Bread has many nutritional benefits but, there are many factors you need to consider before giving it to your baby.
As a parent, the most significant duty to your child is safety. Eating is one of the areas where safety matters. When it comes to bread, many parents are unsure of it’s safety. It is one of those tasty foods that goes with many things. So, it is natural for many parents to wonder if it's safe for their children to consume. Continue reading this article to find out more about feeding your baby bread.
When To Introduce Bread To A Baby?
A baby’s nutrition needs are of prime importance. Bread has many nutritional benefits but, there are many factors you need to consider before giving it to your baby. Is your baby allergic? Have they reached the right age? First, a baby should not be given any solids foods before they are six months.
As for allergies, you can consult your doctor before adding bread to your child’s diet. According to Parenting First Cry, once the doctor gives you the go-ahead, you can start giving your baby bread when he or she is six months and over.
When you start giving your baby bread, the key thing to keep in mind is that fresh bread can be sticky, gummy, and chewy. It is hard to swallow and is a choking hazard because a child's oral motor skills are still developing. To avoid this, you can lightly toast the bread to make it firm and easy to eat.
According to My Little Eater, when serving, cut it into long finger pieces. You can spread a nutritious spread such as butter, mashed avocado, peanut butter, etc. to keep it from being dry.
Best Types Of Bread
Bread is abundant in the market and, it can be overwhelming to choose what’s best for your child. Healthline states that technically, all types of bread are safe but as a parent you want to choose the best. The best types of bread include:
- 100% Whole Wheat Bread- Just because bread has a big sign written whole wheat does not mean it's whole wheat. Buy foods that contain other grains or are 100 percent whole wheat.
- Sprouted Grain Bread- This bread contains a lot of fiber and nutrients because it has ingredients such as lentils and soybeans.
- Sourdough- The texture of this bread is better than that of normal bread since it is not gummy and chewy.
My Little Eater says that as you choose bread, you need to also look out for other things such as:
- Sodium- The recommended sodium level for a baby less than 12 months is 400mg per day. 200mg comes from breastmilk and the rest comes from solid foods. Try to buy bread that 100mg per serving.
- Added sugars and artificial sweeteners- Avoid bread with added sugars and artificial sweeteners.
- Large seeds or nuts- When purchasing bread, avoid bread with large and whole seeds such as pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. However, seeds such as chia, flax, or hemp are safe.
- Honey- If your child is under 12 months, honey is not a safe ingredient. A child’s immune system is still developing at this age which means they are susceptible to infant botulism caused by spores of bacteria found in honey.