6 months - an important milestone for the baby's weaning stage

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Weaning too early or too late not only affects the development but also is one of the causes of the increased rate of malnutrition in infants. According to the World Health Organization, 6 months is the best time for babies to start solids.

1. The role of breast milk in the development of children

Breast milk is especially important for babies and young children.
Breast milk provides a full range of nutrients, especially from 10 to 15 days after birth, so doctors advise mothers to breastfeed from birth. Breast milk contains 50% calories of fat, 45% of calories of carbohydrates, and 5% of calories of protein. Most of the carbohydrates in breast milk are lactose, which helps the baby absorb calcium best. Exclusively breastfed babies in the first 6 months will have enhanced antibodies, reduce the risk of skin diseases, asthma, obesity... Breast milk helps babies develop natural immune system by creating favorable conditions. for beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract to grow, helping to destroy harmful bacteria thereby reducing the risk of infection and disease... For premature babies, breastfeeding will develop more infants fed with formula milk. For mothers, breastfeeding will bring many benefits to the mother such as weight loss after birth, quick recovery of the uterus, and less postpartum bleeding.

2. Time to decide whether to feed your baby solids

According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), babies should start to eat solid foods (also known as sam) when they are 6 months old, because at this time the baby's digestive system has developed quite completely. Babies can't absorb solid and complex foods more than breast milk, babies really need complementary foods for healthy development because breast milk supply after 6 months is not enough to meet daily nutritional needs. children's anymore.
From the above recommendation, nutritionists encourage parents to start the period of feeding their babies 6 months of age and end at 24 months. From the 6th month onwards, breast milk only provides about 450 kcal / day while children need up to 700 kcal / day for basic living needs and body development.
For 6-month-old children to eat solid foods, they should eat slowly, little by little, then gradually increase to 200ml each meal, practice for children to get used to new foods gradually. Only one new food at a time. Any type of food when starting to feed the baby, also give it a little and then increase it gradually. Children should not be forced to eat large enough from the beginning and should not be worried when the child refuses to eat. When giving 6-month-old baby solid foods, children should practice eating yogurt and fruits. Children can drink 20ml of fruit juice or pureed fruit every day.

3. Why must weaning at the right time?

Supplementing too early or too late is a common mistake in child care in our country today, especially in rural areas. This not only affects the development but also is one of the reasons for the increase in the rate of malnutrition in children.
However, many mothers still have the misconception that early complementary feeding will make the baby stronger and the child will not be hungry. Therefore, many children receive complementary foods from the 4th, 5th and 5th month, even many cases are supplemented from the 3rd month of age. This has affected the utilization of breast milk, and the children are prone to disorders. Digestion leads to malnutrition. In particular, some mothers in rural, remote and isolated areas still feed their children chewed rice, which is very unhygienic, even a source of disease transmission to children.
When giving babies solid foods too early, it will not be beneficial for children because the digestive system of children under 6 months of age only accepts and is suitable for digesting liquid foods such as breast milk. If complementary foods are processed at a liquid level like breast milk, they often have a lower nutritional value than breast milk, which is not enough to ensure the normal development of the baby.
Besides, currently, on the market, some baby foods are announced as suitable for babies from four months old, or babies with solid foods for 5 months, but it is best for mothers to wait until six months before giving them food. Baby solids, for the following reasons:
Introducing solids early can mean that your baby will miss out on some essential nutrients from breast milk. This means your baby may not be getting all the energy, vitamins and minerals he needs to help him grow. Your baby's digestive system is still developing and maturing. By six months, it will be easier for your baby to digest food. Muscle coordination is still developing. After six months, your baby will find it easier to handle and swallow food, reducing the risk of choking. Breast milk or formula provides your baby with all the nutrients he needs for the first six months. Therefore, before this time, mothers do not need to give their children miles to help them develop or grow comprehensively. On the contrary, giving complementary foods too late will not meet the baby's needs, the baby is often undernourished because the concentration of nutrients in liquid food is not enough to meet the daily needs of children over 6 months old. age, making children slow to grow and susceptible to infections because their immune systems are too weak. After 6 months of age, breast milk is no longer the only source of nutrients for the baby, can not meet the increasing nutritional needs of the baby, so it is necessary to give the baby complementary foods. In addition to breast-feeding, it is necessary to give 6-month-old babies 1 to 2 powdered meals a day.
Give your baby solid foods not only in the right way, but also at the right time, to ensure the best absorption. Mothers should plan their children's weaning, be patient and follow the development roadmap when the baby is ready. If you're still unsure, or your baby is hungry, talk to your nurse or GP. This is especially important if your baby was born prematurely, as he will likely need to wean at a later time.

4. Signs your baby is ready for solid foods

The 6-month-old period is an important milestone for deciding to introduce solid foods to a 6-month-old baby, which is the stage to help children gradually get used to the 'new foods' that are essential for their later development. of children. However, to determine if a 6-month-old baby is really ready to eat solids, parents need to rely on the following symptoms of the child that will help make the baby's weaning more convenient:
The baby's weight has increased twice the birth weight. The baby has learned to keep his head straight and can sit on his own so that the mother can easily feed the baby. Children learn to bring their lower lip forward to receive food from the spoon/spoon when feeding. Children have learned to turn their heads away when they don't want to eat certain foods, which helps parents choose foods that are suitable for each child's taste. The baby's tongue no longer automatically reflexes to push foreign objects (when babies are young, when they put anything in their mouth, they also push out, except the nipple). Children show interest in food that their family or parents give them. Sometimes, your baby can do things that make you think he's completely ready for solids when he's not. The following signs are completely normal for a baby's development and are not a sign that your baby is ready for solid foods:
Holding fists Asking for more milk Waking up during the night (even if your baby is already full) slept soundly before). If your child often has trouble sleeping at night, parents often give him a supplement in the hope that this will help him sleep better.
However, there is no evidence that solids will help your baby sleep better. If your baby wakes up at night, but doesn't show any signs that he's ready, give him more milk.
For children to be healthy and develop well, it is necessary to have a nutritious diet in terms of quantity and quality balance. If children are not provided with adequate and balanced nutrients, it will lead to diseases of excess or lack of nutrients, which adversely affect the comprehensive development of children in terms of physical, mental and motor skills.
The period of baby eating solid foods is an extremely important period to help children develop comprehensively. Children who do not eat properly are at risk of micro-mineral deficiencies, causing anorexia, growth retardation, malabsorption, etc. If they notice the above signs, parents should supplement their children with supportive products. The supplement contains lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet the nutritional needs of children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Parents can learn more:
Signs of zinc deficiency in children
Micronutrient deficiency and failure to gain weight in children
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