The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Ministry of Health recommend that babies be given only breast milk for the first 6 months, and that formula milk be used if breast milk is not available or not enough.
Complementary food should not be started earlier than the 4th month and not later than the 6th month.
When starting complementary food, breast milk should not be reduced or stopped. Between the 6th and 8th months, 2 meals a day should be given, and between the 9th and 12th months, 3 meals a day should be given.
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Breast milk should meet 70% of the energy requirement in the 6-8th months and 50% in the 9-12th months.
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First, they are accustomed to vegetables, yoghurt and fruit, then they are introduced to it. Breakfast begins.
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6-7. It has the consistency of puree in months 7-8, crushed with a fork in months 8-9. Starting from the first month, our baby should be fed finger foods that are small enough to be eaten.
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The amount of each new supplementary food should first be 1 teaspoon and then slowly increase.
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The amount of meals should not exceed 1 tea glass in the first months.
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In order to observe possible allergic reactions, supplementary food should be started with a single type, and each new food should be added one by one at 3-5 day intervals
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If there is a rash around the mouth or on the body, diaper rash, vomiting, diarrhea-constipation
that food should be stopped. If we encounter the same reaction when we try again after 1 week; We should consider that food as allergenic and not give it away for a while.
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Babies may have difficulty getting used to new tastes, they should not be forced to eat foods they do not consume and should be tried again after a few days. (Sometimes you can get used to it after tasting it 7-10 times!!), The purpose of complementary feeding is not to fill the child's stomach, but to get the child accustomed to different tastes and to gain the chewing and swallowing function.
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The food to be given should be natural, fresh and in season; canned, frozen foods, ready-made foods with additives should not be used.
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Supplementary foods should not be used. Salt and sugar should not be added in the first year of life.
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Cow's milk and honey should definitely not be given before the age of 1!!!
Let's not forget that; Healthy and correct eating habits start from the supplementary feeding period. Early nutrition prevents diseases that may occur in adolescence and adulthood. It is directly effective in preventing it!!!
THE CHILD WITHOUT APPETITE
Especially in the period from 8-9 months to school age, families often complain about their children's lack of appetite.
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Babies who eat their meals with appetite when they start using complementary foods may start to be more reluctant to eat, especially after the age of 1. Since growth slows down significantly between the ages of 1 and 2, energy requirements have decreased. Our child, whose interest in looking around and playing games has increased, will not want to sit in the high chair. Again, during this period, our children, who have acquired a certain taste, react to tasting new foods.
That's why we see the complaint of loss of appetite most often between the ages of 1-2.
Temporary loss of appetite during periods such as illness and teething, some days less, some days less. It is normal to eat a lot every day. However, if loss of appetite has been present for a long time, if weight gain or development has slowed down, a pediatrician should be consulted and it should be investigated whether there is an underlying cause or health problem. (It may be caused by anemia, urinary tract deficiency, some vitamin deficiencies…)
We see behavioral eating disorders in most of the children who apply to us. Some mistakes that families make unconsciously, starting from the period of starting supplementary food, can cause this situation.
What should we pay attention to in order to reduce this situation in our children who complain of loss of appetite?
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At the time of eating Our child should not be too tired and sleepy
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Do not allow your child to consume junk food, fruit juice or milk between meals, which will suppress his appetite.
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Do not be too insistent during the meal. Do not reward or punish your child. It may negatively affect his eating habits.
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Encourage him by sitting at the table together
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Do not let him eat in front of the TV or tablet. Your child does not realize what he eats and how much he eats.
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Encourage him to eat on his own and use a fork and spoon. He will enjoy it more.
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Keep the portions small so that it does not seem repulsive at first glance. If necessary, you can add it later.
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Do not rush or make the meal longer. of. 30 minutes is the ideal time.
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If he hasn't eaten enough, don't run after him with a plate in your hand. Offer again after 2-3 hours. Let's let him feel hungry.
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Do not compare your child with other children!!! This causes stress in the mother and negatively affects the child.
If loss of appetite is long-term and there is not sufficient weight gain, consult your pediatrician to investigate the underlying causes...
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