Nutrition for weaned babies

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Nutrition is an important factor affecting the development of children, especially in the period when children start to eat solid foods. This stage greatly affects the development of the baby as the baby will switch from a diet from breast milk to more solid foods. This article provides essential information on nutrition for weaned babies.

1. The baby's weaning stage

Weaning is defined as the gradual replacement of breast milk with other nutritional sources.
Breastfeeding should be done without supplementation (formula, water, solid food) for the first six months after birth. Partial breast-feeding is recommended until the baby is at least 12 months old. Partial breastfeeding is defined as breastfeeding while providing other sources of nutrition, usually starting when the baby is about six months old. At this point, soft ground meats, infant cereals, and pureed fruits and vegetables can be introduced slowly. Cow's milk and fruit juices are not recommended until the baby is at least 12 months old.

2. When should you start weaning your baby?

Weaning a baby will likely depend on both the mother and the baby. Most babies gradually wean themselves between the ages of two and four. It is not normal for babies under 12 months of age to wean themselves off of weaning. The duration of the weaning process is different for each child. Some babies will wean quickly while others will take months to fully wean.
There are many possible reasons why you might want to wean , although weaning is rarely necessary . There is no set age for weaning so that complete weaning or continued breastfeeding is not harmful to a child's development. The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend that women exclusively breastfeed for about the first 6 months of life. The benefits of breastfeeding will persist if you continue to breastfeed. Some benefits persist even after breastfeeding is stopped.
Pregnant women can usually continue to breastfeed if they want. However, a woman will need to consume extra calories (about 200 calories per day) to meet the needs of herself, her unborn baby, or her nursing baby. This is especially true if the baby is exclusively breastfed (the baby does not eat or drink other foods).
Weaning can be a very emotional time for a woman and child. It's not just a transition to a different feeding method but a forging of a special mother-infant relationship. Even when both are ready for weaning, unexpected feelings of sadness can occur.
Some women in need of weaning may develop guilt. While this is a normal reaction, you should feel proud of the breastfeeding you've done. You need to be aware that you have given your child a great start to their health and well-being.
During weaning, your baby may need more attention and cuddle time to replace breastfeeding. You may find that, for some days, your baby will need to nurse after being almost completely weaned. Being flexible and understanding will help ease you and your baby through the weaning process and create a comfortable time for everyone.

3. Nutrition for children starting weaning

There is no single food that is recommended as the first food for babies. Single-ingredient foods should be tested first, one at a time, every few days, to determine if your child has an allergy. When trying solid foods, infants should consume no more than 28 to 32 ounces of formula per day. Breastfed babies can continue to breastfeed on demand.
Cereals Single grain infant cereal is a good supplement because it provides extra calories and iron. Traditionally, babies are often given the first cereal because it is widely available and is least likely to cause an allergic reaction. Oatmeal is another good choice. However, wheat products (in the form of cereals or other foods) can also be offered to six-month-old babies.
Infant cereal can be prepared by adding breast milk, formula or water. The initial consistency should be thin and may thicken over time. Infant cereal should be spoon-fed in small amounts (one 5 mL teaspoon) initially at the end of breast- or bottle-feeding. Spoon feeding helps develop baby's coordination of mouth movements and swallowing and enhances future speech development. Gradually increase the amount of cereal to two tablespoons (30 mL), two to three times daily when your baby is 8 to 10 months old, and four times daily when your baby is 12 months old.
If your child refuses or shows no interest in the cereal, try again the next day using a thinner mixture.
Do not put cereal in bottles unless recommended by your doctor as a treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GER). Feeding cereal in a jar can prevent your child from learning to eat with a spoon. Infants with GER should be spoon-fed cereal in addition to bottle-feeding.
Can cereal help my baby sleep through the night? Most parents expect their newborn to sleep through the night. However, it's not certain that giving cereals to babies younger than 4 to 6 months old will help them sleep better.
Processed foods Foods made with an ingredient such as meat, vegetables and fruit should be tried once a day or every few days. If your child has no signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction, other foods can be introduced. Signs and symptoms of a food allergy include rash (skin marks) or swelling of the face, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, wheezing, difficulty breathing, weakness, or pale skin. Consult your doctor if any problems occur with your child.
The purpose of this is to expose the infant to new flavors and textures of food. The quantity eaten is not as important as the quality of the food. The order in which foods are put in (vegetables, fruit, or meat first) isn't as important as their texture and consistency.
Eight-month-olds are advised to consume two to three tablespoons of fruits and vegetables twice daily.
The first food should be pureed, containing only one ingredient and should not contain additives (salt, sugar). Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is often added to commercially prepared infant foods.
The second food should be ground or filtered, usually containing two or more ingredients (e.g. fruits and grains, meat and vegetables) and also free of additives (salt, sugar). Combination foods can be given to children once they have tolerated the individual ingredients. Once your child has eaten a thin layer of dough, you can use a thicker layer of dough.
The third food is usually a combination of several foods, some with textures to encourage chewing. Some are seasoned, though with no added salt or sugar. Chunkier mixes typically contain foods that have been prepared with small pieces of pasta, vegetables, or meat.

Safety issues with baby food bottles/jars/jars After opening a jar or container of baby food, store it carefully to prevent damage.
According to most manufacturers, the bottle of infant food should be discarded after two to three days after opening.
Store-bought food should be served in a bowl to avoid contaminating the unused portion. Food left in the bowl should be discarded.
Dry food can be served cold, room temperature or warm.
Prepare baby food at home You may choose to make your own baby food for many reasons (eg: Freshness, increased variety and texture, cost, avoidance of preservatives,.. .). The United States Department of Agriculture has provided guidelines for safely preparing baby food at home.
It is important to be careful when preparing certain foods at home. Homemade spinach, beets, green beans, squash, and carrots should not be given to infants under four months of age as they may contain sufficient amounts of chemicals (nitrates) that cause low blood sugar levels. oxygen carried by the blood (methemoglobinemia). In addition, home-prepared foods should not be given to infants if they contain large amounts of salt and/or added sugars.
Finger foods Once your child is able to feed himself, a wider variety of "adult" foods can be offered, including soft, finely chopped foods.
Food with a choking hazard is not recommended in children under four years of age. These foods include hot dogs, peanuts, tree nuts, raisins, raw carrots, popcorn, and candy bars.
Fruit juice Children should drink fruit juice when they are over 12 months old. Before 12 months of age, juice is usually not needed or recommended.
The period of weaning children from breast milk is an extremely important period, parents need to provide adequate nutrition for children to help them 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.
Reference article: update.com