Baby & SOLID FOOD

If your baby is ready for solids, most of the following conditions should apply.
Baby..

Controls her neck, Sits up with support, Has doubled her birth weight, Indicates when she is full by turning her head or refusing to open her mouth Shows interest in the food you eat Reaches out for objects by leaning toward something Seems hungry for more food Is able to move her tongue back and forth These skills are usually not achieved until baby is between 4-6 months of age. Don't introduce solids in the hope of making baby sleep through the night. By making baby eat solids before she is ready, you will be creating problems instead. Baby's digestive system isn't ready for solid food when she is very little. Certain digestive enzymes which help baby gain nutritive value from the food she eats only develop after baby turns nine months old.

This can cause serious physical and mental harm to baby. 'A good shake' as a means of discipline to baby is resorted to by some parents in place of hitting. This is dangerous as it can be fatal. The problem usually occurs when a baby cries persistently and out of frustration the caregiver shakes the baby to quieten her. All it takes is less than 20 seconds, and a baby may be shaken upto 50 times, enough to cause serious harm or even kill her. Shaken baby syndrome is particularly dangerous because their neurological systems are still developing. Symptoms a baby has been shaken violently include:

• Brain damage

• Seizures

• Blindness

• Problems with speech

• Bruising

• Any signs of abuse

Never shake a baby for any reason. All babies cry, some more than others. If you don't think you can deal with a crying baby, ask for help. Don't let your emotions get out of control. It is ok to play with your baby, just avoid playing too rough.