When to start feeding: we accustom the child to adult food

Lure - these are dishes and products that are given to the child instead of mother's milk or an adapted milk formula. In other words, it is a gradual transition from liquid food to solid, adult food. Many mothers are interested in the question: "When to start feeding?"

A large flow of information from different sources prevents many parents from making an adequate decision in this matter. After all, only a few decades ago, lure started to enter very early, so any grandmother will give you advice as early as possible to accustom the child to adult food. Nevertheless, in our times, WHO recommends that you enter hard food no earlier than 6 months. How do you know when to start feeding? Let's look at all aspects of past and present times.

About twenty or thirty years ago, in the absence or lack of breast milk mother, the baby was given cow or goat milk. In order to be able to give milk to the baby, it was boiled beforehand, which led to a large loss of vitamins and minerals. So it turned out that the children had rickets, lagged behind, had a history of hypovitaminosis and other diseases. Naturally, in this situation, the recommendations of pediatricians on the introduction of early complementary foods are entirely logical. Yes, and my mother, who had enough milk, did not always have the opportunity to eat in a variety of ways and correctly. Therefore, vegetable and fruit purees, cereals, meat and other complementary foods could compensate for the lack of vitamins in children up to 6 months.

But times change. Now you rarely meet a mother who feeds her baby with cow's milk. On the shelves of shops and pharmacies a large selection of quality milk formulas, therefore, with a lack or lack of milk, the child receives a balanced formula for vitamins and minerals. There is an erroneous opinion that the mixture is chemistry, and the milk from the cow is natural and useful. It's not like that at all. A good mixture is much superior to the quality and useful properties of cow's milk. It was developed by pediatricians and dietitians, taking into account the age requirements of the child and as close as possible to the composition of mother's milk. Yes, and a modern mother who breastfeeds, in most cases, can afford a varied diet, so that the body receives enough vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

The question "When to start feeding?", Up to six months should not even be considered. The utility of the early introduction of solid food in our time is very small compared with negative manifestations. The most common consequences are allergic reactions. The baby's liver is immature and any undigested particles (allergens) create an additional burden on this body for their neutralization and elimination. Another problem is eating disorders, which also occur with the early introduction of complementary foods. The third negative aspect is the child's perception of new food at such an early age. The kid can negatively react to the introduction of unfamiliar dishes in the diet, since he is not ready for this yet.

How correctly to introduce complementary foods? In fact, everything is not as difficult as it seems. Observe graduality by introducing a new product for 7-10 days. Observe the behavior of the child, the presence of allergic reactions, changes in stool. If everything is normal, after three weeks you can also gradually introduce new dishes.

If you are in doubt, when to start feeding, consult not with the neighbors in the stairwell, but with your pediatrician. He will be able to correctly and accurately answer all your questions and give valuable recommendations. Ideally, the first lure of the baby should take place no earlier than 6 months. Earlier, only a doctor can prescribe if there are diseases, prematurity, low weight gain, etc.

Do not give in to the entreaties of grandmothers and girlfriends - your child's health is more important than any advice. Be competent moms - find out the right information and act correctly. I wish you success in raising children!