Mothers of 3-4 month old babies often wonder if it’s time to think about introducing complementary foods? The time the baby is ready to meet new food is determined individually. It depends on development, type of feeding, health status, tendency to allergies, and rate of weight gain.

After the baby is four months old, mothers begin to think about introducing complementary foods

You should not delay the introduction of complementary foods and offer age-inappropriate products. After this, digestive problems and allergic reactions are possible, which will ultimately delay the introduction of complementary foods. Some doctors insist on adding apple juice and cereal to the diet from 3-4 months. Others, on the contrary, recommend waiting until the first teeth appear. It is important for the mother of a baby to listen to their opinion, but to trust only her intuition and conclusions from observations of the child.

Criteria for a baby's readiness for complementary feeding

Five-month-old babies actively explore the world and show interest in everything that is on the kitchen table. If one of the parents holds a child in his arms in the kitchen, he is interested in everything - napkins, spoons, food. This is a healthy interest in the world around us, but it should not be taken as a signal to introduce complementary foods. The readiness of a breastfeeding child for new food is indicated by:

• weight gain is 2 times what it was at birth (3 times in premature babies);
• the baby does not get enough breast milk (more details in the article:);
• appearance of the first teeth;
• the child takes food from the table, puts it in his mouth, tastes it;
• fading of the tongue thrust reflex - the child can chew with his gums without experiencing a gag reflex and without pushing food back;
• the child can show with a gesture which piece she wants to try;
• After the baby has tried adult food, he does not experience constipation or indigestion.

The eruption of the first teeth is an indication of readiness for complementary feeding

When should you delay introducing complementary foods?

Some breastfed babies are not ready to introduce complementary foods at 6 months of age (we recommend reading:). This is due to the characteristics of weight gain, development, and the readiness of the gastrointestinal tract to absorb new foods. You should not rush into complementary feeding in the following situations:

• the child was born by Caesarean;
• the baby is often sick;
• vaccination period;
• allergic manifestations;
• pathologies in the development of the central nervous system;
• low weight gain;
• hot summer weather, the period of flowering of allergenic herbs.

You should also not rush with complementary feeding during the period of acclimatization at your new place of residence. There is nothing wrong with falling behind the schedule and behind your peers. The child will make up for everything in due time. It is important for mommy to continue to feed him breast milk while monitoring his growth and weight.

During the vaccination period, it is better to refrain from additional stress in the form of new food.

At what age should a baby be fed?

To date, uniform rules developed by WHO are in force. They indicate that a child on breastfeeding does not need additional drinking or complementary feeding in the first 6 months. Until six months, it is not recommended to offer the baby anything other than breast milk. In some cases, babies start feeding at 7-8 months or later. Mixed and bottle-fed babies can be introduced to new tastes at 4-5 months.

Modern complementary feeding schemes

Experts have developed two schemes for feeding infants: pediatric (traditional) and pedagogical. The first involves the gradual introduction of certain products. Initially, they are offered in small quantities, bringing them to the age norm within a week. This method helps to gradually displace breast milk from the diet and prepare for the transition to a common diet.

Pedagogical complementary feeding involves receiving complementary foods in small portions from the parent's plate. At the same time, the child gets acquainted with food products that are loved in the family. However, by the age of one year the main food remains formula or breast milk. Most mothers who want to quickly transition their children to adult food and are interested in the age at which this can be done choose pediatric complementary feeding.

Pedagogical complementary feeding allows the child to try dishes from the parent’s table

Feeding schedule

Which product is best suited for feeding an infant? Previously, pediatricians recommended fruit juices to mothers. However, modern research has shown that these drinks are hard on the gastrointestinal tract of infants. Doctors recommend the following safe and nutritious complementary feeding options:

• Gluten-free porridge made from buckwheat and rice. The grain is ground into flour and a thin porridge is boiled, or ready-made baby food is used, which must be diluted with water (a portion of baby milk). Children who are not gaining weight well begin to be fed with cereals.
• Vegetable purees. Ideal vegetables for first feeding are hypoallergenic zucchini, potatoes, and cauliflower. The puree should be prepared without salt or other flavoring additives. This is the best option for initial complementary feeding for babies who are gaining weight normally.
• Dairy products. According to Dr. Komarovsky, baby kefir and cottage cheese are the most correct option for first complementary foods, since their composition is very similar to mother’s milk. The digestive system of infants accepts fermented milk products well. They should be used to start complementary feeding for premature babies, allergy sufferers and children suffering from dysbacteriosis.

Fermented milk products can be an excellent complementary feeding option

Table for introducing complementary foods during breastfeeding

It’s worth introducing your baby to new foods in the morning so that you can monitor his reaction to the dish throughout the day. The first portions should not be more than a teaspoon. Perhaps the baby will like the dish and will express a desire to try more, but you should not offer more than what is required. If the introduction of complementary foods is successful, the volume of the dish is gradually increased, replacing one of the feedings with it. The table diagram shows the types of products and the timing of their introduction into the diet of a breast-fed baby:

Baby's age	Consistency of the dish	Allowed complementary feeding products	Feeding features
6 months	Liquid or sour cream consistency.	Zucchini, cauliflower, potatoes grown in the region of residence. It is offered as a mono puree without salt, and later two types of vegetables are mixed.	They suggest 2-3 grams per day, increasing to two tablespoons over the course of a week. Carefully monitor the functioning of the digestive system.
7 months		Gluten-free unsalted porridges made from buckwheat, rice, and corn flour. They are prepared with water, vegetable broth, breast milk or an adapted mixture. If the baby is not gaining weight well, porridge is introduced into the diet before vegetables.	They offer a teaspoon 1-2 times a day, bringing the portion within a week to 3 tablespoons, and by a year – 150 ml.
8 months (more details in the article:)	Puree-like consistency (foods mashed or processed in a blender).	Lean meat: veal, pork, chicken, rabbit. The meat is boiled and ground through a blender or meat grinder. Fermented milk products intended for baby food are also gradually being introduced.	Chicken yolk (quarter) is mixed into prepared dishes 1-2 times a week, doubled by the age of one year (fed in half). The meat is prepared in the form of puree, offered with a side dish of ½ teaspoon, bringing it up to 30-50 grams in a week. Yogurt and cottage cheese are introduced carefully; by the age of one year, the baby should receive 100 g of cottage cheese or 150 grams of kefir per day.
9-11 months	Puree-like consistency (foods mashed or processed in a blender).	Fish: hake, flounder, trout, hake, cod. Chicken yolk. Oatmeal, bread, crackers.	The fish is introduced at 5 grams, gradually increasing to 100 grams. Meatballs are prepared from it, which serve as a good addition to a vegetable or grain side dish.
12 months	Chopped food without salt and sugar.	Fruit and vegetable juices made from green apples, peaches, plums, apricots. Initially single-component, then mixed (apple-carrot, apple-apricot and others).	Initially they suggest ½ tsp. juice The portion gradually increases and by the year it is about 100 grams.

What are the rules for offering complementary foods?

It is important to offer your child only freshly prepared dishes, serving them in a beautiful bowl or saucer. You should not feed your child from your own plate or spoon - the devices may contain bacteria that are dangerous to the digestive tract and oral cavity. The following rules will help you avoid problems with the absorption of foods:

• Fresh organic products and young vegetables are selected for complementary feeding;
• a new dish is offered during breakfast or lunch before breastfeeding;
• products are administered one at a time, in small doses, monitoring the baby’s reaction for 12 hours;
• if there is a negative reaction, the dish is canceled;
• gradually the volume is brought to the age level;
• If your baby likes “adult” food, you shouldn’t stop breastfeeding.

After the baby tastes the porridge, add butter (about 3 grams) to it. Mushrooms, exotic fruits, honey, tea, and nuts should not be offered until the child is one year old.

A food diary, which is recommended to be kept during the first three years of life, will allow you to track the time, volume and quantity of complementary foods. It is worth recording how much, when and what foods the baby ate, and also recording after which a negative reaction was noted.

Exotic and allergenic fruits are best introduced after 1 year

Porridge introduction plan at 6-7 months

At 6 months, the baby is offered vegetables or cereals before breastfeeding, gradually replacing one feeding with the dish. Any dish should be offered from a spoon; the use of bottles and nipples is unacceptable, no matter how convenient it may be for the mother. If the baby is not gaining weight well, porridge is given from 5-6 months, adhering to the following scheme:

• They offer porridge every day for breakfast, without salt or sugar. At first, the consistency of the dish should resemble breast milk, gradually making it thicker.
• The first week - buckwheat porridge with the consistency of cream is offered for testing in the morning in a volume of 1 teaspoon. If no negative reaction is noted, 2-3 teaspoons are offered on the second day. On the 4th day, the consistency is made thicker (like sour cream), the baby can already eat 5 teaspoons. By the end, the portion of creamy porridge should be 100 g per day.
• Second week - they give rice porridge according to the same system as buckwheat, or alternate buckwheat and rice, bringing the amount of rice to 100 grams per day.
• Third week - porridge made from corn flour is introduced. The complementary feeding schedule is the same as for rice and buckwheat.
• Fourth week - oatmeal is introduced, monitoring the baby’s reaction. The dish contains gluten (vegetable protein that not all children digest).
• Subsequent weeks. A porridge dish gradually replaces one milk feeding.

Over time, complementary feeding with porridge replaces full feeding

Plan for introducing vegetables at 6-7 months

Similar to porridges, a plan for introducing vegetables is prescribed, thoroughly boiling them and preparing a monopuree. It’s better to start with young zucchini or potatoes. Vegetables containing carotene (pumpkin, carrots) are offered after 8 months. When introducing vegetable complementary foods, you should adhere to the following scheme:

• The first week is the introduction of zucchini puree into the diet. The vegetable is boiled and chopped using a blender (fork, sieve). The first day give ½ tsp. puree. On the second day, you are allowed to add a drop of vegetable oil and offer 2-3 tsp. before breastfeeding. During the week, the volume of complementary foods should be brought to 60 grams.
• Second week – add boiled cauliflower. At first they give only 1 tsp. cauliflower puree and 6 tsp. zucchini puree, monitor the baby’s reaction. This portion can replace lunch, but the baby should be supplemented with milk. On the second day, the volume of cauliflower is increased to 2-3 tsp. and supplement with 5 tsp. zucchini puree. By the end of the week, the cauliflower puree replaces the squash.
• Third week - introduction of potatoes. First, they offer the baby 1 tsp for lunch. mashed potatoes and 6 tsp. zucchini. On the second day - 2 tsp. potatoes and 4 tsp. cauliflower. By the end of the week, the serving of potatoes should be 7 tbsp.
• Fourth week - alternate vegetables, try introducing boiled carrots. It is offered from ½ teaspoon, increasing to 2-3 tsp. in a day. It is not necessary to replace all complementary foods with one carrot puree. It is not advisable to change the order of introducing zucchini, potatoes, and cauliflower, but it is possible.

Carrot puree is given in the fourth week of complementary feeding

Is it possible for a baby to have semolina porridge as a first complementary food?

When a baby's weight gain is low, Soviet pediatricians often recommended that mothers of infants start complementary feeding with liquid semolina porridge. Disciplined parents gave semolina to newborns from almost two months. What do modern doctors say about this? Gastroenterologists believe that it is undesirable to try semolina before one year of age, since the gastrointestinal tract and enzymatic system of infants are not ready to digest it. The exception is children who are underweight (they are allowed to try semolina from the 9th month).

The baby needs semolina porridge, but it interferes with the absorption of calcium, which is necessary for the formation of bones, teeth, and muscle mass. Its presence in the children's menu should not be more often than once every 10 days until the age of 3. Since cow's and goat's milk are not recommended for children under 2.5 years of age, the porridge recipe should be based on an adapted mixture or water. At 1.2-1.5 years old, you can use baby milk diluted 1 to 1 with water.

Baby refuses to try complementary foods: what to do?

It happens that a child categorically refuses to try complementary foods from a spoon and spits out the food. Sometimes he even vomits, which causes serious concern for his mother. Experts advise not to be afraid of gag reflexes. They have a functional origin and usually occur when the period of breastfeeding is prolonged.

• complementary foods should be offered after an active walk, when the child is hungry;
• take into account taste preferences: some children like light mashed potatoes, others eat yoghurt and buckwheat porridge with great pleasure;
• if the new dish is not to your liking, the child is fed his favorite food, and the “rejected” product is returned after a few days;
• You can feed your baby at a common table, demonstrating how the whole family eats with pleasure.

It happens that a baby refuses complementary feeding when he is teething and his tummy hurts. Children lose their appetite after contracting a viral infection. Its symptoms (cough, runny nose, fever) appear later, and the first alarm bell is a lack of appetite. Mommy should be attentive to any situation when the baby does not want to try complementary foods. Patience and care will help you overcome all difficulties and introduce healthy foods into your baby’s diet by the age of one year.

The question of how to introduce the first complementary foods to a child at a certain period is very important for every mother. There is very different information about how the baby’s first complementary foods are introduced. At the same time, information on the Internet is fundamentally different from what people of the older generation talk about.

But no matter how many recommendations a young mother receives, it is important that the baby’s first complementary foods are introduced as correctly as possible. That is why you need to familiarize yourself with those recommendations that will allow you to get answers to the most important questions. For example, at what age can you give water to a baby, at what months can you give cottage cheese, and the like.

Every mother needs to familiarize herself with this information in detail so that she can provide her baby with complementary feeding that will be introduced correctly. This, in turn, will guarantee that the child who is on natural feeding , and the artificial baby’s digestive system will function correctly.

First complementary foods during breastfeeding, general rules

Young mothers always have a lot of questions about how to properly introduce supplementary feeding, whether it is necessary to give water, etc. First of all, it is important to take into account that with full nutrition, that is, if the mother maintains the feeding schedule, the baby is actively growing, supplementary feeding before six months the child doesn't need it.

Sometimes mothers, believing that the baby is not receiving enough breast milk, begin supplementing mixture . However, most pediatricians, including Komarovsky, believe that there is no need to supplement well-developing babies. When to give additional formula and whether it should be done, it is better to ask your pediatrician.

A table or chart for introducing complementary foods during breastfeeding will help every mother understand how to practice introducing a new product. This table clearly outlines when to introduce complementary foods during breastfeeding by month, and exactly what foods should be given at certain times.

However, the beginning of the process of introducing complementary foods raises many questions about how and when to start giving a child a certain product. For example, is it the “right” product to start complementary feeding? cauliflower or corn porridge , is it possible to give prunes for a six-month-old baby, when to give water to a newborn, etc.

Ideally, every mother should not only study the literature, but also regularly consult with a pediatrician. It is he who will clearly answer questions about whether pumpkin is ok for breastfeeding, whether broccoli is ok, etc., and will also adjust the complementary feeding regimen that you intend to practice.

When to introduce complementary foods to an infant?

There are a lot of recommendations on when to start feeding your baby. And if you believe the experience of grandmothers, complementary feeding should be started as early as possible.

However, any questions that concern a young mother about how many months a baby can be fed and what exactly she should start feeding should first be asked to the pediatrician.

Indeed, in recent years, the approach to what time to start feeding a baby, and where to start best, has changed significantly. And if the majority of modern grandmothers really are of the opinion that, for example, porridge for a three-month-old baby or cottage cheese for a 4-month-old child is normal, then doctors believe otherwise.

All scientific research conducted by modern scientists and doctors confirms that the answer to the question at what age can a baby be fed is as follows: if exclusive breastfeeding is practiced, then feeding the baby should begin no earlier than 6 months . The recommendations are similar as to how many months you can start feeding a baby who is growing on artificial feeding : such children are introduced to complementary foods a month earlier, but it is also quite acceptable to begin acquaintance with “adult” food from 6 months.

It is very important to take into account all the nuances: what, when, how much to give to the baby. If the baby is approaching six months of age, you should ask the doctor all the pressing questions: when to give the yolk, when to introduce potatoes. It is equally important to know when to introduce meat into your baby’s complementary foods, and what meat to start with. In order to correctly carry out the process of introducing complementary foods and learn everything about its features, parents are also recommended to study special modern literature.

Why shouldn't complementary foods be introduced earlier?

Parents who are trying to take into account all the important rules for introducing complementary feeding should understand that for infants under 6 months of age, any food other than breast milk or formula is not only not beneficial, but also harmful.

The introduction of complementary foods to infants is not carried out earlier, since the baby does not have the necessary enzymes to digest new types of food. Therefore, if the rules are violated and the baby receives certain food earlier (even if it is pumpkin or other “light” foods), it will not be absorbed and will not benefit the body. And if the food is not digested, then it is inevitable, and even small quantities of any food will create a load. That is why the procedure for introducing complementary foods according to Komarovsky, as well as according to the recommendations of other specialists, provides for a certain sequence of introducing vegetables and other products.

When and how to start correctly depends on what the baby eats. First complementary feeding artificial feeding is introduced a little earlier due to the fact that the enzyme systems in such children mature a little earlier. There is a special table for introducing complementary foods during artificial feeding, which can greatly facilitate the introduction of new foods. However, there are certain general recommendations not only about when to start, but also how to introduce it correctly: the introduction scheme provides that any new food is given to the child in an amount of 5 g daily. Gradually, the volume of food increases, usually every day, over the course of a week, and is eventually brought up to 100 or 150 g.

It is advisable to introduce complementary foods during mixed feeding in the same way as during artificial feeding - approximately with five months . Correct administration during mixed feeding involves initially giving the child one type of vegetable and increasing the number of grams of supplementary food every day for 1-2 weeks.

There is a special complementary feeding table for infants who are on breast, artificial or mixed feeding . It suggests a special scheme for introducing complementary foods, there is information on where to start, etc. Similar schemes for how supplementary feeding occurs are offered by Dr. Komarovsky and other specialists.

Table of supplementary feeding for breastfed and bottle-fed children

Modern table for the introduction of complementary feeding according to WHO (by baby’s age)

Baby's age	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
Fruit puree	< 30 мл	< 50 мл	< 60 мл	< 70 мл	< 90 мл	< 100 мл	100 ml
Vegetable puree		< 30 г	< 50 г	< 60 г	< 70 г	< 90 г	< 100 г
Porridge		< 100 г	< 150 г	150 g	< 180 г	< 200 г	200 g
Fruit juices		< 30 г	< 50 г	< 60 г	< 70 г	< 90 г	< 100 г
Vegetable oil		< 3 г	3 g	3 g	5 g	5 g	6 g
Cottage cheese			< 30 г	< 40 г	< 50 г	50 g	< 80 г
Wheat bread			< 5 г	5 g	5 g	< 10 г	10 g
Cookies, crackers			< 5 г	5 g	5 g	< 10 г	10 g
Butter			up to 4 g	4 g	4 g	5 g	5 g
Egg yolk				1/4	1/2	1/2	1/2
Meat puree				up to 30 g	50 g	up to 70 g	up to 80 g
Kefir					100 ml	up to 150 ml	up to 200 ml
Fish puree					up to 30 g	up to 60 g	up to 80 g

How to introduce complementary foods by month

Each modern monthly complementary feeding table provides that the child receives additional feeding from 6 months . However, many families still practice earlier introduction of complementary foods, believing that the nutritional norm for a newborn involves more abundant nutrition than exclusive breastfeeding.

Some sources, which describe the introduction of complementary foods by month, note that complementary foods should be included in the menu of a child under one year of age, focusing on the following indicators:

• compared to the original birth weight, the baby’s weight has become twice as large;
• the child sits independently;
• The baby's feeding schedule is changing: the baby asks for the breast more and more often;
• The development of a child under 1 year of age is very active: he is already interested in what is on adults’ plates;
• The baby does not push pieces of food out of his mouth.

Nutritional standards also take into account that the introduction of complementary foods should begin at the moment when the baby will not receive any food in the near future. vaccinations .

When new mothers first begin to study the months, they often believe that when breastfeeding, they should start supplementing their baby with fruit juice. But both research by specialists and the complementary feeding table for children under one year old indicate something else: juice can cause not only digestive problems, but also manifestations of allergies , as well as a set excess weight due to the high sugar content in fruit juices . Therefore, the monthly menu should be written differently.

Also, the mother should take into account the food norm for the newborn. Complementary feeding needs to start with very small portions, and sometimes it takes up to a month until the baby is completely accustomed to a certain type of food.

If a child feels unwell and becomes restless, before introducing complementary foods, it is worth doing blood tests to determine the norm in newborns, etc.

Is it worth introducing complementary foods from 3 months?

Not every modern table provides for complementary feeding at 3 months of breastfeeding, since, according to most pediatricians, it is quite enough for a baby at this age to be breastfed regularly. Normally, in the fourth month, the baby receives approximately 200 g of milk at each feeding, eating 5 times a day.

Those who nevertheless decide to practice complementary feeding at 3 months using artificial feeding must strictly take into account what is possible for a child of this age.

It is recommended to start complementary feeding with a small piece of yolk , which should be given before breastfeeding. After one week, the child should eat half a yolk per day. What else you can feed such a small child depends on the recommendations of the pediatrician. But most doctors still recommend waiting to introduce complementary foods for at least 2-3 months.

What complementary foods should I give my baby at 4 months?

Those mothers for whom the main table for introducing complementary foods is not a direct recommendation are often interested in how to introduce complementary foods at 4 months correctly.

Complementary feeding is generally started at 4 months. artificial feeding .

First experience" - chicken egg yolk how to give it is described above. To properly feed your baby further, you can gradually introduce the next product.

For example, some experts recommend gradually introducing cottage cheese starting with half a teaspoon. But still, ideally, a complementary feeding regimen at this age should be approved by a specialist. Therefore, you should talk to your local pediatrician about what complementary foods you can give from 4 months of age while breastfeeding. It is necessary to take into account individual recommendations on how to properly start complementary feeding at this age, since the state of the digestive tract and the health of the baby as a whole depends on this in the following months, when you expand his diet, introducing porridge, potatoes and other products.

What complementary foods should I give my baby at 5 months?

How to properly introduce complementary foods to a 5-month-old baby depends on many factors. First of all, it depends on what kind of feeding, breast, artificial or mixed, the child is on. Children who are breastfed at 5 months may not be supplemented for some time. But many mothers, believing that the child’s weight is too low for his age, are actively interested in what they can feed and what they can give the baby to eat.

Every mother who is interested in what to feed a child at this age should take into account that a child at 5 months should receive complementary feeding, starting with the smallest amount of new food. The daily scheme suggests that initially the baby needs to be given half a teaspoon of the new product ( yolk , vegetable puree and etc.). Only after the baby gets used to a certain food can you start giving him another product. Accordingly, if at five months a child begins to try a certain product, then at 5.5 months he can already eat several products every day that will be introduced into his menu by this time.

At five months, a formula-fed baby's menu may be the same as a breast-fed one, with the difference that new foods are introduced into the baby's diet a little earlier.

How to introduce complementary foods at 6 months?

If a mother begins to introduce complementary foods to her child at 6 months while breastfeeding, as suggested by the modern table for introducing complementary foods and the advice of pediatricians, it is important to gradually introduce each new product to the menu.

As a rule, the first foods introduced into the diet of children at six months are: vegetables . However, for children who have a very low weight for their age, it is advisable to give porridge . You can ask your doctor what cereals can be given to such a baby. Mainly rice, buckwheat porridge .

The complementary feeding scheme from 6 months onwards is as follows: initially the baby needs to be introduced into the diet vegetable puree , it is best to do this at lunchtime. What can a child who is starting to be fed with vegetables eat? Experts recommend initially giving your baby zucchini, followed by broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and pumpkin. Vegetables are the food from which children are least likely to develop allergies. However, the menu for a bottle-fed baby suggests that a 6-month-old baby eats vegetables such as pumpkin and carrots no more than 2-3 times a week.

At 6 months They begin to give such puree with a small dose - initially the baby should eat 1 teaspoon of the dish, then the dose should be gradually increased.

If bottle-fed feeding was initially practiced, and the child’s development, in the opinion of the pediatrician, does not deviate from the norm, already during this period you can gradually begin to mix vegetable purees. However, such a vegetable mix can be given to the baby only after he has tried puree from one type of vegetable, and he does not develop any symptoms. allergic reaction .

A new type of food is given to the baby only on an empty stomach, so that one can clearly determine how the baby reacts to such food. For example, if a mother is just starting to give yolk to her child, you need to wait with vegetables.

In many ways, where to start the first complementary feeding at this age depends on the preferences of the parents. So, mom can prepare puree from broccoli and other vegetables on her own. Having decided which vegetables to start with, you need to take the vegetables, rinse them well under running water and remove seeds and peels. Next, they are cut and placed in a double boiler or pan. Cooked vegetables (it is better to steam them to puree) are chopped with a blender, after adding water or vegetable broth. As a result, you need to prepare a puree similar in consistency to kefir. An older baby can be fed with thicker purees, but during this period, as a rule, he already eats porridge and other foods.

Such food should not be stored - the complementary feeding norm stipulates that the baby receives only freshly prepared food. By the way, salt, spices, and sugar are not added to the puree.

The diet of a child at 6 months stipulates that it is too early for the mother to think about the questions of what kind of fish or what meat to start complementary feeding with.

Approximate schedule for introducing vegetable complementary foods

Days	Scheme
First	5 g of zucchini puree, then supplement with breast milk or formula
Second	10 g of zucchini puree, then supplement with breast milk or formula
Third	20 g of zucchini puree, then supplement with breast milk or formula
Fourth	40 g of zucchini puree, then supplement with breast milk or formula
Fifth	80 g of zucchini puree, then supplement with breast milk or formula
Sixth	120 g of zucchini puree, then supplement with breast milk or formula
Seventh	150 g of zucchini puree, then supplement with breast milk or formula
Eighth	5 g of cauliflower puree, you can add zucchini if ​​you are not allergic to it.
Ninth	10 g of cauliflower puree, after which the scheme is repeated every day, as with zucchini puree

When can you give it to your child? mashed potatoes , depends on what vegetables you have already introduced before this period of his life. As a rule, potatoes are introduced a little later.

If the child does not eat the entire portion, it means that the amount of supplementary feeding is too large for him. The baby refuses, which means there is no need to force him, since eating habits are formed already in the first year of his life.

How to introduce complementary foods at 7 months?

The age of seven months is the period when porridge should appear on the baby’s menu. The mother can ask the pediatrician which cereals can be introduced first. But it is important that gluten-free and dairy-free cereals are gradually introduced to a 7-month-old child.

Goat and cow milk, as well as milk porridges, are introduced after the child reaches one year. Doctors, while advising what a child should eat, claim that the baby should not eat milk porridge , since they have a negative impact on gastrointestinal mucosa and increase the risk of digestive system diseases.

If it is difficult to introduce porridge into the diet because the child refuses to eat porridge without milk, you can add breast milk or formula to the porridge. Because gluten harmful for a child under one year old, as it provokes celiac disease (pathology of the large intestine), the nutrition table for a 7-month-old child suggests that he can be given gluten-free porridge - rice, buckwheat, corn.

When creating a menu for breastfeeding or creating a formula-fed baby's diet at 7 months, you should take into account that you can prepare porridge yourself or add ready-made porridge to the menu, which can be purchased at a specialized store. Making this porridge is very simple - you just need to add a little water. Your doctor will tell you what you can give your baby to eat at 7 months. But no matter what food the mother introduces, it is necessary to clearly monitor how the seven-month-old baby’s body perceives it: whether allergies are manifested, whether the baby’s growth and development are normal. If the product is poorly absorbed, the stool may change and an allergy may appear. It should be taken into account that allergic manifestations can appear not only during the first time after the introduction of a new product, but also after its volume has been significantly increased. Therefore, a new product should be introduced gradually, observing how the child behaves for a week or two.

What to feed a baby at 8 months?

The menu of an 8-month-old child can already be very varied, since the first complementary foods have already been introduced, and growth and development continue very actively.

During this period, the diet appears meat feeding , mashed potatoes . Potatoes are introduced during this period, since there is a high risk of allergies when taking them. Therefore, even at eight months, this product must be introduced gradually and very carefully, starting with 5 g and over the course of a week increasing its amount to 50 g. In this case, the basis of vegetable puree should not be potatoes, but other vegetables.

If it has not been entered yet yolk , now is the time to introduce your child to this product. For this purpose it is better to use quail egg . Nutrition at this age provides that the baby is given a yolk twice a week. Please note that you can give your baby the yolk to eat in the morning, rubbing it with breast milk or adding it to porridge. Complementary feeding at 8 months while breastfed and the formula-fed menu involves the gradual introduction of types of meat that are considered the least allergenic.

It is recommended to initially drive turkey , rabbit meat . These types of meat need to be changed periodically, and later the baby is given veal . It should be noted that the baby should eat meat for lunch, along with vegetable puree. You need to start with 5 g, and the norm for a child of 8-9 months is considered to be 50 g of meat per day. Often the child does not want to eat meat in its pure form, in which case you can give it in mixed puree - with vegetables.

Can be cooked meatballs made from pure fresh minced meat , freeze them after boiling them in boiling water. Minced meat balls can be boiled together with vegetables and pureed in a blender. How much meat to give depends on whether the baby is used to it.

What to feed a 9 month old baby?

There is a wider list of what a baby can eat at 9 months. First of all, the list of types of meat has been expanded: at this age it is recommended for a baby to eat beef , lamb , chicken .

Those who ask at what age can liver be given should take into account that pork, including liver, is not recommended for children under one and a half years old.

In the meantime, the menu of a 9-month-old baby who is breastfed, as well as the menu of a bottle-fed baby, should gradually expand due to the introduction of fermented milk products. In particular, you can start such complementary feeding with cottage cheese , which is administered very slowly, starting with very small portions - no more than a teaspoon. It is best to use special cottage cheese for children for this purpose, and you should not add sugar or fruit to it.

When can you give kefir , depends on how quickly the child will like cottage cheese. Initially, 30 g of cottage cheese per day is sufficient for a 9-month-old child with breastfeeding. As a rule, it is better to give cottage cheese and kefir before dinner. Children sometimes refuse to drink kefir. In this case, it is better to delay the introduction of this product: for now, the baby has enough other dishes, because his menu is already quite varied.

The answer to the question of what cereals can be given to a child at 9 months is already known: gluten-free.

What should you feed your baby at 10 months and later?

You can diversify the baby menu at 10 months desserts . It is advisable to gradually start giving your baby fruits And fruit juice . First of all, you should give those fruits that grow on our territory - pears, apples, prunes and fruit puree from them. The child is given fruit as a snack, about 100 g per day. Later, other fruits are also available - banana, kiwi, orange. There is no need to introduce fruits before, since breast milk and the formula contain everything the baby needs vitamins .

Gradually, other desserts appear on the menu - cookies, crackers, etc. Doctors warn that the baby should not drink fruit juices, which are sold in bags in stores, as they are not good for the baby.

At 11 months, you can introduce other desserts, because the menu of an 11-month-old baby while breastfeeding is already quite varied. At this time, mothers often have questions about this or that food: when can you give pasta, at what age can you give liver, is it possible to dry it, when should you cook soup for your child, etc. You need to be guided, first of all, by the tables that give an approximate complementary feeding calendar, as well as doctor’s recommendations.

From what age nibbler can be given to the baby, and whether he needs this device is decided by the mother herself.

What should a baby drink?

After the baby is introduced to complementary foods, he needs additional fluid. How much water a baby should be given per day depends on several factors. First of all, on temperature: if the day is not hot, the child drinks 100-200 ml of liquid. On hotter days, the baby drinks more. Also if you have to treat cold if the baby has heat , the child should be given to drink in large quantities. It is better to give liquid to a baby from a cup to teach him to drink correctly.

From the age of seven months, babies can be given children's tea , which contains various herbs, as well as dried fruit compotes .

While practicing breastfeeding, a woman should also adhere to the correct drinking and eating regimen. There is a special nutrition table for a nursing mother by month that will help answer the most pressing questions. But there are also general recommendations aimed at making a baby on breastfeeding feel good. For example, instead of coffee while breastfeeding, it is better for a nursing mother to consume chicory.

What problems are possible when introducing complementary foods?

During the process of introducing complementary foods, the following problems may most often occur:

• the baby refuses to eat the offered complementary foods;
• manifestation of problems with stool ( diarrhea , problems with the gastrointestinal tract due to the fact that food is not digested);
• allergic manifestations I am (allergic to zucchini, allergic to broccoli, allergic to raw carrots, etc.).

As a result of the manifestation of such problems, the baby becomes restless, constantly cries, and sleeps poorly. It is important to understand which product provoked such a reaction. It must be immediately removed from the child’s diet. So, if a baby has an allergy to pumpkin or an allergy to oatmeal, it is better to simply replace these dishes with others. It is possible to reintroduce foods that provoked an allergy no earlier than after 2 months. This is what the pediatrician advises Komarovsky and other doctors. Moreover, the introduction of such a product should be carried out as slowly and gradually as the first time and at the same time monitor the child’s condition.

If the child does not eat meat or other types of complementary foods, you need to temporarily abandon this product.

Food in jars

Those mothers for whom the question of how to introduce complementary foods to a child correctly is very important, often need an answer to the question of which food is better - canned food or homemade products (porridge, cottage cheese, kefir, etc.).

Doctors believe that canned food is one of the options for introducing supplementary feeding. At the same time, it is very important to give your child only high-quality products, and also to strictly ensure that the expiration date of such baby food does not expire. It is advisable to be absent and palm olein in baby food.

When giving your child canned food, you should adhere to the same rules as with “homemade” complementary feeding. If a child receives additional formula while breastfeeding, complementary feeding can be started a month earlier.

It is necessary to introduce the second vegetable only after the baby gets used to the first vegetable puree.

Before introducing porridge, how to introduce meat into complementary foods for a child, fish, etc., you need to make sure that the child’s body accepts well the foods that have already been introduced. In parallel with canned food, other foods are also introduced into complementary foods. For example, yolk is introduced into complementary foods after the child has already accepted several types of vegetable purees, etc.

What not to give to infants

Mothers who often bombard doctors with questions about when to give their baby liver when can you give kefir and other products, you must remember what food it is not advisable to introduce girls and boys in the first year of life to:

• juices – they are not recommended to be given even to children after 1 year, as they irritate the mucous membranes and do not benefit the child’s body;
• semolina , as well as other cereals with gluten free ;
• butter cookies , sweets ;
• goat milk And cow ;
• Exotic fruits .

Basic rules of complementary feeding - conclusions

So, if we summarize all the information, we can derive several very important rules that must be taken into account by all parents of young children who want to raise them healthy.

Education: Graduated from Rivne State Basic Medical College with a degree in Pharmacy. Graduated from Vinnitsa State Medical University named after. M.I. Pirogov and internship at his base.

Experience: From 2003 to 2013, she worked as a pharmacist and manager of a pharmacy kiosk. She was awarded diplomas and decorations for many years of conscientious work. Articles on medical topics were published in local publications (newspapers) and on various Internet portals.

Introduction of complementary foods. How to do everything right so as not to harm the baby’s health?

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The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

Introduction of complementary foods into the baby’s diet - this is a rather important moment that scares almost all young mothers. Complementary feeding is nutrition, which begins to be administered to babies from about 5 to 6 months of their life. This food can be a complement to both breastfeeding and artificial feeding. Complementary feeding is really necessary at this age, as it helps to enrich the growing body with all the necessary nutritional components, especially carbohydrates, proteins and fats. First twelve months of life infant are the most important, since it is during this period of time that the foundations of general health, including the immune system, are formed. Given this fact, every parent is obliged to provide their baby with proper nutrition.
How to do everything correctly so as not to harm the baby’s health?

What are the main reasons for introducing complementary foods?

First of all, this is the need for additional introduction of both minerals, vitamins, microelements, and energy into the growing body. In addition, new foods contribute to the development of the chewing apparatus and the entire digestive system, while also developing intestinal motor function. Complementary feeding promotes the development of completely new taste qualities.

Complementary feeding and taste formation:

Taste is considered one of the most important sensations, which tend to evoke exclusively positive emotions. All food products that will be introduced into the baby’s diet must be healthy, tasty and varied. There should be as little sweets on the menu as possible, since sweet dishes are a predisposing factor to the development of allergic reactions, dental caries, obesity and other pathological conditions. Remember that it is not so easy for a baby to get used to new tastes, which is why he may not be entirely willing to eat certain foods offered to him. Be patient, a few more tries and your child will definitely love the new dish.

What are the signs that a child is ready to introduce new foods?

1. The child is 6 months old;
2. He sits confidently without support;
3. Weight has doubled since birth;
4. The baby shows interest in the food you eat;
5. He has a decline in the ejection reflex ( regurgitation disappears);
6. The baby is put to the breast more often;
7. He independently turns his head and turns away from the spoon if he does not like a particular product;
8. He is completely healthy.

Approximate scheme for introducing complementary foods:

Name of products and dishes	4 months	5 months	6 months	7 months	8 months	9 months	9 - 12 months
Fruit juices (ml)	5 - 30	40 - 50	50 - 60	60	70	80	90 - 100
Fruit puree (ml) no earlier than 14 days after the introduction of juice	5 - 30	40 - 50	50 - 60	60	70	80	90 - 100
Cottage cheese (g)			10 - 30	40	40	40	50
Yolk (pcs.)				0,25	0,5	0,5	0,5
Vegetable puree (g)		5 - 100	150	150	170	180	200
Porridge (g)			5 - 100	150	150	180	200
Meat puree (g)					5 - 30	50	60 - 70
Kefir and other fermented milk products or whole milk (ml)						100	200
Fish puree (g)							5 – 30 - 60
Wheat bread (g)				3 - 5	5	5	10 - 15
Cookies, crackers (g)				3 - 5	5	5	10 - 15
Vegetable oil (g)		1 - 3	3	3	5	5	6
Butter (g)			1 - 4	4	4	5	6

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

1. Reducing excessive permeability of the intestinal mucosa - 3 months;
2. Maturation of local immunity processes in the intestinal area - 3 - 4 months;
3. Maturation of enzymatic processes of absorption, as well as digestion of food:

• increased production of pepsin and some other enzymes - 3 - 4 months;
• decrease in pH ( concentrations) gastric juice, as well as increased production of hydrochloric acid – 3 months;
• increased amylase activity ( an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates) - from 2 - 3 months to 12 months;

4. The maturation of all reflex mechanisms that are responsible for swallowing semi-liquid and solid food takes 4 to 5 months.

Early and late complementary feeding:

Early introduction of new products is a direct path to the development of allergic reactions. In addition, in such cases, the child may develop intolerance to certain foods. Excessive amounts of fat and carbohydrates in the daily menu can lead to the development of obesity.
Late introduction of new products is, in turn, a direct path to a lag in both mental and physical development. In addition, the baby may develop protein-calorie deficiency. It is very important to pay attention to the composition of the menu. A monotonous diet increases the risk of developing a wide variety of deficiency conditions. The list of such conditions includes iron deficiency anemia, hypovitaminosis, rickets, and malnutrition.

Iron-deficiency anemia is a syndrome accompanied by impaired hemoglobin production due to iron deficiency.

Hypovitaminosis is a condition that occurs when there is a violation of the correspondence between the consumption of vitamins and their intake into the body.

Under the concept " rickets » hidden disease in infancy and early childhood, which is characterized by impaired bone formation due to vitamin deficiency D.

Hypotrophy is an eating disorder that is characterized by varying degrees of deficiency in total body weight.
Late introduction of complementary foods often affects the formation of far from the most correct eating habits in the future.

Five commandments of the first complementary feeding from Dr. Komarovsky:

• no need to use the experience of grandmothers;
• don't rush;
• no diversity;
• no need to get carried away with quantity;
• no violence.

Rules for introducing complementary foods:

1. Additional food should only be introduced when the child is completely healthy;
2. Complementary foods should be given exclusively before breastfeeding;
3. All complementary foods must be homogeneous ( homogeneous) according to their consistency, so that the child has the opportunity to swallow them without difficulty;
4. All dishes should be given warm using a spoon; the child should be in a sitting position while eating;
5. Under no circumstances should you give the same type of complementary food twice a day;
6. All products must be introduced gradually according to the existing sequence; another type of complementary food can be introduced only when complete adaptation occurs ( addictive) to the previous product;
7. During the introduction of a new product, you should carefully monitor any changes in stool; if no changes are observed, then the next day increase the amount of the offered dish;
8. It is strictly forbidden to introduce new foods into the diet if you are preparing your child for any preventive vaccination;
9. Initially, vegetable or fruit purees should consist of one single type of vegetable or fruit; it is best to opt for potatoes and zucchini in the first few days, since these products do not tend to cause allergic reactions and flatulence;
10. If you decide to feed your child porridge, make sure that it consists of gluten-free cereals, namely corn or buckwheat flour or rice;
11. It is strictly forbidden to introduce cottage cheese into a baby’s diet if he is not yet six months old;
12. Raw vegetables and fruits can be given only at 7 – 8 months;
13. In no case should you give broths for up to a year, since they contain a fairly large amount of purine bases ( organic natural compounds), which tend to have a negative impact on the work of not fully matured kidneys;
14. If you decide to make a puree soup, then use vegetable broth as a base;
15. Be careful with kefir, as this product can cause an imbalance in the acid-base balance;
16. Children aged 9 months should be given fish and meat no more than 2 times a week, and it is best to opt for low-fat varieties;
17. In between meals, you can give fruit juices, but without sugar.
18. Cheese is allowed to be included in the menu only from 1 year of age.

When should you not introduce complementary foods?

1. the child is sick;
2. he has an intestinal disorder;
3. he has recently received a preventive vaccination or is preparing for it;
4. there is an increased body temperature.

Fruit and vegetable juices:

Both vegetable and fruit juices belong to the category of educational complementary foods, since they have a liquid consistency reminiscent of breast milk. The juice helps enrich the baby’s body with microelements, mineral components and vitamins. WITH. In addition, it satisfies the child’s body’s water needs. All juices are divided into monocomponent and multicomponent. Mono-component juices mean juices that contain only 1 vegetable or fruit. So, for example, it could be apple, carrot or plum juice. Multicomponent juices contain 2 or more types of vegetables or fruits. Multi-ingredient juices can consist of apple and pumpkin or blackcurrant, apple and banana. Without a doubt, such juices are much healthier, but their administration is especially dangerous, since if an allergic reaction develops, parents will not know which component caused it.

Juices can be clarified or with pulp. The largest number of juices that are intended directly for babies are clarified. If we talk about juices with pulp, then they contain so-called dietary fiber, which tends to have a stimulating effect on the motor function of the intestines. As a result, stool disorders caused by incomplete maturation of the intestinal mucosa can make themselves known. Given this fact, experts recommend introducing such juices in a later period of life. In most cases, juices consist only of natural carbohydrates. Sugar is rarely found in their composition. It is recommended to start introducing juice with 0.5 teaspoon. Within 5 - 7 days, its total amount can be increased to 30 - 40 milliliters.

Apple juice – the very first educational complementary food. It is very important that the juice is made from green apple varieties. Moreover, it should not contain sugar. Since apple juice contains a large amount of organic acids and natural carbohydrates, its consumption increases appetite and also enhances the production of digestive juices.

Pear juice - a “storehouse” of folic acid, which takes an integral part in the process of hematopoiesis. In addition, this juice contains an accumulation of phosphorus, fiber, calcium, magnesium and cobalt. Its use improves peristalsis ( wall contraction) intestines, and also relieves certain disorders of the digestive process.

Carrot-apricot juice – contains a huge amount of pectin, dietary fiber and fiber. This juice is especially useful for all those babies who suffer from constipation, as it tends to enhance the growth of beneficial intestinal microflora. In addition, it fights various pathologies of the skin, increases the secretion of bile, and reduces the amount of cholesterol. Carrot-apricot juice should be given on an empty stomach.

Prune juice – endowed with a number of beneficial properties due to the presence of dietary fiber and pectin. This juice is recommended for those with a weakened immune system, as well as those prone to constipation.

Fruit and vegetable puree:

Fruit purees It is considered to be the second type of complementary feeding, which is recommended to be introduced into the baby’s menu only 2 weeks after the juice. Modern experts distinguish 3 types of such puree, namely homogenized, puree and coarsely ground. Homogenized puree is intended for children whose age varies from 3.5 to 5 months. Pureed puree can be given from 6 to 8 months, but coarse puree is intended for babies from 9 to 12 months. The daily amount of such puree is equal to the child’s age in months multiplied by 10. All fruit and vegetable purees have a denser consistency, since they also contain plant fibers that take part in regulating intestinal motor function.

Blueberry puree – suitable for all kids without exception. This berry has a fairly powerful anti-inflammatory and disinfectant effect. It contains both manganese and a tannin called tannin, a provitamin A, aromatic acids, carbohydrates and many other components. Blueberries tend to improve vision, increase appetite, improve brain function, regulate hematopoiesis, and also provide the body with the necessary amount of energy.

Broccoli puree – enriched with beta-carotene and various vitamins, mainly vitamin WITH. The introduction of this product into the diet will help improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system, as well as prevent the development of iron deficiency anemia. Regular consumption of such puree helps cleanse the body of cholesterol and improve metabolic processes in the liver. Broccoli is an excellent means of preventing atherosclerosis.

Carrot puree – has a very beneficial effect, primarily on bile excretory activity. In addition, carrots have bactericidal and antioxidant properties. This vegetable normalizes epithelization ( epithelial formation in affected areas) of the intestinal mucosa and promotes its emptying. It is especially useful to give carrot puree to all those babies who have a fairly low growth rate. Carrot puree is considered to be an excellent means of preventing respiratory pathologies, as well as recurrent ones ( frequently repeated) bronchitis.

Cauliflower puree – has high nutritional value. The composition of this puree contains the accumulation of a large amount of mineral salts, vitamins, plant fiber, as well as microelements.

Cereal feeding:

Cereal complementary feeding, that is, porridge, is considered to be a traditional type of complementary feeding that must be introduced into the diet closer to 6 months. Cereals are enriched with a large amount of carbohydrates, which supply the growing body with the energy it needs. In addition, the cereals contain microelements, proteins of plant origin and vitamins IN, which tend to have a stimulating effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Note that porridge in powder form, in contrast to dry milk porridge, has a number of advantages, namely:

• safety of consumption;
• guaranteed chemical composition;
• the presence of a large number of microelements and vitamins.

For the first time, a child can be given no more than 1 teaspoon of porridge. It is very important that this is a gluten-free porridge, that is, it should not contain gluten protein, which can trigger the development of celiac enteropathy, a condition accompanied by such symptoms as an increase in abdominal volume, poor weight gain and loose stools. Gluten-free cereals include corn, buckwheat, and rice cereals.

We prepare porridge ourselves:

To prepare porridge yourself, you should first carefully sort and rinse the cereal, then grind it in a coffee grinder. Pour the resulting flour with cold water and leave to cook, stirring occasionally. To improve the taste of porridge, as well as increase its nutritional properties, add about 20 - 30 milliliters of adapted milk formula or expressed breast milk to it right before feeding. After this, pour the porridge into a plate and let it cool. As for salt and sugar, it is best not to add them to the porridge, especially if the child is not yet a year old. Over time, you can add butter to the porridge.

Dairy products:

Fermented milk products contain large amounts of phosphorus, calcium, riboflavin and protein. All these products tend to suppress the growth of pathogenic ( pathogenic) microorganisms. They are also an excellent means of preventing allergic reactions, malignant neoplasms, atherosclerosis and gastrointestinal pathologies. Kefir, yogurt and hard cheeses are especially beneficial for children's bodies.
Using fermented milk products helps:

• improve intestinal motility;
• reduce the amount of cholesterol;
• improve the absorption of proteins, fats and milk sugar;
• enhance the secretory activity of the digestive glands.

Meat feeding:

Meat is a universal product, but it can be introduced into a baby’s diet only after his gastrointestinal tract is fully formed. Meat is the main supplier of complete animal proteins, which are so necessary for the formation of red blood cells. Red blood cells are hidden under the red blood cells, which tend to increase hemoglobin levels. Available in meat and extractive ( organic) components necessary to stimulate digestive function.

Cow's milk in infant nutrition:

It is prohibited to introduce milk as an additional food product at an early age, as it can cause the development of intestinal bleeding with the subsequent formation of iron deficiency anemia, that is, microcytic anemia that occurs as a result of a strong decrease in iron reserves in the body. Babies who consume whole milk may develop protein intolerance.

Egg as complementary food:

Eggs have a fairly high biological value, due to the presence in them of a large amount of amino acids, lipids, iron, as well as saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. All these components play an important role in both the physical and mental development of the baby. In addition, they improve the consumption of animal proteins. Before use, it is very important to thoroughly heat treat the eggs in order to protect the baby from salmonella poisoning.

Fish and seafood:

Fish and seafood are one of the main sources of complete proteins and amino acids. In addition, these products contain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have a beneficial effect on the development of the central nervous system. They also contain microelements such as zinc and iron. Sea fish contains a lot of iodine.

What mom needs to know when making juice at home:

• We follow all the rules of personal hygiene ( well-washed hands, short nails, headscarf);
• utensils intended for preparing juice should not be used for other purposes;
• before preparing the juice, the pan, as well as other necessary utensils, should be washed in hot soda water using a brush, then the utensils should be boiled for 10 minutes;
• We also use soda water to wash the juice bottle, after which we boil the bottle for 10 minutes;
• immediately after boiling, it is recommended to close the bottle with a tight stopper made of sterile cotton wool;
• utensils intended for preparing juice should be stored in a separate, clean and closed container;
• brushes used for washing dishes should be washed in soda water, then boiled and dried thoroughly;
• the prepared juice should be given to the baby immediately after preparation. In summer it can be stored for no more than 120 minutes, but in winter - no more than 240 minutes.

Is it possible to feed a child jelly?

Experts do not recommend giving jelly to babies, so as not to provoke overfeeding. Both fruits and berries are best given fresh or canned, since during cooking they lose the greatest amount of vitamins and minerals.

How can you teach a child to bite?

In such cases, an apple comes to the rescue. Take a small apple, peel it and place it in your baby's hand. It is very important that the apple is whole, since in this form pieces will not break off from it. The child will first scrape it with his teeth, and then begin to bite off a piece.

Should my child wash his hands before eating?

Yes need. The whole point is not only about hygiene, but also about the fact that water is a very strong irritant to the nerve endings of the skin. Irritation of such endings increases appetite and enhances the production of active digestive juices.

Complementary feeding and dysbiosis:

Dysbacteriosis is a violation of the normal balance of microflora in the body, resulting in a violation of both absorption and assimilation of nutritional components. Children suffering from dysbiosis most often experience various disturbances in the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, which is why complementary foods should be introduced to them with extreme caution, which will help avoid fatal ( life-threatening) lack of vitamins and nutritional components. Careful introduction of new products will help avoid the development and diathesis, as well as atopic dermatitis ( a chronic disease that occurs in children with a genetic predisposition to allergic pathologies).

Introduction of complementary foods for atopic dermatitis:

If a diagnosis of “atopic dermatitis” has already been made, then new products are allowed to be introduced only when there are no fresh elements of the rash on the skin. For such children, new foods can be introduced no earlier than 6 months. The very first complementary food should consist of vegetable puree; it is best to opt for zucchini or cauliflower puree. Initially, you can give no more than a quarter teaspoon of complementary foods. The general rule is: 1 product every 7 - 10 days. It is very important to keep a special food diary, in which you will need to write down all the foods that cause an exacerbation of this disease. In case of very strong reactions from the skin, you should consult a specialist who will prescribe the necessary local and systemic treatment.

Introduction of complementary foods for lactase deficiency:

Lactase deficiency is a congenital or acquired pathological condition accompanied by a deficiency or complete absence of the lactase enzyme, which is responsible for the breakdown of milk sugar. The bodies of such children are not able to digest milk.
The main symptoms of lactase deficiency are:

• flatulence (excessive formation of gases in the intestines);
• diarrhea after drinking milk;
• insufficient weight gain;
• signs of dehydration.

In such cases, the consumption of whole milk should be reduced to a minimum, replacing it with fermented milk products, cheeses and butter. Porridges and vegetable purees should be prepared using lactose-free bases. Juices are introduced into the diet only after 6 months. If the child is breastfed, then he is prescribed special medications that tend to break down lactose.

Introduction of complementary feeding to premature babies:

Premature babies are especially in need of vitamins and nutritional components, which is why complementary foods should be introduced to them much earlier than to all other babies. So, for example, vegetable and fruit juices are administered to them at the age of 1 to 3 months. Initially, there should be no more than 5 drops of juice. Juice should be given to a premature baby after meals. As for beetroot, strawberry and wild strawberry juices, it is strictly forbidden to give them throughout the first 12 months of life. The thing is that these juices are endowed with a fairly powerful allergenic effect. Fruit purees are introduced to such babies at the age of 2 months. Already at 3 months they can begin to be given egg yolk. During the same period, you need to start introducing cottage cheese. Porridge is introduced into the diet from 4 months. To prevent the development of anemia, meat should be introduced from the 5th month. At 8 months, you can please your baby with unsweetened cookies, bread, vegetable soup or meat broth.

What to do if complementary feeding causes constipation?

Improper introduction of complementary foods is dangerous not only due to the occurrence of skin rashes. Quite often, new foods cause development and constipation, which is very harmful for a growing body. In children, constipation occurs as a reverse reaction to one or another new product. Thus, the body shows that it is not able to cope with a new product for it. If you notice that your baby has begun to suffer from constipation, then first change the regime of introducing new foods. Such children can begin to be given new food no earlier than 6 months, and these should be special industrially prepared products in the form of purees. Such purees are much safer for children's intestines. As for homemade dishes, they can be used no earlier than 8 months. Abdominal massage, which should be performed 3 to 4 times a day for 10 minutes, will also help to cope with constipation. To strengthen the abdominal muscles and improve bowel function, place your baby on his stomach as often as possible.
Before use, you should consult a specialist.

First feeding - the mother heard these words from the very birth of the baby and imagined how it would be. Surely your pediatrician told you that breast milk is the best and healthiest for babies. This is undoubtedly true. But the child is growing up and he will have to eat with us at a common table and we need to carefully prepare for this. Yes, this is an important point, but still, the introduction of complementary foods must be accompanied by breastfeeding.

The readiness of infants for this interesting task should be determined first of all by the mother. Doctors usually advise us to feed breastfed babies starting at 6 months and bottle-fed babies at 4.5 - 5 months. But you yourself must determine whether your little one is ready to eat something else or not. So where to start feeding your baby for the first time?

Identifying signs that your baby is ready for complementary feeding

• If the baby’s weight quickly goes up and he already weighs 2 times more than at birth (more than 6 kg), then this means that the baby’s weight gain is according to medical standards and his digestive system is working correctly and there are no deviations. Therefore, complementary feeding to an infant can already begin.
• Have you noticed that if you give your baby some water from a spoon, he seems to push out both the spoon and the water with his tongue. It is clear that this way you cannot feed the child. But if your infant has already lost this pushing, then he is on the way to new tastes.
• When the baby stops pushing out water with his tongue, he begins to swallow it - this indicates that the baby will be able to swallow thin food.
• By the time complementary foods are introduced, the child should already be able to hold his head up well and turn away. This ability will help mom understand when he is full.
• The baby must also be able to sit on his own or with support. It is not advisable to eat while lying down, since food has a slightly different structure than milk. You can choke on the slightest lump.
• A good sign that complementary foods need to be introduced is that the baby does not get enough to eat while breastfeeding. This can be indicated by too frequent breastfeeding - up to 10–12 times a day (the baby eats milk from both breasts and asks for more). If a child is bottle-fed, then you can understand that he is malnourished when the baby eats about 1000 ml of formula and demands more.
• If you notice that the intervals between feeding your baby have become shorter.
• A good sign is if the baby takes an object in his hands and puts it in his mouth.
• You can feed your baby only if he is absolutely healthy and there is no vaccination coming up in the next week or several days have passed since the vaccination. This is important because vaccine-related illnesses and new foods at the same time can be very stressful for children.
• And the main indicator that it is possible to introduce complementary foods to a baby is when he begins to become interested and reach for the food that he sees on the table.

How to properly introduce complementary foods to a baby

The first rule that must be followed is the gradual introduction of new tastes. There will be very little exposure to new food. Doctors strongly insist not to exceed it - about 1/4 or 1/3 teaspoon. The very first complementary foods are just an introduction to food, and not a full meal. The little one will just try, move his tongue in his mouth and swallow food previously unknown to him. Such an acquaintance can be carried out in the morning, so that later throughout the whole day you can observe the baby - whether the tummy hurts, what the stool will be like.

There may be a situation where the baby spits out a test portion of food. This is quite normal, since before this he only knew mother’s milk. If this happens, do not be upset and do not force him to eat; complementary feeding should be introduced to an infant slowly and systematically. Try giving the same small dose of complementary foods the next day. And very soon the baby will be asking for another spoon. Gradually, the amount of food and options for what can be given to the child will increase.

The second rule, which is also important, is to serve dishes from just one vegetable, cook it using a blender or rub it through a sieve, and do not add anything, not even salt. If porridge is the first complementary food, then you need to first buy dairy-free, gluten-free and hypoallergenic (buckwheat, rice and corn).

You must remember that semolina cannot be introduced first - it tends to remove iron from the body.

Remember, let the baby try each new dish for a week; if during this time everything is fine with his tummy and stool, then you can offer him another mono-dish.

Well, the third rule is that breast milk remains a priority, so we first give the baby complementary foods, and then supplement with breast milk or formula if the baby is artificial.

How to give your baby certain types of food

Puree

Proper introduction of complementary foods to infants should begin with fruit or vegetable purees. consisting of one product. To prepare the puree, you need to boil the selected vegetable in a small amount of clean water, then cut it into pieces and cool slightly. Then beat with a blender or grind through a fine sieve, mix with the broth and offer it warm to the child. If after the first vegetable your tummy accepts it normally, then after a week you can add another one.

Porridge

You can cook the porridge yourself. Pre-grind the cereal in a coffee grinder and then boil it in water or vegetable broth. The decoction must already be familiar to the baby. As we grow older, we begin to make the porridge thicker. Prepare it like this: add 1 teaspoon of crushed cereal to 50 ml of water or vegetable broth and cook until tender. You can use rice, buckwheat or oatmeal. When the child has more teeth, you can no longer grind the cereal in a coffee grinder, but rub the finished dish through a sieve or with a fork.

You can also buy porridge. There are many different types on sale now. Select according to age and taking into account the characteristics of your child. Cook according to instructions.

First feeding with meat

To give your baby a portion of meat, you need to boil a small piece of lean veal; lean turkey or rabbit is also suitable. Then grind very thoroughly with a blender. You can add a small amount of boiled water or vegetable broth to the finished meat puree, but not meat broth. The meat for the baby is ready. 30–50 g will be enough for him at first.

Kefirchik

Kefir is very useful for children; it contains bacteria that are so necessary for healthy digestion. Nowadays, you can order it at a dairy kitchen or prepare it yourself. For this you need fermented milk starters.

In the evening, pour 1 liter of hot milk over a portion of fermented milk starters, cover with a lid and insulate the container to retain heat and let it steep all night. By morning the kefir will be ready for use.

Cottage cheese

Cottage cheese, like kefir, is very easy to prepare. You need to put the kefir in a water bath and wait until the curd comes up. Then strain it through cheesecloth and the resulting curd will be very tasty and soft - just what babies need.

A parting word about introducing complementary foods

And finally, advice to mothers - don’t be upset, the beginning of complementary feeding for your baby is accompanied by the baby’s refusal of the puree you prepared. He needs time to get used to new tastes. In any case, you can always feed your baby breast milk or porridge. And remember - you will succeed!

Video on the topic

Every mother, from the moment the baby is conceived, worries about his health and full development. Important aspects of the full development of a toddler are proper diet and nutrition. Over time, the baby grows up, and mother's milk can no longer feed him enough.

A natural solution is to introduce complementary foods while breastfeeding. WHO recommends standards for introducing complementary feeding to infants. Compliance with them will ensure the full development of the developing organism. The beginning of complementary feeding during breastfeeding plays an important role. What, how, and at what age should children be included in the menu?

The issue of introducing complementary foods during breastfeeding is voluminous and controversial. There is no exact answer to the question of when to start complementary feeding while breastfeeding. Much depends on the specific situation and the individual characteristics of the infant.

This approach is due to the fact that until the age of six months, mother’s milk fully meets the baby’s needs. The baby's body does not yet have a sufficient set of enzymes to digest food other than mother's milk. The microflora of the digestive organs is at the stage of formation.

Most young mothers are inclined to complementary feeding according to the “pedagogical” system. The bottom line is to feed the baby the same thing that the parents eat. Such a system provides for careful control over the process of feeding the baby - the baby can choke on large pieces, and some foods can lead to allergies.

Experts are loyal to the “pedagogical” system of introducing complementary foods during breastfeeding. An “adult” diet should consist of healthy foods. Contain a minimum of fried, fatty, spicy, overly seasoned foods.

A special approach is necessary for products that can provoke an allergic reaction in a baby, various exotic products that are not related to our natural climatic conditions.

The introduction of the first complementary foods during breastfeeding has a positive effect on the baby’s fine motor skills, promotes the proper development of the chewing apparatus, and includes him in psychological and emotional interaction with the people around him.

How do you know when your child is ready?

The baby’s age is one of the parameters for determining the time of the baby’s first complementary feeding when breastfeeding. There are a number of rules that allow a mother to correctly determine when the first complementary foods are needed while breastfeeding.

Let's list the main ones:

1. The baby has reached at least 4 months of age. For premature babies, when calculating, we take the gestational age. Artificials show their readiness about a month earlier.
2. The baby's weight has increased at least 2 times since birth. Babies born prematurely should weigh 2.5 times more.
3. The baby has its first teeth.
4. The baby does not have a tongue thrust reflex; it is aggravated in the first months of life. The reflex protects the child from swallowing random small objects that could cause choking. Moreover, if a child is given a drink from a spoon, he will not spit it all out on his chin.
5. The little one sits well. If necessary, he can bring the body closer to the spoon, or vice versa - reject it, showing that he does not want to eat. Controls the position of the head; if he refuses to eat food, he can turn or tilt his head.
6. When bottle-fed, the child consumes about a liter of mother's milk substitute, but does not get enough. When breastfeeding naturally, it empties the breasts and actively asks for more.
7. The little one learned to squeeze objects with his hands and consciously strive to put them in his mouth.
8. The child has learned to stick out his lower lip, which makes spoon feeding easier. The child readily opens his mouth when a spoon with food is brought to him.
9. There is a chewing reflex; the baby is able to push portions of food deeper into the oral cavity with his tongue.
10. The most IMPORTANT condition is that the baby is actively interested in the products of the “adult” diet, wants to taste them.

Nature has provided the baby with certain mechanisms that are triggered as soon as the child’s body is ready to accept any food other than mother’s milk or its substitute. If we talk about average values, this is a range from 5 to 9 months.

Surprisingly, it is true that even in the case of twins, the period of appearance of all the necessary signs may differ. One baby will be fully ready at 4 months, the other may mature by 12 months of age - this is the extreme norm.

One thing can be said with confidence - you can’t rush to start complementary feeding! A minor delay will be more positive for the child’s body than a hasty introduction of new products.

If the baby has enough mother's milk or consumes a high-quality adapted milk substitute, there will be no lack of nutrients, essential elements, vitamins and minerals!

When should you postpone?

Almost all children aged 9 months are physiologically prepared for complementary feeding. Sometimes doctors may recommend postponing complementary feeding if one of the family members or the baby himself suffers from allergies. If the baby is sick and is not sitting up yet, he will have to be vaccinated. Excessive stress can harm the baby.

The factors given below imply that the baby is fed naturally (exclusively with mother's milk), but they are valid for artificial feeding.

Positive factors of late complementary feeding:

1. Forms the protective mechanisms of the child's body. The baby's body receives substances that strengthen the immune system throughout the entire period of breastfeeding. The greatest amount of them comes precisely when mother's milk is the only one in the diet.
2. Allows the organs of the digestive system to fully form. If the digestive system is not fully mature, it will not digest new foods, which leads to poor digestion, stool problems, excessive gas formation, etc.
3. Reduces the risk of an allergic reaction to food. Researchers claim that there is a direct correlation between the duration of feeding a child exclusively with mother's milk and the number of allergic reactions of the body to food.
4. A delayed introduction of complementary foods during breastfeeding prevents the development of iron deficiency. When iron and iron-rich foods enter the child’s body in the first six months of life, its absorption decreases. Experts note that healthy full-term babies who are strictly breast-fed for the first 9 months of life have normal levels of iron and hemoglobin in the blood.
5. Reduces the risk of excess weight problems. Experts have discovered a direct correlation between the problem of obesity and premature complementary feeding.
6. Positively affects the production of the optimal amount of mother's milk. Experts say that when complementary feeding is introduced, it replaces mother's milk and does not complement it. This must be taken into account when using complementary foods. The more complementary feeding products a child consumes, the less milk he will take from the mother’s breast. The less mother's milk the baby consumes, the less of it will be formed in the mother's body. Babies who are on early complementary feeding stop sucking their mother's breasts prematurely.
7. Late first feeding prevents another pregnancy. Breastfeeding is one of the most reliable methods of contraception. In this case, the child must feed exclusively on mother's milk, and his sucking reflex and need for food are satisfied with the help of the mother's breast.
8. The later it is done, the easier it is to adapt a child to complementary feeding. An older child can eat on his own, and the risk of an allergic reaction to food is lower.

Introduction rules

There are certain rules that are important especially at the initial stage:

1. Calendar deadlines must be taken into account. In early spring and winter, it is better to be careful with vegetable products and buy canned or frozen vegetables. Summer and fall are good times to introduce vegetables.
2. When introducing a child to complementary feeding, it is necessary to develop the correct nutritional regimen - take intervals of 4 hours.
3. Complementary foods (warm, but not hot) should be given to the baby on an empty stomach when he wants to eat. After complementary feeding, you can supplement your baby with breast milk or a milk substitute. The first complementary feeding is carried out at the second feeding.
4. You need to start feeding your baby STRICTLY with a silicone spoon, which protects sensitive gums from damage. Gradually, the baby should get used to the spoon and learn how to handle it. The first portions of complementary feeding are accompanied by mother's milk or its substitute.
5. New foods should be introduced into the toddler’s nutritional diet in the morning, so it is possible to monitor the body’s reaction.
6. Factory-made food for children undergoes a multi-level assessment of manufacturing quality at the enterprise. However, if a young mother has free time, she can prepare vegetable porridge, for example from broccoli at home using a blender.
7. You can start feeding your baby or introduce a new product only if the baby has no pathologies. It is possible during the recovery period after illness, if the child does not have bowel problems. Do not start complementary feeding immediately before (3-4 days) or immediately after your child's vaccination. The reason to wait is stress, a change in the environment familiar to the toddler.
8. When introducing complementary foods, it is strictly forbidden to use violent measures. If the little one turns his head away, puts away the spoon with complementary foods, or cries a lot, give him the breast, or a breast substitute.
9. If the baby’s nutritional diet has been supplemented with a new product, it is necessary to monitor the body’s reaction to it. If a rash appears on the skin, dry skin, scabies, stool upset, or other pathological symptoms of the digestive system, the new product must be urgently excluded from the diet.
10. The second product can be given two weeks after the body has accepted the crumbs of the first.
11. Drinks must be given to the baby at his first request. But when eating, you must refrain from drinking liquid. When a child does not drink water well, you can replace it with sugar-free compote - if he is 8 months old.
12. The consistency of the products should initially be liquid, but over time the dishes should become thicker.

1. Eating between meals on a schedule must be eliminated. When your child insists on food or just needs to chew something, give him a local fruit.

1. Careful monitoring of stool and a thorough check of the skin are the main tasks of a responsible mother, which is important for the entire period of feeding the baby with complementary foods.
2. If rashes appear on the skin or the baby’s bowel movements are abnormal, you should urgently seek advice from a specialist.
3. The first feeding is about half a teaspoon. If the little one is interested in the food offered, increase the volume, bringing it to the required age norm in two weeks. Food and dishes for the child should not be stored in the refrigerator; prepare food immediately before feeding.

What foods can you give?

It is necessary to approach the choice of food products for the first complementary feeding on a purely individual basis.

It is necessary to adhere to the following guidelines when choosing a baby’s diet:

• body mass;
• stool condition;
• general health;
• time of the year.

If the baby is in normal health and has normal weight gain, it is preferable to introduce pureed vegetables. For example, introduce zucchini puree; such a product does not have allergenic properties (cabbage puree, broccoli).

Here are some more useful tips:

• if there is a problem of weak weight gain, it is necessary to start feeding the toddler with cereals; rice, buckwheat, and corn are good options; already at the next stage, supplement the baby’s diet with vegetables and dishes made from them;
• if the little one suffers from frequent stool disorders, the first product in the diet should be prune puree;
• It is recommended, whenever possible, to use vegetable oils for vegetable dishes, and in the case of cereals - melted butter;
• Experts do not recommend starting with fruit puree, because... after eating sweets, the toddler will not normally accept bland vegetable dishes;
• It is not recommended to consume meat-based broths - they additionally burden the kidneys;
• It is recommended to consume cow and chicken meat, eggs, and fish after the baby reaches 12 months of age.

Complementary feeding table

Product	Age group	Specifics	Usage rate
Vegetable puree	From 6 months	Prepared from one type of vegetable - green, white or yellow. Once the baby gets used to it, the components can be mixed
Fruit puree	From 7 or 8 months	It is necessary to exclude citrus fruits; after habituation, prepare a multicomponent mixture	Add half a teaspoon, bringing to 200 g.
Berry puree	From 12 months	Dark berries, such as currants or blueberries, work well.
Meat puree	From 8 months	Cow, calf or rabbit meat is prepared either separately or mixed	Add half a teaspoon, bringing to 100 g.
Various offal	From 10 or 12 months	The product is seasoned with vegetable puree	Use once or twice a week, add half a teaspoon, bringing it to 100 g.
Lactic acid food	From 9 or 10 months	Use low-fat kefir as a separate product (without mixing)	Add half a teaspoon, bringing to 150 g.
Dairy products	From 9 or 10 months	Mix with kefir or yogurt, use as a separate product	Add half a teaspoon, bringing to 60 g.
Porridges without milk	From 6 months	Buckwheat, oatmeal, corn or rice porridge. Once you get used to it, you can move on to multi-ingredient porridges	Add half a teaspoon, bringing to 200 g.
Milk porridge	From 8 or 9 months	Buckwheat, corn or rice. In case of a normal reaction - oatmeal, then multi-component porridges	Add half a teaspoon, bringing to 200 g.
Semolina, pearl barley, wheat porridge	From 12 months	It is strictly forbidden to mix	Add two tsp, bringing to 250 g.
Vegetable oils	From 6 months	Olive or sunflower oils, alternately added to the puree	Add 3-5 drops, bringing to 1 tsp.
Cow butter	From 7 months	Season with purees, porridges	Add an eighth of a teaspoon, bringing to 20 g.
Fish	From 10 or 11 months	Needs to be cooked and cut into small pieces	Use twice a week, add half a teaspoon, bringing up to 200 g.
Juice	From 10 or 12 months	Only a completely natural product, diluted in a 1:1 ratio with water	Introduce starting with two to four drops, bring to 120 g.
Cookies for children	From 9 months	Mix with milk until the baby masters chewing pieces	An eighth part is introduced, bringing it to the whole.

WHO first feeding table

WHO specialists and pediatricians have proposed charts and diagrams that allow you to properly organize complementary feeding for your baby at every stage.

The choice of complementary foods is influenced by:

• individual characteristics of the toddler’s body;
• natural and climatic conditions of the zone;
• national traditions.

For countries located on or near the equator, the first products will be tropical plants such as oranges, bananas, mangoes, sweet potatoes. For the Russian Federation, normal products are those that are common in the middle part of the country and are not new to the toddler’s body.

The child begins to get used to such products while still in the mother’s womb, thus reducing the possibility of allergies.

It is recommended to determine the first of homogeneous products (for example, cereal porridge) based on monitoring the baby or on the advice of a pediatrician.

Looking at the recommended scheme for introducing complementary foods, you will notice that the table sometimes contains a list of similar foods; this does not mean that you need to eat all of them at once. It is necessary to introduce 1-2 products of one group.

The first complementary feeding during breastfeeding, the scheme of which is approved by the World Health Organization and the most authoritative pediatricians, is given below.

Days	New Product	Volume (teaspoon) on the first day	Volume (teaspoon) for the last day	Notes
Complementary foods - zucchini puree for breakfast. At the end of breakfast, until we are completely sated, we switch to a product familiar to the toddler - mother’s milk or its substitute.
1-7 days	Vegetable puree from zucchini	0.5 (3 grams)	28 (166 grams)	On the 6th and 7th days, add a teaspoon of sunflower or olive oil to the puree. Every day we increase the number of spoons, respectively: 0.5; 3; 7; 12; 20; 27
Complementary food - cauliflower puree. We prepare two types of puree for breakfast: zucchini and cauliflower. We immediately give cauliflower puree, then we offer zucchini puree. For lunch, we give the baby a familiar product - mother's milk or its substitute.
8-14 day	Vegetable puree from cauliflower	0.5 (3 grams)	28 (170 grams)	On the 13th and 14th days, add a teaspoon of sunflower or olive oil to the puree. Every day we increase the number of spoons, respectively: 0.5; 1; 3; 7; 12; 20; 28
Complementary foods - broccoli puree. We prepare two types of puree for breakfast (depending on the specific day - zucchini or cauliflower puree). For lunch, we give the baby a familiar product - mother's milk or its substitute.
15-21 days	Broccoli vegetable puree	0.5 (3 grams)	28 (170 grams)	On the 20th and 21st days, add a teaspoon of sunflower or olive oil to the puree. Every day we increase the number of spoons, respectively: 0.5; 1; 3; 7; 12; 20; 28
Complementary foods - buckwheat porridge for breakfast. At the end of breakfast, we switch to the toddler’s usual product - mother’s milk or its substitute. We eat vegetables that supplement the baby’s nutritional diet for lunch in the amount that the child needs (the norm is 170 grams)
22-28 day	Buckwheat	0.5 (3 grams)	28 (166 grams)	On the 26th, 27th and 28th days, add one teaspoon of butter to the porridge. If the first complementary feeding product is porridge, you should start with olive or sunflower oil and introduce it when complementary feeding reaches 100 grams. Every day we increase the number of spoons, respectively: 0.5; 1; 3; 7; 12; 20; 28
Complementary foods - rice porridge. We prepare two porridges for breakfast, first we offer the baby rice porridge, then buckwheat porridge. We eat vegetables that supplement the baby’s nutritional diet for lunch in the amount that the child needs (the norm is 170 grams)
29-35 day	Rice porridge	0.5 (3 grams)	28 (166 grams)	On the 34th and 35th days, add one teaspoon of butter. Every day we increase the number of spoons, respectively: 0.5; 1; 3; 7; 12; 20; 28
Complementary feeding - corn porridge. We prepare two types of cereals for breakfast. We immediately offer corn porridge, followed by buckwheat or rice porridge. We eat vegetables that supplement the baby’s nutritional diet for lunch in the amount that the child needs (the norm is 170 grams)
36-42 days	Corn porridge	0.5 (3 grams)	28 (166 grams)	On the 41st and 42nd days, add a teaspoon of butter. Every day we increase the number of spoons, respectively: 0.5; 1; 3; 7; 12; 20; 28
Complementary food - pumpkin puree for lunch. Porridge, which previously supplemented the toddler’s nutritional diet, is consumed for breakfast, the norm is 170 grams
43-49 day	Pumpkin vegetable puree	0.5 (3 grams)	28 (166 grams)	On the 48th and 49th days, add a teaspoon of butter. Every day we increase the number of spoons, respectively: 0.5; 1; 3; 7; 12; 20;28
Complementary food for breakfast - applesauce. Vegetables that supplement the child’s nutritional diet continue to be consumed at 170 grams for lunch
50-56 day	Applesauce	0.5 (3 grams)	10 (60 grams)
Complementary food for breakfast - oatmeal. We eat vegetables introduced into the children's diet at lunch; the norm is 170 grams.
57-63 day	Oatmeal porridge	0.5 (3 grams)	28 (166 grams)	Important! Here we are talking about oatmeal in the form of flakes - “Hercules”, do not confuse it with oatmeal in grains. On the 62nd and 63rd days, add one spoon of butter to the porridge. Every day we increase the number of spoons, respectively: 0.5; 1; 3; 7; 12; 20; 28
Complementary feeding product - rabbit meat for breakfast, combined with porridge. We eat vegetables introduced into the children's diet at lunch; the norm is 170 grams. In addition - 60 grams of applesauce.
64-70 day	Rabbit meat	0.5 (3 grams)	8 (50 grams)	Every day we increase the number of spoons, respectively: 0.5; 1; 3; 4; 6; 8; 10
Complementary feeding product - prune puree, as an addition to porridge for breakfast. We continue to consume 170 grams of vegetables that supplement the child’s nutritional diet for lunch, along with 50 grams of rabbit meat
71-77 days	Prune puree	0.5 (3 grams)	10 (60 grams)
Complementary feeding product - turkey meat for breakfast, combined with porridge. We eat vegetables introduced into the children's diet at lunch; the norm is 170 grams. In addition - 60 grams of applesauce
78-84 day	Turkey meat	0.5 (3 grams)	8 (50 grams)	Every day we increase the number of spoons, respectively: 0.5; 1; 3; 4; 5; 7; 8
85-91 days	Pear puree	0.5 (3 grams)	10 (60 grams)	Every day we increase the number of spoons, respectively: 0.5; 1; 3; 4; 6; 8; 10

Is it possible to introduce: cottage cheese, kefir and cheese?

Authoritative pediatrician Komarovsky recommends introducing fermented milk dishes first. In baby food stores you need to choose special kefir. After a couple of days from the start of feeding the baby, the fermented milk product can be supplemented with low-fat cottage cheese.

The eminent pediatrician is convinced that such a diet is more suitable for the baby, since it is closer in taste and composition to mother’s milk. Vegetable puree is strikingly different from the usual diet products. Which can lead to disruption of the baby’s digestive system (stool problems, colic).

Nutritionists say that cottage cheese is dangerous because it contains potassium in excessive quantities. But in breast milk the amount of this element is almost the same.

The benefits of consuming fermented milk are obvious. Eating cottage cheese leads to strengthening of the bone skeleton, improves the development of teeth, nails, hair, and promotes the formation of a normal structure of the skin. Cottage cheese has a positive effect on the functioning of the brain and improves memory.

Including kefir in complementary foods helps eliminate intestinal upset and boost the child’s immune system. In addition, this additionally protects the baby from the effects of pathogenic microorganisms and viruses on the body. The components that make up kefir take part in metabolism and stop rotting and fermentation in the child’s body.

Thus, each mother decides individually what should be included in the first complementary feeding. First of all, it is necessary to closely monitor the condition of the baby.

Cheese should not be introduced into complementary foods before 11-12 months; it is too heavy a product for a child’s digestion. Please note that the fat content of the cheese should not exceed 45%. Low-fat cheeses should also not be included in complementary foods.

Porridge administration scheme

The first feeding with cereals is necessary if the child suffers from the following pathologies: atopic dermatitis, hay fever, bronchial asthma, underweight, frequent regurgitation. Accustoming your toddler to cereals should begin with cereals that do not contain gluten (vegetable protein).

Such a component is difficult for the developing organism to perceive; this can lead to bloating, excessive gas formation, and pain in the abdominal area. Cereals such as wheat, oats, rye, millet, and barley contain gluten.

You can prepare porridge for your baby using water; for breastfeeding, you need to use mother's milk. In the case of artificial feeding of a child, it is allowed to use a familiar substitute for preparing porridge.

If a child is predisposed to bowel movements, it is not recommended to make rice porridge as the first complementary food product. The most suitable for this case is buckwheat porridge.

Buckwheat porridge can provoke an allergic reaction, but this is individual - monitor the baby’s reaction, then make a decision. If you are allergic to buckwheat porridge, use rice; if you have constipation, use buckwheat.

If your toddler is immediately susceptible to allergic reactions and constipation, introduce corn porridge, and we are not talking about ground corn, but about a special baby corn porridge. Afterwards, you can supplement your baby’s diet with oatmeal.

To minimize the occurrence of allergies or other negative effects from cereals, it is necessary to add them to the baby’s diet with caution, especially if the child is susceptible to pathologies such as diathesis, allergies, constipation, diarrhea, etc. The lower the initial dosage, the better it is for the toddler’s body. With a small initial dosage, the porridge will be absorbed into the body gradually, reducing the likelihood of diathesis.

It is necessary to accustom your child to cereals according to the following schedule:

• 6-7th month - prepare porridge from rice, buckwheat, corn;
• 7-8th month, if the baby has accepted the porridges listed above well, you can move on to various combinations of them, you can also supplement the diet with oatmeal;
• starting from the 10th month you can use millet and pearl barley;
• after 12 months, semolina is good.

Scheme for introducing vegetables

Vegetable puree and soup, fresh vegetables are the recommended first foods for feeding a baby who has no health problems. Such products are well suited for children with rickets and anemia.

When teaching a baby to eat vegetables, the time of year is of great importance, because... You should absolutely not consume such products purchased in stores, since the content of harmful elements in them may be higher than the permissible amount.

Vegetable puree is perfect as a first course of complementary feeding; it must be prepared according to a special children's recipe. Products for making purees must be subject to control of the amount of nitrates, pesticides, and other hazardous elements.

Vegetable puree produced in packages is a good option, since when vegetables are processed they retain most of the beneficial elements. Another positive side is that packaged vegetable purees contain an additional complex of vitamins and minerals, which ensures the full development of the toddler. Immediately before choosing a particular product, you need to consult a specialist; he will help you take into account the individual characteristics of the baby.

Do not introduce two vegetables at the same time, only one-component puree. 30 days after starting to get used to vegetables, season the vegetable puree with small doses of vegetable oils.

The most useful are vegetable oils produced using “cold” technology; they contain saturated fatty acids, which have a positive effect on the skin. The most positive effect of flaxseed oil.

After getting accustomed to pureed fresh or frozen vegetables, you can move on to various combinations of vegetable products.

When the goal is to avoid eating ready-made baby purees or frozen vegetables from the store, you can prepare the raw materials yourself. The temperature is set depending on how long the vegetables will be stored: at minus 6 degrees – when stored for a week, minus 12 degrees – when stored for 30 days, minus 18 degrees – when stored for 90 days.

Important! When choosing a ready-made vegetable puree, carefully study the composition; it should not contain spices or salt. The first, however, like subsequent purees should consist exclusively of water and vegetables.

• the volume of complementary foods is gradually increased to 100 milliliters, if everything is normal, they give the next vegetable, the same law for any product is a new product once every two weeks;
• the lower the initial dose of vegetable complementary foods, the less likely the child will develop diathesis;
• you need to start with a “local” vegetable, typical for a specific family or area;
• the vegetable is left if the product does not lead to negative reactions of the body, such as: rashes, redness, itching, stool problems, bloating;
• if negative consequences occur, the product is excluded from the diet, wait 3 days, during which the symptoms should subside, and introduce the next vegetable;
• at the initial stage it will not be possible to do without a blender; then it will be enough to mash the boiled vegetables with a fork (it is useful to accustom the child to food consisting of soft pieces);
• when a negative reaction of the body is provoked by an increase in the dosage of a vegetable already consumed, we interrupt its consumption for two days, then we switch to the dosage that was before the allergic reaction appeared;
• standard vegetables can be supplemented over time with:
  • zucchini;
  • squash;
  • turnip;
  • Jerusalem artichoke;
  • pumpkin;
  • parsnip;
  • green peas;
  • corn.

Complementary feeding recipes for infants

Below we will look at recipes for preparing various dishes for the baby’s nutritious diet.

Vegetable puree

For a six-month-old baby you need:

• half a potato;
• a quarter of a carrot;
• a fifth of a turnip;
• three tbsp. spoons of milk;
• a third of a teaspoon of syrup;
• half a teaspoon of salt solution.

It is not recommended to use natural sugar and salt for babies. Their substitutes are used - sugar syrup, salt solution. Sugar syrup: pour boiling water over sugar in a 1:1 ratio and cook for half an hour. Strain the resulting solution. Salt solution: dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in a liter of boiling water.

Wash the vegetables, peel and chop. Add water to cover the vegetables, cover and simmer. Season the boiled vegetables with milk, syrup, and salt solution. Simmer for 3 minutes. Mix everything using a blender.

Homemade cottage cheese

Cottage cheese is recommended for both the baby and the mother during breastfeeding. Prepare cottage cheese for a baby aged 6-7 months like this: heat the milk, add 4 tbsp. spoons of sour cream. Mix everything, cover and leave overnight in a dark, warm place.

Meat dish

By-products are added in small portions to pureed vegetables after the baby reaches one year of age. To prepare children's dishes, low-fat meat is used. You can use beef, veal, chicken, turkey, rabbit.

It is forbidden to use minced meat - only pieces of meat. Grind the boiled pieces of meat using a blender, mix with vegetable puree.

When the baby reaches 7-8 months of age, you can switch to consuming broths and meat soups. To prepare vegetable puree soup on a meat basis or with the addition of meat, you need half a potato and half a carrot. Broccoli or cauliflower can be used.

Cook the meat, throw in the peeled and chopped vegetables. Boil over heat until fully cooked. Next, the broth and all its contents must be crushed using a blender. For older children, add finely chopped meat.

FAQ

Is it possible to introduce semolina porridge to a baby as the first complementary food?

Many young mothers, remembering their childhood and the advice of their grandmothers, especially if the baby’s weight gain is poor, introduce semolina as early as 4 months of age, hoping that this will strengthen the baby’s body. At this age, experts do not recommend using complementary foods at all.

Semolina porridge is well absorbed by the body, but can lead to an allergic reaction. The sooner the product is introduced into the baby’s diet, the higher the likelihood of an allergy.

The peculiarity of semolina porridge is that even at the age recommended for complementary feeding of a child, its consumption will not have a positive effect. Semolina contains many calories and gluten. Its use at this age will lead to excessive weight gain in the toddler and disruption of its normal physical development.

The most optimal age for mastering this dish is after the baby reaches 12 months. It is necessary to clearly regulate the dose of porridge. The purpose of any complementary feeding is to introduce different foods, nothing more.

Remember about the calorie content; it is rational to consume semolina porridge no more than once in 7 days. Moderate consumption of semolina is relevant up to the age of three.

If a child does not accept semolina porridge, do not force it!

What to do if the child does not want to eat complementary foods?

Sometimes, especially at the initial stage, a child may spit out food; complementary feeding can lead to a gag reflex. Caring parents classify this as refusal of complementary feeding.

Experts say that there is no need to be afraid of vomiting, since at this age it is functional in nature. Vomiting most often occurs during a prolonged period of breastfeeding. The desires and taste of the baby must be taken into account, while defending the desired result.

Your baby’s taste preferences can be changed not by force, but by little tricks; here are some recommendations if you have difficulty introducing complementary foods:

• new complementary foods are given to the baby first - when he is hungry;
• strictly adhere to the meal schedule - the little one should get hungry;
• at the initial stage, you can treat the new product with breast milk or its substitute;
• determine the baby’s taste predisposition – mashed potatoes, broccoli, mashed mixed vegetables;
• when another product causes a negative reaction - do not persist, try giving another, return to the original dish after a while;
• they are introduced to new complementary foods slowly (7 days), checking the body’s reaction to it;
• seat the baby at the family table, demonstrate by your own example that the food you eat is delicious;
• You can give some food from an “adult” plate, it is important not to use violent measures!

Refusal of complementary feeding may be a consequence of the baby’s poor health – teeth formation, pain in the abdomen. There is no need to use toys or do feeding “quietly”. This can form a dangerous habit of eating while playing. Feeding “quietly” will not have a positive effect on the developing organism. If the child is not in the mood to eat, saliva and gastric juice are not released, and the food will not be digested.

Will the child be stronger and healthier if complementary foods are introduced as early as possible?

Experts assure that there is no positive effect from introducing complementary foods at an early age.

Let us outline the main negative consequences of early complementary feeding of a child:

• the occurrence of allergic reactions;
• bloating, pain in the abdomen;
• bowel dysfunction;
• gag reflex, frequent regurgitation;
• colic;
• not eating.

Do weaning foods have to be homemade?

First of all, you need to consider whether it is possible to purchase high-quality finished products. When producing baby food, it is subject to product quality control at every technological stage.

Each mother can also independently prepare any of the dishes of the baby’s nutritious diet. It all depends on the specific situation - the decision is yours!

With low hemoglobin, is it important to feed apples and buckwheat porridge?

If the first symptoms of anemia occur, you must immediately contact your pediatrician and donate blood to determine your hemoglobin level. If necessary, visit a specialized specialist.

Treatment of anemia occurs at home, the patient takes medications containing iron aimed at babies. In this case, it is necessary to include in the child’s diet foods containing a lot of iron, manganese, copper (apples, buckwheat porridge).

When the only product in the baby's diet is mother's milk, it is necessary to adjust the mother's diet. If it is not possible to increase your hemoglobin level, you must undergo medical procedures under the supervision of specialists.

After a year can I eat everything?

The main condition when preparing a nutritious diet for a child after 12 months is that it should be varied, balanced, and healthy. A caring mother should clearly monitor the food her child eats.

• various types of semi-finished products;
• prepared meat products (sausages, frankfurters);
• smoked products – meat, fish, cheeses;
• sweet sparkling water;
• various chips, nuts, crackers, salted seeds;
• fast food products;
• canned products - meat, fish, vegetables, fruits;
• mushrooms, regardless of the cooking method;
• mayonnaise, sauces, ketchup.

There are foods that are not recommended for children to eat, but are acceptable:

• sweets of various varieties;
• baked goods, flour products;
• seafood;
• spices and seasonings;
• quick porridge.

Doctor Komarovsky about complementary feeding

Now, you know when to introduce complementary foods while breastfeeding, and how to do it correctly. Therefore, if your toddler actively resists new complementary foods, do not persist.

Carefully observe the baby’s reactions, listen to your heart, only this can ensure the child’s normal growth and health. Don't rush into introducing complementary foods! Only by following these rules will you ensure maximum benefits from food for your little one’s body.