Got a question? Our expert is here to help.
Got a question? Our expert is here to help.
ASK THE EXPERT
These questions were answered by Dr Natalie Epton, a specialist paediatrician and neonatologist at SBCC Baby & Child Clinic at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre. Got a question? E-mail us at magyoungparents@sph.com.sg.
When can I introduce my little one to ice cream? Would frozen yogurt be a better choice?
If your baby has tolerated cow’s milk with no adverse reactions – such as vomiting, abdominal pain and skin rashes – then occasional tastes of ice cream after she turns around nine to 10 months old shouldn’t be a problem.
But we do usually recommend that babies should not be exposed to foods with any added salt or sugar until after 12 months, so although the occasional taste is okay, you shouldn’t give it frequently or in large quantities.
Frozen yogurt also contains added sugar – often more than ice cream – and is unlikely to be significantly more beneficial. It is highly unlikely that the friendly bacteria you are hoping to gain from the yogurt survived the freezing process.
For a healthy, low sugar snack, you are better off giving Baby plain yogurt with some homemade fruit puree, or diced fruit if your child is a bit older.
Should I give my baby a plush toy to sleep with?
The first concern with plush toys is safety. Never leave a plush toy in a cot or sleeping area where a baby may roll onto it and suffocate.
Also, look at any plush toy as a potential hazard and assess any dangerous features: does it have long legs or arms that could become tangled around Baby’s neck; are there any buttons or ribbons that could detach and be a choking hazard?
Plush toys can harbour bacteria and should be washed at least once a week, especially if your baby enjoys sucking it.
If he is very attached to the toy and you are worried about how he will react to having it removed, consider buying two identical toys and rotating them.
Soft toys are also magnets for dust mites and can predispose your little one to nasal allergy symptoms, so they should be kept to a minimum.
I usually recommend only one in the bed of an older child.
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