March 27, 2002
March 27, 2002
Preliminary Growth Charts for Breastfed Babies - Charts based on data gathered by the World Health Organization Working Group on Infant Growth. The charts were based on 226 infants who were breastfed for at least 12 months, with no solid foods before 4 months of age. (For metric conversion...divide weight in lbs by 2.2 to get KG. Divide height in inches by 39.4 to get height in meters.)
Average Weight Gain for Breastfed Babies - Many doctors are not familiar with the normal weight gain patterns of breastfed babies, and rely too much upon standard growth charts. The standard growth charts used by doctors for babies under 2 years old are based on a study conducted in Ohio from 1929 to 1975 consisting of babies who were primarily formula-fed and often started solids before 4 months. These figures are more realistic for BF babies.
CDC Growth Chart for Breastfed Girls - Weight for age percentiles, birth to 36 months.
CDC Growth Chart for Breastfed Boys - Weight for age percentiles, birth to 36 months.
Cheating Babies: Nutritional Quality and Cost of Commercial Baby Food - When you decide you are ready to start solid foods...read this. It's a great comparison of the five major brands of commercial baby foods. It might influence you to try to make your own baby foods and it will certainly educate you about how to compare products and chose the best food for your baby.
Solid Food: Best Delayed - Discusses the benefits of waiting until at least the middle of the baby's first year to introduce any solids or foods other than breastmilk?
Why Delay Solids? - A good list of reasons to delay introducing solids to your breastfed baby until at least six months of age.
Is My Baby Ready for Solids? - An article that lists some of the signs that your baby may be ready to start eating solid foods.
Why Delay Introducing Solids to Your Baby? - This article is by a nursing mom and makes some good points.
Iron Fortified Cereal in Breastfed Infants - Is it true that for breastfed infants iron fortified cereals will interfere in the absorption of iron from breastmilk?
Is Iron Supplementation Necessary? - It's "common knowledge" that iron supplements are necessary after a baby reaches the magic age of six months. But is this an accurate statement? Let's look at some of the current research.
The Science of Feeding Your Children - There is a connection between food, vitamins and calories that is important to understand. Information from Dr. Jay Gordon.
Does My Baby Need Vitamins? - Vitamin and mineral supplements are not necessary for the average healthy, full-term breastfed baby during the first year. Breastmilk is all that your baby needs for at least the first six months of life. There are certain cases where a vitamin supplement may be needed for a breastfed baby during the first year, but these cases are the exception, not the rule.
Tracking Down Food Allergies - Information you'll find here includes, Preventing Food Allergies, Common Signs of Food Allergies, Most and Least Allergenic Foods, Tracking Down Hidden Food Allergies, Testing for Food Allergies, Food Allergies While Breastfeeding, Life-Threatening Food Allergies and an Elimination Diet for nursing moms of allergenic babies.
Allergy Elimination Diet - Good list of foods to avoid if allergies are suspected.
Breastfeeding Links * Breastfeeding Advice
Pregnancy & Childbirth Links * Pregnancy & Childbirth Advice
