As the baby continues to grow, adding complementary foods in a timely manner has become a topic of concern for many new parents. Complementary food can not only meet the baby's growing nutritional needs, but also exercise its chewing and digestive functions, promote the development of oral muscles, and lay the foundation for future language and swallowing skills. However, in the process of adding complementary foods, parents must follow certain principles to ensure the health and safety of their babies. This article will focus on a few basic principles of infant complementary food addition.
First, step by step.
When adding complementary food to the baby, parents should follow the principle of "from less to more, from thin to thick". Start by feeding complementary foods once a day and gradually increase to two or three times. At the same time, the texture of complementary food should also gradually transition from thin paste to thicker paste and puree, and finally reach the level of soft rice and minced vegetables. This gradual process helps your baby gradually adapt to complementary foods and reduces the risk of allergies and indigestion.
Second, there are various types.
In order to meet the nutritional needs of the baby, parents should pay attention to the diversity of food types in the process of adding complementary foods. Gradually introduce a variety of foods such as grains, vegetables, fruits, meat, legumes, etc., to ensure that your baby is getting enough protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. In addition, a variety of foods can also help your baby develop good eating habits and reduce the risk of picky and picky eating.
3. Moderate amount.
When adding complementary foods to your baby, parents should pay attention to controlling the amount of food they eat. Excessive complementary foods may cause your baby to consume too many calories and nutrients, which can affect his or her normal growth and development. In general, a 6-month-old baby needs about 250 ml of complementary food per day. 9-month-old babies need to consume about 350ml per day; A 12-month-old baby needs to consume about 400ml per day. In addition, parents should be flexible in adjusting the amount of complementary food according to their baby's needs and hunger level.
Fourth, reasonable collocation.
When preparing complementary foods for your baby, parents should pay attention to the combination of food. A reasonable combination can ensure that your baby receives a balanced nutrient intake and promotes its healthy growth and development. For example, when preparing lunch for your baby, you can cleverly combine grains, vegetables, meats and other foods to enrich the taste and meet the nutritional needs.
5. Pay attention to hygiene.
In the process of adding complementary food to the baby, parents must pay attention to hygiene. Wash your hands before making complementary foods, keep the utensils and utensils used clean, and keep raw and cooked foods separate. In addition, during the feeding process of your baby, avoid letting your baby eat food that is too cold or too hot to prevent burns or indigestion.
In short, in the process of adding baby food, parents should follow the principles of step-by-step, variety, appropriate amount, reasonable collocation and hygiene. Only in this way can you ensure that your baby can enjoy the food while getting adequate nutrition and a healthy growth environment.