Correct introduction of complementary foods

For an infant, the best food is the milk of his mother, in the extreme case, a milk formula. To digest something else first time the child simply can not. However, with time, the baby's body is not enough milk, which means that it's time to introduce lure.

Each young mother is tormented by the question of the timing of the introduction of complementary foods. For a long time it was believed that at the age of one month, fruit juices can and should be introduced into food. However, today most experts believe that at this age the baby's body is not yet developed enough, which means that the introduction of complementary foods at this age is premature.

Gastrointestinal tract of the baby only after the age of four months begins to prepare for the reception of other foods than the mother's milk or milk formula. It is logical to assume that before this time, new products should not be introduced. However, there is no consensus on the timing and can not be, because all children are different and developmental features also matter. So, the introduction of complementary feeding with artificial feeding is recommended to begin early, at about 4 months, while for a baby on breastfeeding it makes sense to wait a little.

How to understand that a child is ready for a new food? Some people are of the opinion that this is indicated by the appearance of the first teeth. This opinion is not devoid of meaning, but you should not follow it too strictly, some children have teeth only up to 12 months. But you can not wait that long, it can affect the health of the child.

Supporters of natural development believe that the child himself "tells" the parents when the introduction of complementary foods will be timely. In their opinion, at this time the child develops a food interest: he begins to observe how the adults eat, tries to try food from the plate of the mother. There is a certain logic in this.

It is best to consult a pediatrician who constantly observes the baby. He knows all the features of development and can tell not only the time of introduction of complementary foods, but also a product from which it is worth starting.

As already mentioned above, for a long time the introduction of complementary foods started with fruit juices. However, for a number of reasons, this is not very appropriate. First of all, because the risk of an allergic reaction is high. At the moment it is considered that it is more appropriate to start lure with vegetable purees, best with zucchini, or dairy-free cereals.

How to introduce lactation to a baby? There are several rules that must be observed.

First of all, do not forget that during the introduction of complementary milk or breast milk is the main food of the baby. That's why lure is given before breastfeeding. And, even if it seems that the child ate, it must be applied to the breast, so as not to reduce lactation.

You can not enter several foods at once, the first dish of the baby should consist of something one. A new product is introduced gradually, starting at half a teaspoon. Then within a week the amount increases to a suitable age (age in months multiplied by 10 per ml). The next product can be offered only in two weeks, when the child's body gets used to it.

It is necessary to keep a diary of food, which is recorded, when and how a new product was introduced. This helps to track changes in the child's condition. In the event that a product has a negative reaction: a rash, irritation, bloating, etc. It is necessary to abandon it temporarily.

The first meal should be homogeneous and fairly liquid. Then the density gradually increases, and in the course of time solid products are introduced. New food is given to the child with a spoon, even if it is completely liquid.

And, of course, you should not introduce complementary foods if the child is ill or weakened after the illness.

Thus, the introduction of complementary foods is not such a difficult thing as it may seem initially, but it is very, very important, because the harmonious development of a child directly depends on proper nutrition.