Read below 10 facts about children's nutrition and advice from pediatricians and nutritionists from leading European institutions, based on thorough research into how the body functions in babies and children.
1. Maybe before the age of six, but never before the full five months
The World Health Organization advises mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for six months. However, if your child shows readiness to transition to solid food earlier, you can give him a mix of fruit and milled rice, but not before 20 weeks of age (five months). You should know that the premature introduction of porridge into the baby's diet is associated with a large number of allergic reactions in older age.
2. Sure signs
The signs that the child is ready to eat non-dairy food in addition to mother's milk are the following: the baby sits steadily without anyone's help, puts his hands in his mouth, watches you while you eat and seems to be hungry after eating a milk meal.
3. Sudden laziness
It has been observed that at the end of the third and beginning of the fourth month of life, most babies become insatiable almost overnight. During this period, they are able to suck milk from both breasts and it seems as if they could eat so much more. Before you decide to supplement your baby's food, wait 48 hours, because that's how long the period of sudden "laziness" lasts. However, if it does not go away even after five days, introduce the baby to one meal of parboiled rice mixed with your milk and monitor the situation.
4. Take your time
Mothers in our country usually start feeding their babies when they are 4 months old. This actually means that they rush and risk their child developing asthma, diabetes or eczema later on.
5. Good preparation
Babies who have been breastfed for at least five months digest non-dairy foods much better than formula-fed babies. The reason for this is the enzymes from mother's milk whose task is to "prepare" the baby's intestines for the digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Although most mothers feed their babies with mixed food, the system by which the child takes chopped food with his fingers is becoming more and more popular in the world. It is usually started with a finely sliced banana or boiled carrot. Research has shown that a child eats 30% more this way than when mom feeds him with a spoon.
6. Loss of appetite
Do you know this: until yesterday he was eating, and then suddenly he lost his appetite and won't eat anything? Check his gums. If they are red and swollen, your child will soon be teething, and that is why he refuses to eat even his favorite food. While the problem persists, let him drink chilled yogurt or gnaw on crusty bread.
7. Parboiled rice
When your baby is six months old, include boiled rice with some cooked fruit or vegetables in her diet. You can offer this food to your child with breast or formula milk.
8. Turning the head
Monitor the child's behavior during feeding. As long as he opens his mouth, he is not full yet. As soon as he starts to turn his head to the side and push the spoon with his tongue, you know that he has had enough.
9. Pushing reflex
Unlike adults, babies younger than six months stick their tongues out instead of in during feeding. It is a reflex with which they "defend" themselves from suffocation. Given that this reflex disappears around the sixth month, it is unnecessary to feed her with a spoon before this age.
10. Organic food
If you can, buy organic food for your child. It is more expensive than "ordinary", but, for example, organic milk contains twice as much omega-3 fatty acids (necessary for brain development) than standard milk. In addition, organic milk is richer in vitamin E and contains many more antioxidants (infection fighters) than regular milk.
Source: Zelenaucionica.com
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