Solid food for 4 month baby india
Top 10 Ideas For 4 Month Baby Food
Some fruits and boiled vegetables may be given to your baby to fulfill their needs.
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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 he is 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 a 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.
Top 10 Ideas:
Here are the top 10 ideas for 4 month baby food old as he begins his 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:
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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’.
3. Banana:
Bananas are considered one of the 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:
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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.
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.
6. Carrots:
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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.
8. Pear:
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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.
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.
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.
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:
MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
- 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#
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Moloko Mehlape is a registered dietitian in private practice with special interest in nutrition education, sports nutrition, weight and chronic disease management. She is a philanthropist passionate about making a positive impact in public health through nutrition. Dt. Mehlape has completed extensive formal education and training, and holds qualifications BSc Dietetics (Hons) - Medunsa, MSc Dietetics from the University of... more
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Indian Weaning Foods (Food chart for baby from 4 months to 1 year )
You are here: Home / DIET PLAN / Indian Weaning Foods (Food chart for baby from 4 months to 1 year )
Last Updated on | RD, Payal Banka (Registered Dietitian) 9 Comments
Motherhood is a beautiful journey.
The everyday experiences of a new mommy right from conceiving to birth and beyond are one-of-its-kind. As the baby grows, a mother blossoms! Her role gradually shifts from nurturing the baby with breast milk to nourishing with the best nutritious food, apt for the age. Here is a complete chart of Indian weaning foods that will help all Indian mothers to provide the best nutrition to their babies for their proper physical and mental growth and development.
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Weaning is a gradual introduction of nourishment other than milk to the infant. Although, it can seem overwhelming to a new mother experienced women always preach “enjoy it”. It is a phase, and you shall both transit through it, gracefully. It may seem like a challenge but expert’s advice that with a bit of research and calm nerves, weaning can seem like a smooth passage. These Indian weaning foods information will help you make this phase smooth.
Pediatricians recommend exclusive breastfeeding until the baby is 6 months of age.
Lactation is nature’s exclusive medium of providing nutrition to the baby. Having said that, this is not a strict rule and now pediatricians also mention new mothers to watch for dehydration as well as proper food intake if breast milk production is insufficient.
Weaning ideally starts at 6 months but some mothers may introduce some liquids at 4 months of age depending on baby’s appetite and milestone development. The infant is ready for solid foods when the sitting is achieved with skill. Eye-hand coordination is improved and tongue movement is better in order to allow food movement back and forth the food pipe.
Celebration of Weaning in IndiaIn India, Hindu culture commemorates the introduction of first foods with the ceremonial ritual Annaprashana.
Amongst the various Indian weaning foods, Rice is the first food offered to the babies. This grain initiation of the baby at 6 months of age is a rejoiced occasion in Indian families.
The infant’s gut development is gradual and acceptability to new foods is slow. Lactation tapers down after the baby is almost 6 months of age and breast milk is insufficient to fulfill appetite or support growth which is rapid up till the child turns two.
This Indian weaning food chart is made using easily available ingredients from the kitchen. Introduction to foods is such that the child eventually adapts to the family’s palette. The nutrition quotient of these Indian weaning foods is also at par to the age requirement. The need for iron, vitamin A, D, C is essential beyond 6 months of age as milk and formula milk will be insufficient in these nutrients. Salt, sugar, oil, and butter or ghee is generally avoided until the baby is 8 months of age.
How to Introduce weaning foods?
A common query every pediatrician has to answer every new mom, “How to introduce weaning foods?”.
Here are some simple tips on Introducing Indian weaning foods to babies.
- Start with one-two teaspoons at a time. Allow the child to swallow and accept the new texture.
- Offer additional one-two teaspoons more of the same food every day till the end of the week when the child can have a small bowl at a time.
- Introduce a new ingredient every week and notice for acceptability, discomfort, or allergies.
- It is best to introduce only one food item at a time. and avoid offering too many food items at the same time.
- Avoid force-feeding or attempt a clean plate policy. Make feeding time, a simple, stress-free practice. only then your little one will look ahead for his meals.
* Did you know – Babies who are force-fed become more and more stubborn about the type of food they eat as they grow up. let their mealtime be pleasant. if the baby is not in the mood to eat, let him be. Do not attempt to force-feed or he will develop a general aversion towards every food.
Quantity of food while weaning
Apart from the type of food, the quantity of food for babies while weaning is another question that keeps popping up in every Indian mother’s mind. So to clear the air, here is something that will help you. You may follow this recommendation for quantity of weaning food to be offered to the infant; as suggested by Pediatric Dietetics Department at AIIMS Hospital New Delhi:
| Age in Months | Quantity of weaning food |
|---|---|
| 5 – 6 Months | Few spoons to 30ml at a time |
| 6 – 7 months | 50-75 ml/g at a time |
| 7 – 8 months | 75 -100 ml/g at a time |
| 9 – 12 months | 100 – 150 ml/g at a time |
Some Tips about Indian weaning foods
Before we learn about Indian weaning foods, it is important to note certain points.
- Breast milk can be supplemented with infant formula milk, or undiluted cow’s milk (best avoided until the infant is 1 year old).
Always check with your pediatrician about starting with any supplementation of milk. Look for allergies to these supplemental feeds when introducing for the first time.
- Semi-solid meals can be introduced with wheat-free grains and starches like rice (boiled/mashed), rice puffs (murmura), boiled potato, banana, sago, semolina (suji), boiled sweet potato, pumpkin.
- Pulses are initiated as clear soups and gradually as gruel/khichadi with rice.
- Vegetables like boiled mashed carrots can be added to rice gruel.
- Vegetables can be introduced as soups, stews, and gruel.
- Fruits like banana mash at 6 months of age but apples, pear, peaches can be stewed and introduced when the child is about 7-8 months of age. Citrus fruits can be introduced like orange juice after 9 months of age to avoid allergies.
- Egg yolk can be started at the age of 8 months
- Egg white, seafood as well as meat products are best started at the age of 1 year.
Indian weaning foods ( What to feed & when to feed )?
Indian weaning foods are cherished by nutritionists globally for their simplicity, nutrition content, and easy to customize to a family meal. Let us explore some authentic Indian weaning foods that are nutritious and convenient to prepare:
It is always a debate on when to start weaning the baby. some suggest that the babies are good to start weaning after they complete 4 months, while some suggest that the first 6 months are for breastfeeding only, and no top food is required. Well if you ask me, I have had mixed clients who wanted to start weaning at the 4th month, and some who wanted to start at 6 months. so it is a personal choice, and it majorly depends on how your baby’s digestive system is growing to be. whatever you decide, remember to talk with your pediatrician about your weaning plans. Here is the month-wise distribution chart of Indian weaning foods.
At 5th month
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- Juice – Orange, apple, and carrot.
Tip – Start with 1 tsp of juice mixed with 1 tsp of boiled water. give for 2-3 days, then eventually start increasing the quantity till it reaches 30 ml.
- Soups – Carrot, bottle gourd, Tomato, Spinach (Palak), beetroot.
Tip – Wash the vegetable thoroughly, skin it, chop in pieces and pressure cook it. Blend it in a lump-less puree. now dilute this pure with 1/4th quantity water, you can add a pinch of salt for taste. Gradually go on decreasing the water for dilution, till the baby takes undiluted soups with a cup and spoon.
Some Interesting Articles –
- Benefits of Carrot Juice
- Benefits of Bottle gourd
- Spinach soup recipe
- Beetroot juice recipe
- Benefits of Beetroot
At 6th Month ( Introduction to cereals)
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- Rice Water – Start with rice water. Boil rice for the family. Do not throw away the water.
Collect it in a clean bowl and give 2-3 teaspoons to your baby initially. Gradually increase the number of teaspoons.
- Barley water
- Thin Dals
- Wheat-based / Rice-based cerelac
- Rice and Moong Dal Khichadi – You can take 2 parts of rice and 1 part of shelled mung dal and soak for some time. Then pressure cooks it for 4-5 whistles. Blend in a mixer and feed warm. You can add 1/2 tsp of ghee to it.
- Boiled mashed potato with a pinch of salt and a little butter.
At 7th Month
- Rawa porridge – Sweet or salty based on your child’s taste.
- Ragi Porridge – Sweet or salty based on your child’s taste.
- Biscuits – As finger food
- Washed carrot – As finger food
- Mashed Pumpkin and sweet potato are very delicious and make awesome Vitamin A rich foods for the growing child.
At 8th and 9th Month
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- Lapsi / Daliya Porridge made with little jaggery, with or without milk.
- Oats porridge with apple and milk.
- Rajgeera porridge.
- Rawa Upama
At 10th Month
- You can nor introduce foods that have high residues like Mango and Papaya.
- Mashed Idli / Dhokla
- You can also introduce Mashed Curd Rice. Prepare fresh homemade curd using buffalo/cow skimmed milk. You can add freshly boiled and mashed rice to curd.
- Besides this, Banana milkshake and Chiku milkshake can also be given as convenient fresh no cooking weaning food.
At 1 year
If your baby has reacted well to all the above-mentioned food without showing any signs of indigestion or allergies, she is now ready to have her share of non-vegetarian weaning foods.
- Clear chicken soup to begin with.
- Boiled egg white and egg yolk.
- Small mashed chicken pieces.
- Boiled fish (Introduce only when you think the baby is ready).
After the baby completes 1 year of age, refer to this Indian diet plan for toddlers (1- 3 years )
These are some generic suggestions on how, when, and what to wean infants once you initiate the transition from lactation to solid feeding. Hygienic preparation, natural holistic cooking, and calm temperament three main ingredients to successful weaning.
Some Interesting Articles –
- How to lose pregnancy weight?
- An Effective Way to lose 10 – 15 kgs weight.
- Indian diet plan for weight Loss
- Lose 5 kgs in a month with this Indian ketogenic Diet
- Indian diet plan for toddlers (1-3 years of age).
Hope this list of Indian weaning foods is of help to you.
Final words of wisdom, happy moms make happy babies!
About RD, Payal Banka (Registered Dietitian)
RD, Payal Banka (Registered Dietitian)
Payal(पायल) is a Registered Dietitian with 15 years of experience. She is a Professional Blogger, Author, and a Youtuber. She is an MBA in Health care and Hospital management. Payal believes in healthy living. Here at Dietburrp, you will find her talking about health, weight loss, fitness, parenting, healthy cooking and how to keep yourself motivated to be healthy.
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His Majesty the first lure: playmother — LiveJournal
I came up with such a pompous title for a reason. The first acquaintance with adult food for a baby is a very, very important moment.
Before that, he ate only mother's milk (well, or a liquid mixture - then another matter) and was connected with mother like never before.
Perhaps the change of food is the first significant stage of growing up.
In some traditions, this moment is even considered sacred. So in India, for example, there is even a special ceremony of the first feeding with grain.
I remember when I was expecting my first daughter, I came across glossy magazines for future and current mothers. They abounded with all sorts of soulful articles about pregnancy and parenting and of course a variety of advertising.
In the articles, everything was completely textbook: first, an apple on the tip of a spoon, then slowly increase the portion of the portion day by day and gradually add other hypoallergenic fruits such as pears. Then acquaintance with vegetables: pumpkin, cauliflower, broccoli and more. All this was promoted in the form of canned food. Plus juice packs.
Then milk-free baby porridge first. Then slowly milk. And only then gradually give mashed potatoes with pieces.
All this was in beautiful branded plates and so neat.
The child is in a high chair, he is wearing a beautiful bib.
This picture was deposited in my pregnant brain and that's why everything was like that with my first daughter.
I remember with what reverent awe I stirred the exact amount of baby porridge in the Avent bunny plate and how carefully I fed my baby sitting in a huge highchair.
She was already ten months old when we went on vacation to sunny Uzbekistan and I remember that she ate the sweetest grapes and slices of watermelon well there, but I gave very little...
puree soups and then the child began to eat what adults do. Fortunately, I have never cooked with large portions of hot spices or too salty food.
It was about the same with twins. Only instead of bulky high chairs in the kitchen, they first reclined in their sun loungers, and then I transplanted them into compact small chairs with tables. A mega-cool thing by the way and just a godsend in a small apartment.
From time to time I heard the word prikorm from somewhere.
Once I was even surprised to see a fierce holivar on the topic of whether to give jars or all the same only bought with my own hands or harvested in the garden, vegetables.
So with baby La. probably this same pedprikorm happened. This is when the child from the very beginning tries also what the parents eat. And eats immediately pieces! This is really an amazing thing, but she does not want to eat mashed potatoes at all. La. he just spits. She spits on children's cottage cheese and generally does not like it very much when a spoon is brought to her. Only if she knows it's soup, then she eats it. Such a child. Banks rejected immediately and forever.
Baby porridge is disgusting to her. But oatmeal, which I cook for the elders, is quite.
I ate some grapes yesterday, it's scary to say. But I gave, because she directly sparkled. Well, I think, mother, look, your stomach will hurt. No, I didn't get sick. Come on, he says.
He eats everything straight.
He grinds with his three and a half teeth. Two from the bottom are sharp, do not stick your finger in and one and a half teeth from above, also very gangster. And this is how she eats.
He asks for pasta - enough in his mouth. You don't need a spoon.
I can't say whether it's good or not. Of course, I liked to do everything clearly and according to the instructions, but the fourth one decided to go her own way.
Therefore, you still need to look at your child, what he likes from what is possible, of course.
Basic rules for the first complementary foods:
1. If the child is full breastfeeding and is gaining weight well, then you can take your time with this important event. As a rule, it is worth thinking about complementary foods when the first teeth come through and the child's age is more than six months. Eight months is also not too late.
2. Always give a green apple or pear first. They are kind of hypoallergenic. The principle of classical feeding - from simple to complex. And gradually.
3. It is better to try giving porridge without milk first. Or add your milk - moms do that. Then cow. Not all small children digest cow's milk well, so it is usually given to a special baby.
I have a story about this from my friend. She has a Nepalese husband and she went to give birth to her first child in India. Why and how is of course a separate song. Then they went with the baby to Nepal. And there she became very, very ill. In general, it can be understood. The body was already in shock from hormones, and then there were some wild trips, a sharp change in climate, food and everything in general. She actually got hepatitis. And of course the child had to stop feeding. He was three or four months old. The husband's relatives are simple people - they gave the boy milk from under their own cows. Oh, she says it was awful. He was very weak and small. His stomach hurt all the time, he constantly cried and pooped, but oddly enough, in a year it passed and now he is a very strong four-year-old boy.
This story is more about harsh artificial feeding, but nonetheless.
4. Do not take too long with liquid food. When the baby already has four or five teeth, it is quite possible to give lumpy food, even if you are shaking over the child like I am over my first daughter. And by the way, nibblers are a pretty useless thing, it seems to me. Can anyone chime in? But I have not a single child choked on pieces of apples or bananas. Everyone eats intelligently.
Perhaps that's all I wanted to tell you about the delights of the first complementary foods. You can discuss this topic, ask questions or make additions.
The comments also invite the souls of experienced mothers who can share their invaluable experience in feeding children.
Thank you.
Diet for a 4-6 month old baby
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.
You are still breastfeeding or have had to switch 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.
The 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.
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.
As a rule, at an earlier age (4 - 4.5 months), complementary foods are introduced to children at risk of developing iron deficiency anemia, as well as children with insufficient weight gain and with functional digestive disorders.
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 extensive practical experience and scientific research, this is possible only in cases where the child was born on time, without malnutrition (since in these cases the mineral reserves are very small), he is healthy, grows well and develops.
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.
The first complementary food can be vegetable puree or porridge, fruit puree is better to give 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.
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.
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.
With the start of the introduction of complementary foods, the child is gradually transferred to a 5-time feeding regimen.
Rules for the introduction of complementary foods:
- 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 entered 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
- new products are not introduced in the event of acute illness, 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.
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.
Spoon-feeding should be done with patience and care. Forced feeding is unacceptable!
In the diet of healthy children, porridge, as a rule, is introduced after vegetables (with the exception of healthy children who are breastfed, 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.
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 you can make a diet, it is better to use a few examples that will help you navigate in compiling a menu specifically for your child.
From 5 months, the volume of one feeding is on average 200 ml.
Option 1.
If your baby started to receive complementary foods from 4-5 months, then at 6 months his diet should look like this:
| 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 Breast milk supplement 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 |
* - infant formula
** - diluted with breast milk or VHI
Option 2.
* - infant formula Option 3. : ** - diluted with breast milk Up to 7 months, increase the volume of porridge and vegetable puree to 150 g and introduce fruit puree. I feeding
6 hours Breast milk or VHI* 200 ml II feeding
10 hours Dairy-free porridge**
Fruit puree 150 g
20 g III feeding
14 hours Vegetable puree
Meat puree Vegetable oil
Fruit juice 150 g
5 - 30 g
1 tsp
60 ml IV feeding
18 hours Fruit puree
Breast milk or VHI* 40 g
140 ml V feeding
22 hours Breast milk or VHI* 200 ml
** - diluted with breast milk or VHI 
I feeding
6 hours Breast milk II feeding
10 hours Dairy-free porridge**
Breast milk supplement 100 g III feeding
14 hours Vegetable puree
Meat puree Vegetable oil
Breast milk supplement 100 g
5 - 30 g
1 tsp IV feeding
18 hours Breast milk V feeding
22 hours Breast milk 
