Note when starting to feed baby

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Resident Doctor Ho Thi Hong Tho - Neonatologist - Pediatrics - Neonatology Department, Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital
Weaning marks an important milestone in your child's growth. When to start eating solids or how many meals a day is always a question that many parents are interested in. Here are some notes when weaning mothers need to keep in mind to take care of their babies appropriately.

1. The right time to start weaning

Starting solids too early or too late is not good, because:
1.1. If the child is willing to eat, it can reduce breastfeeding, and at the same time make the amount of breast milk secreted less. However, nutritionists recommend that children should be exclusively breastfed for at least the first 6 months of life and continue to use milk as the main source of nutrition until 1-2 years of age. The immune system, digestive organs and many other functions of young children are not fully developed, leading to poor nutrient absorption and difficulty digesting foods other than breast milk. Moreover, babies who are too young have not yet mastered the skills of chewing and swallowing the foods provided during weaning. Starting solids too soon can lead to food allergies, more dangerous, gastrointestinal infections. In addition, the body of young children is also prone to increased pressure due to the need to excrete unnecessary substances to the outside. 1.2. Starting solids too late Children can be deficient in nutrients that they should have been supplementing from the time they are 6 months old. The process of physical development of children is slowed down, the immune system is in the maturing stage will also be affected. Slow development of some motor skills related to eating, including skills of chewing, swallowing, grasping food,... 1.3. Signs of starting solids at the right time 6 months old baby is said to be the most suitable time to get used to food. However, age is not the only basis for deciding when to introduce solid foods. Parents need to learn and observe their children to find out when it is best to start solids. Specifically, when it is nearly 6 months old, mothers should pay attention if the baby has the following changes, they should learn to get used to the weaning diet:
Can sit upright or sit upright with the support of a high chair . When near food, your child opens his or her mouth or shows interest or curiosity in what is offered, and even extends a hand to the food. Children have reflex to stick out their tongue, use their tongue to pick up food and swallow when given food. Your baby's weight has doubled compared to when he was born, which is also a sign that he is ready to eat solids for the first time.

2. Notes when eating weaning parents need to grasp

When choosing the right time to start weaning, parents need to keep in mind some important notes when weaning as follows:
Milk Even though we have started weaning, breast milk is still the main source of nutrition. head for children. Therefore, mothers should note that they only give complementary foods to their children, but cannot completely replace milk with powdered meals and porridge.
Order of dishes If weaning according to the traditional method, children should start with MSG first and then salty powder, followed by porridge from thin to thick, crushed rice and then regular rice. Initially, priority should be given to foods that taste close to breast milk, from the 7th month onwards, the baby can eat all 4 groups of nutrients.
Food choices For MSG, mom only needs to mix formula with breast milk without adding any other food. If the baby adapts well after 2-4 weeks, the mother can switch to salty powder with meat, seafood and some suitable vegetables to ensure adequate supply of essential nutrients.
When starting to eat cereal for the first time, white rice should be the preferred choice. White rice is not only familiar with Vietnamese meals, but also enhances nutrients, is healthy and has less risk of allergies compared to other types.
Number of meals Around the question of how many meals a day to eat solids, at first, mothers should only give their children liquid food and only 1 meal per day. You can add some sweet, pre-cut fruit for your child to gnaw on. When the child shows signs of adaptation, the digestive system works well, then gradually increase the number of meals as well as the amount of food.
Feed intake Due to being used to exclusive breastfeeding, transitioning to solids can be difficult for your baby. Therefore, the mother needs to give the child time to get used to it by applying it from less to more gradually, maybe only starting with about 1-2 tablespoons. Absolutely do not force your child to eat, especially when the child closes his mouth, spits food, turns away or cries when he sees food,... When introducing new foods, if the baby refuses to eat, you need to be patient. try again many times later.

3. Establish a good eating habit

3.1. Before meals, mothers need to prepare meals ready before placing their children at the table. For busy mothers, they can take advantage of their free time in the evening to prepare them first. Avoid letting your child wait for a long time in the chair without eating, which will cause boredom and loss of interest in the meal. The interval between meals should not be too close to prevent the child from getting hungry and not too far to make them tired because they are too hungry. Do not give your child snacks or milk before a main meal. Instead, exercise before eating helps to expend energy and create a feeling of hunger, so the baby will look forward to the main meal and absorb food better. 3.2. During mealtimes, helping your child focus and enjoy the meal is extremely important to form positive eating habits. Here are some suggestions for mothers to refer to:
Create a suitable and fixed eating space so that your child knows it's time to focus on eating. For example, a mother can display her child's favorite spoon, cup, cup, etc. on the high chair, in a familiar position. Try to entice your child to eat with appropriate small games, such as a good eating contest with a bear-shaped cup, eating flour to find a fish friend in a plate,... so that your baby can enjoy mealtime. Minimize watching TV or playing with electronic devices and other toys while eating to create a habit of focusing on meals from day one. Try to feed your child at a fixed time, preferably at the same meal time as the whole family, sitting together so that the baby imitates the way parents eat calmly, neatly, and focus. Finish the meal within 30 minutes maximum, avoid prolonging even though the child has not finished eating. Finally, in the process of starting solids, children are at risk of experiencing food allergies, digestive disorders, etc. Parents need to pay attention to their children. If the baby shows unusual symptoms, it is necessary to quickly go to a medical facility to be examined by a specialist in a timely manner.
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
Please regularly visit Vinmec.com website and update useful information to take care of your child. Take care of the baby and the whole family.