What can be given to newborns. What to give newborns for fever: a list of the most effective drugs. Procedure for feeding a newborn baby

Until a child learns to speak, we can only guess whether he is thirsty. Fortunately, thanks to intuition and observation, mothers are rarely mistaken about their baby’s wishes. How do experts approach this issue?
Children need a lot of fluids, especially during infancy. Until they are introduced to regular foods (that is, up to 4-6 months), babies eat only liquid food - breast milk or. If the child has enough liquid in his diet, he will refuse to drink the water offered to him. In what situations might a baby become thirsty? Mom's milk is very fatty or sweet. It has become hot outside or the air humidity has increased.

Difficulties began or appeared in his work.

What and when?

How to find out, how much fluid does a baby need during the day? It is generally accepted that its amount should be equal to 1/3 of the total volume of food: if a child eats 1 liter of different foods, his “norm” is 300 ml (of course, this number can change in both directions). Offer your baby something to drink between feedings, but don't force him to drink if he doesn't want to.

What to offer the little one?

Water You can give your baby boiled tap water or special baby water from a bottle. To make it taste more pleasant, add fructose to it (1 teaspoon per 200 ml). And when the child turns three months old, offer him still mineral water.

Children's teas from medicinal plants: chamomile, dill (fennel), anise, mint. They not only quench thirst, but also help the child cope with intestinal problems, strengthen the immune system and calm overly noisy children.

Compotes, fruit drinks Weak decoctions of dried apricots, prunes, and dried fruits are suitable for a three-month-old baby. Closer to 4 months, the baby will be able to try berry juice, and after 5 months - regular compote.

Juices They appear on the baby’s table no earlier than 4 months. And although nutritionists consider them food, they are not counted in the total amount of food. To find out how much juice a baby under one year old should have, multiply his monthly age by 10 ml (60 ml per day will be enough for a six-month-old child). Dissolve the juice in water and give it to your baby between feedings.

Got into a situation

If your child has a fever, a fever has started, the baby is overheated or starts spitting up heavily, be sure to give him something to drink, otherwise he may become dehydrated. Usually this condition manifests itself with the following signs: the child begins to cry, his skin and mucous membranes dry out (there is almost no saliva left in his mouth), he rarely goes to the toilet “in a small way,” and the urine darkens. If you cannot cope with the situation, consult a doctor: the fluid balance will be restored using saline solutions.

The first year is a time for active development. Never again in his entire life will a baby grow so rapidly. A child needs energy, but at the same time he needs special nutrition that differs from adult food. Let's see how a baby's feeding changes over the months and find out what can and cannot be given to a newborn.

Newborn period - getting to know each other

Everyone, of course, knows that feeding newborns begins with breast milk. This is the most ideal food that exists at this stage. "Why?" - you ask. Judge for yourself:

Mother's milk is healthy and always with you, “warmed up” to the desired temperature

• Milk changes its properties as the baby grows. It all starts with colostrum, when, when the baby is put to the breast in the delivery room, he receives only a few milliliters of valuable liquid, rich in immune bodies and antitoxins. Colostrum helps cleanse the intestines of original feces, acting as a mild laxative. It is quite high in calories, and at the same time the child does not strain, spending a lot of energy on sucking.
• A woman’s milk protein mainly includes whey proteins, albumin and globulins, which are not only easily digestible, but also participate in the development of the child’s immune system. Casein, a protein considered heavy, is 10 times less than cow's milk. With such nutrition, special enzymes enter the baby’s body that facilitate digestion.
• Fats from mother's milk are absorbed by 95%, thanks to the increased content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and the lipase enzyme, which promotes fat breakdown.
• The main carbohydrates in human milk are lactose. Due to the fact that it is not completely broken down when entering the large intestine, the natural growth of bifidobacteria, that is, beneficial microflora, is stimulated. This is another reason to breastfeed your baby. Children are less likely to suffer from intestinal diseases.
• Speaking about the composition of minerals and vitamins, it can be noted that they are perfectly balanced and are found in easily digestible formulas.
• The mother, along with milk, transmits protective factors to the child, a kind of immunity in the form of interferon, immunoglobulins, lysozyme, lactoferin and other substances.
• When newborns are fed with breast milk, children are statistically less likely to suffer from ARVI, rickets, pneumonia, and allergic manifestations. They develop well physically, grow up to be balanced people, and have great affection for their mother.
• Mother's milk is always “at hand”; you don’t need to buy it, warm it up, sterilize it, or count on portions.
• Breastfeeding newborns is a pleasant process that gives happy moments, allowing you to fully experience the joy of motherhood and establish as close contact as possible with your son or daughter.

In the first month, the mother needs to focus on mastering the technique of proper breastfeeding, establishing a feeding schedule for the newborn, and preventing lactostasis. Here you need to remember an important rule: the more often the baby is attached to the breast, the fewer problems there will be with breastfeeding.

2nd and 3rd month: active growth phase

By this time, the baby holds his head, lifts the front part of his body on his arms and is gaining weight well. During the first trimester of life, the baby grows by 2-3 cm every month and gains from 600 to 900 grams!

Since digestion is just getting better, most parents and children are faced with the problem of intestinal colic. The unfortunate little one either bends over in pain or presses his legs to his tummy, crying pitifully. They say you just have to get through this period, but you can and should still help your child:

1. Emotional component. Carry the baby in your arms, holding your tummy close to you. There should be no anxiety in your voice. Sing calm, measured songs. This serves as a kind of red herring.
2. Apply a warm diaper or a heating pad wrapped in it to your tummy. Massage the navel area clockwise without pressing too hard. Do an exercise to clench and unclench your legs.
3. Give the baby a drug based on fennel (Plantex, for example) or simethicone (Espumizan, Infacol). The first group removes spasms, the second eliminates gas bubbles in the intestines.

Usually by this time the feeding of the infant is established, the necessity or unnecessaryness of supplementary feeding or the transition to artificial nutrition is determined.

4th and 5th month: I want to sit

The baby is becoming more and more active, and now he needs energy not only for growth, but also for learning about the world around him. Mother's milk or adapted milk formula still remains the baby's main diet. However, for a 5-month-old baby who is bottle-fed, according to doctors' indications, complementary foods may be introduced.

Regardless of the type of feeding, in the fifth month complementary foods are introduced only on the recommendation of pediatricians

Sometimes so-called corrective complementary feeding is needed. For example, at the 4th month, an iron deficiency was discovered in a baby. Then the pediatrician recommends introducing single-component products containing it: baby buckwheat porridge or apple juice. Children who have trouble gaining weight may be advised to eat carbohydrate foods. But this is only if absolutely necessary. In all other cases, you should wait another month.

6th month - time for complementary feeding

According to WHO recommendations, 6 months is the most ideal time to start complementary feeding, if there are no medical contraindications. Usually by this time the baby has acquired its first teeth. But there are other criteria by which you can determine whether a child is ready to be introduced to new food:

• the baby's weight has doubled since birth;
• he does not make pushing movements with his tongue;
• can sit by himself;
• if he doesn’t feel like eating, he can demonstrate this by turning away;
• able to eat from a spoon;
• He is very interested in mom and dad's food.

Complementary feeding begins with one-ingredient meals. There are different opinions about what to feed initially, but we will focus on the traditional option - vegetable purees from zucchini, as an alternative - from cauliflower. They are easily digestible and serve as a good preventative against constipation.

Children are not recommended to add sugar or salt to their dishes, so an adult may find such food bland. But this is not difficult for kids if they are not yet familiar with delicious fruit purees. In the same month, you can gradually introduce porridge into your diet, always gluten-free. These include rice, buckwheat, and corn.

Any product is first given in a small portion, literally half a teaspoon, increasing it every day. It is important how you offer a new dish, because mother’s emotions play an important role in the acceptance of food. If you are tense or wary, the baby will feel it, and it is not a fact that he will accept the innovation with delight. Praise the prepared product; you can eat the first spoon yourself, showing with your facial expression that it is very tasty.

7 months - continuing to get to know each other

The child's diet is gradually expanding. He is already familiar with cereals and vegetables, it’s time to introduce fruit puree and protein foods in the form of cottage cheese and kefir. If your baby suffers from constipation, it will be useful to take kefir and prune puree.

By 7 months, the frequency of feeding is as follows: three times with breast milk and about three times with complementary foods. However, remember that portions that are recommended as single servings may be too large for your child, and if he refuses to finish the porridge, you should not force him.

8 months - transition to more solid foods

There are already enough teeth to try meat delicacies in the form of puddings, soufflés, and purees. For the first tests, dietary meat of rabbit, turkey, and veal is suitable. After a month, you can include beef and chicken puree in the menu. From this age, it is advisable to give meat every day in an amount of about 50 grams. Store-bought prepackaged purees in jars will also work.

Due to possible allergic reactions, yolk only appears on the list of permitted products, although its composition is very useful for children. The yolk is given the first time in the morning, then a quarter, after which the baby is monitored for allergies. Yolk should be fed to the baby twice a week.

Potato. In our country, perhaps not a day can go by without this vegetable. However, it is better to wait until 8 months of age, as it is also an allergenic product.

Towards the end of the 8th month, you can introduce fish into your diet. It is advisable to cook low-fat sea fish, such as hake, cod or pollock, for up to a year. It is thoroughly washed with running water, the pulp is separated from the bones, and the scales are removed. Boil the fillet in boiling water for about 20 minutes or steam it. 2 fish dishes per week are enough. Ordinary canned fish should not be used in the diet of children under 2 years of age!

Bagels are delicious and good for gums

During this period, children are actively teething and gums itching. Therefore, a cracker or bagel will be a real gift for a child. A little butter and sunflower oil is introduced into the diet.

Approximate feeding schedule at 8 months:

• 6 am - mother's milk;
• 10 am - rice porridge 180 g, half an yolk, 50 g of fruit puree;
• 14:00 - vegetable puree 180 g, meat pudding 50 g, bread - 5 g;
• 18 pm - mother's milk, cottage cheese 50 g, cookies;
• If desired, from 18:00 to 22:00 you can give the little one kefir - 150 ml;
• 22:00 - mother's milk.

A growing child wants to do everything himself, like an adult. Let him drink from a cup, allowing him to wrap both hands around it. Be prepared for spilled puddles - there is no way to learn without losing independence.

10 months - “I eat with a spoon”

It is believed that a 10-month-old baby can already be taught to hold cutlery independently. To prevent food from flying all over the house due to clumsy movements during the educational process, it is recommended to use several simple techniques:

• buy a deep plate with suction cups;
• Place your baby’s favorite dish on a plate;
• put the spoon in your hands and show how to use it;
• refrain from reproaches due to awkward movements;
• Don't be stingy with praise.

In terms of nutrition, we can say that it is becoming more varied, although the main products remain unchanged. Raisins, apples, pears and other fruits are added to porridges. A 10-month-old baby's feeding schedule should include at least 2 doses of breast milk.

Learning to eat with a spoon yourself is a very creative and long-term process

Children especially love cottage cheese casseroles. To prepare, 500 grams of cottage cheese are ground with sugar and 1-2 eggs to a soft consistency (some are rubbed through a sieve), 1-2 tablespoons of semolina are added, mixed and placed in a greased form. The resulting mass is baked in the oven for about 50 minutes at a temperature of 180 O C.

If earlier meat puddings were preferable, then with the appearance of teeth it is better to make meatballs to develop chewing muscles. The meat is passed through a meat grinder. Add a little grated onion, an egg, and a little white bread. The minced meat is salted and balls with a diameter of 2 cm are formed from it. The meatballs are thrown into boiling salted water and simmered over low heat for about 15 minutes.

1 year - time to take stock

At 12 months, the little person’s nutrition is quite complete, and some decide to stop lactation, although allowing the baby to breastfeed in the mornings and evenings is sometimes possible even after the mother goes to work. When deciding how much to feed a baby with breast milk, everyone is guided by their individual needs. If you do decide to wean, here are some recommendations:

• it is dangerous to wean in the summer, at the height of intestinal infections;
• You shouldn’t do this when the child is ill, he is already weakened, and he doesn’t need unnecessary stress;
• When denying your baby his favorite baby, assure him of your love, explain that he is already big and eats delicious adult food.

In a year, a child’s nutrition is practically no different from a 10-month period, except for an increase in portions. Breakfast and afternoon snack, as with adults, consist of light food (milk porridge, vegetable puree). Lunch, along with dinner, is hearty. For sweets, children are given marshmallows, marshmallows, and marmalade. In addition to water, they offer compotes, fruit drinks, and jelly as drinks.

The first year has come to an end. It was full of events, experiences and joys, full of troubles. During this time, you have tried hard to teach the baby many things, including instilling in him a love of healthy eating. May you continue to succeed in raising your child.

One of the important points that not only new parents, but also the supervising doctor pay attention to is the quantity and quality of the baby’s stool. Its character determines the baby’s well-being, as well as how well it absorbs breast milk or formula. Babies whose mother breastfeeds receive everything they need from her and, as a rule, they are less susceptible to problems with stool than those who are bottle-fed. Nevertheless, sooner or later questions arise: “What should I give a baby for constipation and how not to harm him?”

Constipation or normal?

It is known that bowel movements in a newborn baby occur several times a day. Feces are odorless and usually yellow or mustard in color. This indicates normal functioning of the intestines. As the baby grows and develops, the color and consistency of stool changes, and with the introduction of complementary foods, an odor may appear.

If a parent observes that the excreted feces have become dense, dry, like balls, then this is a clear sign of constipation. Most likely, when defecating, the baby experiences discomfort; he may be capricious or even cry during the process. In such cases, adults are wondering what to give a baby for constipation in order to quickly help him. However, it is not always necessary to take drastic measures right away. To begin with, doctors recommend doing a massage and monitoring the mother’s diet or the quality of the formula the baby is fed. In some cases, this allows you to cope with problematic stools without additional intervention.

What should an adult be wary of?

The norm is the absence of bowel movements in a child for 3-4 days, provided that his health remains normal and does not cause alarm. One-time cases of fecal retention are also acceptable when the child begins to try a new product, in particular, this applies to the moment of introducing complementary foods.

The natural process of defecation, in the absence of gas formation in the baby’s body, does not cause discomfort. Therefore, cases of deviation from the norm can be considered a sign of constipation. For example, if a child’s bowel movements become irregular (once or twice a week) and are accompanied by pain and bloating. This can be understood by observing the child’s reaction before bowel movement occurs.

If the baby begins to be capricious, twists his legs (which indicates gas formation in the intestines) and at the same time the amount of feces excreted is very small, then most likely this is a sign of developing constipation. What can you give the baby in this case? If the baby is still very small, then you should wait a little and not give anything before taking radical measures. The developing body is just beginning to respond correctly to natural urges. If the baby is breastfed, then you should not supplement him with water separately. Probably the stool inside is liquid, and the problem lies in gas formation, which causes pain in the child, so he instinctively contracts the sphincter, preventing normal bowel movements.

If a child does not have stool for more than 5-7 days, then you need to be wary and not ignore the alarming symptom. Subsequently, this may lead to the need to use a drug or microenema (as a last resort).

The cause of problems with stool in a newborn

Before an adult asks the question of what can be given to a baby for constipation, it is necessary to determine the cause of its occurrence. The problem does not always lie in the nutrition of the baby or mother. If you do not do gymnastics with your child, the lack of physical activity can affect the deterioration of intestinal function. To help him with this, it’s enough to simply massage the tummy and exercise to bend and straighten the legs (popularly called “frog”).

But it happens that this does not help, then it is necessary to look for other methods, for example, it is possible to use suppositories or folk recipes that stimulate intestinal function. In most cases, this solves the problem. Then the question: “What to give a baby for constipation?” will lose its relevance.

Contraindications for the use of suppositories

There are a number of restrictions under which the use of this dosage form for infants is not recommended:

• Intestinal bleeding.
• Lactase deficiency.
• Intestinal tumor.
• Intestinal inflammation.
• Individual intolerance.
• Spasmodic constipation.

Doctors advise not to overuse the frequent use of suppositories to treat constipation in infants. This can lead to addiction, disruption of the normal functioning of the intestinal microflora, skin reactions (allergic), loss of protein and potassium.

Effect of candles

One of the most popular and simple methods of relieving an infant of constipation is the use of suppositories. They either have no contraindications, or their list is very small. Before deciding what to give your baby for constipation, you should consult with your pediatrician. Not every drug is suitable, since there are age restrictions and differences in the active ingredient. In particular, the effectiveness of suppositories is justified when it comes to stagnation of feces in the rectum.

The active component of the drug irritates intestinal motility, which causes the process of emptying. This effect is due to stimulation of the sphincter, irritation of the intestinal mucosa due to active components and mechanical action.

Before embarking on this method of influencing the body, it is necessary to consult with a pediatrician monitoring the child’s health. Only then, having received approval and prescription, purchase the appropriate medicine.

Types of candles

If parents have decided on the need to use suppositories, then it is important to understand what to give a baby for constipation at 3 months, what components will not harm him. Preparations based on glycerin and sea buckthorn oil are recognized as the safest. These substances have a positive effect when used in the morning (once a day).

The medicine "Bisacodyl" is available in the form of drops, it is well suited for young children. However, it is worth considering that age and dosage must be strictly observed. You should not give more, since the effect of this type of medicine is long-lasting, it lasts for 6-9 hours after the desired effect occurs. Moreover, if you give a baby the drug in the form of drops, then exceeding the recommended dosage can provoke spasms and pain.

Constipation in infants aged 2 to 6 months

In fact, there are not many remedies that can be safely given to a baby for constipation, whether at 2 months or at an older age. This is caused by the “immaturity” of the baby’s growing body and age-related indications. Not all components can benefit the child, but on the contrary, they can have a negative impact.

The optimal age at which an adult can use suppositories to treat constipation in a baby is 3 months. This is due to the fact that at an earlier age the risk of developing an allergic reaction is very high. In the ranking of the most popular drugs are Sea Buckthorn suppositories. They have natural ingredients in their composition and have a gentle effect on intestinal motility. The recommended dosage is 1 suppository per day, and no more than 3 days in a row. The desired effect occurs quickly.

How to help a baby 6 months and older

When the baby is introduced to complementary foods, problems with stool may occur more often. In order not to force the child to suffer from problems with stool, adults can help him by adding drops, for example, “Guttasil” to the mixture or with breast milk. It is noteworthy that this medicine is given before bedtime. Therefore, you should expect natural bowel movements by the next morning. The dosage is selected based on the instructions: 2 drops per 3 kg of child’s weight. The duration of treatment is usually one-time, but if necessary it can be extended to three days, but no more.

Wonderful prunes

If we talk about traditional methods, then before deciding what food to give to a baby for constipation, it is necessary to determine the likelihood of developing an allergy. One of the most common dried fruits that naturally stimulates the intestines is prunes. It provokes allergic reactions in the child less than others. At the same time, it has an equally positive effect both if it is consumed by the mother and the child (in the form of a decoction).

For those who do not know how to give prunes to a baby for constipation, here is a simple recipe:

• 4-5 pcs. prunes;
• 200 ml boiling water.

The prunes must be rinsed in advance, then pour boiling water over them and let steep for 30 minutes, or more. If the mother is breastfeeding, the resulting infusion can be divided for both. Mom drinks one part herself, and fruit can be eaten to enhance the effect. The question may arise: “How much prunes should I give to a baby?” For constipation, a baby whose mother is breastfeeding needs 50 ml; if the baby is bottle-fed, then 100 ml.

What to do in case of gas formation and problems with stool?

If the baby has gas, and the adult does not know what to give for constipation, then it is better to consult a doctor first. Only then can you look for similar drugs that have a similar effect and are not contraindicated for children in early infancy.

One of the popular pharmaceutical drugs is Espumisan. It helps reduce cramps that occur due to gas formation in infants, and also promotes natural bowel movements. As a rule, at the age of 4-5 months, the baby’s intestinal microflora functions normalize, and he is less and less bothered by gases. But if the problem lies not only in this, but also in the lack of enzyme production, then drugs such as Normaze, Lactase, Maxilact and others are recommended. They are suitable for children of the first year of life. The rules of administration are indicated in the instructions; usually the drug is mixed with breast milk or formula.

Intestinal problems due to dysbiosis

What to do if the cause of constipation and bowel problems is caused by dysbiosis? This is also true for those children who are forced to take medications from an early age due to existing diseases. Then drugs such as “Bifidumbacterin”, “Laktovit”, “Acidolact”, etc. come to their aid. They contain beneficial bacteria that are designed to “populate” the child’s intestines and establish its uninterrupted functioning. They are also relevant when an adult is faced with the question of what to do if the gas does not pass and what to give to a baby for constipation. How is it possible to deal with these two problems at the same time?

Parents of bottle-fed babies should be attentive to how the child’s body reacts to a new product or formula. In some cases, the cause of dysbiosis may be a mixture.

Lactulose in syrup

A fairly common drug that was known to our parents is “Lactulose Syrup”. But it must be given to the baby correctly. You should start with a small dose and gradually increase it to the maximum recommended. This remedy has a gradual effect and is aimed at normalizing the functioning of the intestinal microflora. It is recommended to take it 1-2 times a day (for infants up to one year old, 5 ml at a time). The drug must also be discontinued gradually. This will avoid stress on the intestines and prevent the body from getting used to the components of the product.

Preparation based on probiotics

Among the probiotics, the drug “Hilak Forte” has proven itself well. It differs from other remedies in that it does not affect the functioning of the intestines, but normalizes its microflora. When introducing a new product into a baby’s diet and having problems with stool, we can safely recommend “Hilak Forte” to those who are thinking about such a question as what to give a baby for constipation during complementary feeding. The course of taking this drug is long, since the expected goal is not a one-time act of defecation, but the normalization of intestinal function. Therefore, the duration of treatment in general is about two weeks. Small children are prescribed 20-40 drops, it all depends on the doctor’s recommendation. It is noteworthy that “Hilak Forte” is suitable for infants from birth.

Complementary feeding is food prescribed to infants when they reach a certain age and physiological norms. Such food is intended to complement mother's milk or artificial formula, whose composition and calorie content can no longer satisfy the baby's increased needs.

Since in the first 12 months the foundations for the child’s future lifestyle and health are laid, every parent needs to understand at what age it is best to start feeding their babies, how to properly introduce complementary foods and what food should be given in each month.

The question of how many months can a child be fed worries every new parent. But there is still no definite answer, there are only recommendations.

It should be realized that age alone cannot be a “symptom” of children’s readiness; several important characteristics of child development must be taken into account, for example:

A complex of all signs of readiness appears in different children at their age. As a rule, the introduction of complementary foods occurs between 5 and 8 months (everything is individual).

With natural feeding, when the child’s needs for essential nutrients are fully satisfied by milk, there is no need to rush into introducing complementary feeding. Children who are on are given complementary foods at 5 months.

What are the dangers of early feeding?

Parents should understand that it is better to be a little late with complementary feeding than to introduce it prematurely.

For example, complementary feeding at 4 months is fraught with not the most favorable reactions from the digestive tract, which is not yet ready to accept new foods.

Starting complementary feeding too early leads to the following problems:

1. Due to the lack of necessary digestive enzymes, abdominal pain, intestinal colic, belching, and stool disorders may occur. That is, complementary feeding from 4 months will be useless at best, since the products will not be absorbed.
2. Another serious consequence is allergic conditions, which are caused by increased permeability of the intestinal walls to allergic particles and the immaturity of the child’s defense system. At the same time, the immunity of children suffers, as a result of which they get sick more often and longer.
3. Complementary feeding at 4 months and earlier may even pose some danger for the baby if he does not yet know how to swallow thicker food than milk or formula. An undeveloped swallowing reflex can lead to vomiting and loss of interest in food.
4. The increased load experienced by unformed internal organs (liver, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract organs) can result in their chronic diseases.

Another likely consequence is that the introduction of complementary foods before 6 months of age leads to a reduction in breastfeeding, which may result in the cessation of lactation.

Of course, this rule does not work if the baby is.

Thus, it is better to start feeding a child at an appropriate age and only after the approval of the doctor who is observing the baby.

To ensure that the first feeding of a baby goes without “accidents” and leaves only pleasant impressions for mother and child, it is worth learning the rules for introducing complementary feeding.

They look like this:

1. A new product should be given to a child who is absolutely healthy and in good spirits. You should not start introducing complementary foods if your children have been vaccinated.
2. The first complementary food should be one-component, that is, consist of only one dish. If the baby is used to a new product, they give the next one and so on. The last thing you should give is porridge with fruit additives, vegetable mixtures with a meat component.
3. Before buying industrial complementary foods, be sure to review the composition to exclude products that include highly allergenic ingredients.
4. It is necessary to feed the baby with an unfamiliar product in the morning in order to track the reaction of the child’s body. During the day, mother needs to pay attention to the condition of the skin, feces and general activity.
5. Offer new foods when your baby is hungry, and then supplement with breast milk (if breastfed) or formula (if bottle-fed).
6. The optimal amount of complementary feeding is half a teaspoon (or 3-5 grams), gradually the volume of complementary feeding increases to age levels.
7. Don’t give up the product, even if your child rejects it once. To get used to a new taste, you need to taste it thoroughly. This should be done at intervals of 3 days. If the toddler continues to refuse the dish, do not insist, but replace the product with a similar one (rice with buckwheat, pear puree with apple puree).
8. Monitor the temperature. This should be done to avoid burns to the oral mucosa (the dish should be warm, not hot).
9. Make sure that the dish is homogeneous (uniform). Lumps cause difficulty in swallowing and the child rejects the product.
10. Avoid feeding your baby directly from an industrial container. The food is placed on a plate, otherwise saliva will get into the jar, as a result of which the dish will become unsuitable for further storage.
11. It is necessary to give the next dish only after the kids are completely accustomed to the previous one. Typically the time period is about 2 weeks.
12. Combine several products. For example, you should not give two liquid (milk and juice) or two thicker (mashed potatoes and porridge) dishes at one meal.

You need to feed children very carefully and with great patience. It will take a long time for your baby to learn to swallow foods that are thicker than breast milk or formula. That's why you shouldn't be nervous and worry if something doesn't go as you would like.

Baby's first products

The first complementary foods should include foods that have a neutral taste. This must be done so that the bright taste does not make the baby reject the new food or, on the contrary, eliminate the preference for one dish over all others.

This is why, for example, experts do not recommend introducing sweet and aromatic juices or fruit purees into the first complementary foods. Of course, they are much more attractive than zucchini or meat products, which is why it is necessary to prevent the formation of incorrect taste preferences at an early age.

It is not so important at what age you start introducing new products - complementary feeding at 5 months with artificial feeding follows the same principles as complementary feeding from six months with breastfeeding.

Infant feeding table by month

This table is for informational purposes only. It is worth understanding that the amount of complementary foods will depend on the type of food.

With natural feeding, milk remains the main product, but with formula feeding, the main “dish” is the formula.

In addition, the table shows how the consistency of complementary foods changes. After six months, the baby’s chewing strength increases, so he can eat various purees (vegetables, fruits). After 7 months, when chewing skills are more perfect, mashed, chopped dishes are given.

And only after 12 months do babies experience stable jaw function; at the same age, chewing becomes more mature. Usually, at one year old, the baby is transferred to the family table with some reservations.

WHO recommends introducing vegetables into the first complementary foods, but if babies are underweight, it is better to give porridge. We will focus on the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

Experts recommend the following order of vegetable feeding:

First of all, you should puree hypoallergenic vegetables. Pumpkin and carrot dishes are among the last to be introduced, since children often experience allergic reactions.

Let us repeat once again, you need to start with one-ingredient dishes. Mixing different vegetables is possible, but when the child enjoys them separately, and you note the absence of allergic reactions. A novelty is given only to a hungry baby.

How to make a vegetable dish yourself? Very simple. Zucchini or broccoli should be washed under running water, peeled and seeds removed.

To understand how to introduce complementary foods at six months, you need to consider an example - the table for introducing vegetables will show all the nuances of proper feeding of babies.

Vegetable introduction table

The table shows that the “introduction” of three fruits into the children's menu will take approximately 21 days. Each dish should be brought up to age specifications carefully, since the indicated grams do not mean that the child should be forced to finish everything.

Complementary feeding at 7 months

Another option for both the second and first feeding is porridge. It must be remembered that cereals must be gluten-free. You should also not cook porridge with cow's or goat's milk, since the bodies of children under one year old are not able to digest this heavy product.

If your child refuses to eat dairy-free porridge, add a little of your milk or formula to it. This will help the baby quickly get used to the new product.

Gluten-free grains include rice, corn and buckwheat. Such an assortment will satisfy the needs of a little gourmet. Porridges containing gluten can cause severe pathological conditions of the intestines.

In pharmacy chains and specialized departments of supermarkets you can purchase the most suitable porridge for babies. Some mothers are afraid to purchase them, but their fears are unfounded.

Manufactured under industrial conditions, they are absolutely safe and enriched with all useful components.

Cereals should be given according to the scheme proposed in the table above. When feeding them, you need to monitor the child’s condition: does the stomach hurt, is bowel movement disrupted, or does a rash appear on the skin. You cannot combine different cereals!

At this age, the introduction of complementary foods becomes more varied. The baby is growing up, which means he is already allowed dishes that are heavier for a child’s stomach:

Potatoes are introduced later than other fruits, since they are hyperallergenic vegetables. The mother should give the child 5 grams first, and by the seventh day increase the volume to 50 grams. Potatoes should not exceed a third of all vegetables in a child's diet.

It is better to feed an eight-month-old baby quail yolk, since it rarely becomes a source of allergies. This product is given twice a week. Moreover, for the first time you should pour a pinch onto a spoon, the next time - half a quail or a quarter of a chicken yolk.

Over the next 7 days, a whole quail yolk or half a regular yolk is given. An important rule is that you need to feed your baby this product in the morning, rubbing it with milk or adding it to porridge.

The most are turkey and rabbit. It is from them that purees are prepared, then veal, beef and chicken meat are given.

Pork meat should not be given to a child under one year old at all. Meat purees should be introduced into the lunch meal, the volume is a teaspoon.

Good to know! If you want to make your own meat puree, make pure minced meat and form small meatballs. Boil them in boiling water for 6 minutes, then freeze. You need to take them out of the freezer and boil them in a double boiler with vegetables, after which this mixture is crushed and given to the child. This method prevents the meatballs from sticking together.

During this age period, children are introduced to fermented milk products, and they are introduced extremely carefully. Of course, you should not feed your kids cottage cheese, which is sold in packs, especially with various additives.

A special baby cottage cheese is suitable for a child - for example, “Agusha”, “Tyoma”. The purchased dish should not contain sugar or fruit pieces.

First, a teaspoon is given, then gradually increased to 30 grams per day. For children of this age - the optimal dose.

Kefir is given in a volume of 1-2 teaspoons. Of course, this drink must also be for the baby, for which the mother should choose a product without fruits, sugars and flavoring additives. Then the volume is increased to 150 milliliters. It is best to offer kefir and cottage cheese in the evening.

Important! Not every child has a positive attitude towards kefir and cottage cheese, but the dish should not be sweetened. Wait 2-3 weeks and offer the product again. Some kids don’t like “sour milk” at all, but they develop and grow up quite normally.

Feeding a 10 month old baby

At 10 months, the baby is pampered with desserts in the form of sweet fruits. The most useful fruits are those that grow in close areas. Exotic fruits are put aside for later.

First of all, puree from apples, pears or prunes is given. By this age, many children acquire teeth, as a result of which they are already able to chew fruit slices. The fruits are introduced from a small volume - about 5 grams of puree or a small slice. The daily “dose” is approximately 100 grams of the product.

Some mothers will be surprised when they read that healthy fruits are given so late. There are many opinions on this matter, but experts are confident that with natural feeding there are enough vitamins in breast milk, and for artificial babies they make formulas enriched with vitamin complexes.

Thus, fruits are not such a significant source of vitamin complexes; the most important elements for a baby are protein and fat ingredients. In addition, sweet apples contain a variety of fruit acids that irritate the mucous membranes of the mouth.

Another introduced product is fish. There should not be a lot of it, and it must be low-fat and low-allergenic - for example, hake, cod or pollock. Experts recommend giving your child a “fish day,” when this dish replaces meat purees. Of course, the initial portion is minimal - less than half a teaspoon.

At this age, the baby is fed homemade soups with fresh herbs. Of course, the ideal option is borscht without frying with sour cream (now it is allowed). Green sprigs of dill or parsley should be grown in your own garden or in a pot on the window.

Bread spread with a piece of butter is ideal for a growing body.

At the end of the 12th month, the child can also eat gluten-free cereals - barley, oatmeal and millet. However, they should be administered carefully to avoid negative reactions.

One-year-old children can already eat many dishes from their parents’ table, but you need to forget about some of the favorite delicacies that some “irresponsible” mothers and grandmothers love to stuff their babies with:

Problems of complementary feeding and mother's fears

Quite often, the start of complementary feeding is accompanied by constipation, diarrhea, allergies, and painful sensations in the abdomen, as a result of which the child begins to worry and cry.

If your baby reacts unconventionally to the appearance of an unknown product in his diet, you should not completely abandon the dish.

Forget about it for 4-8 weeks, and then reintroduce it into the diet, carefully monitoring the baby's well-being. The second time, the product should be administered as slowly as at the very beginning.

Another common difficulty that often arises when complementary feeding begins is the child refusing the food offered. You should not insist, since the baby himself understands what he wants to eat and what foods cause discomfort.

In addition, a certain difficulty arises if you need to make a choice - cook yourself or buy ready-made food. Some parents are categorically against store-bought foods for infants, while others are confident in the quality of store-bought complementary foods.

Experts believe that everyone is right, since cooking at home is much more profitable, especially for an older child who can eat almost any dish. However, food in jars is no worse, it’s just important to adhere to the following rules:

• do not pay attention to the timing of the introduction of products indicated on the jars, focus on age standards;
• choose the freshest products, making sure that they are not expired;
• a children's dish should not contain various unnatural additives, flavorings, flavor enhancers; ideal nutrition is one containing a minimum amount of ingredients.

Children's health largely depends on the correct introduction of complementary feeding and adherence to advice. However, it is important for parents to understand that all the recommendations described are approximate.

Only a local pediatrician can say exactly from how many months a child can be fed. And the joint efforts of the mother and the doctor will significantly facilitate the baby’s transition to adult food.