Medicine today 

How much better to start feeding the baby. Complementary feeding: how and when to start? Is the baby ready for complementary foods

The introduction of complementary foods is the beginning of a new stage in a child's life. Infant diets made from a monocomponent - milk or formula - need to be diversified. It scares any mom. Having received different information from many sources, parents still have to look for their own path - taking into account the characteristics of the child, his health, family eating habits, budget, and so on. It is important to identify the basic principles and build your complementary feeding system on their basis.

The main reasons for the introduction of complementary foods

  1. For the formation of muscle and bone tissue, children need more minerals, vitamins, trace elements and energy.
  2. Given the fact that over time, the period of breastfeeding ends, it is necessary to teach the child to eat solid food... To do this, it is necessary to train the gastrointestinal tract, develop the ability to chew and digest food.
  3. As a bonus, the child improves coordination and social skills- drink from a cup, hold a spoon.

Complementary feeding and flavor formation

Despite the fact that to us, adults, homogenized cauliflower or broccoli may seem unappetizing food, babies (though not everyone either) may find such a dish very tasty and attractive. It is worth taking advantage of this in order to develop a taste for healthy food in your child.

Nobody says that at 3 he won't be able to try chocolate eggs, and at 7 fast food. But the foundation that you lay during the complementary feeding period will be fundamental. And the longer you can stick to the framework of proper nutrition, the more mature and formed your son or daughter's habit of eating wholesome food will be.

Therefore, you should not rush to introduce sweet juices, fruit purees, cereals with sugar into the baby's diet. They are attractive and addictive when perceived as regular food with less enthusiasm.

Even if it seems to you that the child eats without pleasure or does not eat at all New Product- pumpkin or potatoes, do not refuse to introduce them. Be patient and offer periodically, add in different proportions to those vegetables or cereals that the baby already loves. The fact is that the child gets used to new tastes for some time, so you need to give him a chance to taste and love the new dish.

Signs of a child's readiness to introduce new foods

Do not think that complementary feeding should be started because the clock struck exactly 6 months from the moment the baby was born. As usual, before entering a new life stage it is necessary to weigh everything and observe the child.

Checklist "Is the baby ready for the introduction of complementary foods"

  • The child is already 6 months old.
  • He knows how to sit.
  • His weight has become 2 times more than that which was recorded at birth.
  • At the time of the start of complementary feeding, he is completely healthy.
  • His interest in food has awakened.
  • The "pushing-out-of-the-mouth-solid objects" reflex faded away.
  • The baby shows signs of hunger by latching on to the breast more often than usual
  • He knows how to turn away to refuse another spoonful of food.
  • And far from spitting the proposed carrots or green peas (this is a joke, or rather, it is a reality, but the child will develop this skill during the introduction of complementary foods).

Metabolic and physiological characteristics of the child's body that determine the timing of the introduction of new products

It is no coincidence that the beginning of the introduction of complementary foods falls on the baby's six months. There are several physiological reasons why a baby cannot start eating meat and digesting fresh vegetables from birth.

  • For example, the ability to digest and absorb nutrients from food due to its fermentation processes matures only after 3 months.
  • And the ability to swallow food in a semi-solid and solid state, without regurgitation and reflex expulsion of the tongue - after 5 months.
  • Local intestinal immunity is formed only after 4 months.
  • The increased permeability of the intestinal mucosa becomes less pronounced from 3 months of the baby.

Therefore, it is worth waiting until your baby is ripe and can start eating vegetables and cereals with pleasure and without physiological problems.

Early and late complementary foods: why not

Early:

  • provocation of allergies,
  • food intolerance,
  • dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract (abdominal pain, intestinal colic, regurgitation, vomiting and upset stools).

Late:

  • nutritional deficiency entails a lack of growth and development, both physical and mental,
  • a poor diet is the cause of rickets, anemia, malnutrition, hypovitaminosis,
  • delay in the development of new skills - chewing and swallowing.

Five commandments of the first complementary foods from Dr. Komarovsky

One of the most renowned pediatricians on post-Soviet space Dr. Evgeny Komarovsky has developed his own rules for the introduction of complementary foods:

  1. Do not rush. Optimal age beginning of complementary feeding - 6 months. In special cases, up to six months, but not earlier than 5 months.
  2. Don't use your grandmother's experience. This is true because the opinion of WHO has changed a lot since our childhood.
  3. Don't get carried away with quantity. You should always start with half a teaspoon, no matter how much you or your baby would like more.
  4. No violence. The child should be interested in food. No need to force you to eat, just postpone the introduction of this taste until another day.
  5. No variety. Each new product takes time and should be introduced gradually. It is imperative to monitor the child's reaction. It's too early to make vinaigrette in a children's plate.

Complementary feeding rules

  • Together with the introduction of complementary foods, it is worth establishing a more or less clear diet with an interval of 4 hours.
  • Snacks should be ruled out. If the child really wants to chew something, you can offer a fruit.
  • Complementary feeding starts with vegetable purees.
  • A new product is introduced only if the baby is healthy and does not have a preventive vaccination in the next 3 days.
  • Breastfeeding or formula feeding is the main meal for babies who are fed complementary foods. The tasting of each new dish ends with it.
  • At first, the consistency of the puree should be soft so that the child does not choke.
  • The next product should be introduced after you understand that the introduced product did not cause indigestion or allergies, and the baby appreciated it.
  • If the baby is not gaining weight well, then porridge is introduced first, then vegetables.
  • If there is a problem of constipation, then prune puree is tried a little earlier.
  • Controlling the baby's stools and rashes is the main task of an attentive mother for the entire period of feeding.
  • Meat broths are not good for babies, they put a heavy load on the kidneys.
  • Let's drink at the request of the child. Do not drink while feeding, only in between. If he does not want water, after 8 months, you can offer a compote without sugar.
  • Whole milk, beef, eggs, fish, chicken are introduced after a year.
  • Nuts and honey - after two years.
  • Be sure to use vegetable oils with vegetables, melted butter with porridge.
  • If rash or diarrhea develops, stop feeding and see a doctor.

When not to introduce complementary foods

Is Rejenok sick? Is he going to be vaccinated? Isn't he sitting yet? Set aside an adult meal for a while. Make sure that during this period there is stability in his life.

An approximate scheme for the introduction of complementary foods

Different doctors have different opinions on where to start introducing complementary foods. But in general, the scheme presented below is a summary in relation to modern representation about the question.

From 6-7 months it is necessary to invite the child to try vegetables and cereals.

  1. Vegetables

Sequence of introduction:

  • zucchini
  • cauliflower
  • broccoli
  • potato
  • carrot
  • pumpkin
  • green pea

Feeding time: dinner. After eating, you should give it to drink with breast milk or formula.

Volume: ½ teaspoon for the first time, for a week or two, bring to 180-200 grams.

Introduce a new taste every 3-7 days. You can mix it or give it a try separately.

Important: observe the reaction to each new product introduced.

When the baby has eaten 100 grams of puree, start adding vegetable oil- corn or olive.

  1. Porridge

If the child shows signs of hunger and eats vegetables with pleasure, then after 2-3 weeks from the start of complementary feeding, cereals can be introduced. Up to 9-10 months, they should be gluten-free:

  • buckwheat,
  • corn,
  • rice (with care, it is fraught with allergies and constipation).

After 9-10 months gluten-containing:

  • oatmeal,
  • millet,
  • wheat,
  • pearl barley.

Feeding time: breakfast.

Volume:with ½ teaspoon. Bring to 200 grams per week.

Can be cooked in water or diluted with breast milk, adding less than half a spoon butter(better than melted).

After breakfast, invite your baby to drink breast milk or formula.

Introduce new porridge no more often than once a week, make sure that the introduction of a new vegetable and new porridge- did not match. Otherwise, it will be difficult to determine the cause of the allergy or bowel problems.

If you buy porridge, preferdairy-free without added sugar... They are in the lines of such brands as "Baby Sitter", "Heinz", "Fleur Alpin", "BellLakt", "Hipp".

  1. Fruit pureeshould be made a holiday for the baby, offering after meals or between feedings as a dessert no earlier than 8-9 months.

Introduce fruits in the following sequence:

  • Apple,
  • pear,
  • banana (ripe with dots on the skin),
  • plum or prune.

If the child is allergic, it is better to try baking or steaming the fruit yourself.

Volume: From ½ teaspoon and up to 70 grams by 7 months, you can eat no more than 120 grams per day per year.

  1. Compote, cooked without added sugar, offer after 10 months.

Sequence of introduction:

  • Apple,
  • pear,
  • plum or prune.

It is better to introduce compotes after fruit puree, when the reaction to the components is known.

If the child is thirsty, offer water first.

  1. Cottage cheesestart injecting after 9 months.

Feeding time: afternoon tea.

Volume: start with ½ teaspoon, bring to 50 grams per dose. Then give it to drink with breast milk.

You can cook yourself at home. Fruit options - mix cottage cheese with mashed potatoes.

From finished products - "Agusha", "Tema", "Izbenka".

  1. WITH meatthe child meets after 9 months, withfish- after a year.

Sequence of introduction:

  • turkey, rabbit, lean pork,

after a year

  • beef, chicken,
  • cod, haddock, river bass, hake, pollock, flounder.

Feeding time: lunch with vegetable puree.

Volume: from ½ teaspoon to 30 grams per month.

Cook in the second broth.

  1. Kefiryou can start drinking from 8-9 months.

Feeding time: afternoon tea or at night.

Volume: up to 180-200 ml.

It is better to start with Agusha biokefir (with bifidobacteria). After 10 months, you can enter all drinking dairy products- yoghurts, kefirs, yogurt, etc.

  1. Biscuits- after 7-8 months of the baby.

Feeding time: afternoon tea.

Don't allow snacking on cookies.

Of the brands, you can stop at "Jubilee" or "Heinz".

Fruit and vegetable juices

Our grandmothers and mothers watered children with juice from 2 months. Some old school pediatricians continue to recommend this to their patients. But times have changed. Research on the work of the digestive tract of babies has become available. Today about the introduction of juices in children's diet there are 2 opinions.

  • On the recommendation of the Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, juices should be introduced into the children's diet no earlier than 4-5 months, starting from 5 ml.
  • Many modern Russian and foreign pediatricians advise against drinking juices as part of the first complementary feeding. Only after the introduction of all products. Otherwise, you can provoke gastrointestinal diseases, allergies, metabolic disorders. Even adults are advised to eat an apple and not drink juice, even if it is freshly squeezed.

What mom needs to know when making juice at home

If you still think that your child needs juice, then you should definitely prepare it yourself. "Box" options can be classified as fast food, not balanced baby food.

To make juice:

  • choose ripe fruits,
  • remove the skin and remove the seeds, leaving only the pulp,
  • pass through a juicer,
  • pour the juice into a clean bowl.

You can store the finished product no more than 2 hours in summer and 4 hours in winter.

Do not give children concentrated juice, be sure to dilute it with water.

Is it possible to feed a child with jelly

  • an excess of carbohydrates provokes obesity in children,
  • boiled berries are less healthy than fresh ones.

Cooking porridge yourself

Does your mom insist that you grind the cereals and feed the baby with a "clean" product? Or is this your position? Maybe you are right.

  • Buy cereals.
  • Go through carefully.
  • Rinse under running water.
  • Dry it.
  • Grind in a coffee grinder.
  • Pour into a jar with a lid and store like regular cereals

For cooking:

  • fill with water in a ratio of one to two,
  • simmer until tender,
  • cool, add oil.

Which is better: finished products or homework?/ articles / gotovye-produkty

Dairy products

There is different opinions regarding the introduction of fermented milk products. Dr. Komarovsky recommends starting with kefir. Traditional doctors advise to enter after vegetables and cereals. At about 8-9 months.

The benefits of kefir, yogurt, cottage cheese and cheese are undeniable. But it is worth considering the degree of maturity of the children's gastrointestinal tract. If kefir can be useful at 8 months, then you should wait up to a year with cheese.

Meat complementary foods

Meat is a difficult product to digest. But with iron deficiency anemia, it is it that will help the child cope with the lack of mineral in the blood. Follow your product introduction schedule and have your baby checked regularly.

Eggs

Eggs contain amino acids, are rich in phospholipids. They allow the child to develop physically and psychologically.

But they can be a source of danger and cause:

  • an allergic reaction
  • salmonellosis.

Introduce eggs into complementary foods after a year, cook thoroughly hard-boiled - everything, including quail, they can also cause infection.

Fish and seafood

Fish and seafood cause a lot of doubts among mothers and pediatricians. They are beneficial but allergenic. They must be introduced with caution after a year of the baby. Better to start with lean fish.

Cow's milk

Cow's milk is an adult food. It is not useful for children under three years old. And often such complementary foods entail a bunch of troubles, ranging from disorders to intestinal bleeding.

FAQ: Questions Concerning Mothers Newly Starting Complementary Feeding

  1. How can you teach a child to bite?

In order for a child to eat fully, he must be able to bite and chew. Homogenized food does not contribute to this, so some mothers give their children a peeled apple or a curer to develop this skill.

For many, this causes misunderstanding - how six months old child can I give a piece of solid food? What if he bites off a big bite and chokes?

To avoid similar situations, the mother needs to be close to the child and monitor his learning.

It is possible to put a hard piece in the nibbler, but the pleasure of biting can be lost.

  1. Does my child need to wash their hands before eating?

Let's not talk about hepatitis and cholera, but even an upset stomach gives little joy. Especially if you know it could have been avoided by washing your hands.

  1. How are complementary foods and dysbiosis combined?

Due to the fact that intestinal dysbiosis is not a disease, but a consequence of other diseases, it is necessary to understand what is its cause.

If, according to the results of the analysis, you have identified lactase deficiency, then your child will be recommended dairy-free complementary foods buckwheat or rice porridge... It will need to be injected slowly and monitor the reaction. If there are manifestations such as changes in stool, rashes, disorders, it is worth postponing complementary foods for 2-3 weeks.

If the doctor has determined age-related immaturity gastrointestinal tract, then do not rush to start complementary foods. Wait 2-4 weeks, so try starting with dairy-free, low-allergenic cereals and vegetable puree like cauliflower or squash.

  1. What are the principles of introducing complementary foods for atopic dermatitis?
  • Is your child on HB, IV or CB, rush to the introduction of complementary foods in case he has atopic dermatitis, it does not follow. Let the digestive system mature.
  • The beginning of complementary foods for atopics is green and white flowers(cauliflower, zucchini, broccoli), gluten-free porridge (buckwheat, rice, corn), kefir - be careful.
  • When the first foods are introduced, you can taste fruits - apples, pears, plums, and then meat (rabbit, turkey).
  • All products must be introduced very carefully, controlling the child's reaction, not neglecting the portion size. If the doctor tells you to start with half a teaspoon, do so.
  • If a reaction occurs, cancel the product and re-enter it six months later.

Refrain from the following foods:

  • cow's milk- up to 3 years old;
  • citrus fruits, red vegetables, fruits, berries, gluten-containing foods - can be given to taste at the age of 1 to 3 years;
  • chocolate, cocoa, peanuts, crabs, shrimps, crayfish, fish, pickles, marinades and spices - add gently after 3 years.

After 3-4 years, many children outgrow atopic dermatitis and can safely eat any food.

More about allergies and complementary foods here:/ articles / prikorm-pri-allergii .

  1. Is it possible to introduce complementary foods with lactase deficiency?

Lack of production of an enzyme that helps the digestion of lactose causes pain in children from the accumulation of gas in the tummy (flatulence), diarrhea, poor weight gain, and in some cases, dehydration.

For treatment, the doctor prescribes the intake of enzymes.

The rules for the introduction of complementary foods in children with lactase deficiency are the same as in healthy babies... Vegetables are introduced first - zucchini, potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, which are subsequently seasoned with vegetable oil.

If you make mashed potatoes yourself, you can be sure that the milk will not get into the dish. When buying ready-made purees, carefully study the label - there should not be declared cream, whole or powdered milk.

  1. When is the introduction of complementary foods necessary for premature babies?

Pediatricians' opinions regarding the introduction of complementary foods premature babies diverge.

  • Some believe that complementary feeding should be started from 4 months, so that the baby gains weight more actively.
  • Others prefer that the gastrointestinal tract of such children matured, so the start of complementary foods should be given at six months.

They agree that it is better to start premature low birth weight babies with cereals.

  1. What to do if complementary foods cause constipation?

After the introduction of each new product, the baby must be carefully monitored. If he is constipated:

  • the product must be canceled,
  • start doing gymnastics with the child and massage the tummy clockwise,
  • after a visit to a doctor, use safe medications.

Complementary feeding is terra incognita that you will explore with your baby. We wish you a lot of fun discoveries and few sharp pitfalls.

Complementary feeding according to Komarovsky in last years became popular topic among future and successful young mothers. Many parents listen to the advice of this doctor, even experienced moms and dads with several children. Evgeny Komarovsky's charisma and his own view of pediatrics as pediatric specialist instills confidence in parents in his recommendations.

The emergence of new products in the baby's diet is a fascinating stage in the life of young parents and a baby. But the introduction of complementary foods according to Komarovsky may differ from the recommendations of the pediatrician observing the child. It is up to the parents to decide which specialist to listen to.

Most new moms don't see significant difference between the definitions of "complementary foods" and "complementary foods", but in fact they are two completely different words.

The concept of "supplementary feeding" is applicable when the child lacks, and his deficiency is compensated either in advance, or with the milk of domestic animals (which is highly undesirable). In this case, they say that the baby is on mixed feeding.

Complementary feeding means that the child receives foodstuffs in addition to your usual diet - breast milk or formula. The purpose of complementary foods is to adapt and accustom the baby's body to "adult" food.

When to enter?

The first year of a child's development is considered the most important in pediatrics, and nutrition at this stage has great value... It is important to give the first complementary food according to the Komarovsky introduction table no earlier than the child turns 6 months old. In this case, it does not matter at all what basic nutrition the baby receives - mother's milk or adapted mixture.

Dr. Komarovsky believes that if the child's development is within the normal range up to 6 months, then he does not need any additional food products, except for breast milk and formula.

It is undesirable to introduce the first complementary foods later than this period. When new foods are introduced into the children's diet, the child receives the nutrients that are necessary for the growth and development of his body. Also, with the delayed introduction of the first solid food, skills such as chewing and fine motor skills.

Six-month-olds use chewing to prepare their gums for teething of their first teeth, and while playing with food, the child develops fine motor skills. In addition, monotonous nutrition in babies older than 6 months can lead to stunted growth.

Timely introduction of complementary foods according to the Komarovsky table strengthens the child's health, allows him to develop correctly in the psychoemotional and physical direction.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Early Complementary Feeding

Young mothers often hear from others that they can start earlier than modern pediatrics recommends. How older kid, the more often home-grown advice on feeding with yolk, porridge and other products will begin to sound.

Nowadays, if a nursing mother eats correctly and variedly, or the child receives a high-quality adapted formula as a substitute for breast milk, then there is no need to offer complementary foods until 6 months of age. Benefits from too early introduction there is no complementary food either, rather, it will harm the child.

For example, an organism can also arise. This is why the issue of introducing complementary foods should be considered in detail by parents. To get comprehensive information, they can study the Komarovsky table of complementary foods.

Introduction rules

Dr. Komarovsky advises to adhere to following recommendations when introducing complementary foods:

  1. Any product must be offered carefully and gradually. One teaspoon or sip is enough to start. new food, and then the child is supplemented with his usual diet - milk or formula. If skin and mucous membranes, stool and sleep of the baby will remain unchanged, the amount of complementary foods can be increased.
  2. If in doubt, for example, peeling spots appeared on the child's cheeks, or he woke up more often at night and slept worse, it is advisable to postpone the new product, leaving everything as it is.
  3. If painful manifestations, for example, allergic reaction organism, became obvious, it is not recommended to introduce new food until the signs of trouble disappear.
  4. You cannot introduce a new product during the period of illness, 3 days before and within 3 days after it.
  5. If the child does not like a certain product or he eats it reluctantly, you should not insist.

What products should you start with

Someone thinks that the first complementary food begins with vegetables, others are sure that it is fruit, but still others insist that for the first time the baby should be fed with porridge cooked in breast milk.

According to the rules for introducing complementary foods according to Komarovsky, it is better to start complementary foods with kefir. The specialist explains this by the fact that from birth the child's digestive system has managed to get used to dairy products, and kefir is their closest analogue.

In addition, kefir contains a lot of lactic acid bacteria that strengthen immune system and reduce the likelihood of developing intestinal infections... Kefir qualitatively reduces the load on the baby's still not strong liver and has a positive effect on the digestion processes in the body.

The scheme for introducing complementary foods according to Komarovsky recommends the introduction of a new product in the morning, gradually replacing it with the main feeding of the child. For the first time, the baby is offered quite a bit of kefir for testing - no more than 2 teaspoons. If negative reactions from the body are absent, in next days the dose of kefir can be safely increased until the child begins to eat 150 ml for a whole feeding without supplementary feeding.

5-7 days after that, a second new product is introduced into the child's diet - cottage cheese. Of course, it is introduced against the background of the relative health of the baby and the lack of side effects for new food. It is enough for a six-month-old baby to consume 30 grams of cottage cheese every day, from 9 months this figure increases to 50 grams. If in in kind The baby categorically does not like cottage cheese, Dr. Komarovsky advises adding a small amount of sugar to it.

After the child gets used to yogurt and cottage cheese, that is, fermented milk products will replace one morning feeding (usually it takes 10 days), the doctor advises introducing milk-cereal porridge (rice, oatmeal or buckwheat) into the children's diet, replacing her evening feeding.

The Komarovsky complementary feeding scheme recommends the introduction of vegetables and fruits only by the 8th month of the baby's life. In this case, you need to start with vegetable broths and only after them can you offer the baby vegetable puree or soup. After 2 weeks, you can add egg yolk and meat to the diet, according to the Komarovsky feeding table for months.

Introduction scheme

The Komarovsky complementary feeding table is as follows:

New Product 6 months 7 months 8 months 9 months 10 months 11 months 12 months
Kefir, ml 5-30 50-70 90-100 100 100 100 100
Curd, gr 5-20 20-30 40-50 50 50 50 50
Baked apple, gr 5 - 30 40-50 50 50 70 70
Vegetable puree, gr 5-70 90-100 120-150 150 180-200
Juice, ml 5-10 15-20 20-30 40-50 60-70
Dairy. porridge, gr 5-70 90-100 120-150 150 180-200
Yolk, pcs. 0,25 0,5 1 1 1
Meat puree, gr 5-30 40-50 60-70 70
Fish puree, gr 5-20 30 40
Grows up.

oil, ml

 1 3 3 3 3 3

Do you want to cook or buy?

Preparing complementary foods on their own or purchasing ready-made meals in specialized departments, a young mother must decide on her own. This is not to say which is better, for sure. Both factory-made and homemade baby food have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Pros of factory products:

  • saving time for mom;
  • the ability to take with you on a trip or for a walk;
  • comfortable consistency of the product;
  • enrichment of food with additional vitamin and mineral complexes;
  • multicomponent products, which cannot always be achieved at home.

Cons of factory-made baby food:

  • large financial costs;
  • shelf life of an open jar ready meals does not exceed 24 hours in a refrigerator, which is extremely unprofitable at the very beginning of the introduction of complementary foods;
  • an opened package of porridge can be stored for no more than 2 weeks;
  • the taste of vegetable purees is seriously inferior to homemade dishes.

Pros of DIY dishes:

  • financial savings;
  • Tastes generally better than off-the-shelf foods
  • you can adjust the consistency and taste of the dish at your own discretion.

Cons of homemade meals:

  • a lot of time is spent on the purchase and daily preparation of dishes especially for the crumbs;
  • the inability to cook the product outside the home.

When introducing complementary foods and new foods into the infant's diet, you should always adhere to the rules recommended by the pediatrician and / or Dr. children's health danger.

Any experiments with complementary foods, according to Komarovsky, should be postponed until the baby is 6-7 months old. The older the baby, the less risk dishes with unusual products pose for him.

It should be remembered that the introduction of the first complementary foods according to the Komarovsky table does not mean that you need to give up breastfeeding. Of course, new foods are necessary for the development and growth of a baby who has already reached 6 months. But mother's milk is exactly the product that a baby under one year old needs most of all. Usually, by the age of 1 year, the child finally switches to the "basic" food, but one breastfeeding should be left for at least 12 months.

Useful video about the introduction of complementary foods according to Komarovsky

The most better nutrition for a newborn, mother's breast milk is considered, however, as the baby's body grows, it requires more nutrients, so this food is no longer enough for him. The first complementary food for the child should consist of vegetables and dairy products for children, and new elements should be introduced gradually to prevent allergies.

When can I introduce complementary foods to a newborn?

According to the standards of world pediatrics, the first complementary foods should be offered to a child at the age of no earlier than six months, since until that time, breast milk or a properly selected mixture fully satisfies all the needs of a growing body. However, some babies develop faster than their peers, therefore, for a certain group of babies, the introduction of complementary foods may be shown somewhat earlier, starting from 4-5 months.

You can determine the readiness of your baby to receive adult products by the following signs:

  • the baby has learned to sit and can hold in the arms small items... These skills are essential for sitting confidently behind a Danish highchair, and developed motor skills hands will allow the child to independently hold a spoon or fork;
  • the baby knows how to refuse unsuitable objects and toys, which means that he can protest if he does not like the food;
  • the child independently shows interest in adult plates and tries to taste food from your dishes;
  • the newborn has at least doubled its weight and needs to eat much more often than before;
  • the baby literally hangs on the mother's breast, and the intervals between feedings have been reduced to 30-40 minutes.

All these indicators mean that your child can and should already introduce complementary foods. But what products, and in what volumes the baby needs, should be calculated by months, of course, you can deviate somewhat from the established norm but in general outline the recommended indicators should be adhered to.


How much should a newborn baby eat?

The amount of food eaten at a time depends on several indicators:

  • firstly, from the mass of the baby than larger child, the more food he needs, and vice versa;
  • secondly, due to the state of health of the crumbs, the sick baby is not inclined to eat a lot, so you should not captivate him;
  • thirdly, from the volume of breast milk, the more often you breastfeed the baby, the less it requires complementary foods, respectively, starting the introduction of regular food into the diet of the crumbs, you have the opportunity to gradually stop breastfeeding, cleaning up one feed after another over and over again.

On average, a baby from six months to a year should eat 1/10 of his own weight per day. For example, if a crumb weighs 7 kg, its daily share of products is about 700 grams. Considering that there are usually 4-5 meals, then the child's complementary food should be about 150 grams of food at a time. However, these are only general recommendations, if your child does not eat enough, the amount of complementary foods should be slightly increased, and on the contrary, when the baby refuses additional products, do not force him, maybe he simply does not like the food you offer - try changing the composition and increasing the one-time share gradually.


Complementary foods for newborns

As the child grows, his diet also expands, in connection with which a special schedule of complementary feeding has been developed by month:

  • 5-6 months - vegetables, cereals, a little oil (for porridge - butter, for vegetables - vegetable, olive or sunflower);
  • 6-7 months - cottage cheese, lean meat, chicken yolk, dry biscuits, fruit juice;
  • 7-8 months - lean fish, dairy products: kefir, cottage cheese, cheese mass;
  • 8-12 months - bread, pasta.

According to the traditional monthly feeding scheme, the introduction of adult foods into the infant's diet begins with vegetables. As a first introductory dish, you can offer your baby the following mashed potatoes:

  • squash;
  • carrot;
  • cauliflower puree;
  • potato - introduced along with cereals.

It is best to cook vegetable purees for a child on your own, resorting to store-bought ready meals as a last resort, for example, on the road or on a long walk. Vegetables should be boiled in boiled water, then wiped through a fine sieve or whipped with a mixer, it is not recommended to salt and sugar products, which will teach the baby to the natural taste of vegetables. A small piece of butter may be added if the baby is not allergic to milk.

The next step will be the introduction of complementary foods in the form of cereals. The fragile body of a newborn will perfectly accept such cereals as:

  • buckwheat;
  • corn.

Choose sifted and unprocessed cereals additionally, they are more useful minerals and vitamins. Instant porridges are very simple and convenient, but most of them contain gluten, which is not recommended for babies under 10 months of age. Can be used ready-made formulations from the series "Food for a child", but it is better to accustom the baby to natural ordinary cereals from the very beginning.

The first complementary food should be prepared without milk, let the porridge be in the water. The groats should be washed, poured boiled water and simmer until the liquid evaporates. Then grind with a blender and fill a little with vegetable oil, if necessary, put on water bath and steam for another 4-5 minutes. The second option for preparing baby porridge - the prepared cereal should first be ground in a coffee grinder, after which the required amount of product should be cooked in the usual way, this method does not require the final grinding of the porridge.

One month after the successful introduction, it is time for dairy products. You can offer a little gourmet:

  • curd and thick cheese mass;
  • kefir;
  • steamed cow's milk (can be used to make milk porridge).

Today there are a lot of manufacturers of children's products, you can use the products of any of them as complementary foods, just carefully study the expiration date. And if you wish, you can prepare curd for your child at home. To do this, you need to add a tablespoon to ½ liter of boiled milk fat sour cream and leave the resulting composition in a warm place to sour. The sour mass should be put on low heat and brought to a boil, immediately removed and cooled. Optionally, you can supplement the resulting curd mass with grated fruits or a small amount honey.

The introduction of meat and fish is allowed from the 7-8th month, at first these products should be offered to the child in the form of puree. Be sure to carefully cook the pieces of meat, and steam the fish in a water bath or in a double boiler. Gradually, the child's complementary food should be somewhat modified, with the appearance of the first teeth, it is already possible to give the crumbs pieces of vegetables in the form of straws or cubes, and tear the meat and fish into thin fibers. At 9 months old, try to introduce the baby to pasta, it is better to choose horns and noodles made from durum wheat, but cook them for a long time. At this age, the baby is already able to chew on its own, so there is no need to chop the products. And in general, the sooner you move from pureed food to regular food, the better for the baby, besides, chewing will help not only develop basic reflexes, but also eliminate painful sensations during teething.

Sooner or later every mother asks the question of how to introduce complementary foods to a child? Many listen to grandmothers, relying on their experience, many are looking for information on the Internet, someone trusts doctors. But the recommendations may not always be correct. Grandmothers and some doctors do not know the latest research in this area and use old schemes, and this can lead to disastrous consequences. The Internet gives a lot of results for the request "complementary foods for children of the first year of life." Many of the articles contain very strange and dangerous information. For this, this article contains all the information about the most correct introduction complementary foods. For convenience, a table of complementary foods for children under one year is provided. But before that, it is better to familiarize yourself with all the information below. It will allow you to find out when you can start introducing complementary foods to your baby, keep the baby's digestive system healthy and correctly introduce complementary foods to your baby.

When can and should we introduce complementary foods to babies?

Very often, grandmothers, recalling their long-term experience in this matter, recommend starting complementary foods early. The child is 3 months old, the first feeding from grandmothers will not take long. The main thing is not to let your grandmother do this! Previously, indeed, they could recommend such an early complementary feeding, but times are changing, and science is not standing still. According to many studies, it has been proven that the introduction of complementary foods to a breastfed baby should begin no earlier than 6 months. Toddlers on artificial feeding, can start acquaintance with new food a month earlier, can, but should not. It is perfectly acceptable to start complementary foods for them at 6 months. Why can't we introduce complementary foods earlier? Up to 6 months, complementary foods are not only unnecessary, but also harmful. A child under 6 months old does not have the necessary enzymes that could digest new types of food. It follows that even if you start giving him new food earlier, it will not be absorbed and will be useless. If the food is not digested, it puts additional stress on the baby's digestive tract. Even a couple of teaspoons can put a heavy strain on his stomach. Therefore, one should not rush to the first feeding of an infant. Up to six months, he has enough nutrients obtained with breast milk or formula. Children who eat the mixture, their enzyme systems can mature a little earlier, so it is permissible to introduce complementary foods to a child at 5 months.

The unified rule for introducing complementary foods for each type of food is that any new product is introduced from 5 grams per day. Gradually, the volume increases to 100-150 grams per day. The increase in volume should be gradual over the course of a week.

Complementary feeding table for a breastfed and artificial baby

6 months Vegetables: squash, cauliflower, broccoli, pumpkin, carrots

7 months Porridge: rice, corn, buckwheat. Dairy-free!

8 months Meat (turkey, rabbit, veal, beef, chicken, lamb), yolk, potatoes.

9 months Cottage cheese, kefir.

10 months Fruit: apple, pear, prune.

What and how is introduced as a complementary food for a child at 6 months

Complementary feeding of the child is introduced by months. Only one type of new food is introduced in one month. Vegetables are usually introduced first. The exception is children with underweight; for them, cereals are introduced first, then vegetables. Vegetable puree is served at lunchtime. Best order introduction of vegetables: squash, cauliflower, broccoli, pumpkin, carrots.

Vegetables, which are the least likely to cause an allergic reaction, are introduced first. Pumpkin and carrots are the last to be introduced, as they are often allergic to children. Carrots should not be given more than 2-3 times a week and should be given along with other vegetables. Otherwise, you may notice deposits of yellow-orange pigment on the feet and palms of the baby.

Always purée must be one-component first. You can mix different types of vegetables only when the baby tries them separately and he does not have a reaction to any of them. The new kind food is always offered to a hungry child.

If you are planning to cook vegetable purees yourself, then you should not be afraid, in fact it is very simple. Vegetables are pre-washed in running water, if necessary, peeled and seeds are removed. Chopped vegetables are placed either in a saucepan or in a double boiler. Better, of course, to steam it, this way more nutrients are stored. Finished vegetables are chopped with a blender with the addition of water or vegetable broth. The consistency should be liquid, similar to kefir. When the baby is older, you can give him a thicker puree. The prepared puree cannot be stored. Every day you need to cook fresh. Do not add salt, sugar or other spices.

Using the example of the introduction of vegetable puree, we will tell you the order of introduction by day.

1 day - 5 grams (1 teaspoon) of zucchini puree, then, when breastfeeding, supplement with breast milk, with artificial - with a mixture.

Day 2 - 10 grams of squash puree, then supplement with breast milk or formula.

Day 3 - 20 grams of squash puree, then supplement with breast milk or formula.

Day 4 - 40 grams of squash puree, then supplement with breast milk or formula.

Day 5 - 80 grams of squash puree, then supplement with breast milk or formula.

Day 6 - 120 grams of squash puree, then supplement with breast milk or formula.

Day 7 - 150 grams of squash puree, then supplement with breast milk or formula.

The next day, add 5 grams of cauliflower puree and build up the volume as you did the previous week. You can add zucchini to cauliflower if there was no reaction to it. Etc. This scheme will be applicable to other types of complementary foods, where a different scheme will not be described.

If the child does not eat the entire portion, it means that less is enough for him, there is no need to force him to finish. Remember that eating habits are formed in the first year of a child's life.

The first month of the introduction of complementary foods has passed, what to give at 7 months?

The next thing that is given to the baby is porridge. It is important that the cereals are dairy-free and gluten-free. Cow and goat milk can not be given for at least a year. They negatively affect the gastrointestinal mucosa, are not absorbed and increase the risk of gastric and intestinal bleeding. If the baby does not want to eat dairy-free porridge, then you can add some breast milk or formula to it, depending on the type of nutrition of the baby.

Up to one year, the child should receive only those cereals that do not contain gluten. Gluten can trigger the development of celiac disease, a severe pathology of the small intestine. Gluten-free cereals include rice, corn and buckwheat. This variety is quite enough for a child in the first year of life. You can cook porridge yourself, but you don't need to.

There are many baby cereals available in grocery stores. Many are afraid to buy them, but in vain. These are the same cereals, crushed in industrial conditions, boiled and dried. Therefore, all that is needed to prepare them is to add water. No chemicals for instant cooking, they are not processed.

Porridge is introduced for breakfast according to the scheme indicated in the previous block.

During the introduction of complementary foods, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the child, whether his tummy is worried, whether the nature of the stool has changed, whether there is an allergy. The reaction may not appear on the first day, but when the volume of the new product increases. Therefore, several different new products should not be given at the same time and the volume should be increased slowly!

Complementary feeding at 8 months This month is very diverse. During this period, they introduce: meat yolk potatoes Potatoes are introduced later than other vegetables, since it is considered a highly allergenic product. It is introduced starting from 5 grams, at the end of the week it is necessary to reach a volume of not 150 grams, but only 50 grams. Potatoes should not be more than a third of the total vegetable puree. The yolk can be given from quail or chicken. Quail is preferable, as it is less likely to cause allergic reactions.

The yolk is given 2 times a week. The first time a few grains are given. The second time - half a quail yolk or ¼ chicken. Next week, you can give one quail or half a chicken yolk. In this amount, continue to give 2 times a week. The yolk is given in the morning feeding. It is easier to grind it with breast milk or add to porridge.

The first types of meat puree that are given to a child are turkey and rabbit, they are considered the least allergenic types of meat. Then you can give veal, closer to 9 months - beef, chicken and lamb. It is better not to give pork until 1-1.5 years old. Meat is introduced for lunch with vegetables, weighing 5 grams. At the age of 8-9 months daily rate consumption of meat no more than 50 grams. By the year you need to give about 100 grams of meat. If the child does not want mashed potatoes in pure form, it can be mixed with vegetables.

For those who want to cook mashed potatoes themselves - a convenient way to cook

Minced meat is made without any additives, small balls are formed from it - meatballs. Boil the balls in boiling water for 4-5 minutes. Then freeze. If necessary, take them out of the freezer, steam them with vegetables. Grind with a blender with broth, like vegetables. These minced meat balls will not stick together when frozen. It is difficult and ineffective to grind with a blender not minced meat, but a piece of boiled meat, mashed potatoes are sticky, and meatballs are easily chopped.

9 months - it's time to introduce the child to fermented milk products

Cottage cheese and kefir are introduced very slowly! The slower the better. The first is cottage cheese. Naturally, it is necessary to give the wrong cottage cheese that is sold in packs, granular or with additives! For a child, you need to purchase children's cottage cheese - Agusha, Tema. It should be free of any additives, sugar or fruit! The first time, 1 teaspoon is given. Every day, 1 teaspoon more is given until the serving is 25-30 grams. For a child aged 9-10 months, this is quite enough. By one year, the portion of cottage cheese can be increased to 50 grams.

Fermented milk products are given in the evening, a couple of hours before dinner

Kefir is given for the first time in a volume of 5-10 ml. Of course, it should also be for children and without any additives, fruit fillers and sugar. The volume gradually increases to 100-150 ml. By the year you can give 200 ml of kefir. Not all children love kefir, some may refuse to drink it. This is not a reason to "introduce" the baby to sugar by adding it to kefir. It is better to offer the child kefir in a couple of weeks or in a month. It's not scary if he doesn't drink it for a while. There are children who never drink it at all, while growing and developing no worse than others.

10 months - time for desserts

At this age, you can already pamper your baby with fruit. Only in this matter should you be selective. It is recommended to give fruits that grow in our country. Save tropical fruits for later. You can serve applesauce, pear, or prune. Most children by this time already have teeth and they can gnaw pieces of fruit. The introduction of each fruit should be started with 1 teaspoon or one small piece. You can give about 100 grams of fruit per day. Fruit is given as a snack.

Many may be wondering why the fruits are so late, they are rich in vitamins? If a child is breastfed, then vitamins come along with breast milk, if not artificial, then they are included in the mixture, so the need for fruits as a source of vitamins disappears (besides, they are almost not absorbed from fruits in babies). The main thing that a baby under one year old needs to grow is proteins, fats. Fruit is a treat that contains carbohydrates and an abundance of fruit acids which strongly irritate the mucous membranes. Store-bought fruit juices are especially useless in this regard - this is essentially a squeeze of these acids, moreover, devoid of useful properties natural freshly squeezed juice. As for drinks - from 7 months you can try to give your baby herbal tea, and after the child tastes prunes, you can cook compotes from dried fruits (apples, prunes), dried apricots can be added after a year.

The child does not eat complementary foods, constipation, diarrhea, allergies - typical problems complementary feeding period

Sometimes problems arise after the introduction of complementary foods to the child, for example, constipation, diarrhea, an allergic reaction, pain in the tummy, as a result of which the child becomes restless. If any of these problems occur, it is necessary to cancel the product that caused this reaction. Re-introduction of the product is recommended not earlier than after 1-2 months with careful monitoring of the child's condition. It is being reintroduced as slowly as the first time. Another problem that moms may face is that the child does not eat complementary foods. The child himself knows very well when it is time for him to eat something, and from what he becomes uncomfortable due to the immaturity of the enzyme systems.

Therefore, in the event that the child does not want to eat complementary foods, he refuses, there is no need to force him, try to make the food tastier by adding salt and sugar there. You just need to take a break for 1-2 weeks. Then offer the baby this food again.

About canned food Moms often argue about which is better - canned food or cooked at home. They will never come to an agreement on their own, since each has a couple of weighty arguments in their pocket. Both sides are right. You can cook it yourself, and at some point it will even become necessary when the child's diet begins to expand after a year. But canned food is no worse. The main thing is to follow a number of rules when choosing it. The terms of introduction that are indicated on the banks have nothing to do with real norms... This is marketing and the fresher the product, the more better term validity must be indicated without correction. The goods must not be expired. The composition should not contain artificial additives, it is desirable that there were as few components as possible. What should not be given until a year and what they mistakenly like to feed babies Juices! Favorite recommendation of grandmothers. Juices may not be given at all and even after a year. There is no benefit from them, but there are a lot of acids that irritate the mucous membrane (see store juices are not only not useful, but also harmful). Semolina and other cereals with gluten. Fresh vegetables are bloating and difficult to digest. Sweet, including biscuits. Tropical fruits. Cow and goat milk. What a mother should remember about complementary feeding of a baby Follow these recommendations and not give the child too much, since it is very important to introduce complementary foods to a child correctly, the health of his digestive system in the future depends on it. Complementary feeding for up to a year is an introduction to new food, and not full feeding... A new product should not be given more than one per week. You cannot give several new products at once. Complementary feeding is only the necessary macro- and microelements, and not pampering or delicacy. You should not take this playfully, experimenting with products, your child's health depends on it. Salt, sugar and other spices should not be given at this age. It is to our "spoiled" taste buds, a simple zucchini on water will seem disgusting, but for a child it is not only useful, but also delicious. In addition, salt is found in all foods in the required amount, salting is an exorbitant load on the kidneys of the baby. With the introduction of complementary foods, you need to start giving the baby water if he is breastfed and has not drunk it before. If someone recommends giving new food when the baby is 3 months old, complementary foods in the form of anything, then explain that this should not be done. AND before problems there was a lot from this, only they were not diagnosed. If the child refuses to eat complementary foods, do not rush, you need to take a break for a week and try again.

After the first three to four months of the child's life, the mother thinks about introducing the first complementary foods into the baby's diet. The baby's body is developing, and at the same time its needs are growing. To satisfy them, it is necessary to supplement the menu with new, correctly selected products. How to introduce complementary foods, at what age and “how much to weigh in grams” - you will learn in our article.

Complementary feeding: first steps

Most pediatricians recommend starting complementary foods between 4 and 6 months of age. WHO does not give an exact formulation of the onset of this moment - in their recommendations there is a vague "at the age of a child about six months." It is worth noting that it is not necessary to introduce the first complementary foods, going beyond the allowable time. Too early introduction of complementary foods (as well as too late) can provoke the development of diseases in the baby.

Consequences of early introduction of complementary foods (up to 4-4.5 months):

  • Stool disorders- a child who received complementary foods early is 90% likely to experience problems with stool (constipation, diarrhea).
  • Allergic reaction- the digestive tract of the crumbs is too immature for complementary foods.
  • Delayed development and growth- complementary foods too early can cause intestinal damage, food will no longer be properly absorbed, which will cause a lot of problems in the physical development of a four-month-old baby.

Consequences of late introduction of complementary foods (after 6.5-7 months):

  • Delay in the formation of the chewing apparatus- At 5-6 months for the development of masticatory muscles, additional food is required in addition to breast milk / formula. Thicker, it stimulates the active development of the masticatory apparatus, which later in life is important for the correct articulation and speech of the baby;
  • Growth retardation- there is not enough iron and protein in breast milk for a five-month-old baby. Their deficiency inhibits the physical development of a five-month-old baby, perhaps even the development of anemia;
  • Celiac disease- the medical term for plant protein intolerance. Celiac disease can occur with late feeding, it is especially pronounced when a variety of cereals are introduced into the diet;
  • Stool disorders- the intestines of a six-month-old baby need dietary fiber for active work which are not found in milk and mixture. Without fiber at this age, the baby will be prone to persistent constipation.

When introducing new food into the baby's menu, it is imperative to take into account medical advice... A specific dates, products and methods through the first trials will be determined by none other than your own baby.

Important! Complementary feeding in no way replaces the child's use of breast milk (or formula), and does not replace it. Even if complementary foods were introduced early, a nursing mother, if desired, can continue to breastfeed her baby not only up to a year, but also up to 2, 3 or more years.

Is your baby ready for complementary foods?

Complete readiness for complementary foods occurs when the child:

  • doubled his weight, which was at birth or weighs more than 6 kg (for premature babies, the indicator should be 2.5 times higher than his “newborn” weight);
  • no longer reflexively spits out thick food (mashed potatoes) from the mouth;
  • when hungry, at the sight of food, he becomes agitated, and squeezes his lips when he does not want to eat;
  • being able to recline to sit on the lap of an adult and may turn away from the spoon;
  • shows an active food interest - he looks at what adults eat, seeks to taste food from his mother's plate, willingly “licks” the food offered to him in his mouth.

Note! Teething of the first milk teeth and the ability to sit independently are not signs of a child's readiness to master the first complementary foods.

Introduction to breastfeeding and bottle feeding

It would seem that it only got better breast-feeding after difficult first months of life or was picked up the best option artificial nutrition, as it is time for complementary foods.

Why is the introduction of new, thicker food for the baby so important?

  • The chewing apparatus and the digestive system are developing.
  • Complementary food is an additional source of nutrients (protein, zinc, iron, dietary fiber and others, which cannot be found in the required amount in breast milk and adapted formula).
  • More solid food stimulates motor activity intestines.
  • With the introduction of complementary foods, the child gets acquainted with new tastes.
  • The kid gradually learns to eat on his own.

All of the above needs are individual for each child and are recognized to satisfy complementary foods.

Breastfeeding complementary foods

Mother's milk is the best food for babies in the first months of life. World organization Healthcare recommends starting complementary feeding for babies feeding on breast milk no earlier than 180 days after birth, which corresponds to 6 months of life. For a six-month-old baby, breast milk alone is no longer enough for proper and successful development. Additional food in the form of new food is required for the correct formation of all vital systems of his body: nervous, renal, muscular, etc.

Complementary feeding on artificial feeding

A child who has been using an adapted milk formula from birth can enter complementary foods earlier - already at 4-4.5 months of age. In infants on IV, the digestive system matures enough by this age, intestinal immunity is actively formed. The increased permeability of the mucous membrane of the intestinal walls is normalized. Digestive system generally becomes optimal for eating and digesting thicker foods. A child on a mixture must be introduced to complementary foods no later than 4.5 months. Later complementary foods can create a deficiency of vitamins and microelements in the body, which will lead to the occurrence of various pathologies.

Mixed feeding

With mixed feeding, when both breast milk and formula are in the baby's diet, complementary foods can be started at an average of 5 months. Mixed-fed babies receive less breast milk, replenishing its lack of milk formula, and begin to need nutrients earlier than "naturalists" correct development and growth. Complementary feeding in this case becomes an important supplier of nutrients.

Five Steps to a Successful Complementary Feeding Start

The correct approach to introducing complementary foods is already half the battle. Here are some tips for parents who are going to introduce their child to "real adult food."

  1. New foods can only be introduced when the baby is completely healthy. During illness, the child should not be given any food that has not been tasted before. Nevertheless, the foods already introduced into the diet should be continued to be given.
  2. Do not enter several at once different types food - otherwise it will be impossible to identify the exact cause of the allergy or stool disorder.
  3. It is absolutely not worth rushing a child during a meal. The kid should eat at the speed with which he is comfortable doing it.
  4. Offer complementary foods when your baby is hungry. If the baby tries to play with food, or in every possible way avoids the spoon and pushes it away, then complete the feeding. The child will definitely make up for lost time next time.
  5. It happens that the kid categorically does not want to try a new product. Don't be upset - you can invite him to try this food again after a few days.

On a note! Do not turn the feeding process into a game - dancing, singing songs and asking to “eat a spoon for mommy” is not at all necessary. Force-feeding is also not worth it, respect your baby. When he gets hungry, then your planned meal will certainly take place.

What products form the first complementary foods?

Meat

This is the main source of animal proteins, which must be present in the menu of a child six months and older. Easily digestible puree is made from rabbit meat, lean beef, you can also use lean pork. Meat is a fibrous product, so for babies it needs to be chopped to the maximum with a blender. If this is not possible, it is better to start. meat feed with canned baby food that does not contain salt, starch and spices.

A fish

Fish puree is one of the dishes for the prevention of rickets in infants. This food is a special need for babies with a deficiency of vitamin D. For babies under one year old, it is best to try dishes from ocean fish: hake, cod, pollock or salmon. Also river pike perch and trout are perfect for feeding. Fish is almost completely digestible, and, among other things, is rich in potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron, which is important for a growing body.

Bird

According to pediatricians, turkey is best for babies for baby food, and you can't argue with that - it is easily absorbed by the body. Moreover, boiled turkey puree is considered one of the hypoallergenic dishes, and turkey meat is rich in iron, and babies with this product will never have anemia on the menu. But the chicken itself can cause diathesis, so it is better to introduce the chicken into the diet closer to the year.

Vegetables

Rich useful substances, vegetables will give the baby energy and support the immune system. Cauliflower and potatoes are rich in vitamin C, carrots and pumpkin are responsible for vitamin A, zucchini are a storehouse of phosphorus and magnesium. Well, what about without broccoli, because this is the optimal source of beta-carotene. Cooked in a double boiler, they will retain all their useful qualities and become excellent basis diet of "matured" babies.

Fruits and berries

It is better to look for vitamins and fiber for the first acquaintance in domestic fruits with a dense skin. Green apples and ripe pears - perfect choice... Also, the baby will benefit from mashed potatoes made from raspberries, currants and strawberries - only for them you need to wait 6-8 months for the baby.

Rules for the introduction of complementary foods by month - what, when and how much

For healthy child the first complementary food can be a one-component puree from vegetables, porridge, and after a while, fruit juice. For children prone to diarrhea, it is best to offer a gluten-free porridge first. For constipation - vegetable puree. If you are going to use canned food, read the label carefully - it indicates the age recommended for a baby to get acquainted with this product.

An approximate scheme for the introduction of complementary foods for a child looks like this:

  • 4-5 months- one-component fruit purees / juices (from apples, pears, apricots, then plums and peaches), vegetable purees (mainly from zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli and carrots), as well as gluten-free porridge (rice and buckwheat);
  • 5-6 months- multicomponent fruit purees / juices (pear + peach, apple + apricot, etc.), children's drinks with the addition of berries (currants, lingonberries, cranberries, raspberries with a content of up to 20%), vegetable puree (pumpkin and small amounts of white cabbage); gluten-free cornmeal porridge and gluten-free oatmeal; drop by drop in mashed potatoes - vegetable oil, 1/2 tsp. butter;
  • 6-7 months- cottage cheese, egg or quail yolk appear in the diet, necessarily - meat (rabbit, turkey, then chicken, beef and pork), gluten-containing cereals, it is also allowed to give bananas, children's instant biscuits, white bread croutons from six months;
  • 7-8 months- in addition to the use of the above products, soft wheat bread is introduced, mashed green peas can be given;
  • 8-9 months- there is an acquaintance with children's yogurt, fish is added to the menu (oceanic - hake, cod, flounder or river - carp, pike perch, silver carp), meat purees with offal (mainly liver, tongue), spinach, parsley and onions are added to vegetable purees;
  • 10 months and older - the diet is supplemented with pasta from soft wheat varieties, it is also allowed to add the first spices to the dishes by a pinch: white pepper, basil, coriander.

For convenience, below is a table for introducing complementary foods, which will tell you when a child can be introduced to a new product and how much to start giving it to a baby.

Child's age

Description of complementary foods
What can be entered in the menu (new products)Recommended size (daily rate)Cooking methods
4-5 months
  • Vegetable puree (squash, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots).
  • Gluten-free porridge (buckwheat, rice).
  • Fruit juices and purees from one component (apple, pear, prune-based drink).
  • Granulated teas for children (with herbal and / or fruit extracts).
  • We try fruit purees with 1/2 teaspoon, gradually bringing to 40 g by 5 months.
  • We try vegetables with 1 teaspoon, by six months we bring to 120 g.
  • We give porridge from 1 teaspoon, by six months we bring the portion to 150 g.
  • We taste the teas with 20 ml, gradually bring to 100 ml.
  • Homemade puree: steamed boiled vegetables and mashed through a fine sieve without salt with 1-2 drops of vegetable oil.
5-6 months
  • Gluten-free porridge (corn) and gluten-free (wheat, oat).
  • Multi-component fruit juices and purees (apple + peach, apple + pear, apricot).
  • Vegetable purees (beets, pumpkin, potatoes).
  • Cottage cheese.
  • We give cottage cheese from 0.5 teaspoon, gradually bring to 40 g.
  • We begin to taste multi-component fruit purees with 1 tsp, bringing to a serving of 50 g.
  • We give vegetable purees 100-120 g per intake.
  • A portion of porridge - 150 g.
  • Special curd for baby food
  • Jars industrial production
  • Commercial porridge or boiled in water with the addition of breast milk
6-7 months
  • Mixed cereal porridge (3 or more).
  • Meat (chicken, rabbit, turkey, pork, beef).
  • Fruits and berries (bananas, mangoes, melons, strawberries).
  • Vegetables (tomatoes, caraway seeds, dill).
  • Egg yolk.
  • We give the yolk "crumbs", starting from 1/8 part and bringing to 1/4 part.
  • We give mashed potatoes from 1 teaspoon, gradually bringing the portion to 20 g.
  • Vegetable purees - 150 g each, fruit purees - 60-70 g each.
  • A portion of porridge at the reception - 150 g.
  • Boiled and shredded egg yolk(cook in boiling water for at least 15 minutes)
  • Boiled and mashed to a homogeneous state meat or jars of industrial production
  • Special kids instant biscuits
  • Dried fresh bread
7-8 months
  • Bread.
  • New fruits (exotic fruits: pineapple, papaya).
  • Vegetables (green peas).
  • Fruit purees and juices - 70 g (ml).
  • Cottage cheese - 40 g.
  • Egg yolk per serving - 1/2 part.
  • Meat puree - 40 g.
  • Crackers (biscuits) - no more than 5 g.
  • Fresh fruit, chopped with a blender or rubbed through a fine sieve
  • Premium flour bread
8-9 months
  • Meat dishes with the addition of offal (liver, heart, tongue).
  • Low-fat fish fillet (hake, cod, haddock, flounder).
  • Children's kefir and yogurt.
  • Vegetable purees with meat (green beans, celery).
  • We give yogurt or kefir 150 ml per day.
  • Meat purees - up to 50 g per day.
  • Fish from 1 teaspoon, bring to a serving size of 40 g / day.
  • Vegetable puree and porridge - 180 g.
  • The rate of yolk, cottage cheese, fruit purees remains the same.
  • Fermented milk products for baby food
  • Industrial jars
  • Steamed and thoroughly mashed fish
  • Homemade puree
9-12 months
  • Baby cereals with honey filling, muesli.
  • Dairy products (curdled milk, bifidoc, acidophilus, sour cream, cheese).
  • Chicken egg (including protein).
  • The first sweets (marshmallow, marshmallow).
  • Milk porridge - 200 g.
  • Vegetable purees - 180 g.
  • Fruit puree, juices - 100 ml.
  • Cottage cheese - 50 g.
  • Meat - 70 g.
  • Fish - up to 60 g.
  • Wheat bread - 10 g.
  • Kefir, yogurt - up to 300 ml.
  • Steaming vegetables
  • Baking
  • Boiling in water
  • The degree of grinding of the products can be varied

On a note! Complementary feeding is always individual. The sequence of the introduction of products by parents can vary depending on the tastes of their particular baby. The main thing is that by the age of 12 months, the child has time to get acquainted with two types of cereals, try at least 2-3 types of vegetables and fruits, a couple of types of meat, as well as fish, cottage cheese and egg yolk.

First complementary foods and baby's health - nutritional features

There are times when complementary foods are introduced not according to a general, but according to a special scheme. It is important to know for mothers whose crumbs have health problems. Let's note some common situations faced by young parents and their babies.

Digestive problems

If a child often has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, then porridge will be a suitable food as a complementary food for him. With a tendency to constipation, the first complementary foods should be from plant foods (vegetable puree). For infants older than 7.5 months, it is beneficial to give dairy products for children with pro- and prebiotics. They are the best way to restore intestinal function and create ideal conditions for the development of beneficial intestinal bacteria.

Underweight

Small babies need to be careful when replenishing their diet with new products. Breast milk / formula should provide satiety for crumbs that are lagging behind in weight. The first complementary food for an underweight baby should be porridge - choose a product additionally enriched with calcium, iron and zinc.

Allergy tendency

Allergic babies should get acquainted with complementary foods a little later than the rest - at about 5-6 months. Dairy-free porridge is a great start to feeding and should be gluten-free. You should also pay attention to hypoallergenic products of industrial production, they have the appropriate inscriptions on the labels.

Parents of healthy children should also be careful and not rush to master the entire range of complementary foods with an infant. Introduce the baby to 1-2 types of new food and let the crumbs' body get used to them for at least a week. Boiled food is easier to tolerate, even fruit is recommended to be boiled or baked (for example, a baked pear or apple is well absorbed).

Advice! Offer the next product only in the morning or before lunch: this way you can assess the body's response during the day and do correct conclusion with regard to a specific ingredient.

First feeding menu: how to introduce the next product

At the beginning of this part, we want to demonstrate a video of preparing complementary foods from a piggy bank of recipes for a young mother:

Any new food, whether it be porridge or mashed potatoes, regardless of the composition, is offered to the child according to the following scheme: it starts with 1/2 teaspoon and in 7 days bring the portion to its full volume. The amount of complementary foods depends on the age of the baby and his state of health, so more specific numbers can only be called by the pediatrician observing the baby. We can only name the generally accepted norms:

- Vegetable purees - 100 g / day;

- Fruit purees - 50 g / day;

- Porridge - up to 150 g / day;

- Meat - up to 50 g / day.

Then the new product is given a couple of more days, for "fixing" the body, and they begin to introduce the next one.

We offer you, as an example of a menu, how a new product is introduced into the diet - broccoli, while the baby is already eating mashed zucchini in an amount of 100 g / day.

Day 1: 1/2 tsp broccoli puree, the rest is zucchini.

Day 2: 2-3 tsp broccoli puree, the rest is zucchini.

Day 3: 5-6 tsp broccoli puree, the rest is zucchini.

Day 4: about 40-50 g broccoli (half a jar) and the same amount of zucchini.

Day 5: almost the entire jar of broccoli puree (about 80-100g).

Day 6-7: full jar of broccoli (100g)

On the following days, mashed potatoes can be alternated: today - broccoli, tomorrow - zucchini, or you can give both mashed potatoes, 50 g each. You can also mix mashed potatoes as an option, the main thing is that the proposed amount of vegetables to the child does not exceed the recommended daily allowance.

Canned food: what is important to pay attention to

When preparing the first complementary food for a baby, mothers often ask themselves the question: to cook or to buy?

It is worth noting that both baby food and homemade food there are disadvantages and advantages.

  • Canned purees can be safely called a “safety guarantee” - they are properly crushed, have undergone the necessary heat treatment and contain all the declared vitamins and microelements.
  • Homemade food, first of all, costs parents much cheaper than canned food. Self-made mashed potatoes have a unique taste, and mom knows exactly what quality product she took as a basis.

What should you pay attention to when choosing a “canned” product?

Puree composition... The ideal puree for complementary foods should include only natural (and understandable to you) products. That is, vegetables, fruits, meat, cereals and water. The presence of vegetable oil in the composition is allowed.

Child's age... On the jars you can find the inscriptions “6 months +” or “from 8 months”. This means giving this product a child can only be from a designated age, and not earlier. Keep in mind that manufacturers write on the packaging minimum age which may not match what is recommended by the pediatrician. Be sure to consult with your doctor indicating the specific brand of the product.

Grinding degree... There are two types of puree for babies: homogenized and puree. In the first, all the ingredients are crushed as much as possible, pieces no more than 0.3 mm. In a puree product, they are the same - 1.5-3 mm. If the word “with pieces” is written on the package, then mashed potatoes are already for babies who can chew such food (over 10-11 months).

A small summary in the form short video for young mothers. Everything you need to know about complementary foods: