Why parents should use responsive feeding with their babies

Follow me on Twitter @drClaire The habits we learn early can stay with us for a lifetime — which is why it’s better to learn good habits early, not bad ones. This is especially true with eating habits. More and more, research shows that overweight babies grow into overweight children, who grow into overweight adults. One of the very best ways to prevent obesity is to start before they are two years old, preferably right at birth. That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics really wants parents to know about responsive feeding. Most parents feel better when their baby eats more — and eats on a predictable schedule. It’s comforting and reassuring. It helps parents feel certain that their baby has had enough to eat. It also makes it easier to organize the day or give instructions to babysitters. But when we push babies to eat more than they want, or to eat when they aren’t hungry, it can teach them bad habits that put them at higher risk of obesity. It’s really important that babies eat when they are hungry and eat only as much as they need. That’s where responsive feeding comes in. Responsive feeding is learning your baby’s cues for hunger, and for being full, and responding appropriately to those cues. Here are some signs that a baby might be hungry: she puts her hands in or near her mouth she makes sucking noises she puts her hands on her belly she is more active, moving her hands and feet she cries — but this is a late sign, often coming after the earl...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Children's Health Healthy Eating Parenting Source Type: blogs