Food for four month baby
Top 10 Ideas For 4 Month Baby Food
Some fruits and boiled vegetables may be given to your baby to fulfill their needs.
Image : Shutterstock
Finding suitable food ideas for your four months old baby may be confusing as this is probably the first time they are being introduced to solid food.
As babies turn four months, they become more active and playful. In addition, they start to exhibit more interest in their surroundings. Their stomachs also grow bigger and are ready for more food. Moreover, they seem less interested in milk and are ready to explore new food varieties.
If you recognize these signs in your baby, it is an indication that they have reached the developmental milestone where you may introduce them to solid foods.
Read the post to find whether your baby is ready for solids and to discover some interesting food ideas for them.
Is Your Baby Ready For Solids?
Your baby must have lost the ‘tongue thrust reflex’ by the time they are four months of age. Thrust reflex prevents the infants from choking. It also causes them to push the food out of their mouths. The World Health Organization recommends that we start solids at six months but solids may be introduced at four months. If your baby seems unsatisfied after milk feeds, can hold their head up without any support, can sit without support, wakes up more frequently at night to feed, follows your food with their eyes when you eat, then probably it is the time to introduce him to solid foods. See if your baby is interested in the food or not. If your child stares and grabs your food at dinnertime, then he is ready for some variety. The baby should be able to sit well without any support. Your child needs good neck control to eat solid foods. It will enable him to swallow his food efficiently. The 4 months baby food should consist of solids.
According to Marissa Beck, MS, registered dietitian nutritionist and the founder of REVV Health, “Optimal timing is about signs of readiness over chronological age.
The signs to look for are that your baby can sit with minimal support (not slouching) so that safe chewing and swallowing can occur.”
Quick fact
The ability to pick up things between the finger and the thumb is one of the signs of readiness to eat solids (3).
Related: How To Teach A Baby To Chew And Swallow Their Food?
Top 10 Ideas
Here are the top 10 ideas for a 4-month-old baby as they begin their journey into solid foods.
1. Baby Cereal:
Baby cereal is the most recommended first food for infants. Prepare the cereal with formula or breast milk. It will give the cereal a texture and taste that he is already familiar with. Cereal is also one of the least allergenic foods, making it suitable for babies of 4 months. Give gluten-free cereal, particularly if you have a family history of Celiac diseases or allergies. Wheat, barley, and rye cereal may be unsuitable for babies as they contain gluten. Rice and oatmeal are the least allergenic varieties of cereal.
2. Avocado:
Image: Shutterstock
If you want to serve a complete and delicious meal for your baby, then you can serve him avocado. Slice an avocado and spoon out the flesh. Mash it with a fork or puree in a food processor. Add breast milk or formula milk to make it more ‘soupy’.
Related: 11 Tasty And Easy-To-Make Avocado Baby Food Recipes
3. Banana:
Bananas are considered one of nature’s most perfect foods. Babies love them for their natural sweetness. Also, banana is rich in fiber, so it will keep the things moving through your tot’s digestive system. Remove the skin of the banana and puree the flesh. You can also thin it with a little formula milk or breast milk. The food for 4 months baby is tasty with this all round nutritious fruit.
4. Butternut Squash:
Image: Shutterstock
Butternut squash has a pleasing texture, making it ideal for a baby’s palate. Baked butternut squash will make a great food for your little one.
All you need to do is pierce the butternut squash and bake for an hour at 375 degrees. Cut it lengthwise and then scoop out the fibers and seeds. Then spoon out the flesh and mash with a fork or masher.
Related: 9 Tasty Butternut Squash Baby Food Recipes
5. Sweet Potato:
Sweet potato is a popular first food for babies. It is easier to digest and does not cause constipation in children. Cut the sweet potato and simmer in a little water until tender. Transfer to a food processor and puree, adding a little water or breast milk.
Related: Carrot For Babies: 11 Nutritious And Easy-To-Make Recipes
6. Carrots:
Image: Shutterstock
Carrot is another great choice for baby food. Cut the carrots into sticks and bake for over 20 to 30 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. The food for 4 month old baby is healthy with carrots.
7. Apple:
With your doctor’s consent, you can serve cooked apples to your baby. Dice the apple and simmer or steam until tender.
Cooking apple until it is just tender will ensure that all the nutrients are preserved. Transfer to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. The 4 month old baby food is extremely nutritious with this addition.
Related: Cow Milk For Babies: Right Age, Benefits And Side Effects
8. Pear:
Image: Shutterstock
Pears are one of the safest foods to give as a first food. The allergic reactions to pear are rare. Also, they have a low acidity level, which makes them gentle on the tiny tummies. Puree steamed pear and add to the baby’s cereal.
9. Milk:
At this stage, breast milk will provide total nutrition to your baby. Don’t even think of replacing breast milk or formula until 12 months of age. It can cause serious health implications. Also, never give your child low-fat or skim milk products until he is 2 years old. The 4 months old baby food is extremely delicious with milk.
Quick fact
A child should drink only full-fat milk until two years old, as fat is essential for optimum brain development (4).
10. Peas:
Image: Shutterstock
Fiber filled peas will make an ideal first veggie for babies. Steam the peas for 6 minutes and puree in a food processor, adding the cooking liquid. Strain using a sieve to discard the solids. Pea puree may thicken after it is refrigerated. So stir in a small amount of water, formula or breast milk while heating.
Tips
- A baby’s tummy is the size of his fist. Do not expect your baby to finish a meal. He probably will eat just ½ of a tablespoon portion of what you serve to him.
- Serve a food to baby for four days at a stretch. It will help you learn the signs of intolerance and allergy. Follow this process until your baby has tried a variety of foods.
- Always serve cooked veggies to your baby so that he can chew it easily. Cooking breaks down the cell wall, making the food easier to digest by the baby.
- Place the spoon near your baby’s lips and let him taste and smell. Don’t be surprised if your tot rejects the first spoon.
Wait for a few minutes and try again.
- Do not add any salt or pepper to the baby food.
- As your baby gets used to solid food, make the puree less runny. You can mash the food instead of pureeing it.
Point to consider
Babies under one year should not be fed much salt as their kidneys are not developed enough to excrete it. Also, breastfed babies get the necessary sodium from their mother’s milk (5).
1. What if a baby refuses their first solid food?
A baby might refuse solid food if they are full, unwell, or irritable. Hence, try feeding them when they are hungry. Check the consistency of the solid food and make it baby-compatible. Foods that are too hot or too cold might also be refused. Try a variety of foods initially to see the taste they prefer the most. If your baby still refuses to eat solid foods, consult a pediatrician.
2. Can I give my four-month-old orange juice?
Juices may seem easy to introduce babies to the taste of fruits.
However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises not to give babies juices until one year unless recommended by a pediatrician (1).
3. How do I keep baby foods safe?
Always feed your baby fresh, home-cooked food. Wash the ingredients properly in clean tap water. If you are preparing baby food in bulk, freeze the food immediately in a tightly sealed container. Label the container with the date of preparation and time. Only take out the required amount of food from the container when feeding a baby (2). Always check the quality of the food before feeding it to a baby.
4. Do doctors recommend solids at four months?
Blanca Garcia, RDN, nutrition specialist at MIDSS, suggests, “The Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports parents who want to breastfeed exclusively for about six months after birth. Therefore, not all doctors may recommend that infants start solids at four months. Some evaluate an infant and may determine that they may be ready at four months, but it’s not blanket advice for everyone.
”
If you are looking for food ideas for your 4-month-old baby, begin by offering easily digestible foods such as bananas, sweet potatoes, and cereals. At four months, your tiny tot may be interested in eating foods other than milk. Though most babies are fed various solid foods after six months, you may introduce mashed forms of foods after they cross the four-month mark. Nevertheless, do not rush into introducing foods to your baby. Also, remember that all babies do not react to new foods alike. Hence, if you notice that your baby is not interested in certain foods, give them some time or try feeding other varieties.
Key Pointers
- 4-month-old babies can consume the puree of avocado, banana, and carrots.
- To identify food intolerance issues while introducing solids, serve one food for three to four days instead of feeding mixed foods.
- Avoid adding spices or salt to baby food.
References:
- Weighing in on fruit juice: AAP now says no juice before 1.
https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/14804 - How to make homemade baby food?
https://www.eatright.org/food/planning-and-prep/snack-and-meal-ideas/how-to-make-homemade-baby-food# - Starting Solids
https://www.llli.org/breastfeeding-info/starting-solids/ - Cow’s milk and children
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001973.htm - Salt: the facts
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/salt-nutrition/#:~:text=Babies%20should%20not%20eat%20much,including%20sodium%2C%20from%20breast%20milk
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Feeding Your 4- to 7-Month-Old (for Parents)
Most babies this age are ready to try solid foods. Experts recommend starting solid foods when a baby is about 6 months old, depending on the baby's readiness and nutritional needs.
Be sure to check with your doctor before giving any solid foods.
Is My Baby Ready to Eat Solid Foods?
How can you tell if your baby is ready for solids? Here are a few hints:
- Does your baby swallow food or push it out of their mouth? Babies have a natural tongue-thrust reflex that pushes food back out. Wait until this reflex disappears (typically when babies are 4–6 months old).
- Can your baby support their own head? To eat solid food, an infant needs good head and neck control and should be able to sit up.
- Is your baby interested in food? Babies who stare, reach and grab, and open their mouths for food are ready to try solid foods.
If your doctor gives the go-ahead but your baby seems frustrated or uninterested in solid foods, try waiting a few days before trying again. Breast milk and formula will still meet nutritional needs as your baby learns to eat solid foods. But after 6 months, babies need the added nutrition — like iron and zinc — that solid foods provide.
Do not add cereal or other food to your baby's bottle because it can lead to too much weight gain.
Watch for signs that your child is hungry or full. Respond to these cues and let your child stop when full. A child who is full may suck with less enthusiasm, stop, or turn away from the breast or the bottle. With solid foods, they may turn away, refuse to open their mouth, or spit the food out.
How Should I Start Feeding My Baby Solid Foods?
When your baby is ready and the doctor says it’s OK to try solid foods, pick a time of day when your baby is not tired or cranky. You want your baby to be a little hungry, but not so hungry that they’re upset. So you might want to give your baby a little breast milk or formula first.
Have your baby sit supported in your lap or in a high chair with a safety strap.
Most babies' first food is iron-fortified infant single-grain cereal mixed with breast milk or formula. Place the spoon near your baby's lips, and let the baby smell and taste it. Don't be surprised if this first spoonful is rejected. Wait a minute and try again.
Most food offered to your baby at this age will end up on the baby's chin, bib, or high-chair tray. Again, this is just an introduction.
When your little one gets the hang of eating cereal off a spoon, it may be time to try single-ingredient puréed meat, vegetables, or fruit. The order in which you give them doesn't matter, but go slow. Offer foods that are high in iron and zinc — such as meat, poultry, eggs, and beans — especially if your baby is breastfeeding. Try one food at a time and wait several days before trying something else new. This will let you identify any foods that your baby may be allergic to.
Which Foods Should I Avoid?
Foods that are more likely to cause allergies can be among the foods you introduce to your baby. These include peanuts, eggs, cow’s milk, seafood, nuts, wheat, and soy. Waiting to start these foods does not prevent food allergies. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about food allergies, especially if any close family members have allergies, food allergies, or allergy-related conditions, like eczema or asthma.
Infants with severe eczema or egg allergies are more likely to have allergies to peanuts. Talk to your doctor about how and when to introduce these foods to your child.
Possible signs of food allergy or allergic reactions include:
- rash
- bloating or an increase in gassiness
- diarrhea
- vomiting
Get medical care right away if your baby has a more severe allergic reaction, like hives, drooling, wheezing, or trouble breathing.
If your child has any type of reaction to a food, don't offer that food again until you talk with your doctor.
Babies shouldn't have:
- foods with added sugars and no-calorie sweeteners
- high-sodium foods
- honey, until after the first birthday. It can cause botulism in babies.
- unpasteurized juice, milk, yogurt, or cheese
- regular cow's milk or soy beverages before 12 months instead of breast milk or formula. It’s OK to offer pasteurized yogurt and cheese.
- foods that may cause choking, such as hot dogs, raw carrots, grapes, popcorn, and nuts
Tips for Feeding Your Baby Solid Foods
With the hectic pace of family life, most parents try commercially prepared baby foods at first. They come in small, convenient containers, and manufacturers must meet strict safety and nutrition guidelines.
If you prepare your own baby foods at home, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Follow the rules for food safety, including washing your hands well and often.
- To preserve the nutrients in your baby's food, cook it in ways that keep the most vitamins and minerals. Try steaming or baking fruits and vegetables instead of boiling, which washes away the nutrients.
- Freeze portions that you aren't going to use right away.
- Whether you buy the baby food or make it yourself, texture and consistency are important. At first, babies should have finely puréed single-ingredient foods. (Just applesauce, for example, not apples and pears mixed together.
) - After your baby is eating individual foods, it's OK to offer a puréed mix of two foods. As babies get older, they will learn to eat a greater variety of tastes and textures.
- If you use prepared baby food in jars, spoon some of the food into a bowl to feed your baby. Do not feed your baby right from the jar — bacteria from the baby's mouth can contaminate the remaining food. If you refrigerate opened jars of baby food, it's best to throw away anything not eaten within a day or two.
- Around 6 months of age is a good time for your baby to try a cup. You might need to try a few cups to find one that works for your child. Use water at first to avoid messy clean-ups. Do not give juice to infants younger than 12 months.
Over the next few months, introduce a variety of foods from all the food groups. If your baby doesn't seem to like something, don’t give up. It can take 8 to 10 tries or more before babies learn to like new foods.
Diet for a child aged 4
Your baby is already 4 months old.
He has noticeably grown up, become more active, is interested in objects that fall into his field of vision, carefully examines and reaches for them. The emotional reactions of the child have become much richer: he joyfully smiles at all the people whom he often sees more and more often, makes various sounds.
Are you still breastfeeding or have you switched to formula or formula feeding? The child is actively growing, and only with breast milk or infant formula, he can no longer always get all the necessary nutrients. And that means it's time to think about complementary foods. nine0003
Optimal time to start its introduction is between 4 and 6 months, regardless of whether the baby is receiving breast milk or formula. This is the time when children respond best to new foods. Up to 4 months, the child is not yet ready to perceive and digest any other food. And with the late introduction of complementary foods - after 6 months, children already have significant deficiencies of individual nutrients and, first of all, micronutrients (minerals, vitamins, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, etc.
). In addition, toddlers at this age often refuse new foods, they have delayed development of chewing skills for thick foods, and inadequate eating habits are formed. It is important to know that, no matter how strange it may seem at first glance, with a delayed appointment of complementary foods, allergic reactions more often occur on them. nine0003
When is it advisable to introduce complementary foods as early as 4 months, and when can you wait until 5.5 or even 6 months? To resolve this issue, be sure to consult a pediatrician.
The optimal time to start introducing complementary foods to a healthy baby is between 5 and 5.5 months of age.
The World Health Organization recommends that breastfed babies should be introduced to complementary foods from 6 months of age. From the point of view of domestic pediatricians, which is based on the big
practical experience and scientific research, this is possible only in cases where the child was born at term, without malnutrition (because in these cases the mineral reserves are very small), he is healthy, grows and develops well.
In addition, the mother should also be healthy, eat well and use either specialized enriched foods for pregnant and lactating women, or vitamin and mineral complexes in courses. Such restrictions are associated with the depletion of iron stores even in a completely healthy child by 5-5.5 months of age and a significant increase in the risk of anemia in the absence of complementary foods rich or fortified with iron. There are other deficits as well. nine0003
The first food product can be vegetable puree or porridge, it is better to give fruit puree to the baby later - after tasty sweet fruits, children usually eat vegetable puree and cereals worse, often refuse them altogether.
Where is the best place to start? In cases where the child has a tendency to constipation or he puts on weight too quickly, preference should be given to vegetables. With a high probability of developing anemia, unstable stools and small weight gains - from baby cereals enriched with micronutrients. And if you started introducing complementary foods with cereals, then the second product will be vegetables and vice versa.
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If the first complementary foods are introduced at 6 months, it must be baby porridge enriched with iron and other minerals and vitamins, the intake of which with breast milk is no longer enough.
Another important complementary food product is mashed meat. It contains iron, which is easily absorbed. And adding meat to vegetables improves the absorption of iron from them. It is advisable to introduce meat puree to a child at the age of 6 months. Only the daily use of children's enriched porridge and meat puree can satisfy the needs of babies in iron, zinc and other micronutrients. nine0003
But it is better to introduce juices later, when the child already receives the main complementary foods - vegetables, cereals, meat and fruits. After all, complementary foods are needed so that the baby receives all the substances necessary for growth and development, and there are very few in their juices, including vitamins and minerals.
Juices should not be given between feedings, but after the child has eaten porridge or vegetables with meat puree, as well as for an afternoon snack.
The habit of drinking juice between meals leads to frequent snacking in the future, a love of sweets is instilled, children have more tooth decay and an increased risk of obesity. nine0003
With the start of the introduction of complementary foods, the child is gradually transferred to the 5-time feeding regimen.
Complementary feeding rules:
- preference should be given to baby products of industrial production, they are made from environmentally friendly raw materials, have a guaranteed composition and degree of grinding
- Complementary foods should be offered to the baby by spoon at the start of feeding, before breastfeeding (formula feeding)
- the volume of the product increases gradually, starting with ½ - 1 spoon, and in 7 - 10 days we bring it to the age norm, subsequent products within the same group (cereals from other cereals or new vegetables) can be introduced faster, in 5 - 7 days
- start introduction with monocomponent products
- it is undesirable to give a new product in the afternoon, it is important to follow how the child reacts to it
- do not introduce new products in the event of acute illnesses, and before and immediately after prophylactic vaccination (should be abstained for several days)
When introducing a new type of complementary food, first try one product, gradually increasing its amount, and then gradually "dilute" this product with a new one.
For example, vegetable complementary foods can be started with a teaspoon of zucchini puree. During the week, give the baby only this product, gradually increasing its volume. After a week, add a teaspoon of mashed broccoli or cauliflower to the zucchini puree and continue to increase the total volume every day. Vegetable puree from three types of vegetables will be optimal. The portion should correspond to the age norm. Over time, you can replace the introduced vegetables with others faster. nine0003
After the introduction of one vegetable (bringing its volume to the required amount), you can proceed to the intake of porridge, and diversify the vegetable diet later.
If the child did not like the dish, for example, broccoli, do not give up on your plan and continue to offer this vegetable in a small amount - 1-2 spoons daily, you can not even once, but 2-3 times before meals, and after 7 - 10, and sometimes 15 days, the baby will get used to the new taste. This diversifies the diet, will help to form the right taste habits in the baby.
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Spoon-feed with patience and care. Forced feeding is unacceptable!
In the diet of healthy children, porridge is usually introduced after vegetables (with the exception of healthy breastfed children, when complementary foods are introduced from 6 months). It is better to start with dairy-free gluten-free cereals - buckwheat, corn, rice. At the same time, it is important to use porridge for baby food of industrial production, which contains a complex of vitamins and minerals. In addition, it is already ready for use, you just need to dilute it with breast milk or the mixture that the baby receives. nine0003
Children suffering from food allergies are introduced complementary foods at 5-5.5 months. The rules for the introduction of products are the same as for healthy children, in all cases it is introduced slowly and begins with hypoallergenic products. Be sure to take into account individual tolerance. The difference is only in the correction of the diet, taking into account the identified allergens.
From meat products, preference should first be given to mashed turkey and rabbit.
Diets for different age periods
explain how to make a diet, it is better on several examples that will help to navigate the menu for your child.
From 5 months, the volume of one feeding is on average 200 ml.
Option 1.
I feeding
6 hours
Breast milk or VHI*
200 ml
II feeding
10 hours
Dairy-free porridge**
Supplementation with breast milk or VHI*
150 g
50 ml
III feeding
14 hours
Vegetable puree
Meat puree Vegetable oil
Supplemental breast milk or VHI*
150 g
5 - 30 g
1 tsp
30 ml
IV feeding
18 hours
Fruit puree
Breast milk or VHI*
60 g
140 ml
V feeding
22 hours
Breast milk or VHI*
200 ml
* - Children's dairy mixture (VHI)
** - diluted with breast milk or VHI
Option 2.
9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000
baby 6 months, if complementary foods were introduced from 4 - 5 months:
| I feeding | Breast milk or VHI* | 200 ml |
| II feeding | Dairy-free porridge** | 150 g |
| III feeding | Vegetable puree | 150 g |
| IV feeding | Fruit puree | nine0086 40 g 140 ml |
| V feeding | Breast milk or VHI* | 200 ml |
* - Children's dairy mixture
** - diluted with breast milk or DMS
Option 3.
An approximate daily diet for a baby at 6.5 months on breastfeeding, if complementary foods began to be administered from 6 months:
| I feeding | Breast milk | |
| II feeding | Dairy-free porridge** | 100 g |
| III feeding | Vegetable puree | 100 g |
| IV feeding | Breast milk |
|
| V feeding | Breast milk |
|
** - diluted with breast milk
Up to 7 months, increase the volume of porridge and vegetable puree to 150 g and introduce fruit puree.
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Development, nutrition and skills of a child at 4 months
Ekaterina Borisovna Bulavina
pediatrician of the 1st category
Your inquisitive four-month-old is drawn to socializing, playing and having fun - he has a huge potential for this. At this age, he is ready to move from cradle to crib, get a second immunization, and possibly try new foods. The development of a child at 4 months is multifaceted and everyone goes their own way. But there are a few common features that you should pay attention to so as not to worry about the health of your baby. nine0003
— Ekaterina Borisovna, babies in the fourth month of life see better and are already exploring the environment with their hands and mouth. Let's list what a child can do at 4 months.
Baby skills at 4 months:
- keeps head upright;
- shows more varied movements;
- learns to support with his palms, rests on outstretched arms for some time; nine0037 tries to crawl, makes worm-like movements towards the toy;
- actively puts his hands in his mouth, reaches for toys, can hold them, feels objects;
- rolls from back to side, can roll over to the stomach and back, but not necessarily;
- turns his head to the source of the sound, hums for a long time;
- expresses emotions, smiles, grimaces;
- is able to recognize mother, close people; nine0037, when called by name, quickly remembers and then recognizes his name.
— What height and weight can be considered normal for a four-month-old baby?
- By this age, the child usually adds up to 6-10 cm in height and doubles its weight from the moment of birth. The girths of the head and chest are usually compared, then the chest grows more intensively. The norms for a particular child can be assessed according to special centile tables used by pediatricians. Doctors also evaluate the harmony of physical development according to the correspondence of weight to height. nine0003
— How to recognize deviations in the development of a small child — what should parents pay attention to?
Physical indicators of the correct development of the child
- Deviations may occur if the rate of development slows down in a short period of time. For example, when a child grew, grew, grew and suddenly stops. The assessment of anthropometric indicators is carried out by the doctor on a monthly basis, and with a timely visit to the clinic, the pediatrician will definitely notice deviations in the development of the baby.
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Motor activity of children
— In addition to assessing physical development, it is important to monitor the formation of motor skills. At four months, the baby is active and knows a lot. But if the child does not hold his head well, does not attempt to roll over, is not able to hold the toy, his emotions are scarce, he cries a lot, does not gurgle - these are alarming symptoms, and you need to see a doctor. The pediatrician will be able to determine the cause of the delay in psychomotor and physical development, prescribe additional examinations, adjust nutrition, and recommend a set of physical exercises. nine0003
See also
- food must not be given to children under four months of age
How to develop a child at 4 months
- Ekaterina Borisovna, is there a difference between the development of 4-month-old boys and girls?
- Boys are usually born larger than girls, and this trend continues in development for a long period of time.
Often at this age, the height of boys reaches 66 cm, weight - 7.2 kg, while girls rarely reach 63 cm and their weight often does not exceed 6.5 kg. Otherwise, the differences between healthy children of both sexes at this stage are insignificant and depend on the constitutional features, character, nationality of the child and other factors. nine0003
— What are the most common mistakes parents make when they are involved in child development?
— Mistakes are allowed: not every mother immediately knows how to do the right thing. Let's talk about what not to do.
The first type - errors in the relationship "mother-child"
The second type - pedagogical errors
- Feeding a child at 4 months - what to feed so that he grows up healthy? nine0064
— Regardless of the type of feeding, complementary foods should be introduced between the 17th and 26th weeks. It is optimal for a healthy baby to introduce complementary foods at five months.
The minimum age at which complementary foods can be introduced is four months. By this period, the gastrointestinal tract gradually matures, the permeability of the mucous membrane of the small intestine decreases, a number of digestive enzymes are produced in sufficient volume, a good level of local immunity is formed, which reduces the likelihood of allergic reactions. The child is already able to swallow food thicker than milk or formula. nine0003
The timing of the introduction of complementary foods is set individually, taking into account the characteristics of the physical development, functioning of the digestive and nervous systems of the child.
At four months, children with low weight, with frequent stools, poor weight and growth gains can be offered gluten-free porridge, but for a child with overweight or a tendency to constipation - vegetable monocomponent puree. For the prevention of rickets and the proper absorption of calcium at this age, each child should receive vitamin D in a prophylactic dose.
The therapeutic dose and indications for its administration are determined by the pediatrician. nine0003
— How much can I feed my baby?
— It is recommended to start the introduction of complementary foods gradually with one teaspoon, bringing the volume up to the age norm within 5-7 days. On average, this is 50-70 g, but each portion will be individual. A new product should always be given in the morning so that it is possible to follow the reaction to its introduction. If there has been no reaction to a new food for several days, you can slightly shift the time of its intake. It is best to offer vegetable puree at lunchtime, and it is better to give cereals for dinner so that the child stays full longer and gradually weaned from night feedings. nine0003
— What can be given to a 4-month-old baby if the mother does not have enough breast milk or if lactation needs to be completed?
- At such times, the baby can be transferred to mixed or full artificial feeding.
For a healthy baby with no allergy symptoms, a pediatrician may offer an adapted goat milk formula. It has several advantages over formula based on cow's milk: it is easier to digest, less allergenic, causes less digestive problems and is suitable for most healthy babies, as well as some babies with cow's milk protein intolerance. nine0003
4-month-old forbidden menu:
- adult foods not intended for infants;
- products of inhomogeneous consistency;
- products containing flavorings, preservatives, spices, salt, sugar;
- whole cow's or goat's milk, juices;
- products intended for babies in the second half of life - gluten multicomponent cereals, meat puree, fish, dairy products. Terms of their introduction - 6-8 months; nine0038
- expired and expired products.
— Are the abilities of four-month-olds breastfed and bottle-fed different?
- With a properly selected mixture, there are no significant differences in the development of infants who are on different types of feeding.
Modern adapted mixtures are as close as possible to mother's milk in their composition and contain the entire set of nutrients necessary for the full development of the baby. Before switching to mixed or artificial feeding, the doctor will recommend an adapted formula, depending on the individual characteristics of the child. nine0003
For a healthy baby with no signs of allergy, digestive complaints or cases of family intolerance to cow's milk proteins, the doctor may recommend a goat's milk formula. It will be preferable to cow's milk formula.
As a first mixture, I recommend MAMAKO ® Premium Goat Milk. Milk in the stomach forms a soft curd clot, it is well broken down by enzymes and absorbed. It also contains virtually no complex alpha-S1-casein protein, so the mixture is less allergenic and easier to digest. In addition, it contains:
- Omega-6 and Omega-3 amino acids in the maximum ratio and lutein - such an IQ-complex is necessary for the proper development of vision and the brain;
- pre- and probiotic complex - the gastrointestinal tract is populated with beneficial microorganisms that inhibit the growth of opportunistic microflora, normalize digestion and favorably affect the immune system.
These unique properties allow MAMAKO ® Premium to be recommended as a good alternative to mother's milk when complementary or artificial feeding is required. nine0003
At four months, the baby continues to grow actively, but the gains are no longer as noticeable as in the first three months of life. At this age, it is useful to do gymnastics and do a light massage, offer the child a variety of toys and introduce him to the wonderful world of sounds, spend enough time outside. If necessary, the baby can try the first meal of complementary foods - vegetable puree or porridge. But do not rush the natural development of the baby, load it with too intense physical activities, offer products that are not age-appropriate. Be sure to visit a pediatrician in a timely manner and follow his recommendations. nine0003
* Breast milk is the best food for babies. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a child's life and continued breastfeeding after complementary foods are introduced until the age of 2 years.
Before introducing new products into the baby's diet, you should consult with a specialist. The material is for informational purposes and cannot replace the advice of a healthcare professional. For feeding children from birth.
#Baby development
See also
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#Complementary food
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See all nine0003
See all
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Myths and truths about canned baby food
# Lure
Bulavina Ekaterina Borisovna
pediatrician of the 1st category
Complementary food menu: what to give in the morning, afternoon and evening
# Lure #prikorm # oatmeal
nine0002 Kizino Polina Alexandrovnapediatrician, perinatal psychologist
When to start complementary foods.
