How to introduce solid foods a child

What is the first solid foods, and why you need it

Lure call any food other than breast milk or formula, which is received by the infant.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the WHO sayThe World Health Organization's infant feeding recommendationUp to 6 months of the child for proper growth and development only enough milk. But over time, the child's body needs increasing. And the milk is no longer able to provide the necessary nutrients.

At first meal there is another goal: to chewing solid food helps form masticatory apparatus (it includes the jaw, teeth, gums and facial muscles) and gustatory habits.

When it's time to introduce solid foods a child

Again: pediatricians insistWhat are the recommendations for breastfeeding? exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life. Therefore, manufacturers indicating jars of baby food "4+ months," violate these guidelines. However, this is partly justified.

In fact, most children are readySolid foods: How to get your baby started start to eat solid food at the age of 4-6 months. By this time, they lose the reflex that causes

newborns Extrude foreign objects mouth language. And developing coordination which allows to move food from the front of the mouth to the back - for swallowing.

However, all children are unique. Therefore, the general exact time when to start solid foods, after all there is. To determine whether a particular ready your child to eat baby food, experts authoritative research organization Mayo Clinic recommend additional search attributes.

Complementary foods should start, if all of the following conditions:

• child is already able to hold the head in a stable upright position;
• sitting, even with support;
• infant actively drawn into the mouth hands and toys;
• shows the desire to eat something, leaning forward and opening her mouth.

Do not tighten with the first lure. Your child should start eating something hard before he turns 9 months. according to a studyDelayed introduction of lumpy foods to children during the complementary feeding period affects child's food acceptance and feeding at 7 years of ageIn children who did not receive the lumpy food to this age to 7 years there were more problems with power supply. In particular, they often refused to fruits and vegetables and do not get enough essential nutrients. As a consequence, slowed growth and development.

How to introduce solid foods

Start with a small dose of fruit or vegetable purees, consisting of a single ingredient or infant formula, breast milk diluted. Put a small amount of food on the tip of a soft plastic spoon (it is important that you do not accidentally damage the gums) and ask your child.

Do not put food in your mouth! The baby should be pulled to her own. If your child contents of the spoon is not very interesting, just let him smell the food and try again in two or three days.

If it shows a clear desire for new products, follow some important rules.

1. The first few weeks to offer products with a single ingredient

Without sugar, salt and other additives. If you want to in the future, the child loved a variety of foods, give him the opportunity to rasprobovat each new taste and texture.

2. Before offering a new product, wait 3-5 days

During this time you keep track of whether the child has an allergic reaction to the previous view of complementary foods.

Pay attention to diarrhea, Vomiting, rash. If such symptoms occurred in the use of a particular product, be sure to consult on this issue with the pediatrician.

3. Mix and match with each other only been proven ingredients

For example, if the child is 3-5 days with no problems eating applesauce and then as carrot, you can offer him an apple-carrot mixture. But the apple-peach is not worth it - up until then, until you are sure that there are no allergic reactions, particularly in the peach.

4. Be sure to enter the meat in the diet of mashed

The meat contains iron and zinc - a substance, it is necessary for the development of the child in the second half of life. If for some reason these purees are not available, choose cereal, iron-fortified.

5. At the age of 8-10 months did not offer mashed potatoes, and grinds

By this time most children are already chew and swallow small pieces of chopped soft foods: unsteadily fruits, vegetables, cheese, pasta, boiled meat thoroughly.

That you can not give the child in the process of introduction of complementary foods

Many are afraid to give their children the famous food allergens, such as peanuts, eggs, fish. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, these precautions are unnecessary. Even harmful. Early introduction of the same peanuts or eggs, on the other hand, reduces the risk of allergies to that food in the future.

There is only one caveat. If someone from the family of the child has a disease specific product should offer a caution: only at home (rather than, say, in a restaurant) and having at hand a pediatrician approved antihistamine.

However, products that are contraindicated during feeding, still exist. Here they are:

1. Juices. Their use can lead to diarrhea and weight problems. Moreover, the habit of sipping juice provokes throughout the day caries in primary teeth. Introduce such beverages pediatricians recommend no earlier than one year old child.
2. Sugar in any form. Condensed milk on the nipple, a piece of biscuit, a drink a milkshake - these treats only seem harmless. In fact, sugary foods and drinks can affect future food preferences. And in the end, "reward" child obesity and related health problems. The American Heart Association recommendsAmerican Heart Association Scientific Statement Do not add sugar to food or drinks in children during the first two years of life.
3. Cow's milk. In it a little iron. If your child will lean on cow's milk may develop a shortage of this important trace element. Put the glass on the first age after year.
4. Honey. It can contain spores that can cause the development of children botulism.
5. The product, which can be suppressed. In the first year of life did not offer pieces of meat or cheese, grapes, thermally raw fruits and vegetables unless they are cut into small pieces. Also banned neizmelchonnye nuts, seeds, popcorn, caramel. And, suddenly, marshmallows and peanut butter.

Finally not only the ban as a warning. Do not feed your child exclusively rice and cereals mixtures - must alternate them with other foods. As of this cereal product may contain arsenicArsenic in Rice and Rice Products. Risk Assessment Report - in small amounts, but still higher than in other children's cereals (yes, and there he also met). Minimize risks.