Best solid food for 7 months baby
What To Feed Your Baby | 7 to 9 mths | Weaning
Baby's age
- Around 6 months
- 7 - 9 months
- 10 - 12 months
- 12 months+
7 - 9 months
By now, your baby will have had some good practice learning how to eat! Eat together as much as possible – they learn a lot from watching you.
Your baby will gradually move towards eating 3 meals a day (breakfast, lunch and tea). Offering a wide variety of different foods is important to ensure they get enough energy and nutrients (such as iron). Babies don't need salt or sugar added to their food (or cooking water) – salty food isn't good for their kidneys and sugar can cause tooth decay.
Remember, it may take 10 tries or even more for your baby to get used to new foods, flavours and textures. There'll be days when they eat more, some when they eat less, and then days when they reject everything! Don't worry – this is perfectly normal. Just be patient, keep offering a variety of foods, even the ones they don't seem to like, and let them get used to it in their own time.
Babies under 12 months don't need snacks, if you think your baby is hungry in between meals, offer extra milk feeds instead.
Smooth or lumpy?
Hopefully your baby will now be more confident exploring new textures. Offer more mashed, lumpier foods as well as a variety of finger foods. Giving your baby finger foods helps them learn to feed themselves, develop hand-eye co-ordination and learn to bite off, chew and swallow small pieces of soft food.
Babies take different amounts of time to get used to lumps, but it's an important skill they need to learn. Just keep offering them lumpy textures and finger foods and stay with them so you can be sure they are swallowing it safely.
What is baby-led weaning?
Baby-led weaning means offering your baby only finger foods and letting them feed themselves from the start (rather than spoon feeding them puréed or mashed food). You can offer a range of small, finger-sized, pieces of food.
Some parents prefer baby-led weaning to spoon feeding, while others combine a bit of both. There's no right or wrong way – the most important thing is that your baby eats well and gets all the nutrients they need.
Should I still give my baby breast milk or first infant formula?
Yes. Breast milk or first infant formula is still important for energy and nutrients during the first year, and should be their main drink until 12 months. You can continue breastfeeding for as long as you both want. As time goes on and your baby eats more solids, they may naturally want less breast milk or first infant formula.
If you're breastfeeding, your baby will adapt their feeds according to how much food they're having. Formula-fed babies may need around 600ml of milk a day, but just use this as a guide. Remember your baby's tummy is tiny and fills up quickly, so offer milk feeds after solids and don't force them to finish the bottle.
Drinks?
The Best First Foods for Babies 6 to 9 Months – Happiest Baby
By Happiest Baby Staff
On This Page
- Best Baby Foods at 6 Months
- Best Baby Foods at 7 Months
- Best Baby Foods at 8 Months
- Best Baby Foods at 9 Months
You've spent the first six months of your baby's life making sure that they are nourished with breastmilk or formula. As they grow and thrive, you might notice that your little sprout shows you some signs that they are ready to graduate from the bottle or breast to solid foods. If your baby can sit up and hold their head up, that's a great first sign! What's more, if they bring objects to their mouth and show an interest in what you are eating, your curious kiddo might be ready to start eating solid foods.
But what should you feed your baby? Here’s a list of perfect starter foods for your baby from ages 6 to 9 months.
Best Baby Foods at 6 MonthsAt 6 months, babies may be starting to chew. Though this skill won’t be mastered just yet, they are typically ready to get messy with some mushy, pureed eats—helping them learn about flavor and texture. At this age, the goal is not to satiate your baby with full meals of solid foods but rather to get your child curious and excited about their culinary options.
Because babies are growing so fast, their needs for iron are high to prevent iron-deficiency and support their overall health. Offer your little one iron rich foods like—infant cereal (read up on why you may want to skip rice cereal), well-cooked meat, poultry, mashed beans, and lentils. To keep your baby safe from choking, avoid adding solids like cereal to baby bottles.
Here are some great first foods for Baby to try:
- Infant oat, grain, or barley cereals mixed with breastmilk or formula and spoon-fed to your baby
- Sweet potato puree
- Squash puree
- Pea puree
- Carrot puree
- Mashed banana
- Mashed avocado
- Mashed or pureed beans
- Mashed or pureed lentils
- Pureed meats (beef, chicken, or turkey)
- Soft, falling apart meats (salmon, beef, chicken, turkey)
Check out more of our favorite first food purees. Or, if purees aren’t your thing, read up on how to start baby-led weaning.
Best Baby Foods at 7 MonthsBy 7 months old, your baby will probably be eating more solids but not enough to replace breastmilk or formula as their primary source of food. The goal for this month is to keep introducing solid foods to your baby. What's fun is by 7 months, you can get more creative with mixing flavors and adding textures.
Here are a few nutritious and delicious food combos to try with your baby:
- Peas pureed with breastmilk (or formula), sweet potatoes, or squash
- Kale pureed with blueberry, squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, pears, or bananas
- Apples pureed with cauliflower, carrots, pears, prunes, or beets
- Beef pureed with broccoli
- Chicken pureed with carrots and potatoes
- Chickpeas pureed with bananas, apples, or sweet potato
- Sweet potatoes pureed with red bell pepper
Seven months is also the perfect age to start giving your baby a plate, bowl, and plastic utensils so they can begin to practice feeding themselves. If your baby is teething, you can place frozen chunks of fruit in a sieve feeder/mesh bag that allows them to gnaw on the fruit without choking. Learn more about helping your baby use a fork and spoon!
Best Baby Foods at 8 MonthsBy 8 months, your baby is likely eating more solids and relying a little less on milk as a primary meal (though it’s still where they get the bulk of their nutrition!). And they’re probably having lots of fun learning how to use their hands to feed themselves. Something else to consider: Babies should be exposed to potential allergen foods (like peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, and fish) before their first birthdays to help prevent future food allergies. Starting at 6 months of age, peanut butter is safe to introduce as long as you are comfortable giving it to your baby.
In fact, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans says that babies can begin having these foods when they start eating solids. But many families often feel more comfortable waiting to introduce these foods until around this age. Of course, consult with your little one’s pediatrician if you have concerns about potential allergen foods.
Here are some foods to add to your repertoire:
- Whole eggs, scrambled
- Nut butter thinned out with water and mixed with cereal (nut butters are sticky and can cause choking)
- Fully cooked fish, like salmon or tuna
- Full-fat yogurt
Here are some preparation ideas:
- Well-cooked (think over-cooked until falling apart) pasta such as elbows or alphabet shapes
- Mashed meat with mashed or ground vegetables such as peas and potatoes or kale and squash
- Rainbow on a plate: Using tiny pieces of soft, strained, pureed, and mashed food options, look for a variety of colors to offer. Some fun options could include banana, avocado, sweet potato, peas, blueberry, raspberry, cheese, and chicken.
Though there’s a greater variety of foods babies eat now, formula or breastmilk continues to be their primary source of nutrition until age 1. At 9 months old, babies get more comfortable with self-feeding and eating the foods their families enjoy. After all, eating solid foods is a sensory wonderland of texture, smells, and tastes. Not to mention all that fun making messes with those adorably curious fingers.
As you begin to focus on meal planning for your baby, there are few things to keep in mind:
- Babies need four to five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. A serving size for a 9-month-old is less than a quarter cup.
- "Eat the rainbow" is excellent advice because it gives your baby exposure to lots of different fruits, vegetables, grains, and starches.
Here are a few menu ideas to help meal plan for your baby…
Breakfast Ideas for Babies
These morning meals pack a nutritional punch—and don’t forget to check out all of our favorite breakfast ideas for babies:
- Soft fresh fruit cut up in small pieces (think: banana, raspberries, or blueberries)
- Whole-grain waffles or pancakes
- Unsweetened oatmeal made with breastmilk or formula combined with cut-up and cooked apples and pears or banana slices. (It is essential to steam the apples or pears to make them soft enough for your baby to mash with their gums.)
- Full-fat yogurt mixed with mashed or pureed berries such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, or raspberries
- Soft scrambled eggs
- Veggie frittata
Lunch Ideas for Babies
- Spread hummus on soft crackers or bread
- Grilled cheese sandwich with cooled tomato soup
- Macaroni and cheese with cooked veggies like peas and carrots mixed in
- Pizza bites with chopped bits of spinach in the sauce and melted shredded cheese
- Quesadilla made with pureed spinach, squash, or beans
Snack Ideas for Babies
Babies this young won’t likely need to snack too much (remember, breastmilk or formula will provide the majority of your little one’s nutrition). Still, it’s not a bad idea to have snacks on hand for when your mini muncher needs something to eat that’s not quite a meal. A few baby snack ideas:
- Apple and carrot slaw
- Cheese slices
- Full-fat plain yogurt
- Hard-boiled egg
- Avocado slices
- Muffins made with fruits, veggies, and/or whole grains
- Fruit and veggie pouches
- Sugar-free, whole-grain cereal, like plain Cheerios
Dinner Ideas for Babies
To help your baby get and stay excited about eating solid foods, serve a version of whatever the family is having for dinner. Remember to steam or mash, grind or chop foods into appropriate softness and sizes to prevent choking. Some baby dinner ideas:
- Pasta with softened vegetables
- Well-cooked rice, soft veggies, and chicken
- Baked sweet potato with butter or cheese
- Beans or lentils served with rice and veggies
- Flaky fish served with steamed zucchini
There are endless variations on what you can serve your baby for dinner. As long as your baby is safe and happy, try to encourage lots of food exploration!
You must not feed any child under the age of 1 year honey, cow’s milk, juice, hard foods like candy, raw vegetables, popcorn, or sticky foods like peanut butter, as these each present choking hazards.
Learn more about feeding your baby:
- The Happiest Baby Feeding Guide
- The Benefits of Homemade Baby Food
- The Best Store-Bought Baby Food
***
REFERENCES
- Unlocking Opportunities in Food Design for Infants, Children, and the Elderly: Understanding Milestones in Chewing and Swallowing Across the Lifespan for New Innovations. Journal of Texture Studies, August 2017
- Complementary Feeding: A Position Paper by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) Committee on Nutrition, Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, January 2017
- Infant Formula Feeding Practices Associated With Rapid Weight Gain: A Systematic Review, Maternal & Child Nutrition, July 2018
- Solid Food Introduction and the Development of Food Allergies, Nutrients, November 2018
- US Department of Agriculture: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025
View more posts tagged, feeding
Have questions about a Happiest Baby product? Our consultants would be happy to help! Connect with us at [email protected].
Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.
10 Best Purees for First Weaning - Ranking 2023
Introduction of complementary foods is a necessary procedure for many new parents. Puree from vegetables, fruits, fish or meat is introduced into the diet of crumbs at the age of 5-6 months, when the child's digestive system can already absorb the components of the puree. Before using the first complementary foods, it is imperative to consult a pediatrician. A review will also help in choosing, which presents the best purees for the first feeding, according to doctors, users and the experience of manufacturers.
Contents
How to choose puree for the first feeding
The readiness of the baby for the introduction of complementary foods is signaled by a doubling of body weight from the moment of birth, as well as the ability to eat while in an upright position. Then the question arises of which purees are better to buy for the first complementary foods. Pediatricians recommend starting with vegetable purees, as they lack fructose, which has an undesirable effect on the immature pancreas and kidneys.
Doctors advise choosing products from well-known trusted brands, as they are subject to a quality control procedure. Thus, when compiling a review of puree companies for the first complementary foods, the following factors were considered by specialists:
- Cost. The most expensive product does not mean the highest quality. The price is affected by the type of packaging, the cost of shipping raw materials - something that does not affect the content in any way;
- Composition. A quality product does not contain dyes, enhancers and preservatives, as well as spices;
- Hypoallergenic and product safety;
- Degree of fineness of components;
- Age category.
Studying the question of what kind of baby food is best for complementary foods, we analyzed the opinions and experiences of parents left on major forums and social networks. This helped determine the most purchased brands, which are most trusted.
When buying baby puree, look at the integrity of the package, the lid should not be damaged, and when opening the package, there should be a popping sound, which confirms the freshness of the product. You should also find out the appropriateness of the selected food for the age of the child. The review presents foreign and domestic companies offering top quality products.
The best domestic purees for the first feeding
You can buy vegetable puree for the first feeding from Russian manufacturers. After analyzing more than a hundred reviews, we were able to select brands that are trusted by customers.
Russian manufacturers produce food for children at the highest level at a pleasant price, due to which the products are in demand among parents. Many companies produce products from natural raw materials of their own production. 5 domestic manufacturers were selected for the rating, which proved to be leaders in the quality of baby food and popularity among mothers and fathers.
Frutonyanya
This brand is one of the most famous, most parents choose the products of the Frutonyanya company. All products undergo special testing and are recommended by the Union of Pediatricians. Frutonyanya produces vegetable puree for the first feeding. The tightness of the packaging is ensured by a lid and a dense polyethylene film, which allows you to protect the container from the ingress of dirt and dust.
The company has a continuous production cycle. Fruits and vegetables from our own farms are processed, which is an indicator of the naturalness of the products. The manufacturer has released a line in doypack packaging, now you can take food for a walk.
Advantages
- Free from salt and sugar additives;
- Quality testing;
- Low cost;
- Scale with divisions in grams allows you to see the amount of puree eaten by the baby;
- Availability of hypoallergenic series.
Drawbacks
- Not identified.
Consumer reviews report a low risk of allergy after use, as the product does not contain preservatives. For buyers, an important condition is the experience of the manufacturer. Products are manufactured by factories that have specialized in baby food for decades.
Grandmother's basket
The company's products are not as advertised as Frutonyanya, but still in demand among many buyers. The puree complies with strict preservation purity conditions. In the manufacturing process, technologies are used to preserve the beneficial properties of products. The puree includes only boiled and pasteurized fruits and vegetables. The composition is the main ingredient and pure water.
Choice of mashed potatoes for the first meal of zucchini, broccoli and cauliflower. The company also produces fruit products. For older children, you can buy food from cod, pink salmon and salmon. The puree has the right consistency.
Advantages
- Free of food coloring and other additives;
- Possibility to buy in soft drinking packaging;
- Environmentally friendly components;
- Uniform consistency.
Drawbacks
- Unusual taste.
One-component purees of this brand are in special demand among buyers. They note a good consistency and the optimal amount of one serving. Not all parents like the smell of the product, but it does not interfere with children, and they eat mashed potatoes with great pleasure.
Diaper
Sady Pridonya recently launched this brand. The manufacturer produces nutritional formulas for children of different ages. The consumer can choose purees from fruits, vegetables or a combination. The product is presented in different containers - glass and cardboard.
The main ingredients are fruits and vegetables, while the crops are grown by the company. For the manufacture of products GMOs, dyes and preservatives are not used. The composition contains only natural products and water. And the quality of the indicators is controlled by the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. The absence of expenses for the transportation of purchased raw materials allows us to reduce the cost, which cannot but attract.
Advantages
- Large selection of purees for babies from 4 months old;
- Manufacture on high-precision equipment;
- Convenient packaging;
- Affordable rates.
Drawbacks
- Use of sugar for some types of puree.
Users are attracted by a large assortment. In addition to mashed potatoes, you can buy fruit drinks, juices and cereals. High demand for puree from several components. It can be fruits or berries with the addition of dairy products.
Topic
The Concern occupies a leading position among domestic manufacturers of baby food. Products are made using the latest equipment. The Tema brand offers compositions with fruits, vegetables, meat, combined variations. For complementary foods, vegetable compositions of zucchini, carrots and pumpkins are suitable.
In the manufacturing process, only natural and easily digestible vegetables are used, which normalize the functioning of the digestive system. In addition to purees, the company produces juices and fermented milk products.
Advantages
- Affordable prices;
- High quality products;
- Huge assortment;
- Variety of packaging.
Drawbacks
- Use of a small amount of starch.
Many people like that Tema puree can be bought both in the nearest store and in the pharmacy. Also noted is the ideal consistency, the absence of unnecessary inclusions. Vegetable puree has a pleasant smell and color. Often promotions are provided on Tema puree in supermarkets.
The best foreign purees for the first feeding
A certain range of foreign manufacturers is represented on the market. Some moms and dads tend to choose them, because many companies have an excellent reputation and centuries of history. The best purees for the first feeding from foreign brands in the review are represented by five positions.
The rating of baby puree supplied to the Russian market from abroad was built primarily on the basis of pediatricians' estimates. The quality of raw materials, nutritional properties, relevance of benefits for children living in our country were taken into account.
Gerber
Products from Nestle are known for their high quality and wide range, its laboratory is one of the best in Europe. For feeding babies, mashed potatoes with one component of vegetables are suitable. The product is distinguished by a fine fraction and an environmentally friendly composition. The Gerber brand also produces food for older children. And meat purees will help make complementary foods more varied. The light texture of meat is pleasant to kids.
The manufacturer also sells multi-component products. In one puree, vegetables and milk are combined, berries are also added, enriching the child's body with organic acids, minerals, and vitamins. In addition, Gerber provides desserts made from milk with fruits.
Advantages
- 4 vegetable purees;
- Products pass approximately 250 checks;
- Convenient single serving packaging;
- Special retractable caps.
Drawbacks
- Not identified.
Users love the manufacturer's packaging. Through the glass you can see the consistency and color of the dish. Jars have lids with a special ledge, which was developed by the company's specialists. Convenient flexible packaging pouch.
Semper
The Swedish brand produces baby food for newborns and preschool children. Not only mashed potatoes, but also cereals, juices and milk mixtures are offered to choose from. Semper offers four steps of complementary foods. For children from 4 months - monocomponent formulations. For crumbs from six months - meat mixtures and assorted fruits. Fish dishes - from 7 months. And the combination of meat and vegetables in one product is suitable for children from a year and older.
The composition does not contain thickeners and dyes, but only chopped vegetables and water. From Semper you can buy food for a snack on a walk, the first complementary foods and expanding the baby's menu.
Advantages
- The first stage contains homogenized vegetables;
- European quality level;
- Testing at every stage of production;
- Improved composition.
Drawbacks
- Small portion package not included.
Consumers believe that the brand does not offer such a high price in terms of volume. Zucchini with potatoes, zucchini with potatoes and broccoli are in special demand. There are no additional components in the vegetable mixture, except for a small amount of rice flour.
HiPP
The company has a large assortment of baby food. For the first feeding from 4 months, mixtures of zucchini, cauliflower, carrots, broccoli and pumpkin are suitable. From six months you can buy a jar of turkey, beef or rabbit meat.
Hipp canned products are distinguished by their natural composition. Mixes include chopped vegetables, fruits, meat. There is nothing else in the product except water. The contents of the jars have a thick consistency, without lumps. Food has a pleasant taste and smell. The company uses convenient, safe packaging with a bright design that children love so much.
Advantages
- Wide range for first foods;
- High quality;
- Choice of volume - 80 and 125 gr;
- Uniform consistency.
Drawbacks
- Expensive product.
With regular consumption of the product, parents noticed that the child's stool normalizes, the intestines begin to work stably. Healthy canned food is relevant in winter, when it is difficult to purchase fresh vegetables and fruits.
Heinz
A company from the USA delivers goods to different countries of the world. In the course of work, strict control systems, innovative equipment, and the latest advances in technology are used. The applied technologies allow keeping minerals and vitamins in the composition.
Heinz offers standard first food kits. In addition to vegetables, the composition contains cornmeal. This ingredient allows you to achieve a uniform consistency. Delicious puree like most children. The company responsibly approaches the compatibility of various components in the formulations.
Advantages
- Meets stringent standards;
- Rich taste;
- Soft consistency;
- Large selection.
Drawbacks
- Not identified.
Heinz baby food is recommended by pediatricians to parents, as it contains minerals and vitamins that are important for the health of the child. Fiber stimulates the digestive system. Eating creates a feeling of satiety for a long period.
The company makes baby food with the best sugar-free ingredients. Only natural saccharides are present. The products are free of gluten, salt and flavors. The puree contains corn oil, which acts as a source of omega acids. And the use of rice flour provides a better consistency, it is also rich in amino acids and fiber.
Cauliflower, zucchini, broccoli or carrots are available as first foods. The age of the child is indicated on the package. The recipe complies with European standards regarding the nutrition of children. The products contain vitamins that are important for the full development of the crumbs.
Advantages
- Soft consistency;
- The mixture is thoroughly ground;
- Contains useful components;
- Natural pleasant taste.
Drawbacks
- Presence in the composition of rice flour.
Parents note the good taste of baby food from Bebivita. As well as the use of safe products for the composition. Positive reviews are found about the quality of the packaging and the affordable price.
Which puree for the first feeding is better to buy
To find out exactly whether the baby is ready to introduce complementary foods, you need to consult with your doctor. It should not be ignored if the child refuses food and spits it out. It may be worth postponing the introduction of complementary foods 1-3 weeks later.
Before buying baby food, read the label carefully. The composition should not contain preservatives, flavor enhancers and palm oil. To restore the intestinal microflora, products with the addition of vitamins are suitable. It is important to look at the expiration date. And also choose content that is well absorbed at a certain age.
According to buyers and pediatricians, the following judgments about manufacturers can be distinguished:
- From inexpensive mashed potatoes - products of the company "Babushkino Lukoshko";
- Product for children of any age can be purchased from the manufacturer "Spelenok";
- Puree for children from 5 months is offered by the Tema company;
- Food from Gerber are suitable for those who appreciate the convenience of packaging;
- Semper puree is a premium product;
- Natural puree without additional ingredients available from Hipp;
- Heinz offers the most vitamin purees;
- Agusha and Hipp are recommended to stabilize the digestive system.
Usually, the specialist determines the period when it is possible to introduce puree for the first feeding of the child, according to the weight of the baby. Sometimes the decision is made earlier, if weight is not gained, the body suffers from a lack of vitamins and valuable nutrients.
The rating will help you choose mixtures that can replace natural feeding. And the reviews of parents and specialists will help you choose the right food for your child.
Baby menu at 7 months: what is possible and what is not yet
— Anastasia Ivanovna, what are the nutritional features of children at 7 months?
— The menu of a baby at seven months is different from the menu of a newborn and a baby at one year old. This difference exists due to the fact that a number of body systems, including the gastrointestinal tract and oral cavity, have not yet been formed in a newborn, he is only learning to suck. From four to six months, the diet begins to include complementary foods - food that is different from breast milk or infant formula. In the year of the child, in ideal conditions, they are transferred to a common table.
Some pediatricians recommend introducing complementary foods from five to six months, sometimes even from four. But the enzymatic system of the baby's body has not yet been formed, so pedagogical complementary foods are possible at four or five months, and pediatric complementary foods by six months.
— How to combine breastfeeding or bottle feeding with complementary foods?
— Pediatricians and nutritionists recommend separating these meals and giving the main dairy food and complementary foods in separate meals so that the child understands what he is eating.
If complementary foods started at 4-5 months
— What rules of baby food should parents know?
— The functions of the gastrointestinal tract are formed in such a way that the body needs to adapt to the incoming products. With proper complementary foods, it is important to monitor the child's condition in the food diary and, if necessary, consult a doctor.
Basic feeding recommendations for seven-month-old babies
- One new product is given in small doses at the beginning of the day every four days to monitor for allergies, constipation, peeling and other reactions.
- One new food can be given per feeding.
- Water is best offered between feedings and not given with complementary foods.
- Do not force-feed: if a child refuses a certain dish, it can be offered at another time and in a different form.
- The child is not given unfamiliar food when he is not in a very good mood, teething, or has just been vaccinated.
- How to identify food allergies and find the allergen?
Observant mothers will see or hear the problem. The baby will have something on the body, constipation or indigestion will begin. A restless child will cry. To track the allergen, it is advisable to keep a food diary and keep your finger on the pulse. If there is a connection with the pediatrician, ask questions and, taking into account the vaccination calendar, the physiology of the development of your child, offer him certain products so as not to once again provoke an immune response.
What foods can be given at 7 months
Read also
- Why it is necessary to introduce meat complementary foods into the baby's diet and with what products it can be combined.
— What purees and cereals can be given at 7 months?
- If this is the first complementary food for a baby, then monocomponent purees, dairy-free and milk porridges with one cereal are good: they are easier to digest and it is easier to track the body's reaction by them.
— In what order can complementary foods be given?
— If your baby is overweight by the age of seven months, it is better to feed him vegetable puree. If everything is in order with weight, then preference can be given to cereals. All new products are introduced gradually: they begin to feed in the amount of 5-10 g, gradually increasing the volume to 50 g. By seven months, a portion of porridge at one time can reach up to 200 g. The third option for complementary foods, if parents want, can be fruits. It is in this sequence, because fruits are sweet, and the child does not always eat unleavened vegetables or cereals after them.
Each product will also have its own processing specifics:
- vegetables and fruits are given in the form of puree;
- purchased cereals are prepared according to the instructions;
- homemade porridges are boiled in water, then milk or mixture is added if desired;
- cottage cheese is properly stored in the refrigerator, tracking the expiration date;
- dairy, vegetable broths are brought to a single consistency (puréed) so that the child develops the correct perception of the product.
— How many times to feed a child at 7 months and how much food to give?
— You need to focus on five feedings per day. If your baby cannot tolerate the interval between meals, it is worth supplementing with breast or formula after the introduction of complementary foods.
How to calculate the amount of complementary foods
A child at seven months should weigh about eight kilograms. 1/8 of the child's weight is the daily amount of food, that is, approximately a kilogram of food, taking into account all feedings, or 200 grams per meal.
Sample menu for a 7-month-old baby (Russian Federation)
— At what age can semi-solid and solid foods be introduced into a child's diet?
- By 6 months, most babies are ready for a new food: the baby realizes that something is hard in his mouth. By the age of seven months, the skill of palmar grip is formed: the child is able to hold solid food in his hand, and he can be given biscuits and crackers to grind. Allergists and pediatricians consider 6-10 months as the optimal period to begin the introduction of semi-solid and solid foods. But if the swallowing apparatus is not formed, there may be problems with chewing and swallowing disorders up to the gag reflex.
— What should parents do if their child refuses to eat? How to create food interest?
— It is necessary to understand the reasons for the baby's refusal to eat, among which may be: The pediatrician will track changes in health by analysis and, if necessary, adjust the diet.
At seven months, significant changes occur in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, the child actively shows interest in "adult" products, in new tastes. It will be easier for the baby to readjust if you choose products that will match his physiology and fully cover his needs for growth and communication.