Problems with weaning

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was written by Doctor Ho Anh Thu - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend that solids be introduced by the age of 6 months. This article will look at when and how to start introducing solids, including some foods that should be avoided during weaning.

1. When do babies start eating solids?

The best time to start solids depends not only on your baby's age, but also on his or her sitting ability, neck retention, and other developmental milestones. These guidelines apply to all children, including those with gross motor delays. Children should be introduced to solid foods when they have the following skills:
The child can sit up with little assistance. Good control of the head and neck, can keep the head straight. Lean forward and open your mouth towards the food; lean back and turn away when not interested in food or not hungry. From 8 to 10 months, babies begin to have the necessary skills to eat finger foods independently (being able to sit up, hold and release food, chew food). By 12 months, fine motor skills are improving, for example, babies can grasp foods with two fingers.

2. Why is there a 6-month mark to start introducing solids?

Giving babies solid foods before 4 months of age is not helpful and can be harmful. Reasons that expert groups recommend delaying solids during this time include:
Introducing solids before 4 months of age can interfere with the baby's ability to absorb enough calories or nutrients. Some babies younger than 6 months old don't have the coordination and/or skills to swallow food safely, which can lead to suffocation (breathing of food/liquids into the lungs). Young children have a tongue-in-cheek response when feeding (called the push reflex) that causes them to lift their tongue and push anything between their lips. This reflex usually disappears between 4 and 5 months of age. Trying to spoon-feed a baby who still has the push reflex can be frustrating and frustrating for both you and your baby. By 4 months of age, most babies have doubled their birth weight. Once your infant has doubled his birth weight and weighs at least 5.9 kg, you may need to start supplementing your baby's liquid diet with complementary foods to support growth and satisfy hunger. Infants who are not introduced to solid foods after 6 months of age can lead to growth retardation that may not get enough calories from breast milk or formula alone. In addition, delaying more than 6 months can lead to you not wanting to try solids.

3. Precautions when giving solid foods to babies

3.1. Foods to Avoid Certain foods should not be given to babies under 12 months of age, including whole cow's milk (pasteurized or pasteurized fresh milk; hard, round foods that can cause choking or choking (eg: Types) seeds, grapes, raw carrots, or candy); and honey
Raw milk is not recommended because it does not contain adequate iron Honey is not recommended due to the risk of exposure to harmful bacterial toxins (botulism)
3.2. Children can have food allergies during weaning. Shrimp, fish, cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, soy are foods that are easy to cause allergies. If there are no signs of an allergy to the first introduced food, you can gradually introduce the food to your baby.It is not recommended to give whole cow's milk (fresh milk) to babies before 12 months of age. eating yogurt and cheese before 12 months
Allergic reactions can occur the first time a child eats a particular food The most common symptoms of an allergic reaction in a child are hives or vomiting. Should let the child have sleep There is a high chance that the allergenic food will be eaten in the following way:
Your child can get a taste of one of these foods at home, instead of at daycare or at a restaurant. If there is no obvious response, food can be introduced in increasing amounts. Consult a doctor when your child shows signs of an allergic reaction after eating a food or has moderate to severe eczema that is difficult to control. Weaning is considered the first "maturity milestone" of the baby, this is the stage when the baby gradually transitions from eating breast milk and formula milk to eating more rich and varied foods. According to some recent studies, experts recommend that babies should be introduced to solid foods from the 4th month along with gradually increasing the consistency of the food. However, the introduction of solid foods from the 4th month also depends on the condition and development of each child. Mothers should also prepare other dishes themselves to change the taste, making it easier for the baby to eat, instead of eating traditional foods.

In order for children to develop comprehensively, parents should supplement children with supporting products containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet their needs. nutrition in children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well. Parents can simultaneously apply dietary supplements and functional foods derived from nature for easy absorption. Please accompany your child throughout the development process and regularly visit the website vimec.com to update useful baby care information.