One of the hottest topics for discussion among parents is the topic of introducing complementary foods. The debate is not only about the beginning of the introduction of complementary foods, but also where to start? How to prepare complementary foods? On one's own? Or buy in departments baby food? All these questions and disputes have been going on for years.
By about six months, a baby begins to lack vitamins, microelements and minerals supplied with breast milk or formula for normal growth and development. A growing body experiences a lack of vitamins C, A and D, B vitamins, folic acid, iron, iodine, zinc, copper, selenium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and others. So it's time to introduce vegetable complementary foods. Introducing new products is very important and should not be taken too long. After all, taste is one of the most important sensations that gives us positive emotions.
Accustoming a child from early childhood to tasty, varied and healthy eating, we form good habits in him that will stay with him for life. Food with a thicker consistency provides “training” for the digestive system, stimulates intestinal motor function and the proper formation of the masticatory apparatus.
When should you start introducing your child to adult foods and what to choose as the first complementary food? The best thing is vegetables!
It may happen that your baby flatly refuses to eat the healthiest vegetable puree. The main thing is not to despair. Just postpone introducing new food for 7-10 days and then try again. Sooner or later everything will work out!
Rules for introducing complementary foods.
The general rules for introducing new products and, in particular, vegetable complementary foods into the baby’s menu are as follows.
Always start with small doses - with 1/2 teaspoon, gradually increasing the amount of food to the desired volume: up to 80 g at 7-8 months, up to 120 g at 9-12 months.
On one day, one new product is introduced into one of the feedings. At the beginning of the introduction of vegetable complementary foods, dishes are prepared from one type of product, and later they switch to a combination of several.
- It is better not to introduce vegetable complementary foods during a period of change in the baby’s usual way of life (for example, when moving).
- Refrain from trying new foods during illness and for a week after recovery, during vaccinations or other medical procedures.
- Vegetable complementary foods are recommended to be introduced into the second morning feeding - before formula or breast milk.
- It is necessary to evaluate the child’s reaction to the introduction of a new dish, take into account general health, skin condition, stool character for 7-10 days.
- When warning signs It is worth giving up vegetable complementary foods for a while and consulting with your doctor.
- It is worth keeping a diary of the introduction of vegetable complementary foods. If necessary, it will be easy to track, for example, what product the baby is allergic to.
- Complementary feeding dishes should be of a uniform consistency, at the initial stage - semi-liquid. Give them to the baby warm from a spoon.
- It is advisable to start vegetable complementary feeding with vegetables, fruits, as well as grains growing in our latitudes.
- A new product is introduced after successful introduction to the previous one, no earlier than 7-10 days.
Timing of introduction of vegetable complementary foods.
Complementary feeding for a full-term baby breastfeeding, can be offered after he is six months old. Artificial babies - a little earlier.
If a baby receiving breast milk gains little weight, he needs to introduce new foods earlier. Perhaps in this case it is more advisable to start complementary feeding with porridge. This also applies to premature babies. Your doctor will give you specific recommendations.
Based on her own observations and relying on the recommendations of the pediatrician, each mother herself makes the decision to switch to a new menu. For example, one of the signs of a baby’s readiness to introduce vegetable complementary foods may be his interest in a common family meal. He reaches out with his hands to a certain type of food and already knows how to sit independently.
Where to start with vegetable complementary feeding?
Many experts advise starting complementary feeding with vegetables. At an early age, the baby does not yet have subtle taste skills, so not the most exquisite, but very healthy and necessary vegetable puree will be perceived by the baby simply as a new, unfamiliar dish. And there is a chance that he will like it. After the sweet fruits or cereals introduced first, many children will not want to eat rather bland vegetables.
At the same time, properly cooked vegetables have several important advantages.
- They contain fiber, which promotes the movement of food through the digestive tract and the development of beneficial microflora in the intestines.
- They contain pectin substances that have an enveloping and absorbent (absorbing toxins) effect.
- They have a positive effect on the acid-base balance of the body, creating the most favorable conditions for the proper functioning of all organs and systems.
The introduction of vegetable puree must begin with one type of vegetable. Later, you can offer a two-component puree, and then a mixture of vegetables. Offer any vegetables to your baby in the first half of the day.
Vegetable basket.
Then carrots and potatoes are added - first it is better to combine them with carrots or zucchini, since mashed potatoes are quite heavy food for babies.
It is advisable to introduce white cabbage, turnips, beets, celery, green peas, green beans, onions, and greens closer to the year.
Vegetable complementary foods - Zucchini rich in potassium, copper, carotene and vitamin C. It has restorative, choleretic, diuretic, antiallergic and antianemic properties, enhances intestinal motility. Due to the high content of pectin substances, zucchini is easily digestible. Normalize water-salt metabolism and cleanse the blood. Useful for patients receiving antibiotics.
Vegetable complementary food - Cauliflower very tasty and healthy. Contains delicate plant fiber, rich in mineral salts (potassium, phosphorus), microelements (iron, cobalt, magnesium and iodine) and vitamins (A, C, group B, E, PP, U). Vitamins A and C provide immune protection to the growing body. Cauliflower contains a sufficient amount of protein that your baby needs for growth. Amino acids, which proteins are rich in, are indispensable for the functioning of the liver and gall bladder. This entire mineral-vitamin complex is easily absorbed and acts in the child’s body as a good HOST: it establishes hematopoietic, metabolic, bone-forming, protective, and vascular-strengthening processes.
Vegetable complementary food - Pumpkin. Its fruits are rich in vitamins (in particular B5, which plays an important role in the process of hematopoiesis), fats, proteins and carbohydrates, as well as cellulose, glucose, minerals and trace elements (potassium, calcium, iron). In terms of carotene content, pumpkin is 5 times higher than carrots, and liver, which you haven’t even started giving to your baby yet, is 3 times higher.
Vegetable complementary food - Carrots. Pectin substances, fiber and dietary fiber, in large quantities contained in carrots, promote easier bowel movements, have bactericidal properties, and have a positive effect on bile excretory activity. Carrots contain a large amount of beta-carotene, which is transformed into vitamin A in the baby’s body and has an antioxidant effect. It is recommended for children with low growth rates. Carrots are rich in manganese, which is essential for underweight babies. The combination of beta-carotene and calcium is useful for the prevention and treatment of frequent respiratory diseases and repeated bronchitis. In terms of phytoncide content, carrots are not inferior to onions and garlic.
Puree from these vegetables is easy to prepare. Vegetables are cut into small pieces, placed in boiling (hot) water and cooked over low heat in an enamel bowl with a lid. Then grind it using a blender, gradually adding a little broth. After this, the finished puree is brought to a boil, cooled to the desired temperature and fed to the baby.
Ready-made baby puree is also an excellent, although more expensive, option for vegetable complementary foods.
Your kids still have many discoveries ahead in life. In the meantime, we introduce them to new sounds, toys, and dishes. Mom's love, patience, affection and attention are the best help in all endeavors.
All parents, without exception, want to see their children strong, healthy, physically and intellectually developed. Food is the source of all necessary nutrients, microelements, vitamins and immunoglobulins for the normal growth and development of the baby, therefore proper nutrition a child plays a vital role in his life.
Basic rules for introducing complementary foods
The first product should be one-component, that is, you should not mix several new types of foods in one plate, otherwise it will be impossible to track which product caused a rash or other manifestations of food allergies in the child.
The product must be homogeneous- i.e. thoroughly crushed and pureed, without lumps. IN otherwise, the presence of inhomogeneities can cause the child, who is not yet ready for solid food, to refuse any food other than mother’s milk or formula for a long time. This is due to the presence of a gag reflex. It helps the baby to automatically push the object out of the throat to prevent the baby from choking. If something hard gets into the baby's mouth, his tongue moves forward and down to push the object out. The gag reflex remains with a person for life, but the pushing part of it disappears by about 6 months. It is because of this reflex that it is so difficult for a child to swallow solid food introduced too early.
New product is always introduced in the first half of the day to eliminate the need to suffer in the middle of the night with a suddenly swollen tummy or diarrhea.
Complementary feeding is given to the child only from a spoon, not from a bottle. The baby is growing up, and he needs to learn the skills of eating not only through sucking.
New product is given before breastfeeding or formula feeding.
New products cannot be introduced 7 days before vaccination and within 7 days after vaccination.
New products cannot be introduced if the child is sick. This will be an additional burden on the baby’s body, which is already weakened by the disease.
Each product is administered within 5-7 days, starting with 1 teaspoon (for fruit, half a teaspoon).
If one product is completely introduced, then the new one is introduced as follows: 1 teaspoon of the new product, then 3 tablespoons of the old product, and the last spoon of the new product again. Then we supplement with breastfeeding or formula.
You should not give your child snacks between meals. A child's stomach is very small, therefore, the saturation signal comes to the child’s brain very quickly and he will simply refuse to eat.
To ensure that your baby always eats with appetite, you shouldn't force him to eat if he does not want and does not need to pour large portions, it is better to pour a little less. Should be considered taste preferences child. Some children enjoy eating fruits, vegetables and meat, while others prefer dairy products and various cereals.
Sometimes a child begins to eat poorly if something bothers him. You should not expect a big appetite from a child who has recently been ill. In younger children Appetite worsens during teething.
Buying ready-made purees or preparing them yourself is a serious question that everyone decides for themselves. ABOUT important aspects this choice in more detail
Where to start complementary feeding
Today, pediatricians and pediatric nutritionists recommend feeding a child with breast milk for up to 6 months, without any complementary foods. Children who are on artificial or mixed feeding Complementary foods can be introduced at 4 months.
Here is the approximate sequence of introducing new foods into your baby’s diet:
from 4 months - vegetable and fruit purees, cereals
from 6 months - cottage cheese, yolk
from 7 - 8 months - meat
from 8 months - poultry, cookies
from 8-9 months - fermented milk products, fruits
from 9-10 months - fish
Here is an approximate feeding schedule small child during the day:
breast milk (formula) → porridge → vegetables with meat → cottage cheese + fruits + cookies → fermented milk product→ breast milk (formula) Next, we will dwell in more detail on each of the products .
The first products for introducing complementary foods
The first porridge for complementary feeding
If a child is underweight, porridge is introduced first. The first three cereals that are used when introducing complementary foods are: buckwheat, rice, corn - do not contain gluten. This protein contained in cereals (oatmeal, wheat, etc.) has another name - gluten. Many people suffer from gluten intolerance, which results in an acute allergic reaction. In children, it usually manifests itself in the form of diarrhea, exhaustion, and bloating. That is why gluten-containing products (not only cereals, but also cookies, crackers made from wheat or rye flour) are introduced into the baby's complementary foods carefully and not in the first months.
It is worth noting that if a child is prone to constipation, then rice porridge should be put aside.
When it comes to preparing porridge, there are 2 options: grind the cereal in a blender and cook it yourself, or buy porridge in packs that do not require cooking, but are diluted. Regarding the latter, it is better to give preference to fortified and sugar-free ones. Ready-made porridges come in dairy and dairy-free varieties. It is worth noting that dairy-free cereals usually contain a sweetener. Milk porridges are diluted with water, dairy-free porridges can be diluted with water, baby formula, breast milk or special “baby milk” (on a pack of such milk it is indicated “baby milk from 8 months”). Porridges are diluted according to the instructions on the pack with heated liquid.
Porridges are introduced gradually, starting with 1 teaspoon per day. Then, if the child tolerates this product well, completely replace one milk feeding porridge.
After all the grains have been introduced separately, it is better to offer the child multi-grain porridges.
Vegetable complementary foods
If the child has no problems with weight gain, then vegetables can be safely used as the first complementary foods. Nutritionists recommend starting with vegetables rather than fruit purees, due to the fact that a child, having tried sweet fruit purees, may refuse in the future. healthy vegetables. Also, vegetable complementary foods will be very useful for children suffering from constipation.
The first vegetables in a child’s diet are recommended: broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, potatoes- exactly in this sequence. Before cooking potatoes, they must be soaked in cold water for 1.5-2 hours. You can start vegetable complementary feeding with 1-1.5 teaspoons.
Fruit purees and juices for complementary feeding
Perfect as a first fruit for a child - apple, pear, prune, banana. The best option there will be a baked apple. It is recommended to start fruit complementary foods with half a teaspoon, gradually increasing the portion to 30-40 g per day.
Among the juices, you should give preference to apple and pear. Freshly squeezed juices should not be given to small children. They begin to introduce juices with 5 ml per day, gradually increasing the portion to 30-40 ml per day.
Cottage cheese for complementary feeding
If the child has no problems with the fontanel closing, cottage cheese can be introduced from 6 months. If the child’s fontanel closes very quickly, the introduction of cottage cheese is postponed.
Cottage cheese is administered carefully, starting with 5 g per day, gradually increasing the portion to 30-40 g per day. By approximately 12 months, the portion of cottage cheese per day increases to 100g. To introduce the first cottage cheese, it is recommended to use “baby” cottage cheese from 6 months.
Yolk for complementary feeding
The egg yolk, like cottage cheese, is introduced very carefully. Stop yourself from choosing country clothes for your child. chicken eggs bigger. To reduce the risk of an allergic reaction, nutritionists recommend start with quail eggs. Be sure to wash your eggs thoroughly before boiling.
You should start with 1/8 of the yolk, gradually increasing the portion to the whole. The yolk needs to be mashed and add to vegetables or porridge.
Meat feeding
As the first meat product in the baby's diet, turkey and rabbit. According to the recommendations of pediatricians, veal is postponed for more late date(after one year), due to the risk of allergies, especially if the child has such a reaction to milk or formula.
If you decide not to use canning meat puree, then boil the meat in the second broth, i.e. after the water with the meat has boiled for 5 minutes, it is drained, the meat is filled with new water, and the meat is cooked in the “second” water. The meat must be boiled and pureed; you should not add salt to it, the baby does not need it in additional quantities. You can mix meat with vegetables, thereby diversifying the baby’s diet.
Meat is introduced into vegetable feeding starting with 1 teaspoon, increasing the portion to 50g per day.
Cookie
For 8 one month old baby When it comes to cookies, it is better to opt for “baby” cookies from 5 months. It differs from classic cookies in that upon contact with saliva it almost immediately turns into mush, which eliminates the risk that a baby who is not ready for solid food may choke.
Little children should not be given cookies as a snack between meals, otherwise they may quickly become full and refuse to eat a full meal. Cookies are usually offered to a child for an afternoon snack along with cottage cheese and fruit.
Fish feeding
You should start introducing fish into your child’s diet only after introducing meat. You should start with white species - cod, hake, pollock. Red fish is introduced much later due to the fact that it very often causes allergies in children.
Fish is also introduced, starting from 5g, gradually increasing the portion to 50g. It should be noted that fish is given to a child no more than once a week.
Fermented milk products for complementary feeding
Offer your child yogurt and kefir, the packaging of which is marked “for children from 8 months”. Kefir is also introduced gradually. If the child tolerates this product well, completely replace one milk feeding with a fermented milk product.
Making a menu
Should be drawn up approximate menu child and calculate its calorie content. The amount of calories for children from 6 months to a year should be 800 kcal. The child's diet should first of all be varied. This makes it possible to provide the child’s body with all the components necessary for its proper development and prevents the child’s appetite disorder. By introducing certain foods into your child’s diet, you can improve your health and correct some disorders.
It is necessary to prepare for the baby using various ingredients and diluting the resulting vegetable or meat puree with formula, breast milk or water.
Gradually, children switch to 4 meals a day. They can be fed most of the dishes prepared for the whole family. You just need to avoid adding spices and give the food to your baby pureed first. It should also be remembered that proper nutrition is not only a set of certain foods, but also the presence of the first skills of cultural behavior. Before feeding, be sure to wash your child’s hands; the child’s eating utensils should be beautiful, clean and safe.
For information on how to competently develop eating habits in children under one year old, read the article by a child psychotherapist.
Food for the baby should be balanced, healthy, tasty and always fresh.
Almira Donetskova
Pediatrician
You can use vegetable puree or porridge as the first complementary food. However, most pediatricians prefer vegetable puree, since vegetables are a valuable source of vitamins, organic acids and microelements, and also contain plant fibers and pectins, which normalize intestinal microflora and prevent constipation. It is also more advisable to start complementary feeding with vegetable puree because later, when sweeter foods are introduced, for example, porridge, babies no longer refuse puree. At the same time, if there is insufficient weight gain or unstable stool, porridge is first introduced. Thus, the decision about which complementary foods are best introduced to the baby first must be agreed upon with the pediatrician.
Procedure for introducing vegetables
It is advisable to start introducing vegetable complementary foods with those vegetables that most rarely cause allergies and are better digested. An approximate sequence of vegetables could be as follows:
Over 4.5 months.
Zucchini
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Potato
Sweet potato
Carrot
Over 5 months. - expansion of the range of vegetables due to:
White cabbage, etc.
You can start combining the above-listed vegetables if you are convinced that all components are well tolerated by the child.
After 6 months life. You can use multi-component purees with the addition of tomatoes.
It should be borne in mind that carrots and tomatos can cause allergies in children predisposed to this, so these vegetables must be introduced with caution.
After 7 months life. Multicomponent purees with the addition of green peas.
After 8 months of life. Multicomponent purees with the addition of:
- spinach
- heat-treated garlic and onions
After 9 months You can use herbs in making puree: parsley, dill, celery.
After 1 year, legumes (peas and beans), re-pu, radishes, fresh cucumbers and tomatoes are introduced into the child’s diet. In children under this age, the gastrointestinal tract is not yet ready to digest foods that contain coarse fiber. This may cause increased gas formation, bloating and abdominal pain
When the first complementary foods are introduced, it is recommended that freely breastfed babies be offered water (unlike bottle-fed babies, who are given water earlier). This is explained by the fact that complementary foods contain less water than breast milk, and fluid requirements increase. It is better to use bottled water; If it is not specifically intended for baby food, then it must be boiled. First, water is given from a teaspoon, starting with 10-20 ml, and the volume is gradually increased. You should focus on the child’s needs, since he will not drink more water than he needs. Offer water between feedings. If you give it before the next meal, when the child is hungry, then there is a risk of “interrupting” the appetite.
Modern approach
Several years ago, a child’s introduction to new foods began with the introduction of juices and fruit purees into his diet. These positions are currently being revised. Modern pediatricians advise the first to introduce vegetable puree, sometimes porridge, since studies show that early introduction of juices and fruit purees often causes the development of adverse reactions in the form of allergies and digestive disorders, and also contributes to the development of caries, moreover, after the introduction of sweet foods Children often refuse unleavened vegetables.
It is important to know
Potatoes contain starch, which in large quantities can provoke bloating, abdominal pain, and increased bowel movements, so the share of potatoes should not exceed 20-30% of the total volume of mashed potatoes. In addition, before cooking, it is good to soak potatoes cut in half in water for 1-2 hours to remove starch and nitrates from them.
Any new product is not introduced into the child’s diet when he is unwell, when changing his usual lifestyle (for example, moving), during preventive vaccinations, or in hot weather.
In order for the child not to refuse complementary foods, it should be given before breastfeeding (when the child is hungry), from a spoon.
The first complementary foods are introduced at one of the daily feedings; the most convenient is to introduce complementary foods at 10 or 14 o'clock in order to monitor the baby's condition throughout the day and his reaction to the introduction of a new dish. If alarming signs appear (feeling unwell, skin rashes, changes in stool - increased frequency and dilution), you must stop administering the product and contact your pediatrician.
The introduction of complementary foods should begin with one type of least allergenic vegetables, this will allow you to track the baby’s reaction to this particular product. Since the child is just getting used to new tastes, he is gradually developing taste sensations, and perhaps he will refuse a product that is unfamiliar to him. In this case, you should try to offer this product in a few days or switch to another type of vegetables (but in no case to sweet porridge!).
The introduction of new products should begin with a small amount (1 teaspoon), gradually increasing over 7-10 days to the full volume of one feeding (150 g).
An example of introducing vegetable complementary foods:
1st day -1 tsp. (5 g)
2nd day - 2 tsp. (10 g)
3rd day-3 tsp. (15 g)
4th day - 4 tsp. (20 g)
5th day - 10 tsp. (50 g)
6th day - 20 tsp. (100 g)
Day 7-30 tsp. (150 g)
The second week is when the child gets used to the new dish. The daily volume of vegetable complementary foods at the age of 9-12 months reaches 200 g.
In terms of their consistency, at the initial stage of introduction, complementary foods should be homogenized (homogeneous, semi-liquid) and not cause difficulty in swallowing.
In the future, they gradually move to a thicker consistency - pureed vegetable puree.
The temperature of the food should be 37°C, which corresponds to the temperature of the mother's milk received.
After a portion of complementary feeding, the baby should be offered the breast. At artificial feeding The volume of the mixture after a portion of puree should be such that together with vegetables it is 200 ml.
Vegetable puree must be prepared every day, immediately before use. Cooking for several days is not recommended for children under one year old. Repeated heating reduces the amount of vitamins and other nutrients, and even when stored in the refrigerator, microbes can multiply in prepared foods. To prepare the puree, you need to choose fresh, if possible, “homemade” vegetables, for the cultivation of which no chemical fertilizers were used. Wash them thoroughly, clean them, and rinse them again with water. To save maximum amount mineral salts and vitamins, vegetables 
It is advisable to steam or stew with a small amount of water (you can use a steamer or pressure cooker). Vegetables should be thrown into boiling water, then reduce the heat. If several types of vegetables will be cooked in one container, they are placed gradually, depending on the speed of softening. The first test portions of vegetable puree should not be salted. Boiled vegetables must be rubbed through a sieve or chopped with a blender and diluted with vegetable broth in the volume of a third or fourth of the total amount of vegetables. You can add vegetable oil (preferably extra virgin olive oil) to the finished vegetable puree, starting with 1 drop and gradually increasing the volume to 3 ml over the course of a week (from 4.5 to 6 months of age) - and 5 ml (from 6 months). Vegetable oil is a valuable source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E) and phosphatides, which are necessary for the further growth and development of the baby.
Assortment of ready-made industrial vegetable purees for children early age extremely varied. They guarantee a composition that meets the needs of children, the required degree of grinding, safety and the absence of harmful impurities. However, we must take into account that foreign manufacturers, to improve the taste of purees, often use legumes, tomatoes, onions, garlic, spices (for example, pepper) in their production and recommend the introduction of these purees from 5-6 months (according to recommendations According to domestic pediatricians and nutritionists, these products should be introduced later). Ready-made food does not need to be additionally salted, and there is also no need to add vegetable oil (canned vegetables for children, as a rule, contain a small amount of salt and the required amount of vegetable oil). To preserve vitamins, the jars should be heated by placing them in hot water and stirring occasionally. You can also use a special warmer for baby food. Leftover heated puree cannot be reused.
I found an article about complementary feeding, I’ll leave it here for myself, it might also be useful to someone.
Baby's first feeding: vegetable puree
Timely introduction of complementary foods to the baby accustoms him to denser foods. If complementary foods are not introduced on time, then the child may have difficulty eating at an older age, he will refuse solid foods - cereals, meat and fish. In addition, with the late introduction of complementary foods, the baby may experience various health problems and develop various diseases- anemia, rickets, malnutrition (underweight).
As a first complementary food, it is better to introduce vegetable puree to a child; it is rich in minerals, vitamins, and fiber, which are necessary for a growing body. In addition, if the first complementary foods are given more than tasty dish- porridge, then the baby will be reluctant to try other foods - vegetables, soups and meat.
But there are situations when it is more important to introduce porridge to the baby as the first complementary food than vegetables (for example, if the baby is not gaining weight well enough or has unstable stool).
If the baby is exclusively breastfed, gains weight well and has no health problems, then complementary foods can be introduced to him from 6 months - this will be vegetable puree. In almost all other cases, vegetable puree is introduced after juice and fruit puree, that is, not earlier than 5 months.
Anyway optimal time Your pediatrician will determine when to introduce complementary foods.
Rules for introducing vegetable puree
Start giving your baby vegetable puree with 1 teaspoon on the first day, then watch the nature of the stool - if it is normal (yellow-brown, without mucus and greens), then the next day give 2 - 3 teaspoons, for 10 - 12 days the volume of puree is increased to 100 - 150 g. The next 7 - 10 days are allotted for complete adaptation to the new product.
Offer vegetable puree to your baby before one of the next breastfeedings or artificial mixture. It is best to give a new complementary food for the first time during one of the morning feedings, so that you can monitor the child’s reaction. Follow the same tactics when introducing new components into the puree. In this way, the tolerance of various vegetables is determined.
Vegetable puree is the main complementary food, which, as the volume increases, completely replaces one feeding. Nevertheless, breastfed babies must be put to the breast after each complementary feeding, even if it is already of sufficient volume - this helps to maintain lactation for a long time.
The introduction of complementary foods begins with purees made from one type of vegetable. As a rule, this is zucchini puree, a vegetable with delicate fiber that does not cause allergic reactions. When the baby gets used to this dish, his diet is expanded to include cabbage (broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts), pumpkin, potatoes, carrots, and green beans. A variety of vegetables are gradually included in the puree, each type of vegetable over 5 - 7 days, adding them one at a time. In a multi-component potato puree, there can be no more than 1/3 of the total volume, since it contains a lot of starch.
From 7 - 7.5 months, you can give your baby pureed vegetables with the addition of green peas - it is very rich in vitamins and microelements.
From 8.5 - 9 months, it is allowed to add garden herbs to vegetable purees. small quantity(dill, parsley, celery, onion), it is added at the end of cooking, which significantly enriches it with vitamins.
It is advisable to season vegetable puree with vegetable oil (olive, sunflower, corn), starting with 2 - 3 drops and increasing to 1 teaspoon over 7 - 10 days. Vegetable oil is a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids necessary for the baby.
Do not add salt to vegetable purees! The child has slightly different ideas about tastes than you and I, because he has not yet tried salty food, so vegetables may not seem tasteless to the baby, and salt is too heavy a load for a small body.
When introducing complementary foods, thick foods take longer to digest, so after the baby receives complementary foods in full, it is better to switch him to 5 meals a day.
Cook at home
You can make your own vegetable puree at home. To do this, take one type of vegetable (for example, zucchini), rinse, peel, cut into pieces, add water and cook in an enamel pan until tender. Drain the water, but not completely, mash well with a fork (or in a blender), add vegetable oil. You can add a little breast milk or the mixture you feed your baby. Never leave leftover vegetable puree even in the refrigerator until next feeding. Each time the puree must be freshly prepared.
Vegetables will retain their beneficial features and in winter, if stored correctly. Place the fruits in a wooden box so that they do not touch each other, and store them at a temperature of +5 - 15 degrees in a dry, dark place.
You can use frozen vegetables. Rapid freezing technology does not use preservatives, so vitamins and minerals are preserved, but provided that the storage temperature in the freezer is not higher than minus 19 degrees. But you shouldn’t defrost vegetables before cooking, since most of the vitamins are destroyed during the process of slow defrosting.
Currently, a wide range of industrially produced “canned” vegetable purees are offered - take advantage of them in the winter-spring period, when there are few vegetables.
T. KARIKH, pediatrician of the State Central Medical Center.
Useful properties of vegetables
Zucchini, in addition to delicate fiber, contains a significant amount of potassium, which makes it a valuable product for cardiovascular diseases, and copper, which prevents the development of anemia. Zucchini puree is a low-calorie dish (unlike mashed potatoes), which is indicated for overweight children.
WHITE CABBAGE. Its most valuable property is its high content of sulfur and chlorine compounds, which are a natural disinfectant and antiseptic and gently cleanse the gastrointestinal tract in case of intestinal disorders.
BROCCOLI and other green vegetables are a rich source of calcium and other minerals, as well as a powerful antioxidant - vitamin E.
GRAIN BEANS are a source of high vegetable protein content, which is only slightly inferior in amino acid composition to meat.
GREEN BEANS contain a full range of mineral elements. The pods are exceptionally rich in vitamins B and PP, which improve skin condition and improve appetite in babies. And there is twice as much vitamin C in green beans as in apricots and plums.
PUMPKIN is a unique vegetable that contains a lot useful substances: this is delicate fiber, which does not irritate the gastric mucosa, but nevertheless helps to normalize stool, and iron, which prevents the development of anemia, and carotene (there is more of it than in carrots), which strengthens the vascular wall. Mineral salts of potassium and phosphorus are necessary for normal activity of cardio-vascular system baby. B vitamins contained in pumpkin stimulate physical and neuropsychological development. Vitamin K is important for normal blood clotting. Pectin promotes food absorption and improves appetite.
CARROTS are a storehouse of vitamins; they contain a high content of carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body. Carrots are rich in B vitamins, potassium salts, and are almost as good in phytoncides as garlic and onions. But carrots and pumpkin, due to their carotene content, which gives these vegetables their orange color, can cause an allergic reaction. Be careful when introducing them into your baby's diet!
GREENS - dill, parsley, green onions- leader in magnesium content. Magnesium, like other microelements, is not synthesized in the body, but comes from food; it contributes to normal metabolism in brain tissue, improves cerebral circulation and transmission of nerve impulses, and stimulates memory.
BEET contains a fairly large amount of vitamins B, C, PP, it is rich in folic acid and iron, which stimulate the formation of red blood cells and improve the supply of oxygen to the muscles.
So, you have introduced the first complementary food - vegetable puree. In general, vegetables are a unique product; they contain a lot of fiber, plant fibers and pectin, which improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, vegetables retain enough vitamins and minerals.
If your baby completely refuses vegetable puree (for example, zucchini), don’t worry, offer another vegetable puree (cauliflower) in a day or two. Don’t worry if your baby doesn’t like the taste of a vegetable - the order in which vegetables are introduced can be changed. In addition, the baby develops certain preferences for this or that taste; he will like some products more, some less. In a word, let him try!
Vegetables are a valuable source of vitamins, organic acids, pectins and plant fiber. All these substances are necessary for the normal functioning of the child’s body, and they must be present in the child’s diet. Despite the apparent ease and benefits of vegetables, they must be introduced correctly. Otherwise, complementary feeding can provoke a number of problems, among which the first places are occupied by allergic reactions, indigestion, intestinal upset.
The main value of vegetable dishes:
- Cellulose. In vegetable purees it is crushed, but it is there. It is plant fibers that will help solve the problem of constipation, normalize the functioning of the immature intestines, and make bowel movements regular.
- Vitamins, microelements and other important substances. Promotes proper growth and development of the child, strengthens the immune system, improves mood, and increases endurance.
- Development of taste. A child discovers the world different ways, including with the help of tongue receptors.
Among all the variety of vegetables, it is difficult to select the most useful or necessary ones. Each human body has its own needs, they change individually with growth, development, and often depend on other foods in the diet.
Optimal age for vegetable puree
According to WHO (World Health Organization) optimal age The age for introducing complementary foods to infants is 6 months. If the child was artificially fed, then he can be introduced to vegetables at 4-5 months. Deadlines are determined individually. There are several signs that your baby is ready to start eating solid foods:
- The child can sit on his own or with the help of his parents.
- Weight has doubled.
- The baby shows interest in adult food.
Dr. Komarovsky claims that by the time vegetable complementary foods are introduced, the child should respond to the spoon, open his mouth, and swallow food. If the baby pushes the cutlery out with his tongue, then it is not ready yet. In this case, you should not try to force feed.
Preparing homemade complementary foods
Weaning purees are easy to prepare at home. This is especially convenient to do in summer and autumn, when all the ingredients are fresh, accessible, and full of vitamins. During the season, you can also prepare vegetables for future use. To do this, the fruits need to be peeled, cut into pieces, laid out on a board in one layer, and placed in the freezer. As soon as the pieces harden, they can be poured into a bag and left in the chamber for further storage.
Preparation of vegetable complementary foods:
- Place fresh or frozen vegetables cut into cubes in a saucepan, pour in a small amount of boiling water so that it just covers the pieces. The more liquid there is, the less vitamins and nutrients will remain in the product.
- Boil the vegetable until soft.
- Drain off excess liquid. Grind the pieces into a puree using a blender or grind through a sieve. Adjust the consistency with the previously drained broth. You can use breast milk for this.
Frozen vegetables cook faster than fresh ones. It is not necessary to thaw the product before cooking. Also, do not add a large amount of liquid; a lot of water will come out of the pieces.
Need to remember: Need salt children's body, but in small quantities. Dr. Komarovsky recommends adding it to children's dishes. This will help maintain water-salt balance.
Video: Steaming vegetables for babies
How to choose ready-made vegetable puree
In winter and spring, it is convenient to use ready-made puree from jars, since it is difficult to purchase high-quality and safe vegetables. Store-bought food has its advantages: it saves time, is convenient to use, and has the right consistency.
What to look for when purchasing:
- Compound. For the first vegetable complementary foods, one-component purees without additives are used.
- Best before date. The fresher the food, the more nutrients are preserved.
- Packaging integrity. The lid is smooth, concave, without any traces of product or rust.
- Age appropriate. If the packaging is marked 7+, you should not purchase food for a 5-6 month old baby.
Before use, the dish must be heated until warm; you can add a little salt or a few drops of oil to taste.
Scheme of introduction of vegetable complementary foods and portions
A new product is introduced into the diet only healthy child. If vaccination is due, teeth are cutting through, there are a series of holidays or trips are expected, then it is advisable to postpone the introduction of vegetables. During the first days, you need to monitor the regularity and condition of stool, the behavior and well-being of the baby.
The main rule of any complementary feeding is gradualism! The product is administered in small portions daily. Each vegetable takes 5-7 days. The final volume of puree is not limited in any way, the child can be fed to the full. On average, a full portion is 120-150 g, by a year of life - 200 g.
Scheme for introducing vegetables:
- 1 day – 5 g;
- Day 2 – 10 g;
- Day 3 – 15 g;
- Day 4 – 20 g;
- Day 5 – 50 g;
- Day 6 – 100 g;
- Day 7 – 150 g.
A week later, another type of vegetable complementary food is introduced into the diet according to a similar scheme. The new product can be offered independently or added to the usual puree, gradually increasing the amount. The same applies to the introduction of meat and fish. Vegetables will help the new food digest and smooth out the taste.
What vegetables are suitable for complementary feeding?
Not all vegetables can be included in the diet. There are products that need to be put off until 8, 10, 12 months. Some of them are considered allergenic, while others cause increased gas formation. Don't forget about individual intolerance. Even the most harmless, at first glance, product can provoke a reaction.
Zucchini for first feeding
Zucchini is the perfect introduction to vegetables. The product is easily digestible and has no pronounced taste. Its puree does not irritate the stomach walls and does not overload digestive system. Zucchini contains pectin, vitamins C and B, copper, iron. The vegetable is rich in potassium, which is involved in the functioning of the nervous system, normalizes heart rate, and promotes the growth of muscle cells.
Zucchini is introduced first into the diet of children suffering from food allergies and constipation. One-component puree from this vegetable can be offered to a child from 4 months.
Cauliflower and broccoli
White cabbage causes increased gas formation and bloating, so it is not advisable to introduce it into the diet before 7 months. At the age of 5 months, you can offer your baby other types of vegetables. Mostly cauliflower and broccoli are used. These products have high nutritional value and contain a number of valuable acids: folic, tartronic, malic, citric and others. Contains minerals and vitamins.
What else is cabbage good for:
- contains dietary fiber that improves peristalsis;
- helps prevent the occurrence of iron deficiency anemia;
- has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system.
Despite all the benefits of cauliflower and broccoli, these vegetables should not be given to children in large quantities every day. 3 times a week is enough. Excessive consumption of the product can lead to increased acidity of gastric juice and complicate the functioning of the kidneys. In rare cases, cauliflower causes an allergic reaction, which manifests itself as redness. skin and small rash.
Pumpkin for first feeding
Pumpkin can be introduced into the diet of children from 5 months. The vegetable has a pleasant taste, can be a main dish or dessert, and is often added to cereal porridges. Contains beta-carotene, vitamins B, C, K, E. Pumpkin is rich in potassium, magnesium, iron and dietary fiber. This product can be used for the prevention and complex treatment of constipation.
Sometimes pumpkin causes an allergic reaction. The product is quite heavy for the stomach; it should not be consumed frequently by children with digestive problems. You cannot prepare puree or juice from a raw product, no matter how sweet and tasty it may be. Heat treatment for vegetable complementary foods is required.
Potatoes for complementary feeding
Just 2 decades ago, potatoes were the main vegetable complementary food. Puree was safely introduced into the diet of children 3-4 months old. Today, pediatricians, including the world-famous Dr. Komarovsky, recommend introducing potatoes after 6 months. It is beneficial for the cardiovascular system, has a beneficial effect on digestion, and stabilizes metabolism. The vegetable contains potassium, iron, iodine and phosphorus.
Potatoes are difficult to digest and can cause an allergic reaction and diathesis on the cheeks and buttocks. Before preparing the dish, the root vegetable pieces should be thoroughly washed with cold water to get rid of excess starch. If a child has a reaction, it is recommended to delay the introduction of potatoes until 12 months.
Advice! To make a potato dish easier, you can cook it with zucchini or cauliflower, if these vegetables are familiar to your child.
Carrot
Carrots have a positive effect on a child’s vision, development and growth. The vegetable is rich in vitamins C, E, K. The orange root vegetable is valued for its content of a fat-soluble substance - beta-carotene. For his better absorption It is recommended to add 2-3 drops of vegetable oil to the dish.
Carrot puree is recommended to be introduced into the diet from 6 months. If the child has allergies, then from 8 months. A one-component dish of boiled vegetables is rarely used. More often, the root vegetable is combined with other vegetables: zucchini, potatoes, cabbage. In addition to purees, you can prepare for a child carrot juice, in this case the vegetable is used raw.
Greens, onions, garlic
Greens and aromatic vegetables are added to purees and soups after 9 months. Onions and garlic are always heat treated, thoroughly chopped, and used in small quantities. Greens are used raw; you can grind the leaves along with other vegetables in a blender. For children under one year old, add dill, parsley, and celery to their dishes.
Legumes, turnips, and radishes should not be included in the diet for up to 12 months. Cucumbers and tomatoes are introduced with caution. These products can cause indigestion and allergic reactions. They are added in small quantities to main products and are subject to strict controls.
Video: Doctor Komarovsky about complementary feeding
