Is it advisable to introduce solid food to four-month-old babies?
On Instagram, Marian Rivera received a number of unsolicited advice from other moms after feeding her four-month-old son, Baby Ziggy, with broccoli puree.
The adorable boy seemed to like it, because according to some fan accounts on the photo and video-sharing app, he cried upon realizing that feeding time was over .
While a lot of moms commended Marian for introducing nutritious vegetables to her baby, some pointed out that a four-month-old baby is not ready yet for solid foods.
In the comments section of @dantes.suqad on Instagram, a follower warned Marian about her choice of vegetable:
"Broccoli might not be a good choice for one of Baby's first vegetables as it may cause gas. Broccoli may also be a bit hard for a young infant to digest. The current suggested age for introducing broccoli to baby is when baby is 8-10 months old."
On Friday night, August 23, Marian appealed to her followers, and reminded them not to easily jump to conclusions.
In her Instagram post, Marian acknowledged the importance of breastfeeding babies, and noted that she consulted her pediatrician before feeding Baby Ziggy with solid food.
The 35-year-old actress wrote, "Nais kong ipakita ang suporta ko sa breastfeeding advocacy magmula noon hanggang ngayon.
"Bagamat nakapagsimula ako ng solids kay Ziggy sa mga nakaraang araw base sa payo ng aming pediatrician, wala akong plano na ihinto ang aking pagiging padede mom sa aking bunso.
"Batid ko ang kahalagahan ng eksklusibong pagpapasuso mula 0-6months."
Marian had another request: "Isang pakiusap lamang po, nawa’y sa adbokasiyang eto ay hindi tayo makasakit ng damdamin ng mga kapwa natin ina, nawa’y hindi gamitin ang pangalan ko sa mga kumento at mensahe na humuhusga sa pag bigay ko ng masustansyang gulay sa aking anak."
Toward the end of her post, she recognized the recommended age, which is six months old, set by World Health Organization (WHO).
Marian wrote, "Kinikilala ko po ang rekomendasyon ng WHO patungkol sa complementary feeding. Eto po ang sundin nyo. Kung meron man akong ginawa na hindi base dito, huwag naman sana itong maging batayan para ako ay mahusgahan.
"Lahat po tayong ina ay gusto lamang ang 'best' sa kanyang anak. Hanggat kaya ko ay lalaban ako bilang #padedemom #notomomshaming"
Marian has been receiving positive remarks on social media for being an exemplary mother. Last July, she donated "thousands of milliliters of breast milk" to The Parenting Emporium, a "social enterprise" founded by Maricel Cua and Beng Feliciano.
Marian and her husband, Dingdong Dantes, welcomed Baby Ziggy last April 16.
The Kapuso couple also has a three-year-old daughter named Zia.