Feeding children under one year is a very important moment and for him to watch carefully. Until the child is six months old, it should, if possible, to feed only breast milk. If the mother for some reason can not breastfeed, it is given only to infant formula.

Introducing more dense foods in the diet of a baby only after six months of life. It is in this age of iron stores in the body begin to dwindle children and in breast milk is not enough of the substance to be enough for all the needs of the growing organism. However, the child may be ready for a first meal First solid foods: cook or buy?   a little earlier or later than six months, so it is important to parents to know the signs that a child is ready to lure The lure: a spoon first adult food :

• The child holds his head is not bad, and can sit, if he has to rely on his back;
• A child with attention and interest the same time, how to eat around, and just considering the food in front of him;
• He is trying to take a spoon, a fork, or a meal, and put it in his mouth;
• Immediately and without requests he opens his mouth when he is offered a meal.

By that time, when the child's diet, you can begin to introduce solid foods, his body already beginning to produce enzymes that will break down the food, the immune system is fully formed, the kidneys have evolved so that they can cope with the by-products are formed during the processing of solid food. In addition, the child is able to swallow properly - this contributes to, including, and the ability to keep your head.

Some parents believe that if you introduce solid foods before six months, the child will be better to escape and grow. Indeed it can lead to takihmproblemam as slow growth (in case of dense food substitute breast milk or infant formula), diarrhea and other intestinal problems with the operation, if the child's digestive system is not yet ready to solid food.

However, to introduce solid foods too late, too, should not be. The result can be a slow development due to lack of calories, anemia, and feeding problems in the future, especially if the child does not start feeding solid food until he is nine months.

How to offer your child solid food for the first time

• Starting solid foods should be, when you are quite calm and do not rush. If you need to feed the baby as soon as possible, it is better to postpone the first solid foods for another time.
• Make sure that the child is comfortable to sit on, and that he was not too hungry (but not quite full).
• Be patient. Perhaps for the first time a child will eat only a couple of spoons: do not force him to eat more - it will take time to get used to the new food.
• Be prepared for the fact that the child smeared food all around - it's perfectly normal for children who are just learning to eat like adults.
• If the child refuses solid food, offer it again in a day or two, but not on the same day.
• Feed the baby with a small spoon only suitable to him in size.

What food to use as a first feeding

Grain cereals fortified with iron - the perfect choice for a first meal, because, as we have said, for children aged about six months of the substance no longer enough. Enter in the diet of baby one new product every few days. Once he gets used to the grain porridge, you can give him mashed vegetables and fruits, meat, chicken.

In 8-9 months, start giving your child boiled or baked vegetables. Cut them so that the child could take their hands. Start giving your child the bread, pasta and rice, as well as, in very small quantities - porridge on cow's milk, cheese and yogurt (best to choose plain yogurt, no flavoring and aromatic additives).

• 0-4 months

Typically, children at this age are given only breast milk or formula milk, but sometimes in the diet of children over four months already beginning to introduce solid foods. Lure administered before age impossible, since breast milk is the child provides all necessary, as his organism can not yet processed any other products. In the first six months of life reflexes allow children to ingest only liquid food; dense foods, they will automatically push the tongue. In addition, the introduction of complementary foods too early can lead to excessively rapid weight gain, and to various problems with weight in the future.

• 4-12 months

At the age of about six months, children typically begin to miss a mother's milk. By this time they already know how to swallow and sit, and therefore in their diet can begin to introduce more dense food. The following table lists recommendations for feeding children aged up to one year. All figures are average, and keep in mind that a lot depends on the appetite of the child, his health, and other factors, but they can navigate, making a meal plan for the child.

What foods should not be given to children under one year

Babies under one year is not recommended to give the following products:

• Honey - as the child's immune system is not yet fully developed, there is a small risk of developing a bacterial infection after consuming honey The benefits of honey: tasty recovery ;
• Tea - it contains tannins, which interfere with the normal absorption of vitamins;
• Popcorn;
• Fast food - for example, French fries, hot dogs, and so on;
• Whole nuts and seeds - a child can choke on them and suffocate if he will not have time to help;
• Grapes - it can not be given because of the bones, which can choke a child;
• Fruit juices;
• Skim milk (it can not be given to children under two years old).

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