Feeding Your Baby

As you bring that new bundle of joy home, you only want the best, and this includes what we feed them.  For years the debate has been Breastfeed or Formula, but today are there other alternatives?  As parents we want our infant to develop and grow, so you may be looking at healthy, natural, or organic options for feeding your infant, while others may be looking at ways to spend less on store bought formulas.
With the shortages of baby formulas on the market, some parents have turned to the internet for homemade baby formula recipes.  Grandparents and others maybe sharing old family recipes with the new parents to help.  BUT, are these formulas really safe for your infant?  Let’s look at what your infant needs to thrive, grow and be healthy first.

At birth an infant is ready to face the world—ALMOST!  Over the first few weeks, an infant grows and develops in many different ways.  The nutrition they get from breastmilk or formula the first six months gives them the needed nutrients for development.  Breastmilk and Formula are specifically designed meet an infant’s nutritional needs, providing fats for brain development, calories for energy, vitamin D for immune system development and iron for hemoglobin production.  After six months, adding in other nutritious foods will complement the infant’s nutrition and continue to aid in growth and development. 

Vitamin D allows our bodies to absorb calcium and phosphorus. An infant’s immune system is not fully developed until 2 to 3 months old.  Although infants can get some antibodies from the placenta at birth and colostrum from breast milk, their immune system must develop and learn to fight off infection.  As Vitamin D works to develop the immune system, it helps their body absorb calcium to use in strengthening growing bones.  Most formulas are fortified with Vitamin D whereas breast fed babies may require a supplement.  Although exposure to sun can give you Vitamin D, most infants need more Vitamin D than the sun can provide.  According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025, infants under 1 year need 400IU per day whereas, toddlers over 1 year need 600 to 1,000 IU per day.  Approximately 16 ounces of formula or milk will provide 200 IU of Vitamin D. 

Iron gives our hemoglobin strength to carry oxygen throughout our bodies, making our tissues and organs work properly.  Most formulas and cereals are fortified with iron, and recommended for infants through 24 months.  An iron deficiency can cause learning and behavior problems, so adding vitamin C into the diet can insure proper absorption of iron.  Most infants 7 to 12 months old should have 11 mg per day of vitamin C.  One cup of sliced strawberries will you about 97mg of vitamin C. 

For most of us our diet should be low in fats, but for an infant, fats are good!  Fats are important for brain development, fuel for their bodies, building blocks for hormones and to help the body absorb vitamins A, D, E and K.  The brain develops throughout our life, but the first 8 years is a foundation for learning and general health.  It is vital that infants and toddlers get fat in their daily diets, and no fat restrictions for infants under one year.  For toddlers, parents should limit saturated fats only. 

Now that you know what your infant needs, it’s time to look at what options are out there to give them the nutrition needed to grow and develop.  For infants under 1 year, the safest choices are breastmilk, formula or a combination of both.  If you choose only formula, there are several types on the market to fit your baby’s needs.  First have a conversation with your pediatrician, share your thoughts and concerns, and ask for guidance in choosing the best formula for your baby.  Formulas are fortified and designed to work with a baby’s delicate system to absorb all of the nutrients the body needs.  Most babies can handle regular formula that is made from cow’s milk.  However, if needed your baby may use soy or goats milk formula if they develop an allergy or intolerance to cow’s milk formulas.  All animal based formulas contain lactose, whereas plant based formulas like soy do not contain lactose.  Lactose is a carbohydrate (milk sugar) that works in our intestines to absorb calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.  Some babies, like adults have in intolerance or allergy to Lactose and must have a formula without lactose.  In working with your pediatrician, an appropriate formula can be found to give the baby all of its needed nutrients.

So do you still think you can create your own baby formula?  You now know what is needed for your infant to grow and develop, but creating your own baby formula can be risky and compromise the nutrition for your baby.  As stated before, a baby’s system is growing and developing throughout the first year of life, therefore their bodies are not ready for foods we as adults consume.  If you were to compare human milk, cow’s milk and goat’s milk you would see some similarities in the amount of calories and vitamin D.  However, cow’s milk and goat’s milk are higher in protein and calcium. The high amounts of protein are harder on an infant’s kidneys and can cause overload or stress to the kidneys.  Goat’s milk is also deficient in vitamin B12 and Folate. 

When cow’s milk and goat’s milk are created into a baby formula, the manufacturer uses technology to breakdown some of the proteins into a digestible form just for babies.  When you make baby formula at home, you cannot break down all of the proteins into a digestible form for the baby, and thus, their system cannot digest the proteins effectively. 

Food safety concerns also come up with making your own baby formula.  Some parents believe they can simply milk a cow or a goat, add some supplements and give their baby a natural healthy formula.  Not so!  Raw milk, with no pasteurization, is a continuous source of bacterial infections in humans.  Pathogens like listeria, salmonella, brucella, E coli and more have all created life threatening illnesses in adults, children and infants.  Foodborne illness accounts for thousands of illnesses each year, and a baby without a fully developed immune system, can become sick with an infection quickly.  Since the 1920s, milk in the U.S. must be pasteurized for human consumption, since then the number of deaths and foodborne infections associated with raw milk consumption have been highly reduced. 

The modern pasteurization process consists of heating milk to at least 161 degrees F for at least 15 minutes, then rapidly cooling the milk.  At home, it is hard to heat milk to 161 degrees, without bringing it to a boil, and allowing water to evaporate from the milk.  This evaporation simply makes a more concentrated milk that is still not recommended for infants. 

Contamination is also a concern when using raw milk.  The transmission of organisms happens through direct contact with fecal matter, infections like mastitis, bovine diseases like tuberculosis, or environmental contaminates like insects or soiled clothing can create infections at any age.    
Around six months of age, it is recommended that babies start eating solid foods.  For most infants this is a developmental stage, rather than an age.  Babies who start on solid foods must be able to control their head and neck; sit up alone or with support; grasp small objects and bring it to their mouth; and swallow food rather than push it back out onto the chin. At this stage, just like choosing formula, the foods need to be nutritious and healthy with very little additives or sweeteners.  The foods should be easily chewed, and not cause a choking hazard like hot dogs, grapes, nuts or raw carrots.  Some parents may take this time to make their own baby food, which can save some money, but remember, babies have a very sensitive pallet.  When making your own foods, refrain from adding any sugars, seasonings or herbs.  Just the natural food is best.

As your baby grows, they will begin eating more solid foods and less formula or breast milk.  This means that you must make sure they are getting foods high in vitamin D, iron, zinc, and unsaturated fats.  Foods high in zinc (meat, beans, infant cereals) are important for growth and immune function. Feeding healthy foods at this age will start a base for future eating habits.  Encourage foods from all the food groups—grains, fruits and vegetables, dairy, proteins--while avoiding foods or drinks with added sugars or sweeteners.  Plant based “milk” drinks are not a recommended substitution for breast milk or formula for infants or toddlers under age 2.  These drinks generally have a high fat and sugar content with less calcium, but can be consumed occasionally like juice or water. 

Your infant’s nutrition is an important part of their growth and development and as parents we are responsible for creating a healthy foundation to nurture over their life time. If you have questions about your infant/toddlers growth and development, visit with your pediatrician to create a workable eating plan for your family.  Remember, not everything you read on social media or the internet is fact!  For more information on healthy nutrition habits, feeding infants and children, please contact the Lea County Cooperative Extension Service. 

References:
Gavin MD, Mary L. Is Homemade Baby Formula Safe?, KidsHealth.org, February 2021.
American Academy of Pediatrics, Consumption of Raw or Unpasteurized Milk and Milk Products by Pregnant Woman and Children; January 2014
Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025
National Library of Medicine, Cow’s Milk Substitutes for Children: Nutritional Aspects of Milk from Different Mammalian Species, Special Formula and Plant-Based Beverages, August 2019

4-H At Home- Plant a Plant Person 

 

Summertime Travel Fun

Summertime is filled with lots of family time.  Whether you are traveling by plane, train or automobile, the fun and excitement of the trip can quickly turn boring if there is nothing to do on the way.  Today, most kids are happy to watch movies or their favorite shows through a streaming service, but screen time can only last so long!  What do you do then?  There are lots of fun activities and snacks out there for families to enjoy while traveling.    Here are some suggestions to keep the FUN in the family vacation. 

 Before the Trip Begins: 

·         Purchase a new toy or game just for the vacation.  This could be something that relates to the trip or just a fun toy they have been wanting. 

·         Gather items that can be done while in motion.  Pack a backpack or tote with activities for each child.  Each child, depending on their age, then becomes responsible for his or her fun while on the trip.

·         Check for activities along your route.  Look for things that will interest the whole family, and give the kids some time to stretch their legs.  The vacation will go smoother if you have activities that everyone can join in. 

 While on the Road:   

·         To keep the activity alive in the car, designate a leader to pick and choose games throughout the car trip.  Leaders can change every few miles, when the car stops, or when a timer goes off. 

·         If your children are older, make sure to pack all the accessories that would go with an electronic game, minicomputer, etc. 

·         Do some journaling.  Do you have some budding writers in the group?  Ask each to write or draw their experiences throughout the trip.  Add these to a scrapbook or photo album of the vacation when you return. Add in some washable markers or coloring pencils too.  Stay away from crayons as they can melt!

·         Check out the games section at your local dollar store.  Many popular games can be found in travel editions or with magnets.  Games like tic tack toe or checkers can be great fun, and with the magnets, the game pieces stay in one place. 

·         Playing cards.  Did you know that all the fun games like Go Fish, Crazy Eights, Old Maid can all be played with a regular deck of cards?  Go Fishing for numbers or queens.  The last one to have the joker of the deck is the Old Maid. 

·         For some quiet time, pack a book or add some audio books.  Some audio books for children include a book that they can follow along with the story. 

·         Check with your destination for activities.  For Insistence, each National Park has a Junior Ranger Program.  The kids get a booklet to complete while at the park, simply pick one up at the Visitors Center.  Once you have finished your visit, return the completed sections of the booklet to the Visitor’s Center, and the kids receive a badge.

·         Create your own Vacation Passport.  Add Stickers, Postcards, Stamps, or Flat Pennies to a small journal for the major stops on your trip.   

 

Every road trip must have snacks!  But purchasing the snacks at convenience stores when getting gas can get expensive and eat to your vacation budget.  Snacks should stick close to your family meal plan and include more healthy foods than junk foods.  Get everyone’s input on the snacks, and pack foods that you know your family will eat along the way.  Purchase snacks prepackaged and lots of water.  Sodas and high sugary snacks will only cause upset stomachs and hyper kids. 

 No matter the age of your kids try some of these snack ideas: 

•  Pack portable snacks in a small cooler with un-spillable drinks.
• Individually packaged crackers with cheese or peanut butter, mini rice cakes, cookies, pretzels, fruit rollups or fruit snacks, hard candy, suckers.  Try not to pick anything that will melt in a hot car—like chocolate.
• Fruit like strawberries, grapes, pre-sliced apples, orange slices.
• String Cheese or Cubed Cheese
• Gum
•  Juice drinks or water are great, but make sure they have a removable lid.  Juice boxes or juice pouches can be hard to keep from being smashed or squeezed.
• Remember to add a package of small trash sacks and wipes to the snack bag for quick and easy clean up.

If you are traveling to another region of the US or world, take some time to stop for a snack off the beaten path.  Try new things, like local cuisine.  Remember it’s all a part of the experience and vacation. 

 

Are we there yet?  No parent has gotten through any road trip without hearing this question!  Younger children tend to have very short attention spans, and as parents we must combat the boredom while the trip.  When the kids are entertained by games, projects, electronics, everyone is happy.  To combat the boredom, try some of these tricks: 

·         Set limits at the beginning of the trip.  Explain that we will be stopping or passing through a certain spot in the road, and then we will have a snack or change games.  The stops should be frequent and a requirement that everyone get out of the car, walk around, jog in place, take a bathroom break, breathe in some fresh air.   

Use the give and take system for negative behavior.  Give everyone in the car a roll of pennies, each time they exhibit negative behavior a penny is taken away, but each time a positive behavior is exhibited, a penny is given back.  Other items may be needed for older children. 

 Keep a routine in place.  Look through your route for areas to give your kids some outside time and physical activity, and plan in some quiet time activity for nap times.  A kids excitement can be overwhelming, but keeping them on as normal a schedule as possible with help everyone on the trip. 

We all can remember games we played in the card.  Most were just ideas our parents dreamed up to keep us occupied!  Here are some of the old favorites with some additions or changes for you to try on your next road trip.

·         Road Trip Bingo

o   Print off Road Trip Bingo Cards and have them laminated.  Give each player a dry erase marker.  As they see things on their card they will mark off the squares with the marker.  The first to have a row filled in or at a diagonal wins.

o   Variations to the game can include:

§  Car Bingo --finding the various makes and models of cars.

§  Sign Bingo--finding the various road side signs.

§  Country Bingo—finding various wildlife and farm-type animals along the road.

§  City Bingo—finding various city structures, signs, landmarks, etc.

·         Scavenger Hunt

o   Make up your own scavenger hunt or print off a list.  The list can be of items near your vacation site or general items from the city, suburbs or countryside. 

o   If you have smaller children, it may be a good idea to add pictures or photos of the items they need to find.

·         License Plate Game

o   Use a map to check off all the license plates you find on your trip.  Make sure to set a beginning and ending time or place. 

o   Change the game up a bit with License Plate Lingo.  Try and create a phrase with the letters on a license plate.  For example:  LMT 823 could be “Lost My Tooth” or “Love Me Tender”.

o   Use the numbers of the plate to add up to a certain number like 21. 

·         Alphabet Game

o   Take turns going around the car finding things outside that start with a letter of the alphabet.

o   To make things really challenging, everyone must choose their item in the order of the alphabet. 

o   Start with one person saying a letter, then add letters to make a word.  The game keeps going as long as the letters keep making a word.  Once a letter is stated and it is the last letter, the round is over. 

·         Geography Game

o   Begin by choosing a place in the world.  The next person must choose a place that begins with the last letter of the first place.  For example:  A person chooses Kansas.  The next must choose a place that begins with the letter “s”.

·         I Spy

o   Choose items along your route to spy.  Remember, you must be quick with your clues, or the item may be past before everyone can figure it out.