Introduction of complementary foods during breastfeeding after allergies. Scheme for introducing monthly complementary feeding during breastfeeding, developed by the Union of Pediatricians of Russia. You need to be careful with berries from the garden

How to properly introduce complementary foods to a breastfed baby? The introduction of complementary foods is carried out according to several schemes, and not all of them are correct. Complementary feeding according to the traditional and outdated scheme, still recommended by the older generation and some experts, is recognized as harmful for children under the age of one year. At the moment, complementary feeding of children is determined by pediatric norms and recommendations of the World Health Organization, which must be followed for the growth and development of the child. How to correctly introduce the first foods to a baby’s menu?

When to introduce complementary foods

Contrary to the traditions of complementary feeding, which was popular during the existence of the USSR, the timing of a child’s first acquaintance with new food has been significantly changed. The early introduction of juices, cereals, and vegetable purees several decades ago was somewhat justified only for children who were bottle-fed, due to the inferior composition of substitute mixtures. The need to return to work after maternity leave contributed to the transfer of children to breast milk substitutes, which were not saturated with essential vitamins and minerals, and the early introduction of complementary foods helped to somewhat compensate for the deficiency of microelements in children. It was popular to use fruit juices (drop by drop) at 2 months, vegetable purees and cereals from three months.

Modern experts categorically state: such complementary feeding at the age of physiological immaturity of the body only brings harm to the child. The composition of breast milk is so complete and rich that it provides a healthy baby with all the necessary substances for up to 6 months, and substitute formulas do not require additions. The concept of early introduction of complementary foods is recognized as erroneous and irrelevant.

Complementary feeding for a child no earlier than 6 months of age is recognized as corresponding to the physiological needs and capabilities of infants, while food does not replace, but only supplements, breast milk (or milk formula) for the next six months. In some cases, the first complementary feeding at 4-5 months as prescribed by the pediatrician is justified. As a rule, such recommendations are based on the dynamics of height and weight gain and allergic reactions to substitute mixtures. In this case, an early start to complementary feeding is possible, but there must be medical indications for it, and not the desire of parents or other relatives.

The introduction of additional food into a child’s diet at the age of six months is due to the increasing need for protein, vitamins and minerals. Nature provides a unique marker of children’s readiness for food other than breast milk: the appearance of teeth. However, the living conditions of the mother and child, a changed general diet, environmental conditions and diseases can lead to both too early and too late teething in the baby, so experts advise not to focus on this factor, but to follow the general recommendations or prescriptions of the pediatrician.

What are the dangers of introducing new foods to a baby under 6 months of age?

Until six months after birth, the digestive system is just beginning to function. The baby’s gastrointestinal tract is capable of processing breast milk or liquids similar in composition to it; any other products require the production of enzymes for digestion, which the baby’s digestive organs are not yet capable of, and compounds unfamiliar to the body, at best, leave the intestines undigested. At worst, new foods can be harmful to the baby, especially infants and newborns.
Moreover, the composition of new food can irritate the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, creating favorable conditions for the development of gastrointestinal diseases. New components entering the immature body are perceived as foreign agents and increase the susceptibility of the immune system, cause allergic reactions in the form of skin dermatitis, and disrupt the intestinal microflora. At the same time, even microdoses of new food can contribute to the development of negative reactions.

Porridges as early complementary foods, especially those made according to “grandmother’s” recipes - with milk, salt and sugar, also cause significant harm to infants. Cow's milk protein is a strong allergen, and milk is introduced into the diet no earlier than a year. An infant does not need salt and sugar, but porridge as a complementary food introduced before vegetable purees, even at the age of 6 months, is indicated only for children with a discrepancy between the weight index and age. An abundance of carbohydrates consumed without medical indications contributes to the development of a tendency to childhood obesity and the accumulation of excess body weight in adulthood.

First feeding for children under one year old: table

Schemes and schedules have been developed that allow you to properly organize complementary feeding for your child by month. Depending on the individual characteristics of children, climatic conditions, and traditions of countries, they may change somewhat: for example, in tropical countries, exotic fruits and vegetables can be seen in complementary feeding products for the first year: mangoes, oranges, sweet potatoes. In Russia, complementary foods for children include products that are common in the middle zone and familiar to the body. Children “get to know” the components of vegetables and fruits during prenatal development, thereby reducing the likelihood of allergic reactions. From six months onwards, complementary foods are introduced to all babies.

Complementary feeding table

It is recommended to select the first product from a list of similar ones (for example, cereal porridges) based on observations of the child or recommendations of a specialist. Thus, when introducing monocomponent porridges, it should be taken into account that rice porridge is the most low-allergenic, but it helps to consolidate feces and can complicate the process of bowel movement in a child prone to constipation. Prune puree, on the contrary, has the property of softening the contents of the intestines and facilitating the process of bowel movements, which is not recommended for children with a tendency to loose stools.

The presence of various products in the table does not mean that, for example, upon reaching 8 months of age, a child should begin to eat all types of pureed meats listed. Depending on the baby’s reaction, the pediatrician’s recommendations and the availability of food, 1-2 varieties from the recommended group are introduced.

How to properly introduce complementary foods to a child: what, when and how much?

General rules for introducing new products into the diet have been developed:

• Complementary feeding begins upon reaching the required age and if there are signs of readiness: the fading of the tongue thrust reflex, the appearance of food interest in the child;
• products are introduced one by one;
• adaptation to the type of product is assessed within a week;
• in the first months, only one food group is introduced for 30 days;
• the first portion is 5 ml of puree (maximum);
• increasing the amount of food to the age-appropriate norm is carried out gradually, increasing the volume over 7-10 days;
• Complementary feeding does not replace, but complements breastfeeding;
• Mashed potatoes or porridge are offered to the child at lunchtime.

In the vast majority of cases, the first group of products for six-month-old children are monocomponent vegetable purees. In some cases, if you are underweight, the first choice product on the recommendation of your pediatrician may be cereal porridges.

Shredded vegetables are chosen according to the least likelihood of causing an allergy; the following order is most often recommended: zucchini puree, then cauliflower, broccoli, pumpkin and carrots.

Bright orange vegetables (carrots, pumpkin) are introduced at the last stage of introducing vegetables due to the increased likelihood of allergic reactions. Carrots, as a vegetable rich in carotene, are recommended to be included in the menu no more than 2-3 times a week, otherwise there may be excessive accumulation of carotene in the tissues, which is externally manifested by yellowing of the skin of the child’s palms and feet.

At least a week should pass between the introduction of new types of vegetables; in the first month of vegetable complementary feeding, different purees are not mixed. Complementary feeding does not require flavoring additives: there is no need to add salt, sugar, oil, the child does not need such products, and the body is not yet ready for them. Vegetable purees can be diluted slightly with breast milk, this helps combine new and familiar tastes and promotes the swallowing of thinner foods.

Vegetable puree, even for the first acquaintance with a new product, can be either purchased ready-made or made independently. When making puree for babies, the vegetable, peeled, peeled, and seeds, is boiled or steamed, then pureed using a blender or rubbed through a fine sieve. If necessary, vegetable broth or breast milk is added to the finished puree. Homemade puree cannot be stored; for small children it must be prepared immediately before each lunch.

Photo: BrunoWeltmann/Shutterstock.com

Complementary feeding for a 7 month old baby

Many grain porridges contain gluten, a protein that can cause allergic reactions and provoke the development of small intestinal pathology such as celiac disease. To avoid the possibility of allergies, children under 1 year of age are recommended to eat porridges made only from gluten-free cereals. For the same reason, bread and confectionery products (baked bread, bagels, cookies) made from wheat flour are not recommended for infants.

Gluten-free cereals include rice, buckwheat and corn; this is the diet of cereals offered to young children. You should not try to diversify your menu with other types of grains; at best it will not be beneficial, at worst it will harm your health.

Beloved by the older generation, semolina porridge, which pleased parents with its “fine” structure and the absence of the need to grind the product, is also gluten-free. Moreover, experts find absolutely no benefit in semolina for young children; semolina porridge contains almost exclusively carbohydrates and almost no vitamins and nutrients. It saturates, filling the stomach, and this limits the effect of semolina.

In addition to the absence of gluten, there are two more requirements for porridges for infants: the absence of milk (it is possible to add breast milk, but not animal milk) and monocomponent. For young children, the “one meal – one product” rule is the key to proper intestinal functioning. There is no need to mix cereals, try to add fruit or sugar to the porridge; the digestive system is stressed from single-component dishes; additional inclusions can provoke intestinal upset or trigger a response from the immune system.

When introducing cereals, just like any other type of food, it is necessary to monitor changes in the child’s condition: stool characteristics, characteristics of reactions that may be associated with pain or discomfort in the abdomen, the appearance of a rash, and signs of allergies. Negative reactions may occur not when first introduced to a new food, but when its volume increases. Therefore, first, a new product is introduced into the diet in full during a week and the baby’s condition is assessed, and then they move on to a new variety. Otherwise, there may be a mixture of allergic reactions and difficulty identifying the allergen.

Today on sale you can find a significant number of porridges for children: specially processed cereals are crushed and sublimated, in most cases there is no need to cook such porridge, you just need to add hot water and cool it before feeding. This is the best option for those mothers who do not see the need to prepare and grind small portions of porridge before each feeding.

In most cases, porridge is introduced into the diet secondarily, a month after the introduction of vegetable purees. The administration scheme is the same as with vegetables: start with a teaspoon of a new product per day, gradually increasing to the required volume. Porridge is given to children for breakfast, before breastfeeding. Replacing porridge with evening feeding before bedtime “for satiety” and lengthening the period of night sleep is contrary to the principles of healthy eating and is condemned by pediatricians for its ability to overload the digestive system.

Complementary feeding at 8 months: diversifying the diet

With the onset of the age of 8 months and the successful introduction of vegetables and cereals into complementary feeding, they move on to introducing the baby to new foods. During this period, egg yolk (separate from the protein) is introduced as a supplier of valuable nutrients, various types of meat containing protein and essential amino acids, and a new vegetable - potatoes.
When choosing a yolk, it is recommended to give preference to quail eggs; they are less likely to cause allergic reactions in children and are more healthy. They start with small pieces of boiled yolk, ground with breast milk, if the child is not yet able to eat them in their pure form. The frequency of including yolk in the diet is no more than twice a week for a child 8 months old.

After the first acquaintance with the yolk and the absence of allergies, the second time they give ½ part of quail or ¼ chicken yolk. Double the amount (a whole quail and ½ chicken yolk) is considered the maximum amount for eight-month-old children. If the introduction is successful, the yolk can be added to morning porridge and vegetable soups.
Meat puree is introduced in the same way as other products - with a volume of no more than 5 g, gradually increasing to the age norm (50 g / day). Turkey and rabbit are considered the first choice meats, as the least allergenic species. Next, veal, beef, chicken and lamb are introduced. Pork is not recommended for children under one and a half years old, lamb (due to the abundance of refractory fats) - up to 3-4 years. If the reaction to meat puree is positive, it can be mixed with vegetables.

Potatoes are among the foods to which allergic reactions occur with high frequency in children under 8 months. Due to the abundance of carbohydrates, its amount in the daily diet is 3 times less than other vegetables, and reaches a maximum of 50 g. Milk, spices and butter are not added to mashed potatoes for small children; potatoes are mashed with broth or breast milk.

Homemade meat puree

The optimal way to independently prepare meat puree for a child is considered to be the following: minced meat is used to form meatballs corresponding to the weight of 1 serving or less, then boil them and freeze them. Before preparing lunch, the meatball is added to the vegetables and steamed together or in a small amount of boiling water, then the resulting mixture is pureed and fed to the child.

Photo: Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

9 months: complementary feeding with fermented milk products

Despite the abundance of fermented milk products on store shelves, at 9 months complementary feeding begins with cottage cheese and kefir. The introduction of fermented milk products is carried out slowly; if necessary, complementary feeding is suspended, starting after a few days with a minimum volume.
For complementary feeding of infants, it is preferable to choose cottage cheese for children, with a delicate structure and the absence of additives. Regular grain curd needs to be ground; when purchasing, you need to be sure of the correct manufacturing technology, storage conditions and product composition: trust only high-quality products from well-known manufacturers and first study the label.

It is also better to use special kefir for children, although in this case you can use regular kefir, the main thing is fresh and natural, with a short shelf life (up to 5 days), without any additives.

Some children are reluctant to drink kefir because of its specific sour taste. In this case, the introduction of kefir into complementary foods is postponed for some time until the next attempt. Adding sugar to kefir is strictly not recommended. After introducing fruits and berries into complementary foods, you can mix a small amount of fruit puree or juice with kefir.

Features of complementary feeding for infants at 10 months

Fruits are introduced quite late due to the presence of fruit acids, which irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa. The baby still receives the bulk of vitamins from breast milk or artificial formula, so introducing fruits, berries or juices into complementary foods before the specified period does not make sense, but can lead to diseases of the digestive system.

What fruits should you give your child? First of all, they give preference to low-allergenic fruits that grow in their region of residence. For central Russia, green apples and pears are chosen. If the baby already has enough teeth, then you can not limit yourself to pureed foods, but carefully and under supervision offer pieces of apples and pears. At the same age, after becoming familiar with fruits, you can offer compote of apples, pears, and prunes for drinking.

Problems with introducing complementary foods

When introducing any new product, it is necessary to monitor the child’s reaction to nutrition not only during the process (refusals, pushing food out with the tongue), but also after. If the baby is worried, signs in behavior indicate discomfort in the tummy, there are stool abnormalities (changed consistency, constipation, dilution of stool), allergic rash, spots, the new product should be abandoned for 1-2 months, waiting for the maturity of the enzyme system.

How to administer a product to which a negative reaction was detected on the first try? Against the background of general health, without background allergies and vaccination in a recent history or in the near future, they start with microdoses, even if, according to age standards, the child should have been receiving, for example, 50 g of cottage cheese per day for a couple of months, they start with a teaspoon in the second feeding. If there are no unpleasant consequences, the dose is gradually increased. If consequences of introducing the product occur again, the timing of administration is postponed until the next time.

Many children react physiologically normally to foods, but refuse some of them. In this case, you should not insist; you can offer this food later, replacing it with a product from the same group.

Complementary food from a jar or homemade?

Both types of nutrition have their advantages and disadvantages. Industrially prepared purees in jars contain virtually no large fiber fibers, which can become an allergenic factor. Removing them when making them at home is somewhat energy-intensive.
Ready-made food is convenient to take with you, it can be stored for a long time in a closed form, and does not spoil on the road. However, you should pay attention to the brand, shelf life and, of course, the child’s reaction.

Flavoring additives

A child is born with a “pure” taste, unfamiliar with sweeteners, salt, and spices. What seems tasteless to an adult is optimally suited in composition to a child’s body, without overloading it with additional glucose or salt, and promotes the development of taste buds. Therefore, there is no need to add salt, sweeten, oil or spices to baby food.

Complementary feeding for a baby while breastfeeding is its full development. This process determines the child’s health and the strength of the immune system in the future. Due to the body's growing need for proteins and vitamins, additional nutrition is necessary. It is important to know the infant's complementary feeding schedule by month when breastfeeding in order to avoid the development of gastrointestinal diseases and allergies from an early age.

Signs

A characteristic marker of readiness to receive complementary foods is the first erupted tooth. However, doctors recommend focusing on other signs. It is best to introduce new foods to babies from 6 months.

Some children may begin complementary feeding at 4-5 months. Such a “false start” is typical of “artificial” ones. The presence of allergies or malnutrition can also contribute to early complementary feeding.

You can find out if your child is ready for a new “menu” by the following signs:

1. The child is already sitting down, trying to control his hands. That is, the maturation of the brain occurs. But if the baby is still sitting poorly, and his head movements are uncertain, then it is too early to feed the baby. He will not be able to turn away or refuse food at the right time.
2. By the age of six months, the baby's weight doubles. Premature babies should “catch up” to 2.5 times their birth weight by 6 months.
3. The baby remains hungry after breastfeeding. He may also ask to eat early.
4. The baby may pull his lower lip forward. This skill will allow you to eat from a spoon and open your mouth as soon as food is brought to it.
5. The little enthusiast is already showing curiosity about his parents' table and is closely watching your meals. He also doesn't mind tasting "grown-up" food.
6. The innate tongue thrust reflex fades away. This protection is necessary for the baby from getting foreign objects into the mouth. Let your child drink from a spoon. If he copes with this task and does not spit out the water, then it is time for a new feeding.

Important! Puree mixtures and liquid porridges should be given only from a spoon. This is how food will be processed by the baby’s saliva and easily digested.

You should not expect that all these signs will appear in your baby overnight. A few of them are enough to introduce a six-month-old baby to new food.

Introduction of complementary foods

The first complementary food during breastfeeding is an important stage in the life of a baby. Parents must adhere to a number of rules so that their child’s adaptation to a specific type of product is successful.

1. The first complementary foods should be introduced when the baby is absolutely healthy. He is not bothered by colic, bloating, allergic rashes, or teething.
2. Pediatricians recommend feeding your baby before breastfeeding. The food should be warm and have a puree-like consistency.
3. New cereals and purees are given to children at the first stage, 1/4 tsp. The portion should be increased to 150-180 g within 2 weeks. Each time the dish should contain less and less liquid so that it approaches its natural density.
4. The first feeding menu should consist of vegetables and fruits typical of your region of residence.
5. Give your baby time to adapt to new foods by adding them to the diet every 1.5-2 weeks.
6. When giving preference to factory-made baby food, monitor the expiration dates of the products. Caring mothers will not miss information about the composition, which should be absent: salt, sucrose, sugar, dextrose.

Remember that mother’s milk remains the main source of protein, vitamins, and minerals for an infant even after 6 months. In addition to nutrients, breastfeeding provides:

• reducing the risks of intestinal and respiratory viral infections;
• reducing the chances of allergic diseases;
• optimal pace of physical and neuropsychic development of children;
• reducing the risk of obesity and diabetes.

The challenge for parents is to understand how to properly introduce complementary foods, which should complement and not replace breastfeeding. The child continues to receive up to 70% of his energy from milk at 6-8 months, up to 55% at 9-12 months and up to 40% at 13-22 months.

Attachment to the breast still occurs at the baby's request, but with new foods, try to follow an hourly schedule. Here are the rules for complementary feeding during breastfeeding given by Komarovsky:

Complementary feeding table

From the sixth month, the baby becomes familiar with the taste and texture of new foods. In the future, the portions will increase, and with them the baby will receive:

• new communication (now it is not only his mother who feeds him);
• development of coordination of movements and motor skills;
• laying the foundations of good eating habits.

The baby's first complementary food is only mono-component puree. It is best to start with vegetables that do not yield, have a neutral taste, contain fiber and are easily digestible. These include:

• zucchini;
• pumpkin;
• broccoli;
• cauliflower.

Add 2-3 drops of vegetable oil, such as olive, to vegetable purees.

Important! All vegetables must undergo heat treatment before consumption. Mix zucchini, cabbage and pumpkin only if the child has tried them separately.

During the complementary feeding period, mother does not let go of the blender or sieve. With their help, it is so easy to chop and grind food, bringing the dish to the desired consistency.

In the first year, the baby may well try such foods from the common table as:

• veal, poultry, boiled or stewed;
• boiled lean fish;
• some legumes, for example, lentils, green peas;
• “milk” in the form of yoghurt, cottage cheese, tofu cheese;
• vegetables as a side dish for the main meal - rice or potatoes;
• fruits (bananas, peaches, apples, apricots, etc.).

Important! If your baby reacts to any new product with a rash, diarrhea or allergies, remove it from the diet for a month.

Complementary feeding table by month for breastfeeding.

Products	6 months	7 months	8 months	9 months	10 months	11-12 months
Vegetable puree, g	100	120-140	150-160	170	180	200
Dairy-free porridge, g	120	140	160	170	170	200
Vegetable oil, ml	-	1	3-4	up to 5	up to 5	5-6
Fruit puree, g	-	30	50	70	80	100
Meat, g	-	-	50	50-60	75	80
Yolk	-	-	-	1/4	1/4	1/2
Low-fat cottage cheese, g	-	-	-	up to 40	40-50	60
Wheat bread, g	-	-	5	5	to 10	10-15
Butter, g	-	-	1	2	up to 5	5
Boiled fish, g	-	-	-	-	30	50-75
Freshly squeezed juices, ml	-	-	30	40-50	60	up to 100
Kefir, ml	-	-	-	30	70	up to 100

When your child is seven months old, follow the rule of three:

1. One meal - one product.
2. Mono-component dishes.
3. Gluten-free products.

The baby's first porridge is dairy-free corn (coarsely ground). The value of such cereals lies in the absence of:

• gluten in the composition;
• allergic properties.

Start with a 2.5 g serving. Over 10 days, increase it gradually to 150 grams. Next, introduce buckwheat porridge into your diet. There is no need to rush with semolina and rice, especially if your baby suffers from constipation. During this period, it is too early to give bread, dry goods and cookies made from wheat flour.

Traditional semolina porridge is considered a useless breakfast for children. Instead of vitamins and nutrients, there are solid carbohydrates here. That is why, apart from a feeling of satiety, semolina does not give anything else.

For lunch, feed your kids vegetable purees from cauliflower, zucchini or pumpkin. He has already become “acquainted” with the taste of these products at 6 months, and you already know what he has an allergic reaction to, if any.

8 months

Now your baby’s “kitchen” becomes more diverse. You can pamper your child:

• low starch potatoes;
• quail egg yolk (2 times a week);
• turkey, veal, rabbit meat.

If you successfully introduce complementary foods, feel free to add egg yolk to porridge and vegetable soups. Boiled meat should be introduced from a serving of 10 g, increasing it to 50 g within 14 days.

Potatoes are a dangerous product, despite the fact that they can be introduced into the diet of an 8-month-old baby. The amount of potatoes in the daily diet should be three times less than other vegetables.

Important! Steamed food retains more nutrients.

You can also add freshly squeezed juices from apples and carrots to the baby menu. They are diluted with boiled water in a 1:1 ratio, starting with 5 ml. The baby should receive a “celebratory” portion of 100 ml only at 12 months. For dessert, offer him a baked green apple.

9 months

After 9 months, the child can be given fermented milk products (low-fat kefir, yogurt, cottage cheese). If it's summer, it's time to enjoy banana or pear puree, 160-180 grams for each meal. Carefully present grated pitted yellow cherries, peaches and plums for “tasting”.

Baby's nutrition at 9 months includes:

• boiled fish fillet in ground form (pollock, cod, carp);
• steamed meatballs with the addition of white bread pulp and chicken egg yolk;
• vegetable purees from carrots, beets, pumpkin, white cabbage with dill or parsley;
• pearl barley and barley porridge.

During this period, also check the quality of the products and the uniform consistency of the dishes.

10 months

If before this time you are still afraid to introduce fruits and berries into your child’s diet, start with compotes of apples, pears, and prunes. The baby's diet should look like this:

1. Fish. Low-fat hake or cod is given 2 times a week, alternating with meat dishes. Within 2 weeks, the serving size should increase from 0.5 tsp. up to 60 gr.
2. Homogeneous puree from offal (veal tongue, domestic chicken liver). The first portion should be 2.5 g, and subsequently gradually increase to 50 g.
3. Fruits. Grated fresh apples, pears, prunes.

Advice! During this period, watch your baby’s stool especially carefully. Pear can cause constipation, and plum and watermelon can cause diarrhea.

During this period, breast milk will take up no more than 1/4 of the total food consumed by the child. All foods on his plate must be hypoallergenic. Beetroot puree will be new to him, but the portion of his usual porridge will increase to 200 g. Periodically add cottage cheese or low-fat yogurt to it. Sometimes porridge can be replaced with cereal casserole and pasta.

11-12 months

At 11 months, babies are introduced to beets in small quantities. You can offer them eggplants and a piece of bell pepper. You only have 2 breastfeedings left - morning and evening. The rest of the time I eat a full breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner. Features of the menu for a one-year-old child are:

• steamed dishes, boiled and stewed vegetables, meat and fish;
• spices, starch, flavor enhancers and sugar are absent from the diet;
• the food may no longer be smooth, but the pieces are still small;
• citrus fruits, exotic fruits and nuts should not yet be familiar to the baby.

As before, combine meat and fish with vegetable stew. At 1 year old, treat your baby to hake, argentina, and brotola. Salads made from raw vegetables (carrots, beets, cabbage) with the addition of vegetable oil are very well digested.

Vegetables, fruits, cereals, meat, fish and dairy products make up the main menu of a one-year-old baby. He will enjoy the already familiar steamed cutlets or meatballs, zucchini stew, and delicious chicken dumplings.

Problems with introducing complementary foods

For the first six months, the baby’s digestive system is just “learning” to function correctly. Up to six months, she is able to process only breast milk and formulas similar in composition. Other products require the production of enzymes. The newborn’s body is not yet ready for such a process.

An unfamiliar product, if introduced incorrectly into a child’s diet, can:

• harm the gastric mucosa;
• create conditions for the development of various gastrointestinal diseases;
• cause discomfort to the baby by the early development of allergic reactions, diarrhea, constipation;
• increase the sensitivity of the immune system;
• disrupt the intestinal microflora.

Porridge as an early complementary food should only be made with water. Cow's milk protein is a strong allergen. It should be introduced into the baby’s diet only after 1 year. Also, don’t rush to add sugar and salt, because an abundance of carbohydrates can develop a tendency towards childhood obesity already at that age.

Never include complementary foods in your menu:

• bread products made from wholemeal flour;
• chocolate and candies;
• smoked, salted and canned products;
• semi-finished products;
• imported fruits and vegetables.

The slower the process of complementary feeding occurs, the more successfully the small organism adapts to a varied diet. Don’t rush to buy packaged nectars, juices and purees from the shelves. They can be irritating to the digestive tract due to the fruit acid in their composition.

Monitor the condition and mood of your baby, because even in matters of complementary feeding, they often take an individual approach.

Despite all the benefits and necessity of breastfeeding, the child sooner or later begins to receive his first complementary foods - gradually, his gastrointestinal tract must adapt to regular food, in addition to mother's milk. When should this process begin? How to introduce the first complementary foods correctly? Which products to choose? You will read about this and much more in our article.

Start of complementary feeding. When to start?

Adherents of the classical domestic pediatric theory, developed back in the seventies of the 20th century, recommend starting complementary feeding of the child from 2 months after birth. Modern nutritionists and other specialized specialists claim that up to six months, if there is full breastfeeding on demand, children do not need anything other than mother's milk.

Where is the truth? As usual - in the middle. The time interval for starting complementary feeding should not be considered as a strict rule, but should take into account the readiness of the child himself.

Before starting the process, you should pay attention to the following nuances:

• The weight of the baby. If he is steadily gaining weight according to physiological norms, then it is worth holding off on introducing complementary foods;
• Character of the chair. If a child has unstable stools, often suffers from diarrhea or, conversely, constipation, then introducing new foods into the diet can aggravate the condition;
• General health. In case of a number of diseases, syndromes and negative conditions, the introduction of complementary foods is undesirable. You can find out about all restrictions, if they exist in relation to your child, from the local pediatrician who keeps the child’s main medical record;
• Season. It is advisable to start complementary feeding with fresh foods, so the summer period is better in this regard.

In addition to the factors described above, it is also worth considering the development of motor skills, physiology and psychology of the child. The most obvious signs of readiness:

• The child does not reduce the frequency of feedings, but, on the contrary, increases it and shows a clear feeling of hunger after complete emptying of both the left and right breasts;
• The baby shows interest in new food, tries to take it and does not push the food out with his tongue;
• The child sits confidently, his teeth (at least 1) begin to emerge.

Several more restrictions on the time of introducing the first complementary foods are associated with a planned change of place of residence (and climate change, time zones, etc.), too extreme weather conditions (extremely hot or cold), and other significant external factors - in this situation you should wait 2– 4 weeks.

After a preliminary assessment of the child’s readiness for all the above factors, you can begin to introduce complementary foods. How to do it right? Basic principles:

• Selecting the first product. Previously, the scheme of primary introduction of juices was actively promoted as the initial ingredients of the first complementary foods, and it was recommended to start giving them to the child from 2-3 months after birth. Modern research shows that this principle clearly harms the baby’s still insufficiently formed gastrointestinal tract system, and juice ingredients, in addition to the relatively low content of nutrients for the child (only 2-3 percent of the need), also have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the stomach. It is generally accepted nowadays to start with vegetable purees and gradually expand the range of complementary foods;
• Spoon as the main cutlery. Despite all the tempting simplicity of using a bottle with a special nipple, adapted for the use of purees and other liquid complementary foods, it is better for breastfed babies to choose a comfortable and practical spoon with a silicone coating as a basic first cutlery - it should be durable and not have no foreign odors. Using a bottle is fraught with rapid weaning, as well as disruption of the child’s standard eating behavior and potential disruption of the future orthodontic occlusion of baby teeth;
• Control of the complementary feeding process. Even before the introduction of complementary foods, it is advisable to have a separate notebook in which you can record all the introduced foods, the frequency of complementary foods, the method of preparation, the volume of the baby’s meal, as well as the reactions of the child’s body. This information, if necessary, will allow both personal monitoring of the process and the search for a possible problematic ingredient that causes allergies, indigestion or other pathologies characteristic of the early stages of introducing a classic diet;
• A systematic and slow process. You should not try to give your child everything and more by introducing 2-3 new ingredients into the menu every other day. Every product has its time and place. The optimal scheme in this case is adding 1 element once every 2 weeks with a slow increase in volume from half a teaspoon to a full child’s portion according to physiological age;
• Chair as a process indicator. It is well known that in breastfed children who do not have health problems, the stool has a characteristic light color and soft consistency, along with an almost complete absence of a strong unpleasant odor. With the beginning of the introduction of complementary foods, it changes in any case, which often frightens inexperienced parents of their first child. The stool may thicken or, on the contrary, become more liquid, change color, include food particles, and acquire a more pronounced odor. So, puree from fleshy and watery fruits weakens, denser fruits like bananas or pears, on the contrary, strengthen the stool, fiber from most vegetables activates the work of the liver and enzyme centers, causing mucous and even a greenish tint at the first stage. These transformations can be considered a variation of the norm if the child does not develop severe constipation or diarrhea, the baby’s well-being does not change (he is cheerful, cheerful, does not have a fever or other negative manifestations) - within a week the indicators mostly stabilize.

The choice of first and subsequent complementary foods is entirely the responsibility of the parents. As mentioned above, modern pediatricians and nutritionists recommend starting with vegetable purees, gradually adding cereals and other nutrients as needed.

Informed choice should also be correlated with the principles of the preparation itself. Here there are 2 options for the baby - using home-cooked dishes or specialized food. In the first case, all ingredients must be of the highest possible quality, steamed or boiled, and then thoroughly ground - the use of pieces and even chunks before 10-11 months is strictly not recommended, due to their poor digestion in the child’s stomach and the direct danger of choking.

In the second case, numerous manufacturers offer already adapted purees and other types of products, packaged in convenient jars and sealed hermetically - they are easier to use, but more expensive, in addition, you should carefully choose the brand of baby food itself, without stopping at the most accessible and inexpensive products, because often they are of mediocre quality.

All basic products for complementary feeding of infants can be divided into a number of large groups according to the need for their introduction into the child’s diet.

Feeding with vegetable puree

Vegetable puree is the first choice complementary food for modern children. The simplest possible ingredient, which practically does not burden the gastrointestinal tract with unnecessary work, as well as proper preparation, which consists of thoroughly grinding the fruit crop, is the key to the correct initial adult food.

What vegetables should you start with? Usually this is zucchini, rich in iron, potassium, vitamin C and also low in calories. As an alternative, you can consider broccoli, squash and, later, pumpkin, potatoes, carrots and other root vegetables.

Feeding with cereals

Porridge is an equally important product for a child, which is often introduced in parallel with vegetables. We recommend that you leave the cereals “for dessert” - they are sweet and tasty, but the baby may like them too much and it will be difficult to introduce him to zucchini and other ingredients from the previous group.

The first choice for a child may be buckwheat, corn or gluten-free rice porridge - namely their monocereal variations. As the daily, weekly and monthly diet expands, you can give oatmeal and multigrain versions of the product.

Feeding with fruit puree

As mentioned above, 20–30 years ago, domestic pediatricians recommended fruit ingredients in the form of juices and purees as the first complementary foods. The modern view of this practice has changed significantly - now it is considered optimal to introduce them into the diet no earlier than 7 or even 8 months. In this case, by analogy with the previous points, the fruits must be thoroughly cleaned of peel, seeds and other inclusions (only the pulp is used) and thoroughly ground into a paste.

The best fruits to start with are regionally familiar ingredients, such as apple, pear, prune. Berries should be given much later (in 1 year), and exotics should be left for children over 1.5 years of age, making a slight concession only for bananas in very small quantities. It is also necessary to take into account that fruit purees and juices are not a complete meal, but a kind of tasty dessert that complements the overall rational complementary feeding scheme, but cannot act as a full-fledged replacement.

Complementary feeding with fermented milk products

In modern nutritional and pediatric practice, there is still no consensus on the time frame and rationality of the early introduction of fermented milk products into a child’s diet. On the one hand, the general recommendations of the World Health Organization directly indicate the possibility of introducing this group of products from 9–10 months. At the same time, a number of reputable doctors (for example, a pediatrician of the highest category, Dr. E.O. Komarovsky, well-known throughout the CIS) suggests using individual fermented milk ingredients (in particular, children's low-fat kefir and cottage cheese) from 6 months in parallel with vegetables and cereals .

The final decision remains with the parents. Regardless of the circumstances, we recommend starting with a very small amount of fermented milk products as a test for your baby, carefully monitoring his body's reaction to the introduction of new ingredients.

Below are the main stages of introducing complementary feeding to a child by month of his life. In addition to specific lists, you should also adhere to a number of rules common to all periods:

• 1 product is gradually introduced over 7–9 days, increasing the volume from half a teaspoon to the physiological requirement (usually 50–150 grams depending on the ingredient);
• Each new product in addition to existing ones in the diet - no earlier than after 2 weeks;
• Various mixes (combinations of different cereals, combinations of a number of vegetables, fruits, etc.) in one sitting - only after 10–12 months;
• First, complementary feeding is given, and immediately after it - breast milk in addition, but not vice versa;
• It is better to give new types of complementary foods before the lunch break;
• It is not recommended to add seasonings in the form of salt and sugar to foods - everything should be natural so that the taste of complementary foods does not change;
• Distinguish between main and additional complementary foods. Thus, vegetable purees, cereals, and meat are considered primary, while fruit ingredients, cottage cheese, and juices are considered secondary.

Complementary feeding at 3 months

It is not advisable to introduce complementary foods at 3 months for fully breastfed children. If there is a serious shortage of mother's milk, it is rational to take measures to improve lactation, or, as a last resort, organize supplementary feeding with specialized infant formulas.

Complementary feeding at 4 months

Modern pediatricians do not recommend starting the introduction of complementary foods at 4 months, however, if the parents clearly desire it, as well as there is a clear need for this, it is allowed to occasionally introduce the child to individual vegetables in the form of puree - no more than ½ teaspoon several times a week. Possible products are zucchini or broccoli.

Complementary feeding at 5 months

5 months is a kind of “Rubicon” in the context of the recommended timing for starting the introduction of complementary foods for babies who are exclusively breastfed. If the child’s weight gain is slow, there is a clear lack of mother’s milk and the child needs large amounts of food, the pediatrician can give recommendations on how to start this process.

The main group of products for the 5th month is exclusively vegetables, mainly monopuree of zucchini, pumpkin, broccoli, squash, and carrots.

Complementary feeding at 6 months

Six months of a child’s life is the general recommended date for starting full-fledged complementary feeding for breastfed babies. Observing the general rules for introducing ingredients described above, it is necessary to expand the “assortment” of vegetable purees, adding as a supplement a few drops of vegetable oil from sunflower, corn or olives, as well as gluten-free grated porridges cooked in water - first buckwheat, and then corn and rice.

Complementary feeding at 7 months

At 7 months, the child is already familiar with and actively consumes most types of vegetables, as well as dairy-free cereals. Starting from this period of time, heavier and dense ground root vegetables, for example, boiled potatoes, are introduced into the diet. In parallel to vegetables and cereals, along with vegetable oil, you can also add butter - of the highest quality and low fat content.

As a supplement and dessert, you can already give fruit purees from dull domestic fruits - for now in small quantities, carefully monitoring the child’s condition and monitoring the potential danger of allergic manifestations.

Complementary feeding at 8 months

8 months is an important stage for a child in the context of a significant expansion of the range of complementary foods. The active growth of the baby’s body requires more proteins, which mother’s milk can no longer fully provide.

In addition to vegetables, milk porridges (including oatmeal) are being introduced, as well as meat puree from rabbit, turkey or veal - for now in a single-component ground form. In addition, the transition to eggs is important - the baby can already be given the yolk, although in a very small amount, starting from 1/8 of the “kernel” up to half per day by the end of the 8th month.

Complementary feeding at 9 months

New products for children are starter fermented milk products in the form of children's low-fat kefir, yogurt, biolact and cottage cheese without any additives. In addition, gradually pureed offal (from half a teaspoon to 30–40 grams) - heart, tongue and liver - is added to meat purees.

The range of vegetables and cereals is expanding to the maximum, including possible multi-combinations of the first and second.

Complementary feeding at 10 months

At 10 months, the baby’s diet is replenished with another important product for the child’s body - fish. You can prepare it by cooking for a long time, choosing low-fat varieties of products, thoroughly cleaning the fillet from any bones and no less actively, grinding it. The optimal replacement regimen is several times a week, instead of one of the meat meals.

In addition, the range of by-products is expanding (they are still added in small quantities to the classic meat base), and tasty additions are being introduced - dry cookies, curd mass with fruit or other natural additives.

Complementary feeding at 11 months

From 11 months, the range of fruits expands significantly - their tropical “brothers”, for example, oranges, are added to the classic domestic ones. In addition, it is worth giving juices, starting with clarified versions from white or green fruits and diluting the adult consistency with water in a ratio of 50 to 50. The general scheme of the previous months does not undergo any special changes, but the volume of food is slightly increased in accordance with the physiological needs of the growing child.

Complementary feeding at 12 months

At 1 year old, a child’s complementary feeding is very varied and includes almost all types of healthy foods. The last to be introduced in this context are heavy porridges with milk - semolina, egg, pearl barley and millet. In addition, you can give your baby any juices (including those with pulp), prepare offal, meat in small pieces, and berry-based purees separately.

Children's feeding table

All of the above can be presented for clarity in the form of a compact summary table, which is a kind of convenient assistant for parents who want to provide their child with complete and correct introduction of complementary foods in accordance with modern recommendations of nutritionists and pediatricians.

Children's feeding table

Age	Introduction of new products	Volume and pattern of use
5 months	Zucchini, broccoli puree.	Occasionally, for reference - 1–2 times a week, ¼ teaspoon.
6 months	Puree of green or white vegetables (1 component). Vegetable oil (from olives, corn or sunflower.	From half a teaspoon to 150 grams, on a regular basis. 2-3 drops to 1 teaspoon in puree on a regular basis.
7 months	Buckwheat, corn and rice porridge without milk. Animal oil (butter).	From half a tsp to 100–200 grams on a regular basis. From 1 gram at the beginning to 10–15 grams as an addition to porridge or vegetable-based puree. Used as a substitute for vegetable oil 3-4 times a week.
8 months	Oatmeal without milk. Fruit purees from 1 component, using soft local fruits.	In both cases - from half a teaspoon to 100–200 grams.
9 months	Multigrain dairy-free porridge. Monoceral milk porridges. Meat puree from 1 component - turkey, veal or rabbit. Eggs (yolk). Dry children's cookies without additives. Fermented milk products without any additives, specially adapted to the needs of infants - low-fat cottage cheese, kefir, biolact and yogurt.	From 50 to 200 grams per feeding regularly. From ½ tsp to 150 grams regularly. From a third of a teaspoon to 60–100 grams on a regular basis. From 1/8 to half during the day, 4-5 times throughout the week. From a quarter for testing to 3-5 pieces throughout the day as a snack. From ¼ tsp to 50 grams per feeding.
10 months	Boiled fish, boneless and lean (fillet only). Boiled and thoroughly crushed meat by-products as an additive to meat or vegetable puree. Not used as a separate dish at 10 months. Fermented milk products with fruit and other additives.	From half a tsp to 150–200 grams no more than 2 times a week (as a replacement for pureed meat). From half a teaspoon to 50 grams no more than 2 times a week. Possible ingredients are heart, tongue and liver. From half a teaspoon to 100 grams on a regular basis.
11 months	Clarified juices from green or white fruits, preferably locally grown. Semolina and millet porridge from 1 component, heavily boiled and in milk.	From a few teaspoons to 100 milliliters as a dietary supplement. From 3 tsp to 200 grams - 3–4 times a week.
12 months	Barley and pearl barley porridge with milk. Fruits and juices from exotic fruits. Berry puree. Meat by-products as a separate dish.	From 1 tsp to 250 grams several times a week. From a quarter of a teaspoon to 100 milliliters or 1 small fruit. From a third of a teaspoon to 150 grams. From 10 to 100 grams no more than 2 times a week.

In the previous sections of the article, all the main features, types of products and nuances of their use were outlined within the framework of generally accepted standards for the correct introduction of complementary foods for children aged 5 months to 1 year, which generally coincide with WHO recommendations. Only one point remained unsolved. What time and how often should you feed your baby? If it is easier with exclusively breastfed children (now pediatricians insist on feeding on demand), then uncontrolled introduction of complementary foods is a priori not possible.

The approximate scheme in this case may look like this (with mandatory correlation according to the child’s age and the required amount of food, based on the possibility of using specific products):

1. First meal from 6 to 7 am. Breast milk or formula.
2. Second meal from 10 to 11 am. Kefir/cottage cheese, fruit puree or other “light” complementary foods.
3. Third meal from 14 to 15 days. Vegetable or meat puree, soup or other basic “heavy” complementary foods.
4. Fourth meal from 18 to 19 pm. Breast milk or formula.
5. Fifth meal from 22 to 23 pm. Milk and cereal porridges.

Between the main meal cycles, it is allowed to use light snacks in the form of juice, cookies and other elements, if they are approved for use at a particular stage of the child’s life (see complementary feeding table). Until the age of 1 year, a child should receive a portion of mother's milk at least once a day. Substitutions are possible within the main scheme, but with the same basic daily scheme of “Milk/light complementary feeding/heavy complementary feeding/milk/porridge”. For children under 8–9 months who have not been transferred to full-fledged food feeding, after the physiological age norm of complementary feeding has been issued, breastfeeding should be additionally organized.

Finally, we will publish some simple but important advice for parents who are starting to feed their breastfed baby.

• Observe the timing and volume of administration. You should not give your child foods that are poorly absorbed by the baby’s gastrointestinal tract at his age. Start with simple ingredients and gradually expand your diet according to the instructions above;
• Choose foods carefully and prepare them properly. If you decide to feed your baby not with ready-made solutions, but with homemade products, then choose the ingredients of the dishes as carefully and meticulously as possible, paying attention to their quality, appearance, certification, and so on. Follow all the rules of proper preparation (from long cooking to chopping and storage);
• Don't forget to keep a diary. It is advisable to record the stages of introducing complementary foods in a special diary, recording all the necessary information there, from the type of specific product to the reaction of the child’s body to it;
• If unusual reactions occur, temporarily stop supplementary feeding. If your child is allergic to any of the products or experiences other negative manifestations, you should immediately stop administering it and get additional advice from your local pediatrician.

Complementary feeding is not supplementary feeding or a replacement for the main meal. A new product is introduced with the goal of diversifying a child’s diet, introducing him to other tastes, and gradually introducing him to adult food. Many parents mistakenly believe that when breastfeeding the baby has enough of everything, they can hold off on complementary feeding. In fact, late introduction can also lead to various problems, including complete refusal of normal products.

Content:

When to introduce complementary foods

For breastfed children, complementary foods are introduced later than for formula-fed children, unless there are other indications. In case of poor weight gain or in emergency situations (separation from the mother is expected, she is ill, etc.), the timing is shifted downwards. But under any circumstances, it is necessary to assess the child’s readiness.

Main features:

1. The tongue thrust reflex has disappeared. It is present in the child from birth and protects against foreign objects getting into the mouth.
2. My weight has doubled since birth. In premature babies 2.5 times.
3. The child sits with support or independently. A recumbent baby should not be introduced to solid food.
4. Interest in adult food has appeared, the baby opens his mouth, stretches out his lower lip, and reacts to the spoon and food of his parents.
5. Chewing skills have appeared. The child does not just suck an object that has fallen into his mouth, but works with his jaw.

Not all of these signs need to be present. Each child develops individually. Usually by six months you can start complementary feeding while breastfeeding, but many pediatricians insist to wait until 7-8 months. In any case, the readiness will not go unnoticed; the parents themselves will understand everything.

Interesting: Sometimes a sign of readiness for complementary feeding is the appearance of teeth. In fact, this sign has no scientific basis. In some children they appear before six months, in others 8 or even 10 months.

Video: Doctor Komarovsky about complementary feeding

Pedagogical complementary feeding: all the pros and cons

Pedagogical complementary feeding is a common scheme for introducing a child to adult food. It has existed for many millennia, but only recently acquired a name. The baby is gradually given food from the common table. It’s convenient, you don’t need to waste time on separate cooking, there’s no need to buy expensive baby purees or cereals, you don’t have problems with lack of appetite, it always appears in company. This technique has been popular for a long time. From 5-6 months (sometimes earlier), infants were given rich soups, meat on moss, mashed potatoes and other dishes prepared for the whole family. However, pediatricians are unanimously against this system:

1. This technique has no scientific basis.
2. The food consumed is often not beneficial, and sometimes harms the baby’s fragile body.
3. It is difficult to control the size of the portions eaten, especially from the first to the fifth, when the count is by grams.
4. The consistency is not suitable for a small child. At first, he may choke on pieces.
5. If an allergy occurs, it will be difficult to track down the culprit, since the reaction may not appear immediately, but after a few days.

Pedagogical complementary feeding cannot be gradual, since the rest of the family members are unlikely to want to eat the same thing throughout the week. No less acute is the question of how to prepare food, since the baby should not be given fried, salted, peppered, or fatty foods.

Video: Doctor Komarovsky about pedagogical complementary feeding

General rules for introducing complementary foods

Changing the diet requires parents to pay increased attention to the child. It is important to monitor your well-being, mood, stool and skin. If any changes occur, complementary feeding should be stopped immediately.

Basic Rules:

1. Complementary foods are administered only to a healthy child. If the baby is unwell, teething, or vaccinations are expected in the near future, then introduction to the new product should be postponed.
2. Acquaintance with each product lasts at least 7 days. If there is no negative reaction, a new species can be additionally introduced.
3. You cannot mix several types of vegetables (or fruits) if the child is not familiar with each of them.
4. The consistency of complementary foods should be homogeneous, semi-liquid. Gradually, as the child grows up, the dishes can be made thicker, allowing for grains, then lumps.
5. You cannot give the same food 2 times a day.
6. Complementary feeding is not an independent meal. At first, it is offered in addition to breast milk before meals, and later it replaces one feeding.

Important! Any new product, regardless of its type, is introduced gradually, starting from 5 g. Even if the child liked the taste, this rule should not be neglected so as not to provoke the risk of developing allergies.

What foods to start complementary feeding with?

Juices are a controversial product. Once upon a time they were given to children very first. First from 3 months, then they were introduced at 4 months. But, as recent studies show, there is little benefit from such drinks, they contain a lot of acid, cause serious harm to the children’s digestive system, and in the future can cause gastritis. When breastfeeding, juices do not combine well with milk. It is recommended to postpone their introduction until 8-12 months.

Vegetables are ideal for first feeding, especially if the baby is overweight. If, on the contrary, the child gains little, pediatricians recommend starting with cereals. It is advisable to introduce the popular fruit puree after vegetables. Since it has a sweet taste, the baby may simply refuse other foods. In general, in certain months of life, parents themselves choose the appropriate product, based on general recommendations. For example, Dr. Komarovsky recommends starting with baby kefir, but also at 7-8 months you can offer the baby meat or fish, especially if the fermented milk drink is not to your taste. If something doesn't work out, there is always an alternative.

Table for introducing different foods during breastfeeding

Product	Age (months)
Fruits, g
Cottage cheese, g

Complementary feeding at 6 months: vegetables

Vegetables are ideal for healthy breastfed babies. Usually the child is offered purees. It must certainly undergo heat treatment and contain only one component. You can use jarred baby food. Ideally, the first one should be zucchini. It has a neutral taste, light texture, is well absorbed by the child's body and contains a lot of fiber. If your baby has problems with bowel movements, zucchini puree will help solve them.

What other vegetables are given at 6-7 months:

• broccoli;
• cauliflower;
• carrot;
• pumpkin.

It is better to introduce potatoes after the first 2-3 types of vegetables. You also need to pay close attention to white cabbage. It provokes bloating in the abdomen, pain, and problems with stool. Turnips and radishes, fresh cucumbers and tomatoes are offered to babies only after one year.

Complementary feeding at 6.5-7 months: fruits

If the child is happy to eat vegetables, the diet is regularly expanded and replenished; fruits can be postponed for another 1-2 months, that is, introduced after 8. For complementary feeding, heat-treated puree, homemade or purchased, is mainly used. They begin their acquaintance with green apples. Next, they offer pears if there are no problems with stool, since they often provoke constipation.

What other fruits are offered to the child:

• peaches;
• apricots;
• plum;
• banana;
• berries.

Citrus fruits, strawberries and raspberries, and pomegranate have a high degree of allergenicity. But do not forget about individual intolerance. A reaction can even appear to an ordinary apple or pear.

Complementary foods from 7-8 months: cottage cheese

You can offer cottage cheese for six months if there are indications: rickets, insufficient weight gain, calcium deficiency, poor biochemical blood tests. But most often, babies who are breastfed are strong and healthy. Therefore, cottage cheese is introduced no earlier than 7, and preferably 8 months. It is very important that this is a baby food product.

Criteria for choosing cottage cheese:

• fat content (up to 10%, preferably within 5%);
• no additives;
• delicate consistency;
• freshness.

You should not give your child dairy products purchased at the market. Also, sweet masses with additives, sugar, and additional fats, especially vegetable ones, are not suitable. The curd product is a legal analogue of cottage cheese, but there is nothing useful in it, especially for a growing organism. If you can’t buy quality food, then there is the option of preparing it yourself.

Complementary feeding from 7-8 months: porridge

You should not introduce your child to cereals before 7-8 months if he is gaining weight well. If you are overweight, cereal complementary feeding can be postponed for almost a year; instead, you can actively expand your diet with fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. The main criterion for choosing cereals is the absence of gluten. You can start complementary feeding with buckwheat, rice or corn.

You can prepare porridge yourself or use instant semi-finished products for baby food. It is important to introduce dishes without milk and other additives in the form of fruits, berries, sugar. Only pure cereal, a small amount of salt and oil is allowed.

Complementary feeding from 8 months: fermented milk products

Dr. Komarovsky suggests that breastfed children be first introduced to fermented milk products, that is, baby kefir. It is good for the stomach, has a beneficial effect on intestinal function, but is not very popular. It is usually given to children after 8 months. In addition to kefir, you can offer children's yogurt and biolact. All drinks are free of additives, fruit, sugar and flavor enhancers. The fat content of the products is average, within 3%.

Complementary foods from 8 months: meat, poultry

Children under one year of age should be introduced to meat, as it is a source of valuable substances. The product is administered in the form of purees, steamed cutlets, and boiled meatballs. You can use canned food for children, which is also added to vegetables, in first courses.

What kind of meat (poultry) can be used:

• turkey;
• horse meat;
• beef;
• rabbit meat.

It is not recommended to introduce chicken early as it causes allergies. Types of meat that are difficult for children's stomachs: lamb, duck, goose, goat. In addition to meat, after 10 months, offal is given 1-2 times a week. Beef (veal) liver has the greatest value.

Complementary foods from 8 (12) months: fish

Fish is a necessary product in a child’s diet, but it often causes allergies. If there are no prerequisites for a reaction, complementary feeding begins at 8 months. But under no circumstances should it be combined with meat or poultry. First one thing, after a successful acquaintance you can begin to introduce another. If you are prone to allergic reactions, the product should be postponed until the age of one year.

Which fish is suitable for a child of the first year of life:

• pollock;
• navaga;
• river perch.

You should avoid fatty types of fish, which are difficult for a child’s stomach to handle. As in the case of meat, complementary foods are prepared independently or purchased in cans. It is advisable to combine mashed potatoes or cutlets with vegetables familiar to the child, unsweetened cereals, and soups. Fish does not need to be given daily; it is enough to replace meat with it 2 times a week.

Video: Fish for children under one year old

Additional Products

In addition to basic products, when breastfeeding or any other diet, the child needs supplements. Usually these are oils, spices, eggs. Until a year old, they only give you a yolk, which can be chicken or quail. Additives also include flour products. You should not get carried away with cookies and bread until you are one year old, as they contain gluten, yeast, sugar and other additives that the baby does not yet need.

Table of introduction of additional products

Cautions and Possible Problems

When introducing complementary foods, two problems may arise: allergies and disorders of the digestive system. In any case, you need to immediately stop feeding, temporarily switch to breastfeeding, and give the child’s body time to recover. Re-introduction to new food is possible only after all symptoms disappear and not earlier than after a week.

It is mandatory to take antiallergic medications. If your stool is upset, you will need antidiarrheal medications, for example, Smecta. Espumisan, dill water or fennel tea will help with colic, bloating and other intestinal problems. Gradual introduction and attentiveness are the key to successful complementary feeding.

If your baby has reached 6 months of age, then new foods should appear in his diet. The first feeding of a breastfed baby should be started gradually and carefully. It is advisable to consult your pediatrician before giving food. After all, he observes your little patient and can tell you where it is best to start introducing new products and what standards.

Why is it necessary to feed children?

The main objectives of introducing complementary foods to a baby who is fed breast milk are:

• Introducing new tastes and smells. The baby still only knows the smell and taste of breast milk. They are the ones that seem most appetizing to a child. And by trying a new product, the baby learns to love it too;
• Training the body to cope with adult food. At the first attempts, the food may not be accepted by the baby’s body. The pieces come out undigested, and upsets arise. After normalization of stool, you should try again. Very soon the body will get used to it and learn to cope with new difficulties;
• Socialization. A baby at this age already strives to understand the world around him and contact not only his mother, but also other family members. Don't underestimate this communication. Feed your baby during a family dinner, let one of your relatives try to give him a spoon, and getting used to it will be easier and more fun.
• Replenishment of missing substances. Afterwards, the baby begins an active life. He can already sit, move more actively, muscle mass is building up, and teeth are appearing. This requires additional nutrition. And as soon as the body learns to extract it from solid food, complementary foods will be a valuable addition to mother's milk.

Thus, there is no need to rush to introduce new products into your baby’s diet or worry about the fact that one of the dishes was not to your liking. You can always try again a little later.

What products can be the first complementary foods for breastfeeding?

Complementary feeding table by month

4 to 5 months

Porridge. At this age, complementary foods during breastfeeding are given only due to appropriate doctor’s indications, for example, the newborn’s weight gain is too poor. Rice and buckwheat porridge are the most suitable products, as they do not contain gluten. Next, you can introduce coarser corn porridge.

6 months

Vegetables. You can start with Zucchini, cauliflower, pureed pumpkin and broccoli. And when tender vegetables are mastered, coarser ones are introduced, such as cabbage from the home garden and carrots.

7 months

Porridge. Cereals that contain gluten: wheat, semolina, oatmeal.

Butter and sunflower oil.

Dairy products. Cottage cheese, prepared independently, or special for children.

Egg yolk.

8 months

Vegetables. Combined vegetable purees.

Porridge. Different mixtures of cereals

Fruits. Diluted fruit juice. For our latitudes, the optimal start would be juice from an apple or green pear. After two weeks, you can introduce fruit purees.

Dairy products. Children's kefir, bifikefir, yoghurts without sugar and dyes.

9 months

Fruits. Fruit puree mixtures. You can also introduce yellow and red fruits, as well as exotic ones, into complementary foods for breastfeeding. It is also worth remembering that citrus fruits are very strong allergens.

Meat. It is not administered in its pure form, but as part of a puree. The concentration per serving is no more than 50%.

10 -12 months

Vegetables. You can include potatoes in your diet. Vegetable purees are kneaded with a fork to teach the child to chew.

Fruits. You can give soft fruits in small pieces so that the baby can take them and put them in his mouth.

Complementary feeding rules

• Only one dish is introduced at a time;
• the first portion is half a teaspoon;
• the time for adaptation should be at least 7-10 days;
• food does not need to be salted or sweetened;
• Whole milk is not added to purees and porridges (buckwheat, rice, etc.), but they can be diluted with breast milk;
• You should not force feed your child, as this can lead to food aversion.

Important! Before you start feeding your breastfed baby, pediatricians advise keeping a food diary. It will help track the body’s reactions to the food taken, and later to its combination, and the sequence of introducing new components into the diet.

When to introduce the first complementary foods for her child, the mother decides. After all, she knows better than any doctor what food her little one wants at a given age. The main thing is that while introducing additional products, you do not have to wean your baby off the breast prematurely.