The third complementary foods with natural feeding are introduced into. The third complementary foods for natural and artificial feeding. Unwanted food items

Mother's breast milk is not only food for the newborn, but also drink. And with this milk, the child receives all the necessary substances that are so significant for its development and growth. Of course, this applies to those mothers who do not have problems with lactation, and whose children are gaining weight in accordance with the norm. Then the first complementary foods to the child can be started from the sixth month. When the child is artificial feeding, it happens a little earlier.

That's why infants, whose main type of feeding is formula milk, it is allowed to start feeding a new product about three weeks earlier. In some cases, the baby may not accept complementary foods. Take your time and don't feed him against his will. The best solution to this problem is to return to the old diet, and you can offer to try a new dish in a few days.

New types of products should be introduced into the menu of an infant without haste. It is not superfluous to get advice from a pediatrician. Otherwise, premature or late introduction of complementary foods will affect in the best way on child development. The doctor's task at this stage is to assess the health of the infant, measure the growth rate and weight gain.

The introduction of complementary foods ahead of time can cause food intolerance in a child, which is explained by the incomplete formation of the baby's digestive system. An allergic rash may also appear, and the mother's lactation may be reduced.

The introduction of complementary foods later than the due date for children with breastfeeding threatens with the development of a lack of essential minerals, vitamins, proteins. The level of not only the physical, but also mental development baby.

Therefore, the issue of the introduction of complementary foods must be addressed in time.

To know when to start introducing complementary foods to an infant, use the following features:

• the baby's first teeth erupted;
• the weight of the child from the day of birth has increased by at least 2 times (for premature babies - the weight increase should be 2.5 times);
• the child sits firmly, leaning on his back, can take food with his hands, bend his body to the spoon, demonstrating that he is ready to accept a new dish;
• the child asks for breasts more often. This means that the food he receives is not enough for him, or the nutritional value of milk does not meet the needs of his body;
• looks at food with interest, which can be expressed in the opening of the mouth at the sight of food, a strong clenching of the lips;
• when trying to feed something new, the child stopped pushing out the spoon with food with his tongue.

In the presence of a predominant part of the signs, you can begin to introduce the baby to the new food.

If you have scheduled a vaccination, postpone the introduction of complementary foods for more late deadline. Complementary foods should be introduced according to established rules. When teeth are cut, the child is unwell, or there is a strong heat, it is impossible to introduce new products. Postpone solid foods for 3 weeks. This also applies to the arrival of guests, the upcoming trip, climate change, moving.

Complementary foods include vitamins and minerals. However, in addition to these components, fiber also enters the body of an infant, which contributes to the activation of intestinal motor activity.

Complementary feeding is the stage of transition of infants from a liquid consistency of food to a more solid one. For the first feeding of breastfed babies, mashed potatoes are suitable. It is desirable that it be potato, zucchini or carrot puree. Start introducing complementary foods in stages in small portions.

For the first time, puree that is given to an infant as complementary foods should not exceed 2 g. This is done before breastfeeding. A good acceptance of the product and the absence of any negative reaction may indicate that the amount of complementary foods can be slowly increased by one or two teaspoons. A couple of weeks of such feeding, and instead of one breastfeeding, you can feed the baby with mashed vegetables. Formula-fed babies are taught to do this a little earlier. Complementary foods replace the second or third feeding.

Second food

Upon reaching 6 months of age, the child is introduced to the second complementary foods. For the second feeding, breastfed children are fed porridge. Among the optimal varieties of this type of food, buckwheat rice and corn porridge stand out. Nutritionists agree on not using semolina porridge as a second food, explaining this by the presence of gluten in it. After all, getting into the body in large quantities, it is harmful to the child. Thus, cereals containing gluten (semolina, wheat, oatmeal) are not recommended to be introduced into the diet of a child under one year old.

Factory-made cereals are ideal for a breastfed baby, as they contain all the nutrients necessary for baby food. In addition, baby food packages contain detailed information regarding age restrictions and the method of preparation.

Third food

By the 7th month of a baby's life, a third complementary food should be introduced. At this stage, the child begins to introduce broth with croutons mashed in it, which are made from white bread. Give the broth to the child two teaspoons before the vegetable puree. Gradually increase the amount of broth. And after a few weeks, you can begin to acquaint the child with soup-puree from vegetables in meat broth.

By the end of the 7th month, boiled chicken and veal are added to the baby's menu. You can try to give meat puree. With the onset of 10 months, the child can already eat meatballs little by little. Also, as complementary foods, breastfed babies are allowed to give bread. By the way, it is subsequently replaced with crackers. By the end of 11 months - meatballs and steam cutlets. In addition to meat, the child's menu should also include fish. The third complementary food replaces another feeding, as a result, only morning feeding and evening feeding remain.

When children reach the age of one, the moment comes for weaning them and transferring them to adult self-feeding. However, it is not uncommon for doctors to insist on prolonging breastfeeding. It should be remembered that in the summer in extreme heat and during the period of illness of the child, you cannot stop breastfeeding!

The introduction of complementary foods is very important for the health of the child, as new foods gradually accustom the child's body to more rigid foods. As a result, the child's dentoalveolar apparatus is correctly formed, the work of the intestines is getting better, the movements are improved (the child learns to drink from a mug correctly, to hold a spoon).

For the convenience of parents, pediatricians have developed a special table of nutrition for infants, which reflects the age of the child by months, the name of the food and the time of eating. So if you are wondering when to start introducing new foods to infants, this chart can be used.

Transferring children from breastfeeding and formula milk to the "adult table" should be phased in over several months. Introducing new foods to infants should be done with extreme caution, as it is not always possible to be 100% sure of a positive body reaction to a common product. Therefore, when you introduce the first complementary foods to the baby, adhere to the following rules.

:

• prepare food in a special way, grinding and diluting it with mother's milk or water (only boiled).
• complementary foods should be introduced gradually. For starters, a serving on the tip of a teaspoon is enough. Then, day after day, you can increase this amount to the norm corresponding to his age.
• try to give complementary foods to the child before the second half of the day.
• When introducing complementary foods, closely monitor the child. In the event of such warning signs as redness, skin rash, pain in the abdomen, immediately exclude this product from the child's menu.
• Do not give your child several new types of food at once, as this can make it difficult to determine which specific food may cause allergies.
• before giving complementary foods, feed the baby with the usual food, and after that give complementary foods and again the usual food. Juices should be given in between meals.
• Complementary foods should be prepared from fresh products, or ready-made baby food from the store should be used.
• when buying ready-made meals, look at the date of manufacture. Take into account the composition. Best of all, one that does not contain salt, sugar, dextrose and sucrose.

Parents should be aware that late introduction of complementary foods into infants' diets will inevitably lead to nutritional deficiencies. The child begins to fall behind physical development, the development of the chewing reflex is also disturbed. In addition, the time is missed when it is easier for the child to perceive new tastes and a denser food structure. This actually explains the requirement for the timely and phased introduction of complementary foods for infants.

All photographs are taken from the site Google.Images.ru

A young mother is surrounded by many "knowledgeable" people who advise feeding strictly by the hour, from two months to give the child a grated yolk and start complementary foods with fruit juice.

Let's not blame them. It used to be considered correct. But today is a different time. Only the mother is responsible for her baby, and she needs to know how to properly introduce complementary foods to the child.

When to introduce complementary foods

WHO recommendations are extremely clear: up to six months of a healthy, full-term baby should be fed only with mother's milk. He does not need any teas, compotes, and especially juices. It is good if the mother eats properly, regularly, and also sleeps well and sometimes rests. The same applies to children who eat artificial mixtures. In terms of complementary foods, both breastfed babies and formula-fed babies are on an equal footing.

How do you know if your baby is ready to receive complementary foods?

1. The main evidence is the presence of at least one tooth. Of course, the first teeth erupt around 6 months, by the same time the children's intestines mature, so the corresponding date can be taken as a starting point.
2. Another criterion is the manifestation of food interest. If the baby looks at your plate with interest and pulls his hands to your dinner, then he is ready.

An important feature is the consistency of the first complementary foods. It's called transitional food for a reason. The child, who until then received only liquid milk from a bottle, gets acquainted with thicker food - and does it from a spoon. At first, the baby is fed with liquid homogeneous purees and cereals. Then the consistency becomes thicker. After a year, pieces may appear in it.

Complementary food table for children up to a year

Where to start feeding

Opinions of pediatricians about how to properly start complementary foods differ. Previously, it was believed that already at 4 or 5 months the body should be prepared for complementary foods with sweet juices. It was proposed to give the baby a few drops of apple juice, gradually increase the dose to 50-100 ml. Then introduce fruit puree, and only then - vegetables and cereals.

Today, this approach is considered harmful. Early introduction of juices (up to six months) can lead to the following consequences:

• Stomach upset
• Indigestion
• And also cause obesity and destruction of milk teeth.

Juice is a heavy product, a source of extra calories and a strong allergen. It is better to introduce a child to fruits not earlier than 7 or 8 months, giving preference to puree or fresh fruits and berries, using a device that teaches the baby to chew. Remember, fruits are not food. They cannot replace full nutrition. Therefore, it is better to treat your baby with sweet purees immediately after dinner or during an afternoon snack.

How to introduce complementary foods at 4 months

Products should be introduced gradually. There are three main stages. After reading them, you will understand how to properly introduce complementary foods during breastfeeding, as well as with artificial feeding of babies.

First food

1. vegetable marrow
2. Cauliflower
3. Pumpkin
4. Broccoli
5. Carrot
6. Potato

Choose one thing (best of all - zucchini), and start in the morning or lunch time to offer the child to try a spoonful of mashed potatoes in front of the breast, no more. Then supplement your baby with breast milk or formula. For 7-14 days, bring the amount of puree given to a full-fledged lunch portion, based on the appetite of the child.

If all goes well, introduce any second vegetable. Starting in the same way, with one spoon. There is no such need as replacing one of the feedings with complementary foods completely. On the contrary, WHO warns nursing mothers against such actions in the first 12 months of a baby's life.

The task of complementary foods is to enrich the child’s diet and introduce him to new goodies, and not to feed his fill. Replacing multiple feeds - common cause decrease in lactation. It is absolutely normal if a child eats only 50 grams of squash puree, and makes up for the lack from the chest.

Second food

Having mastered (and mastered) the vegetable menu, the baby is ready for the second complementary foods - dairy-free cereals that do not contain gluten protein (better to start from 7 months).

Gluten is a strong allergen, so we will introduce our children to oatmeal later. In the meantime, you can start giving buckwheat porridge, as well as rice or corn. We cook any of these cereals on water or with the addition of strained breast milk(mixtures).

If vegetables are good at lunchtime, then gruel is appropriate for breakfast or right before a night's sleep. Many mothers claim that after a hearty dinner, the child sleeps stronger and sweeter. Porridges are also introduced into the baby's diet gradually, from one spoon. You can only give one new food at a time!

Third food

The third complementary food is meat (starting from 7 or 8 months). You can start (and even better) with canned food, since you need an absolutely homogeneous consistency. Homemade purees often contain fibers that can cause a child's gag reflex. It is better to start with tender turkey and rabbit, you can continue with chicken and veal. Often kids ignore meat, so you have to go for tricks by adding it to vegetable puree little by little.

Starting at 10 months, you can try to form breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Just like in adults, but from those products that have already been introduced. Between cereals and meat, you can introduce your baby to applesauce. Keep introducing new products:

1. some yogurt
2. baby biscuits
3. White bread
4. fruit purees

At 11 months, you can replace one “meat” day with a “fish” day.

Rules for the introduction of complementary foods

1. Introduce complementary foods a week before and after vaccination. Do it in a familiar, homely, friendly atmosphere. During illness or strong whims of experimentation, it is better to postpone.
2. It is not necessary to push the child immediately into a new chair: he can eat the first spoons of adult food while sitting on his mother's lap.
3. When introducing a new product, the baby should be observed. Watch his stool, skin. If there is a hint of an allergy, cancel the product, and only after a week try to introduce another complementary food (if you poured it on a zucchini, try potatoes, etc.).

When the baby is already fully enjoying fruits, vegetables and cereals, you can continue to introduce new dishes into his menu. Pediatricians recommend including fermented milk and meat products in the third complementary foods.
At what age to offer the child these products, how to do it right, what dishes are better to cook, and how to make a children's menu for the day.

We introduce the third complementary food

There are basic rules that are important to follow when introducing any complementary foods:

Tasting new items should only healthy baby and best before lunch;

Feeding should begin with familiar dishes, and then treat the child to new food;

While the baby does not know how to chew, all products are prepared in the form;

The child should be offered everything only freshly prepared;

Only one new dish should be given at a time and in small quantities;

For three days it is necessary to monitor whether there is an undesirable reaction. If all is well, you can offer your baby a new dish.

New children's menu

As the child's body grows, it requires more and more energy, so it requires an increase in nutrients and nutrients in the diet.

The third complementary food helps to significantly enrich the baby's menu. Now meat and dairy products are introduced into it.

Meat products are designed to supply iron and animal protein to the baby's body. First, it is better to try rabbit meat or turkey. Such meat is considered dietary and should not cause allergies.

Breastfeeding

When breastfeeding, the third stage of complementary foods is recommended to be introduced from 8-9 months.

An approximate nutritional plan for a baby after his body has become accustomed to the next novelties looks like this:

• the first breakfast is mother's milk;
• second breakfast - porridge in milk with butter and half the yolk, plus chopped fruit;
• lunch - vegetables and meat with vegetable oil, bread, juice, compote or jelly;
• afternoon snack - kefir, cottage cheese, cookies.
• dinner - breast milk.

On artificial nutrition

When a child's body is ready for the emergence of new dishes earlier. Getting used to them is also easier than for babies.

The products of the third complementary foods, children who grew up on the mixture, can try when they are 7-8 months old.

Approximate menu of an artificial child:

• first breakfast - 250 ml of the mixture;
• second breakfast - milk porridge with butter, fruits;
• lunch - and meat;
• afternoon snack - cottage cheese, baby cookies;
• dinner - kefir.

The third stage of complementary feeding is the time of new taste discoveries of the child.

Following all the rules, gradually introducing your baby to new dishes and showing imagination in their preparation, you will give him health and pleasant impressions of gastronomic discoveries.

Around the age of 6-8 months, exclusive breastfeeding in most children can no longer fully meet the needs of a growing body. The child develops emotions and interest in various foods. He can already swallow lumps of food. The child takes a fairly stable vertical position. The baby's digestive system matures to the point where it can handle not only breast milk, but also denser foods. During this period, lactation in the mother becomes stable. The formation and production of breast milk is “adapted” to any needs of the child. Therefore, psychological factors affect lactation to a lesser extent, and the introduction of additional food does not adversely affect the volume of breast milk.

What is complementary food?

Complementary foods are any food denser than breast milk that supplements a growing baby's diet after 6 months of age. It should be noted that solid food significantly supplements breast milk in the second half of life, but is not the basis of a child's diet. It becomes the main one after about a year, when breast milk is a pleasant addition and an opportunity to maintain the psycho-emotional contact of mother and child for longer.

Why is it necessary to introduce complementary foods to a child?

The first goal is that the child needs solid food for additional energy, vitamins, trace elements and other substances. Solid food contains more of them per unit volume than breast milk. So, for example, 100 ml of breast milk contains about 67 kcal, 100 grams of porridge contains at least 280 kcal, and 100 grams of meat contains 120-200 kcal. The second goal is for the child to gradually move from liquid food to a regular home diet. He cannot do it right away. It is during this transitional period that the introduction of food products adapted to the age in terms of consistency and composition is required. Thus, introducing complementary foods, the mother gradually transfers the child to ordinary homemade food and supplements the child's diet with energy, nutrients, trace elements and vitamins. Therefore, complementary foods should always be denser in texture and / or higher in calories than breast milk. Understanding the goals of the introduction of complementary foods, the mother herself decides which products to introduce, focusing on national, family traditions, recommendations of doctors and financial possibilities. Solving these two “global” goals, the mother simultaneously stimulates the production of enzymes in the child with dense food, develops taste, sensations, promotes the socialization of the child, etc.

To safely transfer a child to "adult food" it is necessary to adhere to enough simple rules the introduction of complementary foods. This is because infants are particularly vulnerable during the transition period.

WHO recommends the introduction of complementary foods to breast milk after 6 months. However, the introduction of complementary foods should not be delayed beyond 8-9 months of age, as it is sometimes difficult to do so at 9-10 months of age or older. At the same time, the appearance of violations of food stereotypes is quite possible, when, for example, a child can eat only liquid food even after 1-2 years. Also, by this age, various deficient conditions can develop (lack of vitamins, iron, etc.). Therefore, the most optimal period for the introduction of complementary foods should be considered the age of 6-8 months. In rare cases, complementary foods may be introduced between 5 and 6 months of age. But these situations are individual and should be determined by the doctor for a particular child. For children receiving adapted artificial formulas, the timing and principles of the introduction of complementary foods are the same as for breastfed children.

What foods should be given to a child, and which ones should be avoided?

In general, it is necessary to allocate three main complementary foods - cereals, vegetables and meat. Some authors also highlight educational complementary foods, which they propose to introduce before the introduction of the main complementary foods. This food is made from fruits. Its purpose is to determine within 3 weeks the child's readiness for solid food. However, given the likelihood of fruit intolerance in an infant in 20-60% of cases and the absence of any significant nutritional value, it is optimal to immediately start introducing basic complementary foods.

It is also proposed to introduce kefir as the main complementary food. However, kefir is not a solid food, and its calorie content is lower than that of breast milk. Therefore, kefir for a child older than 8 months should rather be considered as an additional food that is offered to him for a change. It must be remembered that Narine, Biolact, curdled milk and other non-adapted fermented milk products have no advantages over kefir for a child.

Whole cow or goat milk it is not recommended to enter earlier than 12-18 months of life. This is due to an excess protein load, the risk of allergic reactions, loss of iron through the intestines, etc.

It makes no sense to use liquid and semi-liquid products as complementary foods. The use of 5-10% of cereals, which were not so long ago common, is inappropriate, since they do not fulfill one of the most important goals of this period - accustoming and transferring the child to solid food. When diluting porridge, the amount of energy per unit volume also decreases.

There is no need to enter into the nutrition of an infant meat and fish broths as a separate type of complementary foods. They are an extract from products and have high allergenic properties and an irritant effect on the gastrointestinal tract of an infant. In addition, the calorie content of broths is close to zero.

Juices and fruits. At present, the introduction of juices and fruits into the diet of a child earlier than 6-8 months is considered unnecessary. This is due to their negative impact on the gastrointestinal tract of the child, especially at the age of less than 4 months. Also early management juices contributes to the appearance of allergic reactions in a child, colic, loose stools, a decrease in weight gain, etc. In addition, the consistency of juices is liquid and their calorie content is 30-50 kcal per 100 ml (in breast milk, 67 kcal per 100 ml). With the introduction of a significant amount of juices to an infant, against the background of the risk of various disorders, there is a possibility of displacing breast milk and reducing the overall intake of daily energy. And it is simply pointless to introduce juices in the amount of a few drops or milliliters, since they will no longer represent any nutritional value. Therefore, juices and fruits should be added to one of the already introduced complementary foods as a flavor additive. You can also offer them to the child after he receives the main food (porridge, vegetables, meat). If the baby refuses juices or fruits, then painlessly you can temporarily exclude them from the diet.

Porridge and vegetables. The first complementary food for a child from the age of 6 months may be porridge or vegetables. It is traditionally accepted that cereals are used as the first food for children with low weight gain, and vegetables for children with a tendency to constipation. Taste is also important. Some children, after trying more palatable cereals, may refuse vegetables. Therefore, to the question “what to enter first?” must be approached individually. If porridge is introduced first, then vegetables will be the second food. And vice versa.

The first of the cereals to be introduced into the child's diet are gluten-free (rice, buckwheat and corn), so that intolerance to this protein does not form. Semolina porridge should be excluded as a permanent food for an infant. This is due to the low nutritional value and high content of gluten in semolina. Semolina can be used closer to the year for a change. Other gluten-containing cereals can be in the diet of a child from 8 months.

Vegetable complementary foods are mashed potatoes from available products: zucchini, potatoes, cabbage, pumpkins, carrots. The most "neutral" can be considered a zucchini. With a low calorie content comparable to fruit, zucchini is better tolerated by children. Cabbage can be used in various varieties - white, kohlrabi, cauliflower. Potatoes are high in starch, which can cause gas in some children. "Colored vegetables" are introduced in the second place.

Whole cow's or goat's milk should not be added to cereals and vegetables. Instead, expressed breast milk or adapted formulas can be added to improve the taste, but not dilute these meals.

Meat. Meat is the third. This product is important for the baby, as it is a source of iron. Low-fat varieties are used as meat complementary foods. The safest to start the introduction is the meat of a rabbit, turkey, veal, pork. If the child does not have a tendency to allergic reactions, then any kind of meat can be introduced first. Chicken and fish should not be introduced first. Fish - required product in the child's diet. However, due to the high allergenicity of fish dishes should be introduced closer to the year.

Other products used in children of the first year of life.

Yolk. It has no significant nutritional value for babies, while it has high allergenic properties. Therefore, the yolk can be introduced closer to the year or not given to the baby at all.

Cottage cheese. It is a concentrate of cow's milk protein. Along with a high protein load, cottage cheese is a potentially allergenic product. Therefore, along with other non-adapted dairy products, it can be introduced closer to 12 months.

Cookies, dryers, etc.. These products are in addition to the main complementary foods. They should not predominate in the child's diet

Compote, tea, herbal decoctions. With almost zero calorie content, they can displace the main solid food due to the volume. This will lead to an insufficient supply of energy and nutrients to the child. In addition, in children of the first year of life, teas and herbal decoctions should not be used at all, since they significantly reduce the absorption of iron from the intestines.

Water. An exclusively breastfed baby does not need to be supplemented with water. After the introduction of solid food (complementary foods) has begun, it is necessary to offer the child clean drinking water without any additives as a drink.

How to feed?

The consistency of all complementary foods should be puree. After the introduction of one or two complementary foods, the introduction of fruits and juices into the diet is quite acceptable. They must be given to the child between main feedings or added to complementary foods to improve palatability.

It is necessary to observe the gradual and sequential introduction of each complementary food. First food begin to introduce 0.5-1 teaspoon with a full volume of 120-150 g (maximum 200 g) per feeding for 10-14 days. In this case, only one product should be used (for example, only buckwheat). After that, with good tolerance, it is necessary to gradually introduce other products of this complementary food (after buckwheat, introduce rice or corn). New products can be given in a mixture with those already introduced or separately. Second food you can start to enter no earlier than 3-4 weeks after the first. At the same time, it is also necessary to gradually increase the volume to 120-150 g (maximum 200 g) and the consistent introduction of these complementary foods (after zucchini, for example, cabbage, potatoes, etc.). Third food traditionally meat. The peculiarity of the introduction of meat is that it is usually added to cereals or vegetables. Usually the volume of meat is 50-70 g per day. After the introduction of 50-70 g of one type of meat, other varieties can be introduced. Meat must be given to the baby daily.

After the introduction of the three main complementary foods, it is necessary to form a child's diet, which is accepted in the family. At around 8 months of age, your baby should be getting solid foods at least 3 times a day.

Many authors believe that complementary foods should be given to a child after breastfeeding. This is justified by the fact that the introduction of complementary foods before breastfeeding can lead to a decrease in lactation. On the other hand, not every child after breast milk will agree to vegetable puree or porridge. In addition, the risk of hypogalactia is significantly lower in the second half of the year. Therefore, this issue should be approached individually.

Currently, the so-called canned or boxed food for infants is widely used, which has the advantage of being made from high-quality and environmentally friendly products. At the same time, various commercial complementary foods are still found on the Russian market, which include obsolete baby food products. In addition, on some packages there are recommendations for the introduction of these complementary foods from 2-3 months. Therefore, it is necessary to differentiate and carefully approach the use of industrial complementary foods and, in some situations, consider it more preferable to use conventional products.

When introducing any new product, it is required to assess the tolerance of his child. To do this, it is often enough to control the well-being of the child, his stool and allergic reactions. With the appearance of dyspeptic stools, regurgitation, skin rashes or obvious anxiety of the child, the administered product is canceled. Repeated attempts to introduce complementary foods should be postponed for 1-2 weeks, during which it is possible to feed the child only with breast milk.

The use of salt in the diet of an infant is inappropriate. This is an adult food stereotype that cannot be applied to an infant.

In the second half of the year, the rate of increase in body weight in a child decreases and averages 400-450 g per month, or about 15 g per day. Thus: - in the second half of life, the child continues to receive breast milk / adapted formula. The mother should maintain lactation and continue breastfeeding up to 1.5-2 years and longer - starting from 6-8 months in the diet, three complementary foods are found in sequence in compliance with the basic principles of dietology - additionally in the diet after 6 months, it is possible to introduce juices and fruits in order to variety and improvement of palatability, but not as complementary foods - the introduction of non-adapted fermented milk products should be started no earlier than 8 months of life, and whole cow's milk no earlier than 12 months - when introducing new foods in the diet, monitoring of the child's well-being is required.

Here is a diagram of the introduction of the main products of complementary foods

Yakov Yakovlev, head of the pediatric department

GDKB No. 4 of the city of Novokuznetsk

How to properly introduce complementary foods. A young mother is surrounded by many "knowledgeable" people who advise feeding strictly by the hour, from two months to give the child a grated yolk and start complementary foods with fruit juice.

Let's not blame them: it used to be really considered right.

But today, times are different, only the mother is responsible for her baby, and she needs to be savvy in matters of modern complementary foods.

When to introduce complementary foods

He does not need any teas, compotes, and especially juices. It is good if the mother eats properly, regularly, and also sleeps well and sometimes rests.

The same applies to children who eat artificial mixtures. In terms of complementary foods, both babies and “artists” are on an equal footing.

How do you know if a baby is ready to receive complementary foods? The main evidence is the presence of at least one tooth.

Usually, the first teeth erupt around 6 months, by the same time the children's intestines mature, so the corresponding date can be taken as a starting point.

Another criterion is the manifestation of food interest. If your baby looks at your plate curiously and pulls the handles in your dinner, then he is ready.

An important feature is the consistency of the first complementary foods. It's called transitional food for a reason.

The child, who had previously received only liquid milk from a bottle, is introduced to thicker food - and does it from a spoon.

At first, the baby is fed with liquid homogeneous purees and cereals. Then the consistency becomes thicker. After a year, pieces may appear in it.

Here the opinions of pediatricians differ. It used to be that already at 4 or 5 months the body needs to be prepared for complementary foods with sweet juices.

It was proposed to give the baby a few drops of apple juice, gradually increase the dose to 50-100 ml. Then
introduce fruit puree, and only then - vegetables and cereals.

Today, this approach is considered harmful. Early introduction of juices (up to six months) can lead to indigestion, indigestion, cause obesity and destruction of milk teeth.

Juice is a heavy product, a source of extra calories and a strong allergen.

It is better to introduce a child to fruits not earlier than 7 or 8 months, giving preference to puree or fresh fruits and berries in a nibbler (a device that teaches the baby to chew).

Remember, fruit is not food. They cannot replace full nutrition.

The most reasonable thing is to treat your baby with sweet purees immediately after dinner or during an afternoon snack.

Therefore, Vegetables are the first food. Zucchini, cauliflower, pumpkin, broccoli, carrots, potatoes.

Choose one thing (best of all - zucchini), and start in the morning or lunch time to offer the child a spoonful of puree in front of the breast, no more.

Drink with breast milk or formula. For 7-14 days, bring the amount of mashed potatoes eaten to a full-fledged lunch serving, based on the appetite of the child.

If everything goes well, enter the second any vegetable - the same way, from one spoon.

There is no need to replace any feeding completely with complementary foods. On the contrary, WHO warns nursing mothers against such actions in the first 12 months.

The task of complementary foods is to enrich the child's diet and introduce him to new goodies, and not to feed his fill.

Replacing several feedings is a common cause of reduced lactation.

It is absolutely normal if a child eats only 50 grams of potatoes, and makes up for the lack from the mother's breast.

Having mastered (and mastered) the vegetable menu, the baby is ready for the second complementary foods - dairy-free cereals that do not contain gluten protein (7 months).

Gluten is a strong allergen, so we will introduce our children to oatmeal later.

In the meantime - buckwheat, as well as rice or corn. We prepare any of these cereals on water or with the addition of expressed breast milk (mixture).

If vegetables are good at lunchtime, then cereals are appropriate for breakfast or right before a night's sleep.

Many mothers claim that after a hearty dinner, the child sleeps stronger and sweeter.

Porridges are also introduced into the baby's diet gradually, from one spoon. You can only give one new food at a time!

Between cereals and meat, you can introduce your baby to applesauce.

The third food is meat (8 or 9 months). You can start (and even better) with canned food, because you need an absolutely uniform consistency.

Homemade purees often contain fibers that can cause a child to gag.

Tender turkey and rabbit go well first, followed by chicken and veal.

Many children ignore clean meat, you will have to go for tricks, adding it to vegetable puree a little bit.

At 10 months, you can form breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, like adults, from those products that have already been introduced.

Keep introducing new foods: some yogurt or kefir, baby biscuits, white bread, fruit purees.

From 11 months, you can replace one “meat” day with a “fish” day.

Do not introduce complementary foods a week before and after vaccination, during illness or severe whims. Do it in a familiar, homely, friendly atmosphere.

It is not necessary to immediately shove the child into a new chair: he can eat the first spoons of adult food while sitting on his mother's lap.

During the introduction of a new product, the baby should be observed. Watch his stool, skin.

If there is a hint of an allergy, cancel the product, and only after a week try to introduce another complementary food (if you poured it on a zucchini, try potatoes and so on).

Unwanted food items

Pediatricians agree that the following products are not recommended and are not useful for children under 1 year old:

• egg (if you are on GW)
• milk
• cottage cheese
• kefir (a little - you can from 8 months, no more than 200 milliliters)
• tea (including herbal)
• Rye bread
• seafood
• salt, sugar, spices
• pure juices
• semolina
• meat broth

We hope that we have given detailed answers to all questions related to the topic - how to introduce complementary foods.