Not only milk: How to start complementary foods for Your Baby the right way

The first year of a child’s life is a busy and at the same time difficult period for both the baby and the parents. In no other time period throughout life does the human body undergo such significant changes as in the first 12 months after birth. All organs and systems continue to “ripen” and adapt to the existence in the external environment. It is very important at this moment not to disturb the delicate balance and natural mechanisms of adaptation, so the parents’ concern about the start of the introduction of complementary foods is completely justified.

What is complementary food

Complementary foods include all products, except for breast milk and infant formula, which supplement the diet with substances necessary for the further growth and development of the child.

In the first months of life, the baby has enough milk, but over time, the diet should become more varied, gradually replacing breast milk or formula. The older the child gets, the more space occupies complementary foods in the overall pattern of food intake.

When to start introducing complementary foods

The stomach and intestines of a newborn baby are adapted only for the assimilation of breast milk and its substitutes. In babies, there is a so-called spoon ejection reflex: up to 3-4 months, any solid food that enters the mouth and throat is pushed back. Thus, nature protects the baby from asphyxia and problems with irritation of the walls of the gastrointestinal tract with inappropriate food. This reflex normally gradually fades away by the end of the 4th month of life.

Around this age, the gastrointestinal tract and the local immune system of the intestine “ripen”, which reduces the risk of allergic reactions when new products are introduced.

If the child is healthy, it is recommended to start complementary foods between 4 and 6 months.

The introduction of complementary foods after 6 months entails the risk of nutrient deficiencies, a slowdown in the formation of chewing and swallowing skills of dense foods, as well as a large food load due to the desire to introduce “everything at once”.

In addition to age, there are signs by which you can determine that it is time for a child to introduce complementary foods: the baby sits with support or on his own, holds his head well and shows interest in food.

What foods to start complementary foods

In our country, the first complementary foods are vegetable purees or cereals. The choice of product depends on the characteristics of a particular child. For example, offer vegetables first if the baby is constipated or overweight, cereals if the baby is not gaining enough weight. In any case, before starting the introduction of complementary foods, consult your pediatrician.

How much to start with and when to add complementary foods

For the first time, a small volume is sufficient (for example, 1/2-1 tsp). Then we observe the tolerance of the new food by the child, if there is no allergic reaction, we gradually increase the volume of the product over the course of a week to the recommended one at this age. After that, you can get acquainted with another dish.

Over time, the amount of food increases in proportion to the weight of the child and his request. At the same time, you should not set yourself the task of minimizing the consumption of breast milk / infant formula, as they still remain for the baby a source of nutrients necessary for full development.

Are there any features of introducing vegetables and fruits into the diet

We introduce vegetables, starting with a one-component puree, gradually supplement with others.

For the first experiments, you can choose, for example, broccoli, zucchini, carrots, pumpkins, potatoes, etc. Sometimes a child may not like a new product the first time. But do not be upset! Sometimes it takes up to 10-15 attempts to accept a new one.

We also start the introduction of fruits with a monocomponent puree, for example, apple, pear, plum, etc. Fruit complementary foods are especially relevant if the baby has constipation.

How to start feeding meat

Meat is introduced from 6 months. The timely inclusion of meat puree in the diet is important, since it is a source of easily digestible iron. We are starting to offer various options for meat puree also separately, for example, puree from chicken, turkey, rabbit, beef, pork, etc.

If your baby is allergic to cow’s milk protein, the pediatrician may delay eating beef until a later date, but other types of meat are allowed.When is it better to delay the introduction of complementary foods

General recommendations for the introduction of complementary foods are focused on healthy children. However, questions about the introduction and scheme of complementary foods are always resolved individually with the pediatrician observing the child.

Complementary foods should not be introduced during an acute period of infectious diseases, at the time of a family move or vacation, and for 3 days before and after vaccination.

How to track your baby’s response to complementary foods

A food allergy in a baby can manifest itself in two groups of symptoms. After the introduction of a new product, carefully monitor its condition.

If during or after eating the child has a rash, red spots on the skin, cough, pallor and difficulty breathing, swollen lips or face, then in such a situation you need to stop feeding this product and seek help from a doctor.

The second group of symptoms of food intolerance – digestive disorders in the form of profuse regurgitation, vomiting, loose stools.

In order to notice negative manifestations in time, it is better to try something new in the first half of the day and do not forget that you need to gradually increase the volume of food. It takes 5-7 days for the baby to get used to the product, only after that you can give a new one.

What else should parents know before weaning

There are a few more tips that will allow you to organize complementary foods for your baby correctly, comfortably and safely:

• Never force feed your baby.
• Be sure to offer bottled baby water from the start of complementary foods.
• Do not give food using gadgets, they not only affect the formation of food hygiene, but also adversely affect the eyes and nervous system.
• Complementary foods are best offered to the baby before breast milk / formula feeding.
• We start with mashed foods. Pieces will be required, but later. During the start of complementary foods, this is dangerous: the child can easily choke and suffocate.
• At 8-10 months, we gradually move from puree to finely ground food.
• You should not add sugar and salt to complementary foods, even if such food seems tasteless to you. The sensitivity of taste buds in a child and the reaction of his digestive system to these additives are different, and such “care” will not bring any benefit to the baby.
• It is not recommended to give children fruit juices, whole cow’s and vegetable milk, sugar-containing drinks up to 12 months. Hard round foods such as nuts, grapes, raw carrots, round candy, popcorn can be dangerous due to the risk of inhalation and suffocation.

Competent introduction of complementary foods is the basis of a child’s good health now, as well as proper eating behavior in the future. Therefore, its introduction should be approached with all responsibility, but at the same time without fear and unreasonable fears. The transition from breast milk or formula to a normal human diet is a natural process programmed by nature itself.