I'm really worried because my one-year-old has a heart murmur. Could you explain what a heart murmur is and if there are specific foods I should be giving my child?
A heart murmur in a one-year-old can be a sound made by turbulent blood flow within the heart, detected during a physical examination. It can be classified as either "innocent," which is harmless and often resolves on its own, or "pathologic," which may indicate underlying heart conditions requiring further evaluation by a pediatric cardiologist. For your baby's diet, it is essential to provide balanced nutrition, including breast milk or formula as the primary source, pureed or soft-cooked fruits and vegetables, whole grains like cereals and oatmeal, proteins such as well-cooked and finely shredded meat, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, and dairy like whole milk or yogurt if recommended by the pediatrician. Consult with your child's pediatrician for personalized advice and to discuss the heart murmur.