The expert of HiPP company Evdokimova Tatyana Anatolievna - Associate Professor of the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, GBOU DPO RMAPO of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation helped us to understand the contradictory recommendations.
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In 4 months or 6 months?
Advice on when to introduce complementary foods can bedifferent: on the jars with food they indicate the age as "4 months", in the articles they say: "from 6", and on the Internet mothers write that they started giving new products already at about 3, and everything was fine. In fact, it is the period from 4 to 6 months that is optimal for starting complementary feeding with any type of feeding, but it is important not to get attached to specific numbers, but to carefully observe the baby's condition and not to rush. The development of a child is an individual process, so it is better to consult a pediatrician who can say for sure whether it is worth starting to offer the baby unfamiliar foods. Often, it is not age that indicates readiness for complementary feeding, but other important signs: the baby can already sit and hold his head on his own, his reflex of pushing out a spoon with his tongue disappears, he has noticeably gained weight and, most importantly, is already showing interest and curiosity in what adults eat.
Sweet or neutral?
Photo:Getty ImagesCan you give your baby sweet apple juice, which is so often recommended as the first complementary food, or is it better to start with bland broccoli and zucchini? In this matter, parents are again surrounded by a variety of advice, so many are at a loss. As a rule, we recommend introducing complementary foods with dairy-free, gluten-free cereals or vegetable purees. For a baby who is just starting to get acquainted with adult food, all tastes seem unusual, but if a child gets used to sweets from a very early age, it will be difficult to persuade him to eat other foods. After fruits, vegetables and cereals may seem uninteresting and unappetizing to him, since their taste is less pronounced and bright. Therefore, it is better to offer fruits to the baby after he gets used to other products.
Porridge or mashed potatoes?
Photo:Getty ImagesThis choice also depends on the individual characteristics of the child, his health. In general, both cereals and vegetable purees are suitable as the first complementary food. Cereals should be dairy-free and gluten-free. Rice or buckwheat are excellent options. They should be given to children who are slowly gaining weight, and vegetable purees, on the contrary, are recommended for babies with a tendency to be overweight. Another nuance is taste: cereals are more pleasant and soft, therefore, as in the case of fruits, there may be difficulties in accustoming the baby to vegetables. Also interesting: In the process of accustoming a child to complementary foods, it is worth remembering that each new taste should be offered at least 15 times so that the baby gets used to its smell, consistency and taste.
