we can see that the time has come to offer the kid to try something other than breast milk, and mix on what grounds? We understand!
The time when the baby starts to get other food other than breast milk or formula - this is an important stage of development, a new step of growth. In many families, the first spoon feeding becomes a big event, and even entered into the family album with the main achievements of the first year.
But what about my mother to be sure that the child is ready for a new food, it will have problems with the belly, and eat it, he will be happy? To do this, there are a number of features that can be built upon.
On what grounds can understand that it is time feeding / istockphoto.com
Signs of readiness for complementary feeding is not very reliable ...
Age baby. If we look at history, the traditions of the different cultures of the start time of the first complementary foods are very different from one month to ten. It is interesting that in the Ukraine back in the 30-40s of last century, the optimal start time feeding pediatricians called six months. The sharp decrease since the first feeding in the 50-60s was directly related to the prevalence of artificial feeding and the fact that his mother very early to go to work and the then the mixture does not meet the needs of the child vitamins.
Over time, however, when the composition of the mixtures was improved and as more and more of the children's health research in the early complementary feeding, weaning dates relegated farther. Eighteen months later - three, four, and finally, after fifty years, again returned to the recommendation to start about six months.
On what grounds can understand that it is time feeding / istockphoto.com
The dangers of too early complementary feeding
It turns out, the sooner it is introduced, the greater the threat of diarrheal disease and food allergies because of the children's intestinal immaturity. Against this background, it is increasing the risk of malnutrition, because the immature organism crumbs still does not produce enough of the enzymes that help digest "adult" food.
Several studies around the world show that the introduction of complementary foods before six months of increases the risk of acute respiratory viral infections, pneumonia and recurrent otitis media due to the lower total body resistance kids. Children who are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, began to crawl and walk earlier compared with babies who received solid foods shortly after the execution of four months.
The most recent trends suggest to introduce solid foods from 4 to 7 monthsBecause it can reduce the risk of developing allergies. But a detailed study devoted to this research it turns out that this is only true for allergies peanuts and called into question - for eggs and for other allergens popular theory of "tolerance window" is not confirmed.
However, allergies to peanuts not have such a big problem in the United States and Asian countries, therefore, the proposal starting solid foods with peanut butter seem too exotic for our places, none of the parents do not will be.
On what grounds can understand that it is time feeding / istockphoto.com
Introduction of complementary foods after six months
If the maturation of the baby is delayed or crumb ill, the WHO points out in its recommendations: when the mother born at term Child eating a full and varied, the nutrients and trace elements are guaranteed to breast milk is enough for about 8 months. Global Recommendations on early complementary feeding at six months is made in view of the fact that really is not all mothers today are fed properly, especially those who live in the countries of the "third world"! However, it happens that a child is quite ready to begin development of other food before six months, so it's best not to look at the calendar, and other features.
The emergence of a clove. Although it is believed that the appearance of the first tooth indicates a willingness to use the tooth to the destination, in fact it is also a landmark very relative. The time of appearance of the first teeth is genetically determined: it happens that teeth appear only close to a year, and sometimes even that newborn already is born with tooth sticking out of the gum.
Doubling the weight at birth. This says more about the good overall development of the child than his willingness to other foods. And this figure, too, can vary greatly between different children: someone already in three months time to eat excellent plump wrinkles and other kids, especially born large, up to nine months can chase it index. Meanwhile, slowing of increases in weight were just talking about the need for new sources of food energy ...
reliable guidance
The child wants more food. The kid often requires a breast or not to load the normal portion of the mixture, it slows down the gain. It says that to his normal diet you need to add a new source of calorie.
Extinction ejecting reflex. This reflex, causing the tongue to push that got into the baby's mouth, with the exception of the breast or nipple. It is because of this reflex in the first months of baby's life can be difficult to give, if necessary, the drug: the child immediately gets rid of all the "extra". We have to go to the trick and put the medicine for the cheek. In general, this reflex plays a protective character, reducing the chances of the child to choke on something inappropriate. When the baby is ready to cope with other foods, ejection reflex stops working, opening the possibility to move the food into the mouth and swallowing.
The ability to sit. It is also an important step motor readiness. Seat - the most obvious sign that the motor development of the child has reached the stage at which it can cope with the food.
Food interest. Kid actively interested in what parents eat there, seeing through the eyes of each spoon and sometimes expressive smacking his lips.
To ensure readiness toddler eating solid foods and adequately absorb it, one characteristic is small, most of them should be shown, but better - all. The child often asks the usual food, already sitting at least in the hands of mother and constantly looks at her plate?
Excellent, this is the perfect time to offer him a little and - no matter how old he is now fulfilled, five or seven months. The most important thing is not numbers, but real maturity is your baby.
Also you will be interested to read this: how to enter the bread in the children's diet
