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Preguntas y respuestas: Cómo empezar con los alimentos sólidos de forma segura

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agosto 16, 2023 INFANTES
P.:

¿Cómo sabré cuándo mi bebé está listo para empezar a comer alimentos sólidos?

R.:

Tu bebé está listo para comer alimentos sólidos cuando puede sostener la cabeza erguida y sentarse con apoyo, y muestra interés en tus comidas. La American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) sugiere que se les empiece a dar alimentos sólidos a los bebés alrededor de los 6 meses de edad.

P.:

¿Cuánta comida debo darle a mi bebé?

R.:

Puede que tu bebé solo pruebe un bocado al principio; la cantidad que coma aumentará gradualmente. Recuerda que tu bebé decide cuánto comer: no lo fuerces a terminar el bol o el plato.

P.:

¿Debería seguir amamantando a mi bebé cuando empiece a comer alimentos sólidos?

R.:

¡Sí! La AAP recomienda la lactancia materna durante un año o más. Tu bebé seguirá obteniendo la mayoría de las calorías de la leche humana (o de la fórmula). Dado que podría llenarse con leche, ofrécele el alimento sólido antes de amamantarlo.

P.:

¿Cuál es un buen primer alimento para que mi bebé pruebe?

R.:

Empieza con alimentos ricos en hierro, como carnes trituradas y cereales fortificados con hierro.

P.:

¿Cómo sé si mi bebé está lleno?

R.:

Observa si tu bebé se aparta, cierra la boca o se inclina hacia atrás. Un bebé más grande podría alejar la comida o empezar a jugar con ella.

P.:

El hijo de mi amiga tiene alergias a los alimentos. ¿Cómo me aseguro de que mi bebé no las tenga?

R.:

Dale a tu bebé un alimento a la vez.
Espera algunos días antes de darle un alimento nuevo para detectar cualquier signo de alergia. Si mezclas los alimentos, quizá no puedas descubrir cuál está causando la alergia. Las investigaciones demuestran que continuar con la lactancia al tiempo que le empiezas a dar alimentos con gluten puede reducir el riesgo de que tu bebé desarrolle intolerancia al gluten (también llamada enfermedad celíaca). El gluten es una proteína que contienen el trigo, la cebada y el centeno.

Asegúrate de compartir estos consejos con cualquier persona que ayude a cuidar de tu bebé.

Side Lying Hold

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Cross Cradle Hold

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Football Hold

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Breastfeeding Holds

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Breastfeeding Holds

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position