Complementary food and what it is eaten with
Complementary feeding of a baby is one of the most important and crucial stages for a mother. On the Internet, you can find a lot of information on the topic of complementary foods, however, it is often not so easy to understand it. Mom has a difficult task - to find reliable sources of recommendations.
What are the subtleties?
Before introducing complementary foods, you should consult a pediatrician. Usually, the first complementary food is recommended to be introduced at the age of 4 to 6 months, while the child should have all the signs of readiness to introduce complementary foods:
- doubling the weight with which the child was born;
- the ability to sit on the lap of the parents without leaning forward or sideways. This is called “sitting with support”;
- the ability to eat from a spoon without pushing it out with the tongue. By the beginning of the introduction of complementary foods, this reflex should fade away;
- the presence of an active food interest: the child watches with interest how adults eat; trying to take food from an adult's plate himself and eat it, etc.
As the first complementary foods, the baby is usually offered low-allergenic vegetable puree from squash, broccoli or cauliflower, or porridge from gluten-free cereals - rice, buckwheat or corn.
Buy or cook yourself - that is the question
A frequent subject of heated debate on forums for moms is to feed the baby with a product prepared at home, or to trust the manufacturers of baby food?
Nevertheless, it is still better to choose the second option as the first porridge, in such cereals there is everything you need for the first feeding of the baby. They are enriched with vitamins and microelements, and have a completely homogeneous consistency, which is especially important for easy absorption. In addition, baby cereals from the manufacturer undergo a thorough control of raw materials.
What are the types of baby cereals?
Of course, during the introduction of complementary foods, breast milk or infant formula remains the main food of the child. However, some children are advised to introduce additional complementary foods in the form of cereals. If you look at the assortment of cereals from any manufacturer of baby food, then your eyes will start to scatter from the variety of types and tastes, but each porridge has its own time.
- To begin with, it is advised to pay attention to mono-component low-allergenic cereals, without adding milk, sugar and salt. Among cereals for the first feeding, whole grain cereals are especially popular.
- Other types of children's cereals - multi-grain and milk - are introduced a little later, after the baby's stomach gets to know each cereal separately.
- Cups with the addition of fruit pieces are designed for older children, they help to develop the child's chewing skills and form taste habits.
In order to help mothers with the choice of which porridge to give to their baby, Heinz has developed a very convenient mobile application for first feeding. In it, you can easily make a menu for a week, all meals are scheduled by the hour, indicating the required amount of grams for each portion.
What are the benefits of whole grain cereals?
Whole grain cereals have many benefits because they use all parts of the grain, including the bran and germ, in the production process. Thanks to this, it turns out to save much more useful microelements, which are so important for the first feeding of the baby. Thus, cereals do not need additional enrichment with vitamin and mineral complexes, which can sometimes cause allergies in a child.
For example, Heinz has a whole line of whole grain cereals.
- Source of natural vitamins and minerals thanks to 100% whole grains;
- Sugar and salt free;
- Enriched with a prebiotic for healthy baby digestion;
- Does not contain palm oil.
There are currently several flavors of whole grain cereals in the HEINZ line, each of which is perfect for a first meal.
Do not be intimidated by such a crucial step as the introduction of complementary foods. Rely only on authoritative sources and recommendations in this matter and consult a pediatrician in a timely manner - and then your baby will be full, healthy and satisfied.
