Nutritionist Sara Stanner from the British Nutrition Foundation has the lowdown on oily fish, breast-feeding, and what kind of milk you should give your child.
Q. Spices and chillies are an important part of my culture - from what age can I introduce these flavours to my child?
A. As your baby becomes increasingly used to eating solid foods, you can start introducing mild spices and small amounts of mild chilli pepper into your child's diet. Every baby is different, so see how your little one reacts to these new flavours. If he enjoys the taste, and doesn't experience any tummy upsets, you can then begin to add a little more spice. This gradual process will allow you to gauge your baby's intolerance level. Never add salt to your baby's food though.
Q. I'm confused by the advice on oily fish - is it ok to give my one year old daughter tinned and fresh tuna?
A. Giving your one year old oily fish will be good for her health and development (because it contains omega-3 fatty acids, as well as vitamins A and D). You may want to include a portion of oily fish in her diet once of twice a week. Salmon, trout, mackerel and fresh tuna are all fine for a one year old, although it's essential that you make sure all the bones are removed. There are some types of oily fish that you shouldn't give your daughter though. Children shouldn't be given any shark, swordfish or marlin, because the levels of mercury in these fish can affect their developing nervous systems. tinned tuna doesn't count as oily fish, because a lot of the omega-3 is destroyed in the canning process. However, it's still fine to give this to your daughter.
Tip - Try making your own fish fingers by coating fingers of salmon in breadcrumbs and placing them under the grill.
Q. Is it ok to give my child semi-skimmed milk?
Children under one year old should not be given cows' milk as a main drink, because it doesn't have the right balance of nutrients to meet their needs. Older babies need lots of energy so, between one and two years old, you should give your child only full-fat milk. From two years onwards semi-skimmed milk is fine as a drink, so long as your child is eating a range of others foods. Skimmed milk isn't suitable for children under 5 years old. Although you should wait until your child is one year old to introduce cows' milk as a drink, it can be used in cooking - for example, to make cheese sauce to add to vegetables or pasta, or in your baby's breakfast cereal. Other full-fat dairy products, such as yogurts, fromage frais and cheese, can also be introduced from the age of seven to either months. Choose full-fat dairy products for kids under two and don't use low-fat, low-calorie or diet versions.
Q. Do i need to take vitamin supplements while I'm breast-feeding?
A. You should take a supplement that contains 10 micrograms of vitamin D each day while you are breast-feeding. Eating a varied and balanced diet with lots of fruit and veg will help you to stay healthy and ensure you get the other nutrients you need.
Q. Can you advise on how much fluid I should drink while I'm breast-feeding?
A. Drinking plenty of fluid while you're breast-feeding is vital to help you produce enough milk for your baby. Aim to drink at least six to eight glasses of fluid every day, and keep a drink by your side when you breast-feed. Water, milk and unsweetened fruit juices are healthy options. However, having alcohol or caffeine in large amounts, or having these too often, can affect your baby, so limit how much of these you drink.
