BABY AND TODDLER NUTRITION

[Kalamiphile]

Can anyone advise on some good books for my daughter who expects her baby in July. As a single Mum, will not have much support, so some simple guidance re feeding, might help when the weaning stage comes. Many thanks

[Pickle]

The Annabel Karmel books are good - I bought the "New Baby and Toddler Mealplanner" when my son was small and still use it now (he's 3).

[candj]

I used the Annabelle Karmel baby books to get ideas and they were great. I think the Baby and Toddler Meal Planner is the original one. I used to make all the meals (pureed fruits for brekkie, mini pureed cottage pies, fish pies, pasta dishes etc) on the weekends and freeze them in little containers and use them during the week which saved a lot of time.

This forum is also great support for first time mums so tell your daughter to come here for questions. We're all friendly and relaxed. Good luck to your daughter with the pregnancy!

edited to say cross posted with pickle! I started the message and got a bit distracted!

[Kalamiphile]

Thanks you for your suggestions. I think she will have to go thru' me as finances won't allow an internet connection! Have seen this book on amazon so will put it in her baby pile! This is a fantastic sight, everyone is so helpful and there are great bargains to be had!We have alreadt discussed contacting the nappylady for advice but will wait until closer to the time.

[Fuschia]

Gill Rapley, Baby Led Weaning

[verds]

Yes! I love Gill Rapley's book - and it might be good for your daughter if she doesn't have cash to spend on baby food. I have a well-read copy she can have if she likes.

[EDmummy]

These books are always good for reference but when it comes down to it, the leaflet given at baby clinic is all you need, especially if you are on a low income. First time round I slavishly followed Annabel Karmel, second time round was more relaxed and just cooked up extra veg and bought small amounts of fish or meat (if we were not eating it) and did not season anything until portions had been taken for freezing. Guess which child is now the fussy eater!!

As for baby led weaning - it is all about balance and not doctrine!

[Fuschia]

The library has these books too

[Kalamiphile]

EDmummy Wrote:

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> These books are always good for reference but when

> it comes down to it, the leaflet given at baby

> clinic is all you need, especially if you are on a

> low income. First time round I slavishly followed

> Annabel Karmel, second time round was more relaxed

> and just cooked up extra veg and bought small

> amounts of fish or meat (if we were not eating it)

> and did not season anything until portions had

> been taken for freezing. Guess which child is now

> the fussy eater!!

>

> As for baby led weaning - it is all about balance

> and not doctrine!

Really helpful to know that, they didn't have this info back in the 70's, but I always fed them on our food, pureed or mashed and neither of my daughters were ever fussy about food. There has been so much media about child nutrition it has probably made us a bit over anxious!

[Pickle]

I think a lot of people use the books for their 1st child, and a more relaxed approach for subsequent children... certainly true in our household, as my youngest child has been eating basically the same meals as the rest of the family since she was weaned - much easier admittedly!

[EDmummy]

What we also don't often hear about in the press but is widely known in the medical profession is middle class parents being overly cautious about allowing any sugar in a child's diet (albeit when they are slightly older than weaning) and this leading to underweight and under-height children. Children need complex sugars for brain development and growth and again it is all about balance.

[Fuschia]

EDmummy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> What we also don't often hear about in the press

> but is widely known in the medical profession is

> middle class parents being overly cautious about

> allowing any sugar in a child's diet (albeit when

> they are slightly older than weaning) and this

> leading to underweight and under-height children.

> Children need complex sugars for brain development

> and growth and again it is all about balance.

A "complex sugar" is a starchy carbohydrate (ie not what we commonly think of as sugar)

Do parents really limit access to carbs? Most children I know are carb-monsters!

[Kalamiphile]

That could be due to the increase in women avoiding starchy carbs to lose weight. I see a lot of Mums in my work and there is a severe lack of knowledge regarding food. I wonder if it is a result of the absence of good old Dom.Sci. classes in schools.