develop good food habits now will establish goodeating habits through life.How you influence your child in food choices and

physical activities can make a big difference in preventing weight relatedissues and dental health problems, as well as a myriad of other health

concerns down the road.It ’s important to keep your own attitude to foodpositive and eat healthy foods yourself.

Preparing homemade baby foods is nutritious,relatively inexpensive andallows more variety.They must be prepared carefully.The safe preparation

of homemade baby foods takes time,knowledge,and effort. And, although

you will be tempted, do not add salt, sugar or other seasonings to yourhomemade baby foods.

Here are some pointers if you choose to make your own baby food:

Wash your hands carefully before preparing foods.

All utensils and containers should be well cleaned.

Select the best produce and thoroughly clean to ensure

you remove any foreign matter

Ensure first solid foods are well blended

HomemadeStore Bought

&

Baby Foods

3-4 tbspInfant Cereal

30-90 mlStrained juice


formulafeeding

Egg white is highly allergenic and shouldn’t begiven to babies under one year. Only offer egg

yolk to your baby before that age.TIP

11



13

Safe and healthy foods

These are the foods which are healthy and safe to offer your baby as fingerfoods at this stage:

Cooked soft vegetable piecesPieces of banana,seeded melon and other soft,ripe fruits

Bits of cooked fruit

Small pieces of cooked meat and poultry (deboned,of course!)Pieces of cheese

Soft crust, toast or unsalted soda crackers

Empty calorie foods

The foods below do not offer your child adequate nutritionand may encourage some unhealthy preferences as they

contain too much added fat, sugar or salt:

Fried foods such as French fries or home fries

Iced cakes or iced cookies, sugar-coated cerealFlavoured drinks or soft drinksChocolate

Potato chips and other salted snack foodsProcessed meats (such as bologna, spam)

Dangerous foods

Even under your watchful eye,your baby should not be offered

any of the following foods,which can cause choking:

Raw,hard fruits and vegetables

Fruits with seeds/ pits such as cherriesDried fruits, except raisins that are small and seedless

Hot dogs, popcorn, nuts, seeds, whole grapes, chips or small round hard

or chewy candies that can get stuck in the airway.

Move to more textured foods

As babies grow older and begin to develop teeth, they need foods withvaried textures and tastes. Chewing is an acquired skill and textured foods are

important for teething. If children don’t have the opportunity to learn how to

chew, they may have trouble eating anything but pureed foods later on.

Between seven and nine months is the usual time to introduce chunkierbaby foods. Junior Foods contain pieces large enough to encourage your

baby to chew, while still being safe and digestible

Store bought Junior Foods offer a variety of tastes and textures for thedeveloping palette. Like strained foods,Junior Foods contain no added salt.

In addition,all infant vegetables,meats, juices and most fruits contain no

added sugar.

If you are giving your baby mashed or chopped table foods,prepare themfrom the freshest ingredients,without added salt, sugar or strong spices.

Helping your baby self-feed

As babies develop a growing sense of independence, they are ready to

experiment with feeding themselves. Sometime between nine months and ayear, you can start introducing finger foods.Remember that your baby is still

an inexperienced eater and must be supervised carefully during this stage.

Babies making the transition from baby food to table food, are going towant to learn as much as possible about the textures and tastes of the

various surprises you offer, so be patient.

Finger food guideline

Certain popular foods are safe and healthy for your baby and some should

be avoided as they offer little nutritional value or could cause choking.Here’s a guideline that should help you select what’s best.

14

Older Infant the Feeding



Feeding your baby safely

You will want to ensure that everything you feed your baby is free of germs,appropriate in size and texture, and nutritionally sound. Here some tips to

ensure that food is safe and sanitary:

Double check to ensure the safety seal has not been broken before

opening a fresh jar of store bought baby food.

Carefully cover and refrigerate all unused food immediately to preventbacteria growth.

Leftover store bought baby foods should be properly stored in the

refrigerator and used within three days (two days for meat), or

otherwise discarded.

Seal and store home prepared food properly.Containers should bethoroughly cleaned and have tops that screw on or otherwise

fit snugly.

Do not feed straight from the jar as bacteria and saliva cancontaminate the remaining food.

Discard all unused frozen foods that have been thawed. Throw away all unused refrigerated homemade foods after 24 hours.

When traveling long distances with your baby, vacuum packed,

store bought baby food may offer greater food safety in preventingspoilage and bacteria growth compared to homemade foods.

To prevent infant botulism, do not use honey in feeding infants less

than one year of age.

To prevent salmonella poisoning, cook all eggs and chicken well.Do

not feed your baby a raw egg and do not use products containingraw eggs,such as a beaten egg yolk mixed with sugar,or homemade

eggnog.

If your baby is younger than 12 months, remember not to offer eggwhite because of potential allergy

Do not feed your infant and toddler peanuts and peanut butterbecause they can produce serious allergic reactions.

Cow’s Milk has been found to increase the likelihood of allergic

reactions in children.Breast milk or formula is recommended for yourbaby’s first year of life.

15 16

Sample Menu Plan for 10 - 12 Months

4-6 tbspJunior meat

6-8 tbspJuniorvegetable

3-4 tbspJunior fruit

150 mlformula/breast

milk

8-10 tbspJunior

vegetable/

meatcombination

1/2 sliceWhole wheat

toast

3-4 tbspJunior fruit


milk


milk

3-5 tbspInfant cereal


To prevent choking, ensure your baby is alwaysseated and supervised during feedingTIP

5 tbspInfant Cereal

90 mlJuice


milk


toast



17

Fat isn’t bad

It is wise for adults to limit their intakes of fat and cholesterol. That’s notnecessarily so for children.Fat is a concentrated source of energy and the

body's only source of essential fatty acids. Your baby has high requirementsfor both of these because of rapid growth and development in the first two

years of life. About 40 to 50 per cent of the energy (calories) infants and

toddlers consume daily should come from fat.

Fat is found in substances such as breast milk,formula, whole milk, cheeseand red meat. There is no evidence that restricting fat in a child's diet

benefits them now or later in life. If you’re concerned about your child’s

weight,don’t reduce the portion of healthy food normally received. Instead,limit the intake of sweets and high fat foods such as chips and fried foods.

If weight continues to be a problem, consult a doctor or nutritionist.

It’s smart to snack

Many infants and toddlers need to eat small amounts of food frequentlythroughout the day. Snacks are important for your child to maintain all the

energy neccessary for playing and learning. However, snacks should besmall and timed so that they do not interfere with regular meals.

Healthy snacks include whole wheat crackers or whole grain cereal,cheese,yogurt, fruits such as sliced apple,banana or pieces of seedless orange.

Vegetables such as grated raw carrots or soft pieces of cooked frozen

vegetables like peas or diced carrots are fine provided your child is oldenough to handle these foods without choking.

Your child should also receive whole milk or fruit juice - not fruit-flavoureddrinks or soft drinks.

Feeding the Toddler & Preschooler

Feeding tips for your growing child

As your infant becomes a toddler, proper feeding

is just as important. Good nutrition is essential

not only for normal physical growth but also for

learning. This is the critical time when children

develop preferences for foods and form lifelong

eating habits.

At mealtime, offer a healthy balance of food from

the basic food groups recommended in Canada's

Food Guide to Healthy Eating. Not all meals

require foods from each group - but there should

be a balance within the day.

18



19

Poor eaters

At some point in their young lives, children are likely to assert theirindependence by rejecting the food you offer. Do not take it personally.

There are some techniques for encouraging poor eaters to change their ways.

Older infants and toddlers with small appetites often get turned off by large

amounts of food on a plate.Try giving your child just a spoonful or two at a time.

Occasionally, a poor appetite is the result of boredom. Offer your child awide variety of appetizing foods.

Some children show a distinct dislike for certain vegetables or other foods. Try to find a nutritionally sound substitute that your youngster likes.

When your picky eater is old enough,you can let him/her help you select

foods at the supermarket and help prepare at home.

Do not force your child to finish a meal,but be firm about no snacks or

desserts in between meals if these interfere.

Sample Menu Plan for 12 - 24 Months


20

Tips for feeding

Here are some additional tips for feeding your infant and toddler:

A warm familiar setting encourages your child's enjoyment of food.

Include your toddler at the table during family mealtimes. Toddlers likethe experience of being part of the family.

Avoid adding sugar or salt to foods or giving highly sweetened or salty

foods to your toddler.

Protect your child from choking on unsafe foods: if you choose to feed

your child hot dogs and grapes make sure they are cut lengthwise.Make sure your child sits upright while eating, and not lying down,

walking, running or being distracted from the task of eating.

Avoid eating and watching T.V.at the same time.

To keep your child’s iron at normal levels, doctors recommend that

you continue feeding iron fortified infant or toddler cereals up to 2years of age.

TIPMake sure your child has a good source of iron such asiron-fortified toddler cereals, red meats, liver, legumesand egg yolk.

1 cup ironfortified

Infant/ToddlerCereal mixedwith whole

milk 90 mlJuice

150 mlWhole milk


toast

30 mlMeat (Mild

cheese or egg)

1 /2 -1 slicebread

1 /4 cupSoft (raw)vegetable

1 /4 cupFruit

150 mlWhole milk

30 ml Meat(Junior orGround)

1 /4 cupMashed

potato, rice orpasta

1 /4 cupSoft vegetable

1 /4 cupFruit

150 mlWhole milk

150 mLWhole milk

1 /2 sliceWhole wheat

toast



The blue areas indicate a normal rate of growth. Measure headcircumference above the eyebrows and around the back of the head,for maximum circumference. Measure your baby’s weight using aninfant scale. Consult your doctor if either head circumference or

weight differs significantly from the graph.

The pink areas indicate a normal rate of growth. Measure headcircumference above the eyebrows and around the back of the head,for maximum circumference. Measure your baby’s weight using aninfant scale. Consult your doctor if either head circumference or weight differs significantly from the graph.

21 22

Name:

Date of Birth:

Growth Chart Girls Infant

Growth Chart Boys Infant

KG

M O N T H S

– 13

– 12

– 11

– 10

– 9

– 8

– 7

– 6

– 5

– 4

– 3

– 2

– 1

– 0

CM

52 –

50 –

48 –

46 –

44 –

42 –

40 –

38 –

36 –

34 –

HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE

WEIGHT

Name:

Date of Birth:

KG

M O N T H S

CM

52 –

50 –

48 –

46 –

44 –

42 –

40 –

38 –

36 –

34 –

– 14

– 13

– 12

– 11

– 10

– 9

– 8

– 7

– 6

– 5

– 4

– 3

– 2

– 1

– 0

HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE

WEIGHT



Milk &Milk Products

Breads &Cereals

Fruits & Vegetables

Meat, Fish,Poultry

& Alternatives

23 24

A Guidefor your Child’s

Nutritional Needs

Introducing the right foodsat the right time

IntroduceBreast milk/

formula

IntroduceInfant cereals

The first months:It all beginswith milk

Rice, or Barley,“single-grain”before mixed

varieties

Vegetablesbefore fruits,one at a time

From 0 - 3 Around 6 Around 6months months months

Age

Avoid salt now,prevent

problemslater

Introducetable foods,no additives

please

From 6 From 7 - 9 From 10 - 12 From 12 - 24months months months months

Strained vegetables,fruits and juices

IntroduceCombination

fruits, vegetables& juices

Strained meats,Meat Vegetable

Combinations

Introduce Junior foods

Introduce Junior foods

IntroduceMild cheese/yogurt

IntroduceWhole milk

IntroduceBread/Toast

IntroduceToddler cereals

Introduce Piecesof soft fruits& vegetables

IntroduceWhole egg

Note: The pace at which your child eats solid foods and rate of growth are unique. This chart provides a guidelineon when to introduce various foods to your child’s diet. It should be used only as a guide.

In the beginning breast milk and formula will offer your baby all

the essential vitamins and minerals needed.As your baby

continues to grow, you will start introducing foods from the

different food groups (described by Canada’s Food Guide for

Healthy Eating). As soon as your baby is eating from all four food

groups,planning nutritionally balanced meals is easy.Choose

foods from each of the food groups every day.The foods will

work together to give your child all the energy and nutrients

needed for healthy growth and development.

Increase variety

Time for new textures

and tastes



Q&A Nutrition

& Feeding:

25

* Canadian Paediatric Society, Dietitians of Canada and Health Canada. Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, Ottawa, 2005.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ask the Expert:

Dr. Idamarie Laquatra,Infant Nutritionist,

H.J. Heinz Company

Q. When should I start feeding solid food to my baby?

A. The Canadian Pediatric Society of Canada Nutrition Committee

recommends that “Infants should be introduced to nutrient-rich

solid foods with particular attention to iron at six months.*

Q. What should I start with?

A. The most common first food for babies is infant cereals.

Try rice cereal first,as your baby is least likely to be allergic to it.Infant cereals are fortified with iron which is depleted in the

body by this time.

Q. How long is it safe to keep an opened jar of baby food in

the refrigerator?

A. Jars of fruits and vegetables, juices, desserts, and

vegetable/meat combinations that are covered and refrigerated

should be used within three days after opening. Meats and poultry

with broth have a refrigerator life of two days.

Q. Why do leftover baby foods sometimes become watery?

A. If you’re feeding your baby directly from the jar, your baby’s saliva

will probably get transferred from the spoon to the jar. Saliva contains

an enzyme which breaks down carbohydrates in baby foods creating

a watery consistency.Use a clean spoon to remove each portion to a

bowl and feed your baby from the bowl.

Q. My Doctor tells me that I should not give my baby

‘cows’ milk’ in the first year. Why does Heinz have milk

solids in some of its baby foods?

A. The current recommendation not to give babies ‘cows’ milk’,

specifically focuses on milk as the major source of nourishment.

Cows milk is not as nutritious as breast milk or infant formula. It does

not contain the full complement of nutrients that the infant requires.

Furthermore it is more difficult to digest and contains elements that

may obstruct certain minerals from being properly absorbed.

However a small amount of milk solids as an ingredient is not an

issue particularly if the baby is eating a wide variety of foods.Occasional yogurt and cheese are also suitable for infants.

26



27

Who to Turn tofor Advice

It’s comforting to know that there are plenty of professionals

you can turn to for advice about your baby. Here’s a short list:

DoctorYour pediatrician or family doctor is your baby's primary health

caregiver. Your doctor can answer most of your questions or willrefer you to specialists if needed.

Dietitian / Nutritionist

Your doctor may recommend that you seek the advice of a dietitian if

your infant or child has problems relating to foods or nutrition.

Public Health NurseIn most provinces, a public health nurse will visit you shortly after the birth

of your child.They are excellent sources of information and reassurance.

Breastfeeding Experts

Lactation consultants or breastfeeding clinics in your area will be glad tohelp if you have any questions,problems or concerns about breastfeeding.

Postnatal Classes

Many communities offer post-natal classes for new mothers to give themsome guidance on the care and feeding of their infants.

Other Resources

Trained staff at Heinz is available to answer your questions

about baby food and basic infant nutrition. Call 1-800-565-2100

Medical Information Telephone Lines provided by local children'shospitals answer basic feeding questions.

heinz starting right guide

Documents