Baby nutrition is divided into stages depending on the maturation of the nervous system, digestive system and kidney. Since the baby's swallowing reflex is weak in the first 3 - 4 months, the baby can only be fed by sucking. For this reason, he may not be able to swallow food given with a spoon. Enzymes for digesting starch and fat have not been developed. Additionally, stomach acids are low. Therefore, the most ideal food is breast milk, which has the perfect ratio of protein, fat and carbohydrates. If weight gain is good after 4-5 months, the baby does not need additional foods until the 6th month. Additional foods to be given during this period are complementary to breast milk. Before introducing solid food, your baby should be able to sit, even with support. When your baby transitions to solid food, he/she should be able to turn the food in his mouth and push it back with his tongue.
It is more difficult for a baby who is not breastfed to transition to complementary foods. Because the taste of milk changes depending on the foods the mother eats. For example, when the mother eats food with garlic, its taste passes into the milk, and the baby gets used to the taste of garlic. Therefore, it is more difficult for babies who are not breastfed to transition to complementary foods.
Which foods should I start with, what should I give and what should I avoid?
What to give to your baby? The first fruits and vegetables you start with should be those that are easiest to digest, do not pose the risk of allergic reactions, and are seasonal. It would be appropriate to start your baby with vegetables first. Many babies have serious difficulties in getting used to the unpleasant, unsalted taste of vegetable soups after the sugary, sweet, delicious taste of fruits. Therefore, as said above, it would be more appropriate to start with vegetables and yoghurt first and then switch to fruits.
How much should I give?
WHO/UNICEF meal size; It states that "6 months / 6 wiped tablespoons" will be determined by adding 1 tablespoon for each month until the age of 1 year. This can be taken as a reference and modified according to the baby's needs.
VEGETABLES AND VEGETABLE SOUPS:
Vegetables can also be started from the 5th month. Vegetables contain vitamins, carbohydrates and fibers that stimulate the intestines. Be careful to choose vegetables suitable for the season. Preferably steam the vegetable with drinking water until it is completely soft. Prepare the food you give to your baby fresh every day.
First, the baby is accustomed to the prepared vegetable soup by straining it and giving it in the form of vegetable soup cooked in plenty of water. This vegetable broth doesn't have much nutritional value, it's just for getting used to the vegetable flavors. After getting used to vegetable broth for 2-3 days, switch to vegetable soup. After the vegetable soup, we move on to mixed purees with added vegetable puree and greens. The fat added to vegetable soups provides the energy that can no longer be fully met with breast milk.
First, you can start with zucchini, carrots and potatoes, then taste the vegetables to be added one by one and then add the second and then the third vegetable. . For example, to start, add 3-4 glasses of water, 2 medium-sized carrots, 1 medium-sized potato, 1 small zucchini and 1-2 teaspoons of semolina and cook for 30-45 minutes. It is filtered without crushing it at all. After 2-3 days, depending on the season, purslane, spinach, cauliflower, kale, celery, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and its leaves, fresh red and green peppers, artichokes, fresh peas, parsley and fresh mint can be given. Any vegetable you put in it will be very dominant. The taste should not create a pungent odor. Try to adjust the amounts accordingly. Since eggplant contains nicotine, it has no place in baby nutrition. Tomatoes are not recommended before 7-8 months as they may cause allergies. Cabbage, leeks, onions and garlic are not recommended until 8-9 months as they are difficult to digest and may cause gas. Vegetables such as spinach, kale, chard, purslane, green beans and beets may cause anemia in the baby when kept waiting. and substances called nitrites are released, which can cause growth retardation. Therefore, these vegetables should be consumed within 24 hours after cooking.
In order to preserve the nutritional value and vitamin content of the vegetables, it is recommended to use a steamer as much as possible or cook them in a lidded pot using as little water as possible. Olive oil should be added while the food is left to cool after cooking. If olive oil is added while cooking, it loses its fat properties and chemical structure, which is important for the brain.
Iron from plant sources is more difficult to absorb by the body compared to iron in animal foods. The reason for this is the oxalic acid found in plant foods and prevents iron uptake. On the other hand, iron from animal foods can be taken very easily. babies supplement When they start eating, it would be good to put a tablespoon of roasted minced meat or thoroughly crushed meat into a bowl of vegetable puree.
FRUITS
Fruits can be started from the 5th month. After they are thoroughly washed and peeled, they are pureed on a glass grater, given water for 2-3 days, and then pureed. After the baby gets used to the first fruit, they can move on to the next fruit. As a starter, apples, pears, nectarines, apricots, grapes, plums and peaches that cause the least allergy are suitable. Banana should be given in small amounts and gradually increased as it may cause constipation. Citrus fruits and kiwi should be started after the 6th month as they may cause gas and allergies.
PUDDING:
Babies should be given less than 6 months of age. Then he also needs grain. Instead of pudding made from corn or refined rice flour, which has poor nutritional value, pudding made from whole oat flour is a better option. Oats can easily be the first food you give to your baby. It is one of the foods with the lowest risk of allergy to your baby. It is very rich in fiber. It contains calcium, protein and vitamin B. It is high in calories.
Oat flour and water are put into the bowl and brought to boiling point by stirring over medium heat. After it starts to boil, reduce the heat and cook for 4-5 minutes. Then it is left to cool a little. Formula prepared with breast milk or water is mixed into the milk and oat mixture.
Yogurt
Yogurt should be added to the diet after the 5th month at the earliest. . If possible, homemade yoghurt should be made. To make homemade yogurt, use full-fat pasteurized milk. You do not need to boil pasteurized milk again. Additionally, if you put a paper towel under the lid of the container you use to ferment yoghurt, it will absorb the steam and thicken the yoghurt. Since some babies do not like homemade yoghurt, seasonal fruits can be added to it, but fruits such as strawberries or blackberries are not recommended before 7-8 months as they can cause serious allergies.
SAMPLE MENU:
Breast milk should be continued for as long and as much as it takes.
If there is no breast milk or insufficient milk, number 2 follow-on formula should be given for 3-4 meals.
10.00: Fruit juice (Prepared by squeezing the juice according to the season. 1 -It can be given in puree form after 2 weeks.)
13.00: Vegetable soup (1-2 It can be given in puree form after a week.)
16.00 Yoghurt
20.00 Spoon Food or Pudding
Note: 70% of babies' nutrition in the first 6-8 months breast milk, 30% is supplementary food. If we give too much supplementary food, it will meet its daily needs and perhaps stop breastfeeding. For this reason, it would be better not to exceed 2 meals at first for a baby who is exclusively breastfed and whose weight gain is good. Then, the number and amount of meals are increased according to the baby's needs.
SOME RULES YOU SHOULD FOLLOW
Salt, sugar and spices are not given to the baby until the age of one.
It would be best to start with light vegetable puree. Because when you start with fruits first, the baby may not want to buy vegetable purees that are tasteless and unsalted.
Start with one type in the first days. This is a good way to get the intestines used to new foods. Additionally, if several types are started at once, you cannot distinguish which food causes the side effects. Give a single variety every 3-4 days.
Vegetable puree is gradually increased after starting. Example: vegetable puree is gradually increased to 1 - 2 teaspoons on the 1st day, 3-4 teaspoons the next day, 7-8 teaspoons on the 3rd day, half a bowl on the 4th day and 1 bowl on the 5th day.
Try the first complementary foods at lunch and on an empty stomach: a full baby may reject new foods.
Leave the amount to be given to your baby.
The baby should not be forced to eat the food he/she has not taken, it should be tried again after a while (about a week later).
Smile while feeding your baby and reflect your positive energy to him/her.
There may be some changes in the poop after each new food (diarrhea, hard poop, frequent or late pooping, gas, etc.), do not worry
Definitely continue breastfeeding. You can breastfeed even immediately after giving your baby complementary food.
Do not use rewards or punishment methods when teaching your baby feeding habits.
Additional foods 4 It should not be started earlier than . It may occur frequently.
When babies cannot chew additional foods, they push them with their tongues; Mothers also think that the baby does not like this food. However, the child pushes the food away because he cannot hold his tongue.
Breast milk should be continued after starting complementary foods.
Fruit juices are high in carbohydrates. Because it contains orange juice (if you consider that 3 or 4 oranges are squeezed for a glass of orange juice), it can sometimes cause diarrhea and we will load the baby with more calories than necessary. Also, we do not use the pulp of the fruit. Therefore, it is more appropriate to give it in its entirety, in the form of fruit puree.
There is no nutritional value in feeding with food broth.
Bone broth It has no nutritional value.
Cow's milk should never be given before 11-12 months. Otherwise, undesirable side effects such as allergies, anemia, and constipation may occur in the baby
Honey should not be given before one year of age. While bees collect nectar to make honey, they may take botulism bacteria (clostridium botilinum) spores with them and use them to make honey without realizing it. Eating this honey does not cause any problems for adults. Both the body's defense system and the acidic environment of the stomach do not allow this bacterium to cause harm. In babies, the defense system is not sufficiently developed and the stomach is still only able to digest breast milk. Unlike adults, the beneficial bacteria that control botulism spores in the digestive system of babies and prevent bacteria from multiplying and producing poison have not yet developed.
Do not put hot and spices in the baby's food.
Pay attention to hygiene when preparing food.
Choose supplementary foods according to the season, within your budget and from the freshest, most abundant and cheapest vegetables and fruits.
DETERMINING MEAL TIMES
We eat three meals a day in the morning and we want our children, and sometimes even our babies, to comply with this. However, our children may not be hungry at the same time as us, forcing meals may lead to reluctance, rejection, restlessness and anxiety in the child. For this reason, do not be strict about meal times and wait until the baby is willing.
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