When the season of berries and fruits begins, all parents think about their usefulness for the child's body. Cherry is one of the first to ripen, but is it possible to treat it to the fruits of a young child and what nuances should be taken into account?
Benefit
- The fruits are a good source of dietary fiber, sugar, and organic acids.
- Rich in vitamins C, PP, E, B1 and B2, as well as carotene.
- The mineral composition contains a lot of potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus and magnesium.
- She has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system and the ability to remove harmful compounds from the body (in particular, uric acid).
Minuses
- It has a bright color, which indicates that an allergic reaction is possible. It usually manifests itself as reddening of the skin on the face and body or the appearance of a small rash.
- If a child eats unwashed cherries or accidentally tastes a chemically treated berry, he will be poisoned.
- Able to worsen the condition of a child with hyperacid gastritis, problems with stools, intestinal obstruction or peptic ulcer disease.
- Excessive consumption is manifested by flatulence and diarrhea.
At what age can you introduce into complementary foods?
Most doctors recommend giving fresh cherries no earlier than 18 months. and if the child is prone to allergies, it is advised to postpone the acquaintance until the age of three.
How to give?
Most often, sweet cherries are consumed fresh. The berries are washed, pitted and offered to the child. For the first test, scald it with boiling water and remove the skin. Cherry halves can be mixed with yogurt or curd.
Children over 2 years old can be given it in the form of compote, pies, muffins, jam. It will be a great filling for dumplings or a delicious cocktail ingredient.
How to enter into the diet?
The first portion for a child should be one berry or even half of it. Give the new product to the crumbs during breakfast and by the end of the day observe the baby's skin and stools.
If no negative changes have appeared, gradually increase the amount of cherries consumed at a time to 40-50 g per day.
From the age of three, a child can eat up to 100-150 g per day.
Tips for choosing
To feed a child, you should choose fruits with a uniform color and a glossy smooth surface. Buy cherries with stalks and be sure to break a few pieces to check for larvae inside.
Remember that unwashed cherries can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, and after contact with water, it is advisable to eat the berries within 2-3 hours.
What happens if a child swallows a bone?
Children over 1.5 years old are advised to give a product with bones, so that the baby learns to remove it on his own. At the same time, mom should be there and help peel the berry.
If the crumb accidentally swallows one bone, no health problems will arise. She will freely come out with feces without causing discomfort to the baby.
However, caution is advised, as swallowing large quantities of the seeds can cause constipation or obstruction.
What to do if you have an allergy?
If the baby is prone to allergies, start acquaintance with cherries with white varieties and only after normal tolerance try the red berry. If you experience a rash, skin redness, or other allergy symptoms, stop the new product and see your doctor. Re-try half the berry only after 1-2 months, or postpone the introduction of crumbs into the diet until 3 years and later.
Find out if your child's weight is normal using the following calculator.
