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What are stage 3 baby food


When is a child ready to try thicker solids?

Your baby’s made it through cereal mush, soupy carrots and ever-so-slightly texturized chicken and squash dinners. Now it’s time for the real culinary fun to start — welcome to Stage 3 baby food!

“Once your baby has successfully eaten Stage 2 foods, which have some texture to them, they can start Stage 3,” says Dr. Melanie Custer, a pediatrician at West Bend Pediatrics, Children’s Wisconsin.

How do you know your baby is ready to make the leap from purees to slightly more sophisticated fare? Here, experts and parents weigh in on moving on to Stage 3 baby food. Time to dig in!

What is Stage 3 baby food?

Most jars of Stage 3 baby food are still pretty pureed (hence, the jars), but your little one needn’t be restricted solely to foods that are, for all intents and purposes, mush. Instead, you can steer your budding gourmand toward soft, small pieces of whatever you’re having. Think: cut-up pieces of turkey meatballs, banana chunks and small squares of tofu.

“Stage 3 baby foods are thick blended foods with chewable chunks, such as the kind you find at the grocery store, or small cut-up pieces of easily chewed table foods, which are usually referred to as ‘finger foods’,” says Dr. Kristen Treegoob, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. (Avoid placing chunks of food in blends and purees, as it may cause a choking risk.)

“Stage 3 baby foods are thick blended foods with chewable chunks, such as the kind you find at the grocery store, or small cut-up pieces of easily chewed table foods, which are usually referred to as ‘finger foods.'”

DR. KRISTEN TREEGOOB, PEDIATRICIAN

And be sure to bear in mind that every child is different and develops at their own individual pace. Check with your child’s doctor for baby food recommendations during the first year.

When to start Stage 3 baby food

“Typically, 9 months is the age babies start eating Stage 3 foods,” says Dr. Zulma Laracuente, a pediatrician in Alexandria, Louisiana. “But, generally-speaking, 9 to 12 months is considered a time of slowly transitioning your baby to table food.” (In other words, no more cooking and serving separate meals!)

Does that mean you baby is ready to tuck into a T-bone steak with a side of broccoli rabe? No. At least, not in the traditional form. But as long as food is small and very easy for baby to work through, it’s OK.

While the idea of having your 10-month-old feed themselves while you sit down to your own meal probably sounds heavenly, bear in mind, every child gets there in their own time.

“My first child couldn’t wait to eat mashed up meatballs and soft carrots on his own,” says mom of two Jennifer Reilly of New York City. “But my second? Not so much. Aside from puffs, I was still spoon-feeding him at nearly a year!”

Signs baby is ready to start Stage 3 or finger food

As your baby’s oral skills and hand-eye coordination develop, they’re moving closer to being able to feed themselves, either with their hands or a spoon. (Though, according to the Cleveland Clinic, babies usually don’t get the hang of utensils until at least 12 months.)

According to Jenifer Thompson, R.D., an advanced practice dietician at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, babies can move past traditional baby foods and onto “pick-ups” (finger foods) as their pincer grasp skills are honed.

“By the time baby is between 8 to 12 months old, they should be able to pick up small, soft pieces of finger foods with their finger and thumb and bring them to their mouth,” she says.

Other signs your baby is ready to take meal time into their own hands? They tell you — as only a baby can.

“I knew my son was ready to try table foods when he started grabbing at the spoon every time I went to feed him,” says mom of two Darcy McConnell of Garwood, New Jersey. “Even though he didn’t actually use a fork or spoon for a few months, he loved holding on to them while he picked up his food. It was so cute!”

What Stage 3 foods to start with

Once you’ve hit the Stage 3 phase, (almost) anything goes, as long as it’s the right texture for baby. For instance, it’s OK to feed your child what the rest of the family is having for dinner, as long as you take proper precautions, such as making sure food is easy to chew and cut up into small pieces.

“Once babies are about 9 months old, they should safely be able to self-feed a variety of foods,” says Treegoob.

At this point in your baby’s life, solid food is starting to make up a significant part of their diet, so it’s important to offer foods that are nutritious. Also, exposing your child to different foods that are nourishing from an early age can help lay the groundwork for good, long-term habits.

“Parents should introduce a variety of healthy foods from different food groups with different textures by the end of the first year in order to help with healthy eating habits,” says Thompson.

“Parents should introduce a variety of healthy foods from different food groups with different textures by the end of the first year in order to help with healthy eating habits. ”

jenifer thompson, advanced practice dietician

Here are a few good choices for Stage 3 foods, according to Thompson and Treegoob:

  • Well-cooked vegetables of any variety.
  • Ripe fruits of any variety. (Mashed or cut-up bananas work very well at this stage.)
  • Shredded meat.
  • Scrambled eggs.
  • Soft cheese.
  • Cooked pasta.
  • Small pieces of tofu.

Which foods to avoid during Stage 3

When your baby starts eating what the rest of the family is having, by all means, rejoice over having to prepare fewer dishes. However, if you’re hitting up the drive-thru after soccer practice with your older kid, skip the Happy Meal for your baby, regardless of how you serve it.

“When it comes to feeding babies, I recommend avoiding heavily salted or sweetened foods, as well as fast food,” says Treegoob.

The reason doctors advise being mindful of baby’s salt intake? In addition to it possibly contributing to bad eating habits overall, a 2011 study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that infants who consumed over 400 milligrams of sodium per day (the maximum UK recommendation for children up to age 12 months) were potentially at risk of “harming developing kidneys” and causing “high blood pressure in later life. ”

According to Treegoob, parents should also avoid any foods that may pose a choking risk to children, such as:

  • Popcorn.
  • Whole grapes.
  • Whole peanuts.
  • Raisins.
  • Hot dogs.
  • Hard candy.
  • Seeds.

And finally, parents and caregivers should understand how long baby foods last and forgo giving a baby honey until after their 1st birthday, as it can cause a botulism infection.

How to start Stage 3 foods safely

As with Stage 1 and Stage 2 baby food, babies still should eat sitting upright with an adult nearby.

“Once an infant is ready for Stage 3 solids and is able to finger feed themselves, it’s still important to watch your baby eat, so you can help pace them and identify signs of choking early,” says Treegoob. “You can also offer them sips of formula, breast milk or a little water every few bites when they begin eating more than a few ounces at a time of Stage 3 foods to make sure they don’t eat too quickly. ”

“Once an infant is ready for Stage 3 solids and is able to finger feed themselves, it’s still important to watch your baby eat, so you can help pace them and identify signs of choking early.”

DR. KRISTEN TREEGOOB, PEDIATRICIAN

Also, be sure the food you’re giving your baby is prepared for their developmental stage. According to Kids Health, parents should slice food up into small pieces in addition to cooking it a little longer in order to make sure it’s very soft. (And, of course, check the temperature!)

Once your baby gets a taste of “real food,” don’t be surprised if their interest in formula or breast milk wanes.

“Between 7 to 9 months, parents may notice that their baby shows interest in smaller or less frequent bottles or breastfeeds,” says Treegoob. “As long as weight remains on track and the baby is staying hydrated, there’s no cause for concern.”

According to Treegoob, babies between 4 to 6 months old typically drink between 24 to 40 ounces of breast milk or formula per day; 24 to 32 ounces from 6 to 9 months; and by 9 to 12 months, when they’re eating more table foods, that volume can decrease to as low as 16 to 24 ounces.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends giving baby between 4 to 6 ounces of breast milk or formula four times a day, along with three meals a day and two small snacks. What you give your little one is up to you — just make sure it’s healthy and texturally appropriate for their age.

Make Your Own Stage 3 Baby Foods

Starting around eight months old, your baby is likely eager to try new tastes and textures every day as they develop new motor skills and get more experience with eating. At Beech-Nut, we love seeing how babies transition from smooth purees to the new consistencies and combos of stage 3 foods, but we know stage 3 blends can be hard to find in your local grocery store. So, here are some tips on how to repurpose stage 2 blends to add new textures and more protein for a growing baby.

 

Repurpose Stage 2 Purees

 

Mix in whole grains: Until now, your baby has likely only tasted smooth purees. As he or she ages, it’s important to diversify the consistency of their meals. Mix in heartier textures such as quinoa, barley, or oats to Beech-Nut jars to add a grainy toothsomeness to baby’s meals. Overnight oats are one of our favorite breakfast options, because it’s so quick and easy! Check out our pumpkin spice overnight oats recipe here. 

 

Try pasta: One of the most common introductory foods for babies is bite-sized pasta pieces, as long as baby is able to chew on his own. Since you probably already have pasta in your kitchen, this is a quick and convenient way to add some texture to baby’s diet. As your baby begins to embrace these foods, try this recipe from our Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Eileen for an easy-to-make, healthy spaghetti sauce using Beech-Nut vegetable purees like green beans or sweet potatoes!

 

Mash lentils, chickpeas & beans: Adding mashed lentils, chickpeas, and beans is a common way to thicken up soups, but they’re also perfect for thickening your favorite purees! Try adding these to any Beech-Nut jar for a meal complete with calcium, iron, and fiber.

 

Introduce protein: Your baby may be getting protein in their diet from milk, but this is a great time to add other protein sources. Try adding small, shredded pieces of any of these to one of our Naturals or Organics jars for a wholesome dinner in a jar! Turkey and sweet potatoes is one of our favorites. 

  • Lean red meat, poultry (chicken, turkey) or fish (make sure your baby doesn’t have an allergy)
  • Well-cooked eggs (yolk and white)
  • Full fat cottage cheese
  • Whole-milk yogurt (avoid yogurts with artificial sweeteners)

 

Add purees to your favorite recipes: Our purees aren’t just for babies—these snacks will have your whole family wanting more. Add your favorite flavors to soft foods your baby can enjoy, like muffins or pancakes cut into small bites. For an easy recipe, check out some yummy mango puree pancakes our Pediatric Nutrition Expert Nicole here.

 

Let Baby Self-Feed

 

Try dissolvable snacks: Babies who like feeding themselves will love Beech-Nut Melties. Our Melties are designed to help baby practice fine motor skills, while being easily dissolvable to minimize choking hazards. As your child grows, add pretzel pieces and dried fruit for a healthy trail mix! See a list of Beech-Nut Melties here.

 

Get Creative!

 

Be the chef—create your own combos: We love seeing what innovative fruit & veggie mixes we can come up with. Chop or mash your own favorite fruits & veggies and add them to our Beech-Nut purees to introduce new combinations and textures to baby. Make sure to let us know what you come up with. Some ideas: chickpeas, lentils, or other baby-friendly leftovers from your family meal.

 

Make a frozen treat: Frozen purees are great for snacks and can also help soothe a teething baby. For help preparing your own, check out this frozen puree teething heart recipe from BabyFoodE here.

 

Let us know your favorite meal ideas by finding us on Facebook or Instagram. We’d love to hear from you!

*Always check with your pediatrician before introducing new foods to your baby’s diet

Child's nutrition

No matter how trite it may sound, but any parent wishes good for his child, and from his very birth he tries to do everything possible so that he grows up strong, healthy and smart. And proper nutrition occupies one of the leading roles here. Naturally, initially - when the baby was just born, there is a stage of breastfeeding, but then questions begin: when can you start introducing complementary foods, what can you eat for a child at six months, what kind of food can you feed him a year, etc. The presented application is designed to provide answers to these and many other questions.

Next, we will consider the following topics:

  • Baby nutrition at 1 month
  • Feeding a child at 2 months
  • Feeding a baby at 3 months
  • Feeding a child at 4 months
  • Feeding a 5 month old baby
  • Feeding a baby at 6 months
  • Baby food at 7 months
  • Feeding a baby at 8 months
  • Baby food at 9 months
  • Feeding a child at 10 months
  • Child nutrition at 11 months
  • Child nutrition at 1 year old
  • Child nutrition after 1 year
  • Child nutrition after 2 years
  • Child nutrition after 3 years
  • Nutrition for children and adolescents

In each section, we will point out the main rules that you need to pay attention to and give a number of practical recommendations. There is a lot of information on this topic, so the material will be presented in the form of brief abstracts.

So, how should you feed your beloved child in the first year of his life?

First, get acquainted with the complementary foods table. With it, it will be much easier for you to understand the system by which complementary foods are introduced into the child's diet, and to draw up your own scheme based on it. The table is calculated for the first 12 months of a baby's life.

But let's talk about each month in more detail.

Feeding a child at 1 month

Only breastfeeding is allowed at the 1st month of life. Mother's milk should generally form the basis of a child's diet in the period up to a year. Water, baby teas and any other supplements, as well as pacifiers and nipples, are prohibited. Moreover, in the first few days after childbirth, the mother does not have much colostrum - it is enough only to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and protect the baby from infections (colostrum contains antitoxins and immunoglobulins). And milk will appear only on the 3rd-5th day after childbirth.

Focus on proper nutrition and feed only when the child asks. Please note: the more mother feeds the baby, the more milk she will have. But the child should be applied at least 10 times a day. A prerequisite is night feeding (by the way, in the period from 2 to 5 in the morning, milk is produced the most).

Mother's diet is also very important, because affects the quality of milk. There should be enough food, but overeating is excluded. It is forbidden to use products that can provoke stomach problems or allergic reactions. The diet should be healthy and varied. If the child's nutrition is built correctly, in the 1st month of life, he should gain about 800 g and grow by about 3 cm.

In order for the baby to eat enough, it is also necessary to properly attach it to the breast: if the baby completely grasps the nipple and part of the areola, then everything is correct, and you will hear how the baby swallows milk. It is recommended to feed so that the bodies of the mother and child are in contact. In case of any problems with lactation, if the baby does not have enough milk, if it is too low-fat or, conversely, fatty, it is imperative to contact a breastfeeding specialist

women. But all this should be agreed with the pediatrician.

Baby's nutrition at 2 months

At the 2nd month, the baby's nutrition also includes only breast milk. Innovations are not allowed. You should continue to adhere to feeding on demand (that is, when the child asks), but the number of attachments to the breast should be at least 6 times a day. To determine the daily dose of milk, you just need to multiply the baby's weight by 1/5. In the same way, you can calculate the volume of the milk mixture, but it is better to follow the instructions that come with the mixture. It is possible to supplement the baby with teas or water only with the permission of the pediatrician (sometimes this is necessary for the purpose of treatment or prevention).

Feeding the baby should take place in a place where nothing will distract him from the process. Mom should speak quietly with the child, stroke him, sing lullabies. It is also better not to experiment with the nutrition of a nursing mother, plus it is very important to adhere to the rules of a healthy diet. By the end of the 2nd month, the baby should have gained approximately 800 g and grown by 2.5 cm.

To make sure that the baby is getting enough nutrition, you can do a wet diaper test, which determines the number of times the baby urinates during the day. To do this, during the period, for example, from 8 am to 8 am, discard diapers and fix every time the baby pees. After a day, you need to count the diapers. The norm is 11-12 times of urination. If you count 8-10 times, then you should pay attention to the regularity of feeding and other features. If you count only 6 diapers, then immediately consult a doctor, because. This is a clear indicator of underfeeding.

Baby's nutrition at 3 months

At the 3rd month, the baby's nutrition should again not change much, and only milk should remain food. An important point is that in the 3rd month of feeding, the mother may experience a lactation crisis. Transferring a baby to mixed or artificial nutrition is strictly prohibited. You need to put the baby to the breast more often.

You can start to switch to hourly feeding, but the feeding regimen must be introduced gradually, synchronizing it with the daily regimen. For example, at 2 pm you played a little with the child and fed him, at 5 pm you came from a short walk and fed him again, then at 8 pm you bathed your child and fed him again before going to bed.

In addition, such a schedule will help the child develop the habit of going to bed after the evening feed, which will undoubtedly come in handy in the future. If such a habit is not formed, it will be very difficult to rebuild the baby on a new schedule later.

At the 3rd month of feeding, many nursing mothers begin to feel that there is less milk or a lactation crisis. In fact, the amount of milk has not changed - just the baby has grown. Also, mothers note a reduction in the intervals between feedings, dissatisfaction with the child and frequent attachment to the breast. This is considered normal, lasting no more than 3-4 days.

A calm environment, a favorable emotional background, the use of liquid food and tea will help to cope with a lactation crisis. All this will help to normalize lactation. The child cannot be supplemented and fed, because. it will not increase either the number of attachments or the amount of milk. As a rule, by the end of the 3rd month of life, the baby gains weight by another 750 g and grows by 2.5 cm. on mixed or artificial feeding. Such can serve, for example, a few drops of fruit or berry juice, including freshly squeezed. When introducing complementary foods, it is important to monitor the well-being of the baby, pay attention to his skin (if there are any manifestations of allergies), the frequency and nature of the stool.

If there are no changes, you can continue to give complementary foods, increasing its portion by a few drops daily. This should be done for several months, bringing the amount of complementary foods to 30 ml (6 teaspoons) per day. It is impossible to give the child a daily allowance of complementary foods at one time. It is also not recommended to mix juices, but you can change them. Juices should be without pulp.

Juices can be prepared by yourself, and even without a juicer. Take, for example, an apple, grate it on a fine grater, wrap the apple mass in gauze or a sterile bandage and squeeze it into a teaspoon - that's the juice for you. Do not bottle feed with nipples - feed with a spoon, such as a drinking spoon.

If the child is not feeling well, if he is due to be vaccinated (or has been vaccinated), or if he has some kind of allergic reaction, complementary foods should be introduced early. Breastfed babies should not be introduced to complementary foods. You need to feed on demand, but at least 6 times a day. The lactation crisis should have passed by now, and the amount of milk should be normal. If it is not enough and it is difficult to express on your own, you can use a breast pump (they are manual, mechanical, electric), but before that you need to find out the reviews of other mothers.

Feeding a child at 5 months

At the 5th month of life, breast milk is the main thing, as before. If your baby is bottle-fed and has already begun to eat solid foods, you can slowly begin to give fruit purees and juices with pulp. With the introduction of new complementary foods, monitor the behavior of the baby's body. For any negative reaction, return to the previous diet.

You can start giving complementary foods to breastfed babies. It all starts the same way - with juice, and with a gradual transition to juices with pulp, fruit purees. Together with milk and complementary foods, the baby's body will receive all the vitamins and microelements necessary for normal healthy development. The amount of juice drunk by a child should not exceed 50 ml.

You can start a more “coarse” complementary food with an apple scraped off with a teaspoon. When the child recognizes the taste of an apple, you can let him try an apricot, pear or banana. If no negative reaction follows, the fruit can be mixed. As for mashed potatoes, there are good options in stores for winter and spring, but in summer and autumn, when fruits are in abundance, it is better to cook homemade mashed potatoes.

Puree should not be more than half a teaspoon per day at first; then it is gradually increased to 3-4 tablespoons. By the way, at the first acquaintance with mashed potatoes, the baby may spit - there is no need to be scared, because. This is a normal reaction that will soon pass. Complementary foods should be given at the end of a feeding session.

Do not give young children grape juice, citrus fruits, raspberries, strawberries and other allergenic foods. Any of them can provoke an allergic reaction of an unprepared child's body. The intervals between feedings can be slightly increased. By the end of the 5th month of life, the child doubles in weight relative to birth weight and grows by about 13 cm. The amount of food eaten by the baby rarely exceeds 900 g per day, including formula and milk.

Nutrition of a child at 6 months

If up to 6 months the child ate only breast milk, then, starting from this age, it is necessary to introduce complementary foods (after making sure of medical contraindications, of course). Children's digestive system can already absorb thicker and more solid foods. But the main nutrient is still breast milk. Products are introduced gradually: each next - 10 days after the previous one.

In the same period, the first milk teeth break through in babies, and it's time to learn to chew food. Juices with pulp and puree are the best option. First, tiny portions of juice (half a teaspoon or a few drops) are given and reactions are monitored. It is recommended to introduce complementary foods at lunchtime. Over time, it will be possible to completely eliminate milk formulas or breastfeeding from it. The maximum portion of puree is up to 150 g.

The first vegetable purees in the children's menu should also be one-component. To begin with, boiled potatoes ground in a blender are suitable, then canned potato, carrot, pumpkin and squash purees (if desired, you can add a small pinch of cooked rice, buckwheat or semolina to them).

Egg yolk should also be part of the diet of a 6-month-old baby, because it has great nutritional value and contains vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins. If the child does not have allergies, you can give hard-boiled egg yolk. You need to start with small portions diluted with breast milk or vegetable broth.

Gradually, the yolk is mixed with vegetable puree, and the dishes themselves are alternated: one day - vegetable puree with yolk, two days - without yolk, then again with yolk, etc. A little later, a drop (5 g per 150 g serving) of olive, corn or sunflower oil can be added to the puree. By the end of the 6th month of life, the baby gains another 600 g and grows by 2 cm. beef, veal or rabbit meat, cottage cheese and kefir. Initially, dishes should be one-component. It is too early to refuse breastfeeding, and it should be present in at least two feeding sessions. You can start giving your child a spoon so that he gradually tries to eat on his own and gets used to it.

Cheeses, fish and meat puree, croutons, bread and cookies are gradually added to the diet. And again: do not forget about the diagnosis of allergic reactions, pay attention to whether there are regurgitation and bloating. Check the temperature each time you cook and stir frequently to ensure they cool evenly. If suddenly the child refuses to eat, breastfeed him (provided that he wants to eat at all).

Porridge should not be very thick. The first cereals are buckwheat, which contains many vitamins and iron, and rice, rich in starch. After them, it is allowed to give semolina and oatmeal. In case of an allergic reaction of the child's body to goat or cow's milk, cereals should be boiled in water, and after readiness, breast milk or milk mixture should be added to them.

In the 7th month of life, the baby's diet will consist of breast milk, fruit juices, fruit and vegetable purees, milk and non-dairy cereals, egg yolk, meat, butter and vegetable oil. The baby should gain about 550 g of weight and grow by 2 cm. Nursing mothers often experience a new lactation crisis during this period. To overcome it, use the recommendations that we talked about above.

Baby's nutrition at 8 months

At the 8th month of life, the baby's nutrition becomes more varied. It is impossible to completely abandon breastfeeding, but most of the feedings can be replaced with complementary foods. However, be sure to either supplement breastfeeding or breastfeed in the morning and evening.

The diet may include mixed cereals, for example, assorted, or with the addition of fruits. You can cook porridge in ordinary milk or water, to which the milk mixture is added. It is allowed to add a little sugar or fruit puree to the porridge.

The menu is also complemented by meat broth or puree soup cooked in meat broth. It is allowed to increase the amount of chopped boiled meat as an additive to cereals (but only to cereals on the water) or mashed vegetables. The meat should be lean (chicken, beef, veal, turkey). You need to remain attentive to the reactions of the child's body to new ingredients.

Continue to feed the child with cottage cheese and kefir (it is better that they are home-made or from a dairy kitchen), baby cereals poured with boiling water, canned puree (fruit, vegetable, meat). Considering that almost all children begin to actively erupt their teeth and itch their gums, you can give pieces of dryers and bagels and crackers. Firstly, it is an excellent rodent, and secondly, the child gets used to bread.

Differences in the nutrition of formula-fed and breast-fed babies are approaching a minimum. By the end of the 8th month of life, the child usually gains another 500 g in weight and grows 1.5 cm.

Baby's nutrition at 9 months

At the 9th month of a baby's life, breast milk no longer dominates the diet, although it is still present. New products continue to be added to the menu. So, fish are introduced little by little. To begin with, it is better to boil and grind low-fat ocean fish such as hake, pollock and cod, or river fish, for example, carp or pike perch. Naturally, you need to cook at home, be sure to check that there are no bones and peel left in the pulp (the peel and head can become the basis of fish broth).

If you are unable or unwilling to cook yourself, you can buy fish fillets and canned fish for children. Canned food is purely fish and with the addition of vegetable oil, cereals and vegetables. And fish fillets can be combined with semolina, rice and buckwheat, tomatoes, carrots and potatoes (it’s better to start with a clean fillet).

It is not allowed to feed the child with ordinary canned food, because they contain fish with bones, and the product itself contains preservatives, seasonings and additives that can cause indigestion in a child. Fish is introduced into the diet in small, gradually increasing portions.

If there are no allergic reactions and malfunctions in the child's body, you can introduce the child to a children's mug (at the first stage, you should use non-spill mugs equipped with special lids). But there should be little liquid in the mug, plus you can not leave the baby with the mug unattended.

Breastfeeding can be left in the morning and evening (if necessary, add one at night), but it is worth looking at the situation. By the end of the 9th month of life, babies gain 450 g of weight and add about 1.5 cm in height.

Feeding a child at 10 months

At 10 months of age, mother's milk remains in the diet, but nutrition becomes more complete, because the baby gets used to the previously introduced products. There are fewer new foods, but more cooking options. The pulp of plums, pears and watermelons stand out from the new products. But they must be fresh, not overripe, not unripe, not contain stones and peel. If the baby has constipation, the pear should be discarded, but plums and plum puree are recommended.

The focus of a child's diet is not on new foods, but on variations on old ones. For example, meat puree is replaced by meatballs (at first, simple, and later - with the addition of ground onions). You do not need to completely grind the finished meatballs - just cut into small pieces. The child already has several teeth and needs to learn how to chew and get used to solid foods. In addition, chewing promotes the development of chewing muscles and jaws.

Milk porridges alternate with noodles and pasta boiled in milk. Instead of cottage cheese, a cottage cheese casserole is sometimes given (initially - one-component, and a little later - with the addition of fruits, raisins, apples, pears and other fruits to which there are no allergic reactions).

In general, a child's diet at 10 months remains almost the same as at 9 months. The only exceptions are portions - they should be slightly larger. Two breastfeeds a day is still the norm. By the end of the 10th month of life, the child should gain 400 g in weight and 1. 5 cm in height.

Feeding a baby at 11 months

At 11 months of age, it is impossible to wean a baby completely, even if it seems that it is time. It is better to breastfeed in the morning and in the evening, but it is worth starting to refuse from night feeding completely.

The baby's diet already contains vegetables and fruits, bread, kefir, milk and cottage cheese, cereals, fish and meat, and the menu is quite diverse in its composition. Despite this, in no case should you offer a child fried foods and everyday adult food, as well as sweets, spicy foods, sausages, sausages, smoked meats, herring, canned food and citrus fruits. The children's gastrointestinal tract is still developing, and the processing of the above food will negatively affect its functioning.

Note that by this age children have more teeth, and therefore you can safely reduce the amount of mashed potatoes and grated dishes. It is useful to supplement the diet with steamed fish and meat cutlets, dishes from fresh vegetables and fruits, and berries. Juices alternate with berry and fruit jelly with the addition of freshly squeezed juice.

Baby's nutrition at 1 year old

At the 12th month of life, the baby's nutrition can already be called quite complete, and many mothers decide to stop breastfeeding. In addition, lactation is ending, and it is quite logical to stop breastfeeding. If there is a desire to breastfeed (and milk itself), you can continue to do this. But breastfeeding is no longer a way for a child to get food, but an opportunity to be closer to mom.

Those who want to stop breastfeeding should know that it is impossible to wean a baby from the breast if he is sick or feels unwell; it is not advisable to do this in the summer, because it is during this period that the likelihood of gastrointestinal diseases is especially high. In the case when breastfeeding is stopped, it is undesirable to start it again. In moments of anxiety, the baby needs to caress him, stroke him, sing a lullaby and calm him down, but try not to put him on the chest.

Children's diet at this stage does not change significantly, but portions increase slightly. The baby should have breakfast with milk porridge, vegetable or fruit puree, cottage cheese or kefir with gingerbread. And lunch is important to make as nutritious and satisfying as possible.

On the first birthday of a child, you do not need to treat him with new dishes. As a festive dish, a dish of fish, meat, fruits or vegetables (you need to cook them, observing all precautions) or a cottage cheese and fruit casserole, symbolizing the first cake, is suitable. By the end of the 1st year of life, the baby should gain about 350 g in weight and grow by 1.5 cm.

When a child reaches the age of one, his diet will change very slowly and systematically, without abrupt addition of new products and dishes. Further, we will not dwell on each month and year of life, but we will point out the basic principles of nutrition for children after a year.

Nutrition of a child after a year

In the nutrition of children after a year, breakfast, afternoon tea, dinner and feeding before bedtime must be included. You can make some changes to each of them, but in accordance with certain requirements:

  • Diet must contain proteins, fats and carbohydrates
  • Most food should be semi-liquid or puree
  • Pieces of solid food should be no larger than 2-3 cm
  • Meat dishes are best given in the morning
  • Children's menu items may be stewed, boiled or steamed, but never fried
  • The volume of the average daily ration is 1200 ml, excluding liquid

Now specifically about products:

  • Dairy products. Must be mandatory. Every day you can give milk, yogurt and kefir, and every other day - cream, sour cream, cheese and cottage cheese. If the baby has lactose intolerance, milk is completely replaced by mixtures.
  • Vegetables. Also must be present in abundance. You should start with cucumbers and tomatoes. Then you can cook dishes from pumpkin, beets, sweet and yellow peppers, potatoes, cauliflower, zucchini, onions and carrots. Greens should be introduced very carefully. It is too early to give white cabbage, because. it is difficult to digest and absorb. Vegetables should be no more than 200 g per day, and specifically potatoes - no more than 150 g.
  • Meat. The baby should consume it every day. The diet can include beef, lean veal, turkey, chicken and rabbit. Beef liver is especially useful. The average daily norm of meat depends on the weight of the baby, and can be 50-100 g per day.
  • Fish. You can spoil her baby no more than 1-2 times a week, thus replacing meat dishes. The average volume of a fish dish is 30-40 g. The fish should be lean, and stewed fish fillets, steamed cutlets and meatballs will be excellent dishes.
  • Kashi. In the children's diet, they are present in a variety of ways, including cereals. The average daily rate is about 200 g. Useful porridge mixed with fruits, vegetables or meat. And you can replace porridge with vermicelli, for example, with cottage cheese, milk, cheese or meat.
  • Liquid food. When breastfeeding, liquid food is not required. But if the mother has stopped breastfeeding, then the baby must be given soups. Vegetable broths are preferred over meat broths. You can feed soups once a day.
  • Berries and fruits. As an additional element of the children's diet, they are very useful. Apples, pears, bananas, cherries, raspberries, currants and others may be present on the menu. The daily norm of fruits is 100-200 g, berries - 20 g.
  • Liquid. As a drink, it is recommended to use boiled or special children's water, juices for children under 3 years old and freshly brewed compotes. Any canned drinks are prohibited. The daily norm of liquid is 800 ml in the period from 1 year to 3 years, from 1.5 to 1.7 liters - in the period from 3 to 7 years and 1.7-2 liters - after 7 years.
  • Salts and condiments. Should be excluded from the children's diet for as long as possible, but if necessary, little by little dishes can be added salt. The daily amount of salt should not exceed 1 g, and seasonings should be delayed.
  • Sugar. Instead, it is best to use fructose, because. the body assimilates it more evenly and more slowly, but if desired, it is not forbidden to give the baby sugar. The daily norm of sugar or fructose is not more than 40 g.
  • Sweets. It is not recommended to pamper a child with sweets, chocolate and other sweet foods until they reach the age of 3 years. But it is quite possible to treat with cookies and homemade cakes.
  • Other products. To determine the allowable diet and norms of other products, it is best to use special nutrition tables. Here is one of those (there are other options on the Internet):

And a few more additional recommendations:

  • Vitamins. Try to make the child's diet so that it contains all the vitamins his body needs: vitamin A (pumpkin, carrots), vitamin C (fruit juices, herbs, bell peppers) and vitamin E (vegetable oil, peas, rye).
  • Trace elements. The diet should also contain foods with essential trace elements: iron (beans, chicken eggs, meat, fish), calcium (dairy products, beans) and zinc (chicken egg yolk, oatmeal, meat).

After 1 year, there will be no special changes in the child's nutrition system. However, several important features must be kept in mind.

Child nutrition after 2 years

At this age, children usually have an average of 16 to 20 teeth, which means that they can already chew solid food more or less calmly. So the food can no longer be completely crushed, but on purpose leave more small but hard pieces.

There are usually no general nutritional problems. Many parents begin to give their children normal everyday foods (except for the unhealthy ones). But fatty, as before, should be excluded, as, indeed, chocolate and caramel.

The number of meals is reduced to three main meals and one snack.

Feeding a child after 3 years

At this stage, things are even easier. Most children quite calmly eat "from the common table" with their parents, because. they chew food normally, and the gastrointestinal tract is formed enough for stable work and digestion of even quite heavy food.

Despite this, one should always keep in mind that the less junk food a child gets, the healthier he will be. And as soon as the baby begins to treat his diet selectively, there is no need to limit it, because. eating habits begin to form. But vigilance should not be lost either.

Nutrition for children and adolescents

Children over 3 years of age and adolescents grow rapidly, their body undergoes serious hormonal changes and changes in the work of the cardiovascular and nervous systems and the brain. Mental and physical stress increases, because children begin to actively interact with the outside world and people, go to kindergarten, make new friends, go to school, etc. Therefore, the children's diet should be carefully thought out.

The menu should provide the child with energy. It is not recommended that children eat foods high in sugar and fat. It is best to instill a healthy lifestyle and diet. Irrational loads and malnutrition can cause diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys, impaired metabolism, scoliosis, myopia and other ailments. A diet that contains all the food ingredients, vitamins and microelements that improve immunity, increase the body's resistance, and positively affect the work of the central nervous system, intelligence and performance will help to avoid all this.

Among other things, the diet of a growing child should always be regular and varied. The ideal option is to instill in him the principles of healthy eating discussed in our course. In order for your child to grow up without deviations in physical or mental development, you need to offer him a balanced diet that provides his body with plastic processes and energy costs, taking into account age.

If you are interested in learning more about the nutrition of children and adolescents, you can search the Internet for relevant information. There are many useful materials to be found. By the way, as an addition to the course you completed and this application, we strongly recommend reading the book by Pamela Druckerman "French children do not spit food", which contains a lot of interesting and useful information about everything related to baby food.

We wish you and your children good health!

Kirill

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