Diet for 6 months old baby

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Tran Thi Linh Chi - Head of Pediatrics - Neonatology Department, Pediatrics - Neonatology Department - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital
During the first year, babies will triple their birth weight. To grow to that extent, they need a lot of nutrients, more than at any other time in life. The following article will give a nutrition plan for a 6-month-old baby.

1. Breastfeeding

Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months has many benefits for both the infant and the mother. Chief among these is protection against gastrointestinal infections. Initiating breastfeeding early, within 1 hour of birth, protects infants from infection and reduces infant mortality. The risk of dying from diarrhea and other infections may be increased in partially breastfed or not breastfed infants.
Breast milk is also an important source of energy and nutrients in babies. It can provide half or more of a child's energy needs. Breast milk is also an important source of energy and nutrients during illness, and reduces mortality in malnourished children.
Children and adolescents who are breastfed at an early age are less likely to be overweight or obese. A longer duration of breastfeeding also contributes to the health and well-being of mothers: it reduces the risk of ovarian cancer; breast cancer ; help delay pregnancy back and quickly recover the mother's original weight and shape.

2. Essential nutrition for children's development

Some of the nutrients babies need to grow and stay healthy include:
Calcium: Helps build strong bones and teeth. Fats: Generate energy, help the brain grow, keep skin and hair healthy, and protect against infection. Folate: Helps cells divide. Iron: Builds blood cells, and helps the brain develop. Breastfed babies should be given iron supplements. Proteins and carbohydrates: They provide energy and fuel growth. Zinc: Helps stimulate the growth of immune cells that create a protective barrier in the body. Children also need vitamins such as:
Vitamin A : Keeps skin, hair, vision and immune system healthy. Vitamin B1 (thiamine): Helps the body turn food into energy. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): Helps the body turn food into energy, and protects cells from damage. Vitamin B3 (niacin): Helps the body turn food into energy and use fats and proteins. Vitamin B6: Keeps the brain and immune system healthy. Vitamin B12: Keeps nerve cells and blood cells healthy, and makes DNA, the genetic material in every cell. Vitamin C: Protects against infection, builds bones and muscles, and helps wounds heal. Vitamin D: Helps the body absorb calcium from food, and keeps bones and teeth healthy. Breastfed babies may need a supplement with D. Vitamin E: Protects cells from damage, and strengthens the immune system. Vitamin K: Helps with blood clotting.

3. Nutrients in formula milk

Most infant formulas today are made from cow's milk. They are fortified to make them as close as possible to breast milk and provide your baby with all the nutrients he needs to grow and stay healthy. Most formulas contain:
Carbohydrates, in the form of lactose "lactose" Iron Protein Minerals, such as calcium and zinc Vitamins, including A, C, D, E and B vitamins Some formulas have added other nutrients to make them even more like breast milk, such as:
Essential fatty acids: ARA and DHA are fatty acids that are very important for your baby's brain and vision. They are found in breast milk when the mother introduces them to her own diet. However, there's not much evidence that fatty acid-fortified formulas give children any real advantage as they get older.
Nucleotides: These RNA and DNA building blocks are also found in breast milk and added to some formulas. They help strengthen the child's immune system and help the digestive organs develop.
Prebiotics and probiotics: Probiotics are "good" bacteria that can help protect against the "bad" bacteria that cause infections. Prebiotics promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut. Probiotic-fortified formula may prevent babies from developing eczema, but it doesn't seem to help with diarrhea or colic.

4. Children need special nutrition

Babies who are born early (before 37 weeks) or have a low birth weight (under 5 pounds, 8 ounces) need special nutrition to help them catch up with growth. Breastfed babies can get extra:
Extra calories Extra fat Protein Vitamins Minerals Babies who cannot breastfeed will need a special formula for premature babies. These formulas are higher in calories. They also contain extra protein, vitamins and minerals.

5. Things to avoid

One thing you shouldn't give your baby for the first 12 months is whole cow's milk. It does not have enough iron, vitamin E and essential fatty acids for children. In addition, it contains too much protein, sodium and potassium for the child's body to absorb and can be harmful. You also should not give your baby soy milk or formula to replace breast milk. As these substitutes may not be in balance with your baby's nutritional needs.
Children are at higher risk of developing a food allergy if any family member has an allergy. Possible signs of a food allergy or allergic reaction include:
Rash Bloating or bloating Diarrhea Vomiting Also, don't give honey to your baby until after your baby's first birthday. It may contain spores that are harmless to adults, but can cause poisoning in young children.

With the hectic pace of family life, at first, most parents choose food for their children to eat solids. They are convenient, and manufacturers must meet strict guidelines for safety and nutrition. If you plan to prepare your own baby food at home, make it small or use a blender, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Follow the food safety rules, including frequent and frequent hand washing. To preserve the nutrients in your baby's food, use cooking methods that preserve the most vitamins and minerals. Try steaming or baking fruits and vegetables instead of boiling, which will lose nutrients. Freeze portions of food that you will not use immediately. Don't give your baby home-prepared beets, spinach, green beans, squash, or carrots for babies younger than 6 months old. These may contain high levels of nitrates, which can cause anemia in infants. Whether you buy baby food or make your own, texture and consistency are important. At first, infants should have pureed single-ingredient foods. (Just apples, for example, not apples and pears mixed together.) After your baby eats the individual foods, you can offer a mixture of the two. When your baby is about 9 months old, your baby can start transitioning to a varied diet that includes lots of table foods. If you are using baby food prepared in a bottle, put some food in a bowl to feed your baby. Do not feed your baby straight from the bottle, as bacteria from his mouth can contaminate any remaining food. If your baby's food has been opened and cooled, throw it out and throw away anything not eaten within a day or two. You can give your baby juice from 6 months old, please note 100% fruit juice, not mixed water powdered drink. Don't put juice in bottles and remember to limit the amount of juice your baby drinks to less than 4 ounces (120ml) per day. Drinking too much juice can cause excessive weight gain and cause diarrhea.

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Reference source: National Institute of Nutrition, kidshealth.org, webmd.com, who.int