We will be happy to advise you on complementary foods for your baby. For babies in the first 6 months of life, breast milk or formula is their primary nutrition**. At this stage, the baby's digestive system is still developing, so it is not recommended to add complementary foods.
However, every baby's development and health status is different, so it's best to consult with a pediatrician before deciding when to start introducing complementary foods.
Here are some references that can be used as a reference to introduce complementary foods:
1.Body control: The baby is able to sit upright and be able to support his or her head.
2.Muscle control: Babies are able to better control the movements of their tongue and mouth to receive solid food.
3.Loss of tongue push-out reflex: Babies no longer automatically push food out when it touches the tongue.
4.Showing interest in food: Babies have an increased interest in watching other people eat and begin to try to grasp and explore food.
When a child exhibits any of the above, or when the infant reaches 6 months of age, their nutritional needs begin to increase, and breast milk or formula may not be able to meet these needs. At this point, you can start experimenting with complementary foods. Here are some suggestions:
1.Introduce complementary foods gradually: When you start adding complementary foods, be sure to do it gradually. First of all, start with a single ingredient complementary food, such as rice cereal, vegetable puree, fruit puree, meat puree and other delicate and easily digestible foods that are not easy to cause allergies, to ensure comprehensive nutrition. Each time you try a new food, you should wait 3-5 days so that you can see if your baby has an allergy to a certain food.
2.Observe your baby's reactions: Pay close attention to your baby's reactions as you add complementary foods. If they develop allergic symptoms (such as rash, vomiting, shortness of breath, or diarrhea), stop feeding immediately and contact your pediatrician.
3.Maintain variety: As your baby tries complementary foods, make sure to offer a variety of foods to help them get a balanced diet. As the baby grows, the texture and texture of the food can be gradually increased.
4.Avoid added sugar and salt: Avoid adding sugar and salt to complementary foods until your baby is one year old. This will help prevent babies from developing poor eating habits.
5.Encourage self-feeding: As babies grow, they can be encouraged to try self-feeding with a spoon. This will help develop their independence and hand-eye coordination.
6.Maintain a good diet: Make sure your baby maintains a good diet after they start eating complementary foods. Avoid making them snack too much so as not to affect the appetite of the main meal.
Finally, newborn babies now have child health handbooks and regular well-child check-ups in the hospital, and we consult with a pediatrician for personalized advice, as each baby's development and health status is unique. They will be able to provide the best guidance and advice based on your baby's specific needs and development. Pay close attention to your baby's response during the feeding process and make sure to provide nutritious, varied foods. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your pediatrician.