Dr Saheb Sahu, FAAP, MPH.
I am a pediatrician. I just read a book by Alice Callahan, PHD, titled “The Science of Mom, A Research-Based Guide to Your Baby’s First Year (2021). Callahan does the work of sorting through the science of baby’s first year, so you don’t have to. Here are the some of the main points of the book.
1- Vaccinations
Give the baby all the vaccinations recommended by American Academy of Pediatrics, or Center of Disease Control (CDC) or WHO (World Health Organization). Vaccinations which are given during the first year are: Hepatitis B, Rotavirus (to prevent diarrhea), DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis), Hemophilus influenza type b (Hib), Pneumococcal conjugate (Pcv-13), Inactivated polio and Influenza. Most of these vaccines are given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age and the booster dose at 9-15 months. (Source-Immunization page, Cdc.gov/vaccine).
2- Sleeping
SIDS- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome occurs in babies less than 12 months of age, but most death happen between 2 and 4 months, and 90 percent occur before 6 months of age.
Safe sleep recommendations:
- Always put your baby down for sleep on his/her back and on a firm and flat mattress.
- The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a crib or bassinet in your room.
- Avoid sleeping with your baby in a couch or chair.
- Don’t over bundle the baby; dress her just enough to stay warm.
3- Breast Feeding
Breast feeding is good for babies and mothers and science backs substantial benefits. Unfortunately, just about 44 percent of infants worldwide are exclusively breast fed until 5 months (UNICEF-2019). Most health organizations now recommend exclusive breastfeeding for first six months of a baby’s life.
Breast milk is packed with hormones, growth factors, and stem cells, as well as immunoglobulins to ward off pathogens. Breastfed babies have lower incidence of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and ear infections. A 2015 meta-analysis of 17 studies found that breastfeeding was associated with an increase in 3.4 IQ points.
Breast milk contains very little Vitamin D. Exclusively breastfed infants should receive a daily dose of 400 international units of supplemental vitamin D, which is important for bone growth. Iron supplements is also recommended for exclusively breastfed babies around 4 months and continue until they start eating iron –rich solid foods.
Studies consistently find that breastfeeding, especially for longer durations, is associated with a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer for the mother, as well as lower risk of high blood pressure (11% lower) and type-2 diabetes (30 % lower) later in life.
4- Starting Solid Foods
WHO recommends that all babies be exclusively breastfed—meaning no formula or solid food—for the first 6 months of life. Many other health organizations, recommend starting solid between 4 and 6 months of age.
Choking on solid foods can be a life threatening problem. Take the following steps to prevent choking and be sure you’re prepared to respond:
- Your baby should be sitting upright and always supervised during feeding. Test foods before they are offered to ensure they are soft.
- Avoid foods with choking hazards: nuts and seeds, hot dogs, chunk of meat or cheese, whole grapes, hard candy or gum, popcorn, globs of peanut butter, and other round firm foods (raw fruits and vegetables).
- Know the Heimlich maneuver and CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) for babies, children and adults. (www.heart.org, American Heart Association online course).
One of the goals of complimentary feeding is to introduce your baby to a variety of foods from all food groups. Benefits of dietary diversity in infancy include balanced nutritional intake and reduce risk of developing food allergy.
There is little difference in the nutritional profile of organic and conventional milk and meat and both are safe for the baby. Make your own baby foods. Baby foods marketed by big companies often have added sugar, salt and filler ingredients. These meals are expensive and nutrient-poor and they don’t help your baby learn to eat real food. Check labels carefully.
Offer nutrient dense foods to meet nutrient needs like meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, vegetables and fruits. Introduce a variety of food. Let your baby explore many tastes and textures.
Source
Alice Callahan, PHD. The Science of Mom, A Research-Based Guide to Your Baby’s First Year. 2nd Ed. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore,2021
