Not a few parents believe that a baby who cries constantly is a sign that he is starving. As a result, babies are given food, such as bananas, even though they are not even 6 months old. Though, it's not safe, you know! Anything, the hell, the danger?
Bananas do contain nutrients needed by the body, including carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, vitamins B6 and C, and antioxidants. However, giving bananas as complementary food to breast milk (MPASI) in infants under 6 months of age is not recommended, even though this fruit has a soft texture and is easy to chew.
This is the Right Time to Give MPASI, Especially Bananas, to Babies
From birth to 6 months of age, babies can only be given breast milk or formula, without other additional food and drinks. When a baby enters the age of 6 months, his nutritional needs increase so that breast milk or formula alone is not sufficient.
Now, It is at this age that babies usually need additional nutrition and are ready to be given complementary foods, one of which is bananas. Generally, babies who are ready to eat solid food or solid food will have signs, such as:
- Can reach for food and put it in his mouth, and have good eye, mouth and hand coordination
- Can swallow well
- Can sit alone without assistance or with minimal assistance
- Have good head control
- Interested in the food that is being consumed by Mother and others
The Dangers of Giving MPASI Too Early, Including Bananas
In infants under 6 months of age, the previously described signs of readiness to eat have not appeared. Therefore, giving solid food at this age is still too early and is not recommended because it can have a dangerous impact on his health and even threaten his life.
Here are some dangers that you need to know if you give solid food to your baby too early:
1. Choking
Even though they have been softened into porridge, bananas and other foods, they are still solid foods whose texture cannot resemble breast milk or formula milk.
Generally, babies under 6 months of age do not yet have the ability to swallow and chew well, so giving complementary foods at this age can actually harm them.
Solid food as soft as any risk of choking and clogging the baby's respiratory tract. If you don't get help right away, the baby can have difficulty breathing and threaten his life.
That is why in Indonesia there are many cases of giving bananas to babies under 6 months that end in death.
2. Digestive disorders
Babies under the age of 6 months also do not have an optimal digestive tract, so giving complementary foods, especially those rich in fiber such as bananas, can cause intussusception and blockage in the intestines. In addition, giving solid foods at this age can also cause diarrhea.
3. Excess or lack of nutrients and calories
For babies under the age of 6 months, breast milk already has the best composition as baby food. Although it looks more filling, solid foods can't provide proper nutrition for babies.
Giving MPASI at this age can actually make the baby experience a lack or excess of calories and nutrients. For example, if you give bananas to your little one at the wrong time, he will be at risk of being overweight or obese, because this fruit contains quite a lot of sugar.
4. Iron deficiency
The introduction of complementary foods too early tends to make breastfeeding and formula milk, which are rich in iron and many other nutrients, not optimal. This can cause the baby to be iron deficient.
In fact, iron has an important role in the formation of hemoglobin, which is a component of red blood cells that functions to transport oxygen throughout the body.
Without enough iron, the body cannot form hemoglobin optimally. As a result, the tissues and organs of the body can experience a lack of oxygen and disrupted growth and development.
Babies who cry constantly are not necessarily hungry. He may cry because he feels uncomfortable, tired, bored, sleepy, scared, sick, or his diaper is full. So, you don't need to immediately give him milk every time your little one cries, let alone bananas or other foods.
Remember, yes, Mother, giving solid foods such as bananas to calm babies under 6 months is not recommended because usually babies are not ready to accept it.
Signs that a baby is ready to eat solid food can indeed appear before the age of 6 months. Even so, Mother is still recommended to consult a doctor first if you want to give your little one food or bananas before the age of 6 months.
