Children who feed on breast milk for six months sooner or later become interested in food from an adult's table. This is a signal that it is time to introduce complementary foods. Young mothers wonder where to start and how? To choose the first product, the baby takes into account his individual developmental characteristics, age, stool condition and the crumbs' readiness for a new diet.
Boy with a blue spoon
When to introduce complementary foods
Mother's milk is considered the best food for young children. Babies are growing, and so are the needs for new nutrients. The moment comes when it is necessary to diversify the child's diet with new products. When introducing complementary foods, it is recommended to focus on the signs that signal the baby's readiness and his individual developmental characteristics.
Signs of readiness for complementary foods
The first parameter is the age of the baby. Breastfeeding introduces new foods starting at 6 months. Pediatricians recommend paying attention to a number of signs indicating the baby's readiness:
- The child is 6 months old. For premature babies, gestational age is considered.
- Since birth, the baby's weight has doubled.
- The first teeth erupted.
- The child does not push out solid objects with his tongue: toys, a spoon, a bottle, a drinker.
- It is bad for a crumb to gorge on breast milk, despite the fact that it empties the entire breast.
- The kid is interested in different objects, holds them well in his hand and tries to taste.
- When the spoon is brought up, children open their mouths and protrude their lower lip.
- Shows an interest in food for adult family members.
The age norm for the introduction of new products is the period from 5 to 9 months. It all depends on the individual characteristics of development. Do not rush to this question. The later new products are allowed to try, the easier they are absorbed by the child's body.
Important! Twins and twins may be ready for complementary foods at different times. No worries. If one child starts trying new foods at 6 months, then the second can start only at 9 months. Over time, their diets will become equal.
Child pulls a spoon
When to postpone complementary foods
When visiting your pediatrician, your doctor may advise you to reschedule the introduction of new products. He establishes these conclusions by observing the development of the baby, and after interviewing the parents. The introduction of complementary foods is postponed:
- with frequent allergic reactions of one of the parents;
- due to the presence of skin rashes on the child's body;
- during a cold and fever;
- when vaccination is due;
- if the child does not sit well and holds the back.
Pros of late introduction of complementary foods
Changing the baby's diet at a later age has its positive aspects. The older the baby, the stronger his body, and the better formed the digestive system. The following advantages are noted:
- When feeding only on breast milk, the baby receives more protective antibodies.
- There is time for the complete formation of the digestive system.
- The risk of allergies is reduced.
- This prevents the decrease in red blood cells and hemoglobin in the child's body.
- Interferes with the development of childhood obesity.
- The child is able to eat independently and does it with increased interest.
Complementary feeding for breastfeeding at 6 months
Young mothers who have decided to introduce complementary foods are wondering how to start feeding a 6 month old baby? Complementary feeding with gv begins with:
- vegetable puree;
- dairy-free porridge;
- fruit puree.
Important! The rest of the products are allowed to taste at a later age.
The first portion of the new product is allowed to sample in the daytime to monitor the child's reaction. It is 0.5 tsp. Then the baby is fed with breast milk. If there were no rashes on the baby's body, and there were no problems with the stool, then the next day the portion is doubled. Add the amount of product every day until the serving is 120-140 g.
Fresh mashed potatoes are prepared for a new meal, it cannot be stored in the refrigerator. If the baby develops a rash or restless behavior, the introduction of complementary foods is canceled and the pediatrician is consulted.
Baby food for the first feeding
After the introduction of complementary foods, it is possible to create a menu for a 6 months old baby who is breastfed.
Instructions for the introduction of complementary foods with vegetable puree
| Complementary feeding day | The amount of vegetable puree |
|---|---|
| 1 | 5 g |
| 2 | 10 g |
| 3 | 20 g |
| 4 | 40 g |
| 5 | 80 g |
| 6 | 120 g |
| 7 | 150 g |
| 8 | 5 g of new vegetable can be mixed with the previous |
| 9 | 10 g of new vegetable is mixed with the first |
Note. After each puree feeding, the baby is fed with breast milk. By the end of the week, one meal is completely replaced by vegetables. Baby food should be freshly prepared.
Rules for making a menu at 6 months
The compilation of the menu for a 6-month-old breastfed baby depends on his ability to gain weight, the nature of the stool, the season, and the state of health. There are several rules that are recommended to be followed when choosing products:
- With slow weight gain, dairy-free cereals are first introduced. For this, buckwheat, rice, oatmeal are suitable.
- Vegetable puree is bought in children's food stores. They are made using special technologies and have a suitable consistency.
- When deciding to cook vegetable puree, they independently choose vegetables that are characteristic of the season. The shops buy zucchini, pumpkin, cauliflower and broccoli.
- The baby is given one product to try.
- If the child suffers from frequent gastrointestinal disorders, prune puree is preferred.
- Add 0.5 tsp to vegetable mixtures. vegetable oil. It improves digestion, improves baby's stool and enriches the body with vitamin D.
- Ghee is added to porridge to improve digestion and increase the calorie content of the dish.
- Meat and chicken broths are not given at an early age, as they cause additional stress on the kidneys.
- It is recommended to introduce vegetable purees immediately, then fruit purees, since after sweet foods the baby does not want to eat fresh vegetables.
- Baby food is not salted, salt retains moisture in the body and loads the kidneys.
- Meat products, fish, whole milk and eggs are allowed to taste after one year of age.
Products for the first feeding
Errors in the introduction of complementary foods
Many young parents do not know how to properly start diversifying their baby's diet. They neglect the rules of making menus for babies 6 months old and make mistakes. They are easy to fix if you study the recommendations of pediatricians. The main mistakes parents make are:
- It is too early to try new foods. The child's body does not digest adult food very well, since it lacks the necessary digestive enzymes. As a result, the work of the digestive tract is disrupted, and increased gas formation occurs.
- Start complementary foods with fruit juices and purees. After the baby tastes sweet puree and juices, it will be difficult to get him to eat unleavened vegetable puree. At 6 months of age, it is recommended to give preference to vegetables and dairy-free cereals.
- Mixing several components in one puree. Such a dish is suitable for a crumb who has already tried all the components of the mixture. If it contains several new products for a child, then in case of an allergy and an adverse reaction, it will be difficult to determine what exactly it came from.
- Feeding new foods in the evening. It is better for the baby to try new products in the morning, so that there is time to observe his reaction. If you feed him at night, that is, there is a risk of an attack of colic at night, you also may not notice the rash on the skin, which will go away by morning.
The diet of the child at 6 months on HB and the diet
A 6-month-old baby is fed according to a certain regimen, it is 5 meals a day. After the introduction of complementary foods, the amount of food consumed changes slightly. For a six-month-old baby, the optimal diet is:
- First feeding - breast milk 200 ml.
- The second meal is 100 g of dairy-free porridge and 50 g of fruit puree, supplemented with breast milk.
- The third feeding - 150 g of vegetable puree and supplementary feeding with mother's milk.
- The fourth and fifth feeds consist of 200 ml baby milk.
Table of the approximate diet for a child 6 months for a week
| Feeding time | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.00 | Breast milk 200 ml | Breast milk 200 ml | Breast milk 200 ml | Breast milk 200 ml | Breast milk 200 ml | Breast milk 200 ml | Breast milk 200 ml |
| 10.00 | Rice porridge 120 g. | Buckwheat porridge 120 g. | Oatmeal 120 g. | Rice porridge 120 g. | Buckwheat porridge 120 g. | Oatmeal 120 g. | Rice porridge 120 g. |
| 14.00 | Zucchini puree 150 g. | Pumpkin puree 150 g. | Cauliflower puree 150 g. | Broccoli puree 150 g. | Vegetable mix 150 g. | Zucchini puree 150 g. | Pumpkin and cauliflower puree 150 g |
| 18.00 | Breast milk 200 ml | Breast milk 200 ml | Breast milk 200 ml | Breast milk 200 ml | Breast milk 200 ml | Breast milk 200 ml | Breast milk 200 ml |
| 22.00 | Breast milk 200 ml | Breast milk 200 ml | Breast milk 200 ml | Breast milk 200 ml | Breast milk 200 ml | Breast milk 200 ml | Breast milk 200 ml |
Such a diet is established by the end of 6 months of development, by which time the baby is allowed to try dairy-free cereals, vegetable purees and fruit purees. Vegetables can be mixed with each other and alternated every day.
Child eating mashed potatoes
After the start of the introduction of complementary foods, the baby forms his own diet. Gradually, the amount of dairy-free porridge is brought to 150 g, vegetable puree - up to 120 g. Every week, the crumb is allowed to try new products in order to diversify his diet. Each vegetable and fruit has its own beneficial trace elements necessary for the development of a child.
After each meal, the baby is supplemented with breast milk. By the end of 6 months, 2 meals are replaced with dairy-free porridge and vegetable puree. Between feedings, the baby is given 50-70 ml of fruit juice. By the beginning of the seventh month, the baby is fed with baby cookies dissolved in breast milk. Cookies, dryers, crackers are also introduced. They are given for a snack.
Homemade Puree Recipes
Currently, many baby food manufacturers make ready-made baby puree. They are available in jars ranging from 100 to 200 ml. Vegetables and fruits during production are processed into semi-liquid puree, then sterilized and poured into sterile dishes. The labels indicate the composition and the recommended age of use.
Important! When opening such cans, a click should be heard, if it was not, then such products are unsuitable for feeding a child.
Baby puree
Many parents choose to make their own vegetable puree for their children. For a 6 month old baby, the following recipes are suitable:
- Zucchini puree. The vegetable is peeled and washed. Then cut into medium-sized pieces, boil in water without salt and sugar. Beat the boiled zucchini with a blender with a small amount of vegetable broth.
- Prune puree. Dried plums are poured with warm water, they should swell. The water is drained and filled with new water. Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes. If the prune had bones, then they are removed. The resulting mixture is whipped.
- Apple juice. A fresh apple is grated on a fine grater. The pulp is placed in cheesecloth and juice is squeezed out.
- Baked apple. Fresh fruit is washed and the top is cut. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 150 ° C.
- Dairy-free buckwheat. 1 tbsp buckwheat is washed and dried. The beans are ground in a coffee grinder. Then pour 100 ml of hot water and boil.
The beginning of the introduction of complementary foods is a crucial moment in the life of a child and his parents. With gv, 6 months is considered the best age. By this time, the baby already knows how to sit, he is actively developing and is interested in food products of adults. They start complementary foods with small portions, which are gradually brought to 150 g. A well-designed menu and diet will allow you to monitor the nutrition of the crumbs and prevent mistakes.
