Feeding schedule for 7 month old formula fed baby


7- and 8-month-old feeding schedules

How much does your baby need to eat and drink every day – and how can you make sure they're getting all the vitamins and nutrients they need? It can be tricky to find the balance, since 7- to 8-month-olds are eating more solid foods, but still need anywhere from 24 to 32 ounces of breast milk or formula each day. These feeding schedules for 7- and 8-month-olds will help you fit all the pieces of your baby's diet together.

At 7 and 8 months old, your baby is focused on moving more, playing more, and learning more about the world around them. Also big on their to-do list is experiencing new solid foods. Now that they've got the basics of eating down, it's time to start expanding their palate and introducing them to new flavors and textures.

It can be a big help to see what other parents are doing. Below, you'll find several sample schedules modeled on those of real BabyCenter parents and reviewed by a pediatrician on our Medical Advisory Board.

As you're creating a schedule for your baby, here are some things to keep in mind:

  • At 7 and 8 months old, babies need solid foods two to three times a day.
  • They're still getting most of their nutrients from breast milk or formula, though. A formula-fed baby will drink about 24 to 32 ounces of breast milk or formula in a 24-hour period.
  • At 7 months old, your formula-fed baby will most likely drink 6- to 8-ounce bottles three to five times a day. By the time they're 8 months old, they'll have three or four bottles per day. (Here's how to tell whether your baby is getting enough formula.)
  • Breastfed babies also need about 24 to 32 ounces of breast milk daily, though it'll likely be on the lower end of that range. Your baby will most likely nurse three to five times a day at 7 and 8 months old. (Here's how to tell whether your baby is getting enough breast milk.)

Now's the time to start increasing the amount and variety of your baby's foods and to introduce finger foods and perhaps a sippy cup. If you're baby-led weaning, your baby is already familiar with finger foods but may be ready for you to expand their menu.

If you started with easy-to-eat foods like avocado, banana, and applesauce, you can start encouraging your baby to get a bit more adventurous. In fact, you can work on incorporating foods from the major food groups, offering bits of shredded chicken or fish, yogurt and pieces of cheese, soft fruits and veggies, and whole grains in the form of hot or cold cereal.

Also, talk to your pediatrician about the best way to introduce high-allergy foods such as peanuts, tree nuts, egg, wheat, soy, dairy, fish, shellfish, and sesame.

Keep in mind, though, that your baby's tummy is still on the small side, so they'll only eat a little bit of food at each meal. You can aim for 1 to 3 tablespoons of grains, fruits, veggies, and proteins per meal, and slowly increase that amount over the next few months.

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Sample 7-month-old feeding schedule

7 a. m.: Nurses.

8 a.m.: Breakfast – 3 tablespoons of baby cereal mixed with 2 ounces of breast milk, plus some pureed fruit.

8:45 a.m.: Playtime.

9:30 a.m.: Naptime.

11 a.m.: Nurses, then playtime.

11:45 a.m.: Naptime again.

12:30 p.m.: Lunch – 3 tablespoons of baby cereal mixed with 2 ounces of breast milk, some pureed fruit, and water in a sippy cup.

2 p.m.: Naptime.

3 p.m.: Nurses.

3:15 p.m.: Playtime.

5 p.m.: Dinner – 3 tablespoons of cereal mixed with 2 ounces of breast milk, some pureed veggies, and water in a sippy cup.

6:30 p.m.: Bath time.

7:15 p.m.: Nurses.

7:30 p.m.: Bedtime.

Sample 8-month-old feeding schedule

7 a.m.:  8-ounce bottle, then playtime.

8 a.m.: Breakfast – a pouch or jar of fruit.

9 a.m.: Playtime.

10 a.m.: 6-ounce bottle and nap time.

12:30 p.m.: Lunch – a pouch of meat and veggies.

1 p.m.: Playtime outside.

2 p.m.: 6-ounce bottle and naptime.

5 p.m.: 4-ounce bottle, then playtime.

6 p.m.: Dinner – half a jar of veggies and a half jar of fruit.

6:30 p.m.: Playtime.

7:15 p.m.: Bedtime routine, 8-ounce bottle, then bedtime.

Meal ideas for 7- and 8-month-olds

Not sure how to get started planning nutritious meals for your baby? You can follow the rule of four: give your baby one serving each of protein, carbohydrates, fruits, and veggies. If you're not sure how much to feed your baby, check out our visual guide.

Here are some simple things you can serve your 7- to 8-month-old.

Breakfast:

  • Yogurt with pureed fruit
  • Mashed sweet potatoes
  • O-shaped cereal
  • Baby oatmeal
  • Cottage cheese with pureed fruit
  • Scrambled eggs

Lunch:

  • Mashed black beans
  • Pureed chicken
  • Ground beef and pureed veggies
  • Lentils
  • Turkey and zucchini puree
  • Whole-grain crackers with a thin smear of peanut butter
  • Mashed banana with Greek yogurt

Dinner:

  • Pureed beef with steamed peas
  • Small pieces of whole grain bread with mashed avocado
  • Shredded turkey
  • Whole-grain pasta with tomato sauce

Learn more:

  • Your 7-month-old's growth and development
  • Your 8-month-old's growth and development
  • Recipes for babies 6 to 12 months old
  • Age-by-age guide to feeding your baby

A 7 Month Old Feeding Schedule That Works Like A Charm

What's in this post...

Here is a tried and true (and adapatable) 7 month old feeding schedule that’ll help your little one nap well during the day, sleep well at night, and have peaceful days.


I have long said that the 6 to 12 month time is one of my absolute favorites.

Baby is sitting up. 

Smiling. 

Napping a tad less. 

And usually sleeping through the night.

It can also be a time of adjustment. 

Baby is finally eating solids and it’s likely time to drop that third nap and probably drop the dream feed if you haven’t already. Baby is getting a little chunkier and wants more food.

Actually, this is a precious time with baby.

Before the 7 month old feeding schedule… KNOW THIS

Before I give you what has worked for me as a 7 month old feeding schedule, know this.

Babies at this age need to eat as many solids as they can.

They will be hungry and breast milk alone will no longer be enough. Or, if it is, you’ll be cluster feeding like your 7 month old was a newborn.

➡️ Pediatricians used to recommend introducing purees or solids at 4 months of age. They now suggest 6 months.

➡️ So the 5 to 7 month mark generally means that unless baby is getting a lot of breast milk and whatever solids you offer, they will be hungry.

And this will affect their sleeping and their moods.

7 Month Old Sample Feeding Schedule

7:00 am – Wake up, milk, solids for breakfast

8:00 am – Free play (floor time, cuddle time with mom, sibling play)

9:00 am – Nap time

10:45 or 11:00 am – Wake up, milk, solids

12:00 pm – Free play (floor time, practicing sitting, standing, pulling up, sibling play)

1:00 pm – Nap time

3:00 pm – Wake up, milk, solids

3:45 pm – Free play (errands, play with siblings, floor time, etc.)

5:00 pm – Short nap

5:30 pm – Wake up, milk, solids

6:15 pm – Bedtime routine habits and ideas (bath, singing, cuddling, putting on lotion, lights, curtains, etc. )

7:00 pm – Quick feed (milk), and down to bed (you may want to add cluster feeding here too if it fits)

And… if baby isn’t sleeping through the night yet. 

10:00 pm – Dreamfeed

Note:

  • Daily baby logs are a great thing to have on hand if you are noticing a lot of changes you can’t make heads or tails of.
  • If your baby wakes up earlier or later than this routine, you can simply adjust based on your baby’s wake time. The wake time is actually very important in a baby’s day to day routine.
  • If baby wakes early from a nap, yet is content, don’t push up the feeding. Leave it until normal time unless baby is clearly hungry.
  • Get down familiar rhythms and routines throughout your day. These cannot be understated for babies. (here is more on family rhythms and routines)

Weaning From Nighttime Feeds

If your baby is still not sleeping through the night, then this is a great time to start helping them do so.

Solids and milk throughout the day will help them to fill their tummies.

And… get in the necessary nutrients that’ll allow them to sleep peacefully throughout the night.

It is actually one of the best times to begin sleep training since baby is naturally a lot less likely to wake if hunger was their primary reason for waking.

Imagine baby needs 10 cups (to make things even) of milk and/or food a day. We know all babies are different, but go with me here.

If you are currently giving your baby 5 cups of milk and 2 cups of food during the day, that leaves a 3 cup deficit.

This means baby will likely wake up at night to get in the full 10 cups he needs.

The best way to wean? 

To give them all they need during the day so they don’t need to wake for it at night.

Watch this short video to learn why babies at this age can get quite whiny and what you can do to avoid this.

A Dream Feed Might Work For You

If your baby is still feeding a few times per night then you may want to start doing something called a Dream Feed.

Now, we don’t typically add IN a night feed at this age, we are trying to eliminate them, but it may help you get a few more hours in.

Dream Feed: A feed given between 10 and 11 ish at night that should help baby sleep a longer stretch, eventually until the morning wake time.

Try feeding baby as much as possible during this feed and weaning baby from other nighttime feeds until eventually the dream feed is the only feed left.

After baby has slept until the morning with only the dream feed for a few weeks, then it’s safe to drop the dream feed.

At that point, baby should be sleeping all through the night.

7 Month Old Schedule Interesting Tidbits

Here are some interesting things to note or keep in mind during this 7 month period.

  • Babies will likely be able to sleep through the night at this age if they’re eating well enough. Not only are they getting breast milk they are getting solids.
  • Here’s where you’ll discover if your baby didn’t sleep through the night out of hunger, or if they have some sleep props you need to work on.
  • Baby might act uninterested in solids, that’s fine. Still, continue offering them and be sure to give them veggies or fruits they like so they will get the nutrients needed.
  • Introduce solids slowly so you can monitor the baby’s reaction to them. Don’t introduce too many new foods at once.
  • Give a top up bedtime snack. Right before bed, give baby milk and some yogurt or applesauce, etc. to help fill baby’s tummy before they go down for the night.

7 Month Old Schedule Printable

Print his, tweak to fit your family, and feel more confident and in control of your days.

Want Printables to hang up?

If you want routines and schedules for not only the 6 to 9 month age, but for the 12 month, 18 month, and on I’ve got great news. I’ve created a book chock full of routines that work.

Routines that keep babies well rested, happy, and content. Routines that account for all the things you need to do and they are mom tested. The best part?

The book comes with printable routines (3 choices for each age) that you can hang up and use!

So instead of having to reinvent the wheel every few months, you’ll have tried and true mom tested routines right at your fingertips.

Rhythms, Routines, & Schedules Pack

Easy to implement routines, rhythms and schedules from birth through school-aged kids to help you streamline day-to-day life with kids, including a step-by-step guide for getting started.

Learn More

FAQs about 7 month olds

What time should a 7 month old go to bed?

7-month-olds should go to bed by 8 p.m. at the latest, and on average go to bed around 7:00 p.m.

If your baby is still taking a late afternoon or early evening cat nap, this will be easy to manage. Contrary to what you might think, the earlier a baby goes to bed the better they sleep all night.

What should my 7 month old wear to bed?

By 7 months of age babies should no longer be swaddled to sleep. Since they can roll over and move, you want them to be able to do so.

However, you don’t want them to attempting crawling out of the crib, so appropriate to the season layers are good, plus a sleeping bag on top to keep their legs in!

Is my 7 month old hungry at night?

7 months of age can bring about some sleep regressions. One main cause of this is that 7-month-olds are hungry and in need of ample solids to keep their tummies filled.

If they aren’t yet eating enough solids or don’t have enough appropriate protein in their diet, they’ll be genuinely hungry at night. They will need more milk feeds to get them through. Answer? Feed more during the day!

Can you let a 7 month old cry it out?

Cry it out is a form of sleep training that quickly helps.   Babies learn to self-soothe, settle, and re-settle on their own. It is age appropriate by 7 months if you choose to use it.

Sources:

  • The importance of schedules and routines
  • Routines minimize chaos which promotes resilience and regulation
  • Routines indicators of predictable family life contributing to childhood development

Family Routines Reboot

Take our 3 day challenge to create life-giving family, child, and self-care routines.

Learn More

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Baby menu at seven months

0-6 months

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What should be the menu of a child at 7 months? What foods and in what quantity can be introduced into the diet at this age? When and at what intervals to give the baby to eat? We will help develop an approximate menu for a 7-month-old baby and answer the most exciting questions regarding the nutrition of a baby up to a year old. nine0003

7 min. for reading Feb. 17, 2022

Contents

  • Diet: when and how much should a child eat at 7 months
  • Baby menu at 7 months: introducing new products
  • Consistency of dishes
  • Meal schedule and approximate daily menu
  • Sample diet for a 7 month old baby allergic to cow's milk proteins: Table
  • FAQ
  • Breastfeed every 3-4 hours while breastfeeding.
  • If you give your baby expressed breast milk, he needs approximately 710 grams per day. With 5-6 meals a day, this is approximately 120 to 200 grams of milk per meal.
  • If the baby is formula-fed (IV), he needs from 170 to 230 grams of formula up to 4 times a day, provided that 2 more feedings replace complementary foods. To find out how much mixture you need, be guided by the instructions on the package, the recommendations of the pediatrician. nine0016
  • From the age of 6 months, only mother's milk or adapted infant formula is not enough for a baby - he needs a variety of complementary foods. Introduce no more than one new product per day into the child’s menu at 7 months and consult a pediatrician first. After getting acquainted with different foods, up to three complementary foods can be given daily: this can be one or two tablespoons or 115-170 grams (8-12 tablespoons), depending on the baby and the specific product.

Important

The calculation of portions and the number of feedings depends on the individual characteristics of the development and needs of the child. Therefore, first of all, be guided by the recommendations of your pediatrician and the needs of the baby.

Baby menu at 7 months: introducing new products

The basis of the diet is still breast milk or infant formula. To diversify the menu, children's adapted food will help: fruit and vegetable purees, milk and dairy-free cereals, juices, as well as some products from the "adult table". nine0003

Cereals

At 7 months, dairy-free and milk porridges, along with breast milk, are the basis of a child's nutrition. To start complementary foods, choose gluten-free liquid one-component cereals with a high iron content: rice, buckwheat, oatmeal. A little later - corn and semolina. Start complementary foods with half or a whole teaspoon, gradually increasing the serving to 150 grams.

Important

Dairy-free porridge is diluted with breast milk or milk formula, milk - with purified boiled water. nine0042

Find out more: Gerber® Baby Cereals: product range

Vegetable and fruit purees

Vegetable and fruit purees diversify the diet and introduce new tastes to the baby. According to WHO recommendations, the best product to start with is a one-component vegetable puree made from zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower or potatoes. These vegetables are less allergenic than other foods. If the child does not have allergies, pumpkin, carrot, pea and tomato puree can be given a little later. nine0003

Find out more: Gerber® Vegetable Purees

After introducing vegetable purees into your diet, it's time for your baby to get to know sweet and healthy fruit purees. Like vegetable, fruit complementary foods are also recommended to start with one-component low-allergenic foods. Apple, pear or banana puree is best for this. Start with half or a whole teaspoon and gradually increase the serving to 100-150 grams.

Find out more: Gerber® fruit purees

Meat

Meat is a developmentally necessary product, rich in iron and protein, which is well absorbed in the body. Start with homogenized options. The product must contain only one type of meat (diet turkey, rabbit, chicken, veal) and no additional components. If the crumbs have a tendency to food allergies, choose meat very carefully, it is better to consult a doctor in advance. Pay attention to the composition of baby food and its age-appropriate baby. First, let the baby try half a teaspoon. If no adverse reactions occur, gradually increase the meat rate to 60 grams. nine0003

Find out more: Gerber® Meat Purees

Juices

Fruit juice is great for snacking and menu variety. Young children tolerate clarified apple and pear juice better, so they should be introduced first. Give the baby adapted baby juices: they do not contain sugar or other additives undesirable for the child. Ordinary store-bought juices can only be drunk by children over three years old.

See also: What kind of juice to start complementary foods for babies

Advice

Introduce your baby to juices after introducing cereals and vegetable purees. Often the child gets used to sweet juices and then does not eat foods with a less bright taste.

Egg yolk

In addition to cereals and mashed potatoes, boiled egg yolk is introduced at the age of 7 months, as it is an excellent source of omega-fats, selenium, phosphorus and vitamins. Please note that you need to give the egg not the whole, but only the yolk. But, like any other product that you give to try for the first time, it should be introduced carefully and little by little to make sure that the baby does not have an allergy. Do not combine with other food! Only when you "test" the yolk, it is allowed to add it to cereals and vegetable purees. nine0003

Important

There is an opinion that children with allergies can be fed quail eggs. But it is important to remember that quail eggs can also be allergic, as they also contain egg white, an allergen found in chicken eggs. Therefore, do not experiment, but seek the advice of a pediatrician.

See also: Introduction of complementary foods to children with food allergies

Baby cookies and croutons

Some babies start teething at seven months. Therefore, you can add crackers and children's cookies to food. But do not forget that they should not be too hard so that the child does not get hurt and choke. It is also better to choose special products without added salt, sugar, synthetic leavening agents and preservatives.

Important

The child should eat solid food in a sitting position and strictly under adult supervision. nine0042

Consistency of dishes

The main component of the diet remains liquid and homogeneous (without lumps) - breast milk or milk formula, milk and dairy-free cereals. As the baby grows, the baby's food should change from liquid and homogeneous to thicker and puree, mashed. When the body adapts and is able to digest solid food, they begin to carefully introduce small, medium and coarsely ground foods, give children's cookies and crackers. At 7 months, some babies already have teeth, but the child cannot yet chew thoroughly and safely swallow vegetables, fruits and meat. Therefore, solid food should be given only in a grated form. It is important that the puree is not too thick, otherwise the child may accidentally choke. nine0003

Advice

If you are making puree yourself, carefully remove everything that is not rubbed and can get into the crumbs' respiratory tract: bones, fat, veins, skin, films. To make the puree easier to swallow, add some boiled water, unsalted vegetable broth, vegetable puree already familiar to the baby, or breast milk (milk mixture).

By about 7 months of age, the baby has mastered the skill of "palm grip" and can independently hold solid food in the handle. From now on, you can give your child special baby cookies or snacks. At the same time, make sure that the baby eats slowly, in a sitting position and does not choke. nine0003

Important

Baby should be ready to eat more sticky or solid foods. Therefore, before changing the consistency of food for a child, consult a pediatrician.

What can be given to children at 7 months and at what time to feed? Parents can begin to form a classic division of food consumption per day. But at 7 months, the baby needs to be fed not three or four, but five times a day at intervals of four hours. The first and final feeding is mother's milk or formula. Complementary foods are not given at this time in order to prevent overeating. nine0003

*Dairy-free porridge should be diluted with breast milk or infant formula given to the baby. Milk porridge is diluted with water.

Tip

Do not salt or sweeten food. It is better to introduce the baby to sugar and salt after a year.

nine0207
Feeding time Products Serving Size
I feeding 6 hours Breast milk or medicated formula for infants with cow's milk protein intolerance 200 ml
II feeding 10 hours Nestle® Dairy-Free Rice Porridge* 130 g
Vegetable oil (add to food) about 1 tsp
Gerber® Apple or Williams Pears Fruit Puree 70 g
III feeding 14 hours Gerber® Vegetable Puree Broccoli, Cauliflower 170 g
Vegetable oil (add to food) about 1 tsp
Gerber® Meat Puree Tender Vegetables with Rabbit 30 g
IV feeding 18 hours Vegetable puree or dairy-free porridge** 170 g
Vegetable oil (add to food) about 1 tsp
Gerber® Tender Turkey Meat Puree 20 g
V feeding 22 hours Breast milk or formula for infants with cow's milk protein intolerance 200 ml

*Dairy-free porridge should be diluted with breast milk or formula for infants with intolerance to cow's milk proteins. **you can either alternate porridge or vegetables, or offer a mixed dish - porridge with vegetables.

Now you know what products and in what form can be introduced into the child's menu at 7 months. It is preferable if it is certified baby food that meets all age requirements and high safety standards. nine0003

See also: Do we cook ourselves or use baby food?

1. At what age should complementary foods start?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends introducing complementary foods to your baby's menu at 6 months of age.

2. Where to start complementary foods?

Experts advise starting complementary foods with one-component homogenized vegetable purees.

3. How much should a 7-month-old baby eat?

At 7 months, a baby needs a portion of food per day, which is equal to about ⅛ of body weight. This is 1000-1200 ml of food, excluding water, juices, children's tea. Divide this amount by 5 feedings and you will get an estimated amount of food per meal - 200-210 ml.

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table of the introduction of the first complementary foods by months, input scheme, the correct menu of the child on the IV, what can be given to the artificial

Content: Hide

  1. Power feeding with artificial feeding
  2. Why do the baby need complementary foods
  3. when you can introduce complementary foods with artificial stirring
  4. when it should be postponed with complementary foods
  5. The basic rules choose complementary foods
  6. Introduction of complementary foods to formula-fed premature babies
  7. Answers to frequently asked questions for mothers

Complementary foods with artificial feeding

Inexperienced mothers of newborn babies are concerned about many problems: fighting colic, establishing a daily routine, performing hygiene procedures. However, time goes by and acute issues gradually become irrelevant. Inexorably, a new crucial stage is coming - the introduction of the first complementary foods begins. We will tell you how to properly introduce complementary foods with artificial feeding.

Why a baby needs complementary foods

Both natural and formula-fed babies are usually equally full of energy, active and inquisitive. The introduction of complementary foods allows you to gradually accustom the baby's gastrointestinal tract to new food, as well as give the growing body the vitamins and minerals that it needs at a particular stage of physical development. Also, with its help, you can gradually adapt the baby to the diet of adult family members and then painlessly transfer it to the common table. There are no exact norms and rules for the introduction of complementary foods. It is necessary to focus on the needs of the child and follow the recommendations of the pediatrician. nine0003

When can complementary foods be introduced with artificial feeding

Teaching children to adult food should be timely. The fact is that the gastrointestinal tract of an infant at a too early age (for example, 2-3 months) is not able to process certain foods. The mucous membrane of the digestive system is irritated, and this can provoke gastritis and other serious health problems.

IMPORTANT! At what age can you introduce your baby to new products? For children in good health, WHO recommends that complementary foods be introduced at 6 months of age. But for some babies, if there are certain medical indications, the doctor may advise you to do this earlier. nine0003

The recommendations do not provide a specific menu for each age, which must be followed. Much depends on the socio-cultural characteristics of different peoples and the individual pace of development of children. In most cases, the timing of the start of complementary foods varies from 4.5 to 6 months. Specialists distinguish the following signs of a child's readiness to try something new, in addition to the usual artificial mixture:

• the baby is not quite full of the mixture and asks to continue the meal; nine0395 • his first teeth have already erupted, he tries to chew them, takes and tries to taste the food from the adult's plates;
• if you bring a spoon to the baby, he will begin to examine its contents and want to try it;
• the child sits confidently, can turn his head and control his body;
• The tongue thrust reflex fades so baby can drink water from a spoon without it dripping back out.

It is not necessary that all of the listed features be present at once. If several of them are observed, then it is quite possible to try to introduce the first complementary foods. nine0003

See also: How much does a newborn eat per feeding?

When to delay feeding

It is better to delay feeding if:
• the child is ill;
• less than three days have passed since vaccination;
• the baby is teething, he does not sleep well and is naughty;
• there have been some changes in the family's lifestyle, such as moving to a new home, mother going to work, traveling to another city or country;
• the crumbs are observed manifestations of allergies, disorder of the gastrointestinal tract; nine0395 • The weather is too hot outside.

Therefore, complementary foods should only be offered to a child when he is completely healthy, calm and in a good mood.

Basic rules for the introduction of complementary foods

Anna Levadnaya, pediatrician, candidate of medical sciences, explains that the principles of introduction of complementary foods on natural and artificial feeding are similar: it is recommended to focus on food interest, signs of a child's readiness for introducing complementary foods. The only thing is that with exclusive breastfeeding, it is not recommended to supplement the child with water, while bottle-fed children can be offered water. nine0003

Video: 10 rules for complementary foods
Author: pediatrician, Ph.D. Komarovsky E.O.

The rest of the principle is the same: for both breastfeeding and formula-feeding, offer your baby a new food before feeding, and then supplement with breast milk or formula.

In order for new products to bring benefits to the baby on artificial feeding and not harm his health, you should follow a number of simple recommendations.
1. Complementary foods are usually given in the morning before the main formula feeding. This allows you to track the reaction to unfamiliar food during the day and take action if necessary. nine0395 2. It is necessary to carefully monitor the cleanliness of children's dishes, pots and blenders. The gastrointestinal tract of an infant is very sensitive to infectious agents.
3. New food is introduced into the baby's diet from a quarter of a teaspoon. If he tolerated the product well, then within a week the portion is brought to one or two tablespoons. Then you should look at the desire of the child and his well-being, and also take into account the recommendations of the pediatrician.
4. The first dishes should be of a liquid consistency, then they are made into a puree, and only closer to a year can you give soft pieces to chew. Pediatricians advise adding butter and vegetable oils to them as vegetables and cereals are introduced into the diet. nine0395 5. In order to protect the child's body from pathogens that may be contained in unprocessed food, complementary foods should first be boiled, stewed or baked. The baby is offered slightly warm food: the optimum temperature is 36-37 degrees.
6. It is advisable to try the products immediately from a spoon. If the baby gets used to the bottle, this will slow down the formation of the skill of chewing food and may subsequently affect diction.
7. A food diary can help you reliably identify what your child has an allergic reaction to. It should record everything that the baby ate during the day, in what quantity and at what time. You can also record in a diary whether he liked the new dish or not. nine0395 8. Complementary foods should be introduced only from mono-products. Only after making sure that vegetables, cereals, juices, fruits or protein products are well tolerated by the child, you can offer their mixes.
9. The interval between introduced and new complementary foods should be at least a week. Such a period of time will allow the child's body to adapt to the expanded diet and perceive other dishes without unpleasant surprises.
10. If you are allergic to any product, you should immediately remove it from the menu and seek the advice of a pediatrician. It will be possible to return to this complementary food no earlier than in a month. nine0395 11. It is desirable that with the introduction of complementary foods, the infant receives a sufficient amount of liquid. It can be both ordinary water and compotes.
12. Do not offer your child foods that are considered highly allergenic as first foods: full-fat cow's milk, citrus fruits, cereals with gluten, chicken eggs, etc.
13. Do not force-feed a child, even if you think that he is hungry. A small person has the right to defend his opinion in the choice of dishes.
14. Feed your baby exclusively in a sitting or reclining position to avoid the risk of aspiration. Very convenient for this purpose are special highchairs made of easy-to-clean material. nine0003

From 7–8 months of age, formula-fed mashed or pureed food, such as a banana, can be used as complementary foods. If semi-solid food is not introduced into his diet in time, problems may arise with the intake of solid food in the future: after a year, the child will refuse it completely. From 8–9 months, the child should be offered the so-called finger food: cut soft fruits and vegetables into pieces, such as boiled carrots, potatoes, and offer them to the baby. If you follow this scheme, by the year the child will be ready to eat solid food from the common table, Levadnaya explains. nine0003

Complementary Feeding Schedule

We provide a suggested complementary feeding schedule for up to a year to guide you, unless advised otherwise by your doctor. As a standard, formula-fed babies with normal weight gain are offered products in approximately the following order:
• vegetable puree;
• cereals;
• fruit puree;
• kefir;
• butter and vegetable oil;
• children's biscuits and bread;
• meat puree;
• fish puree. nine0395

The earlier introduction of vegetable puree rather than fruit puree is explained by the fact that the former has a more insipid taste. Having fallen in love with sweet apples and bananas, the child may subsequently refuse to eat zucchini, pumpkin, etc. However, if the infant is underweight, the doctor may recommend porridge as the first complementary food for him. They are more high-calorie and allow you to gain the missing kilograms faster. Each type of complementary food is described in the table.


Vegetables

They are usually offered to children in the following order:

  • marrow;
  • cauliflower;
  • broccoli;
  • carrots;
  • pumpkin;
  • green peas;
  • potatoes.

Tomatoes, white cabbage and cucumbers are recommended to be included in the menu already after a year. nine0003

Fruit

Seasonal fruits are recommended. The approximate order of their introduction: apples, pears, peaches, apricots and bananas. If the baby suffers from constipation, you can carefully and with the permission of the pediatrician offer him plums.

Kashi

To start complementary foods, choose gluten-free cereals: buckwheat, rice, corn grits. After the child is 8 months old, you can gradually give him a taste of oatmeal, wheat and barley porridge. It is better to refuse semolina altogether, since it contains very few useful substances and at the same time it is very high in calories. Cereals can be ground in a coffee grinder or mashed from ready-made cereals in a blender.

Protein products

Fermented milk products do not need to be introduced earlier than 8 months, since only by this time do children begin to produce the enzymes necessary for their processing. From meat, children under one year old should be given rabbit, chicken, turkey and veal. Sea fish is more suitable - hake, cod or flounder. Meat and fish are offered to kids in grated form as part of vegetable dishes and cereals.

Cottage cheese can be prepared for the baby yourself. This will require pasteurized milk 2.5% fat and sourdough. After the milk turns sour, it is placed in a water bath and heated over low heat until the whey leaves. Then it remains only to drain the liquid through a colander or gauze and grind the resulting curd to make it more tender. nine0003

IMPORTANT! It is undesirable to add salt, sugar and spices to food for a child. His taste buds are not yet accustomed to strong stimuli, so it is better for him to appreciate the natural taste of the food offered. Soup should be boiled only on vegetable broths, and meat should be added to an already prepared dish. Meat broth may be too heavy for the baby's kidneys.

How to choose complementary foods

The main recommendations for choosing specific foods to start complementary foods are as follows:

1. It is recommended that your baby's diet be based on products grown in the region where he/she lives. If the period of the first feeding falls on the winter, it is advisable to stock up vegetables, fruits and berries from your garden in advance, putting them in the freezer for safekeeping. In the event that this is not possible, you can give preference to ready-made canned mashed potatoes. They undergo mandatory certification confirming the quality.
2. It is advisable not to buy store-bought juices in large quantities for your child. Compotes will be much more useful for him. You can also offer decoctions of dried fruits. nine0395 3. If you decide to buy ready-made food for your baby, then pay attention to the label and the release date. The product must be age appropriate and fresh. The composition should not contain salt, sucrose, dextrose and other extraneous additives.

In general, it is worth remembering that the first food offered to a child should be puree-like, not too viscous products, consisting of one ingredient, soft consistency, without added sugar, salt and spices, says Andrey Mosov, head of the expert direction of NP Roskontrol, doctor on nutritional hygiene of children and adolescents. He insists that preference should be given to industrial prepared meals, as such products have been tested and certified. There are no guarantees with mashed homemade vegetables. nine0003

Introduction of complementary foods to formula-fed premature babies

The question of the correct introduction of complementary foods to a premature baby should be discussed individually at a pediatrician's appointment. In order for the body to be able to process a new product, organs and systems must be sufficiently mature and prepared. The quality of food digestion largely depends on the production of special enzymes, so you should not be self-motivated in compiling the baby's menu. nine0003

The schedule for the introduction of complementary foods will be determined by the presence or absence of anemia, the rate of weight gain, the tendency to allergies, and some other nuances. Formula-fed premature babies are usually advised to start introducing meat and egg yolk earlier. It is advisable to cook porridge on a vegetable broth or mixture, and not on water, since then they will be more nutritious and healthy.

IMPORTANT! However, the course of complementary foods must be monitored by a pediatrician. The doctor monitors the child's reaction to new products, evaluates the dynamics of growth and general physical development. The scheme may change if any deviations from the norm are detected during routine inspections. nine0003

Answers to frequently asked questions for mothers

• What foods should not be given to babies under one year old?
It is forbidden to give cow's milk to babies under the age of one, as it can cause allergic reactions and digestive disorders. It is perfectly replaced by adapted mixtures from modern manufacturers. In addition to milk, it is not recommended to include nuts, citrus fruits, exotic fruits and vegetables, red fish and honey in the menu of the crumbs of the first year of life.
• What should I do if my child absolutely does not want to eat complementary foods? nine0352
Wait a while and try to offer food again, but don't insist on another refusal. Perhaps the baby did not like the new dish because of the unfamiliar taste. Children are big conservatives and are often wary of change. Be patient, do not rush to introduce complementary foods. Show your child with what appetite you yourself eat from your plate, and then he may have a desire.
• What should I do if my baby has problems with stool while weaning? nine0352
If a child has a stool retention of more than three days during the introduction of complementary foods, then we can talk about constipation. In this case, you need to visit a pediatrician, as well as immediately exclude fixing foods from the menu and give more fluids to drink. If the stool has become too frequent (more than 5 times a day), then this may be due to indigestion or an intestinal infection. Be sure to consult your doctor about this.
• What should I do if I have an allergy to complementary foods? nine0352
It is advisable to take care of this issue even before the introduction of complementary foods, asking the observing pediatrician to prescribe an antihistamine drug that is optimal for his age. You should also carefully fill out the food diary at first. With it, it will be possible to identify a possible allergen and exclude it from the baby's menu, preventing more serious health consequences.
• How do you know if a baby tolerates complementary foods well?
Normal weight and height gain, regular bowel movements, and the absence of allergic skin rashes indicate the successful introduction of complementary foods. If the baby is cheerful, active, he has a good appetite and a good sleep, most likely, this means that you are doing everything right and the selected diet suits him. nine0003

However, it is impossible to completely refuse artificial formula when introducing complementary foods, even when the baby eats complementary foods with appetite. His body is not yet ready for a complete change in the type of food and may malfunction. This often manifests itself in the form of allergies, stool disorders or growth retardation. Remember that the baby should enjoy the new food.


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