How to properly introduce complementary foods

6 months, when infantile colic is over, the digestive system is sufficiently formed, and breast milk or formula cannot fully satisfy the baby’s energy and nutrient needs.

What is the right way to start introducing complementary foods to a baby, how, in what doses and what should not be given to a baby, we tell below in the article.

The sequence of introduction of certain complementary foods into the child’s diet depends on his health and the maturity of the digestive system. If the baby is underweight, it is better to start with gluten-free cereals. And if everything is in order with the weight of the baby, then vegetables should be included in the diet first.

• Complementary foods should be introduced gradually and dosed. The best time to get acquainted with a new food is in the morning before 12 noon, when the baby is hungry and ready to eat something else.

During the week, the child can enter only one product

Complementary foods should be introduced gradually: from half a teaspoon.

• If on the first day after feeding there are no allergic reactions on the skin, the body temperature is within the normal range, the consistency and color of the baby’s stools are without visible changes, then the next day the portion can be approximately doubled. Bringing the portion to the age norm — 100-150 g in 1-2 weeks.

If the baby flatly refuses to eat some product, you should not force him to eat.

Set aside meeting him for at least a week. The first purees and cereals need to be prepared in a liquid consistency so that the baby is comfortable eating them. Thicker dishes with the presence of lumps and pieces are introduced into the diet by about a year, when the baby already has several teeth.

• A healthy baby can start complementary foods with zucchini puree. This vegetable contains many useful elements and fiber. Be sure to supplement your baby with breast milk or formula after complementary foods.

• After zucchini, you can enter cauliflower, broccoli. Then you can introduce the child to carrots, potatoes and pumpkin.

• When the baby has tried all the vegetables, you can introduce combined vegetable dishes into complementary foods, and then cereals.

As for porridge

First, buckwheat, rice and corn are introduced, as they are characterized by the absence of gluten, saturate and are well digested.

• If the baby refuses to eat such cereals, add some breast milk or the usual mixture to them. Next, you can enter oatmeal.

Next, meat is added to the baby’s menu

• Beef, rabbit meat, turkey meat are suitable for the first feeding. Meat is given to the child as part of vegetable purees.

• At the age of 9 months, the baby can be introduced into the diet of low-fat fish: pollock, hake, perch, cod.

At the very least, fruit purees, compotes are introduced into the diet.

They are put off because of the sweet taste. It is unlikely that the baby, having tried the banana first, will eat a tasteless zucchini. Start introducing fruits to your baby with green varieties of apples, bananas, pears, and prunes.

• If the child has an allergic reaction or indigestion to some product, the introduction of complementary foods is stopped, and further nutritional actions are discussed with the pediatrician.

Remember, fatty meats, seafood, nuts, honey, salted, smoked, fried and canned foods are not allowed in feeding a child.

You can not introduce new complementary foods into the diet of a child who does not feel well. Colds, preventive vaccinations and any ailments of the baby lower the body’s resistance. During this period, the crumb menu should be familiar and safe.

The author of the material is Leon, the face of the Just Right brand — super-soft and breathable clothes for babies.

It takes into account the physiological characteristics of the child and perfectly adapts to his daily life.