I. What is complementary food
Complementary food is a semi-solid, solid food in addition to breast milk and formula.
Second, the purpose of adding complementary foods.
1, the process of adding complementary foods, in fact, is the process of food conversion, because simple milk feeding can not meet the energy and various nutrient needs of infants, adding complementary foods is to prepare for the future transition to a solid diet.
2.4~6 months old infants have the ability to digest and absorb complementary foods. The mouth has the ability to bite, chew and swallow non-liquid food, and the neuromuscular coordination is developing continuously; the gastrointestinal digestion and absorption ability is enhanced, and the excretory ability of the kidneys is improved, so they gradually have the ability to digest and absorb complementary foods. Timely and appropriate addition of complementary foods helps to promote the development of chewing function.
3, conducive to the development of language, communication skills and the cultivation of good eating behavior. Promote intellectual and emotional psychological development.
Third, the timing of complementary foods added.
The best time to start: 4-6 months (corrected 4-6 months for premature babies)
Breastfeeding: 6 months to start
Adding signals: in the case of milk amount of 800-1000ml still can not meet the baby’s appetite or baby is interested in adults eating, such as looking at adults eating with focused eyes, swallowing saliva, baring mouth movements, etc. Motor development further mature, the head can be good control, hold sitting when the double upper limbs can surround the chest.
Fourth, too early and too late to add complementary foods can bring some adverse effects on the baby.
The adverse effects of adding complementary foods too early (before 4 months).
Because babies are not yet capable of digesting the added complementary foods, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea. It may happen that complementary foods replace breast milk, resulting in insufficient nutrient intake for the baby. Overfeeding may occur and the baby may become overweight.
Adverse effects of adding complementary foods too late (after 6 months of age).
It can lead to the baby not getting the required nutrients, hindering growth and development, and the consequences of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency. It is not conducive to promoting the potential of growth and development, affecting the opportunity to exercise the baby’s oral muscles and tongue movements, and is not conducive to future language development and the cultivation of good eating behavior. Babies may occur partiality, picky eating, refusal to eat and other eating behavior problems, after growing up, the academic performance, interpersonal communication, social behavior and other social adaptability may also be affected.
V. The principles of complementary food addition.
From a small amount to a large amount, from thin to thick, from fine to coarse, from one to many, from a single to mixed, add gradually, do not be too hasty. For babies, each time the first bite to try a new food is a new experience, so they will be very cautious, may not immediately swallow, or make a face, or also spit out the food, at this time, there are often parents think that babies do not like to eat this food, change the food or stop adding complementary foods, in fact, as long as parents are a little more patient, wait a little longer, try a few more times, the baby can still Accepted. In addition, babies are used to eating liquid food, but when eating solid food, babies must learn to use their tongues to control food, so when feeding babies to eat complementary foods, parents can make chewing and swallowing movements in front of the baby to imitate.
Six, complementary foods to add notes.
1, it is generally recommended to add complementary foods before eating milk, and gradually replace a meal of milk as the amount of complementary foods increases. If your baby doesn’t like milk and prefers complementary foods, you can also eat milk first and then add complementary foods.
2, each new food added to observe the full three days, if there is an allergic reaction, such as diarrhea, bloating, burping and farting increase, eczema, etc., need to wait more than 1 week, and then add new food. If the baby is sick, then suspend the addition of complementary foods.
3, salty foods contain more salt, will damage the baby’s underdeveloped kidneys, but also may develop a taste for salty baby, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease in the future, and sweets can easily lead to obesity and dental problems in babies, so do not add salt, sugar, soy sauce and other condiments within 1 year old, after 1 year old according to the baby’s situation can add a small amount of salt. Also never let your baby taste adult meals at will.
4, rice soup, vegetable water because of the nutritional value is not high, the taste is sweet and other reasons are not recommended as a complementary food to add.
5, complementary foods should be added on the basis of the principles of adding, according to the baby’s individual differences to adjust.