Should premature babies eat solids later than full-term babies?

This is an automatically translated article.

This article is expertly consulted by Master, Doctor Ngo Thi Oanh - Pediatrician - Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.

1. When should premature babies eat solids?

Premature babies are often prone to gastrointestinal problems, if premature babies eat solids too early, when the baby's digestive system is not ready, it will lead to a high risk of allergies. But if you give solid foods too late, you will miss the opportunity to give your baby access to a new (solid) food other than milk. The late feeding of premature babies also makes them not get enough nutrients needed for development.
Babies born at full term are recommended by nutritionists to eat solid foods when they are just 6 months old. As for premature babies, because there are certain differences in resistance, the degree of completion of the organs, the time of weaning also has some points to note. If premature babies grow up healthy and have no health problems, they can be introduced to solid foods at the same time as full-term babies, that is, when they are 5-7 months old (calculated according to their actual age). ). The exact time will depend on the degree of preterm birth and the development ability of each child. For premature babies with health problems, you should consult with your doctor about the right time to start introducing solid foods.

2. Signs that a premature baby is ready for solid foods

The specific time to start giving solid foods to a premature baby should be decided based on the signs of readiness to eat solids such as:
The child has movements to bring toys and objects around to his mouth The child has a stiff neck, can hold head straight with the light support of an adult or when sitting in a dining chair, then the child can swallow food without fear of choking The child actively opens his mouth when bringing the spoon of food close to his mouth If the child is in the right time If the child has solid foods (between 5-7 months old) with the above signs, you can try some foods that are thicker than milk such as: rice water, cereal mixed with milk... If you feel like it and can swallow it, you can start giving your baby solid foods.

3. What should we pay attention to when weaning for premature babies?

Compared with full-term babies, the nutrition of premature babies needs more attention. Because children do not have enough time to develop in the womb, they are prone to deficiency of substances, especially iron deficiency. In addition, the digestive system of premature babies is also more susceptible to irritation than full-term babies.

Start giving your baby solid foods with slightly diluted, soft foods so that they can be easily digested. Food needs to be ground or pureed. Gradually increase from thin to thick to give children time to get used to this new food. Children's digestive system is still immature and sensitive, so at first, children should eat vegetables, tubers and fruits first, then eggs and white meat such as pork, chicken, and then all kinds of foods. red meat, fishy foods such as beef, shrimp, crab, fish... Note that when cooking baby food, you should add about 1 teaspoon of cooking oil or fat. Because cooking oil and fat are necessary environment for the body to metabolize protein. Give children a variety of foods, change meals every day so that they do not get bored. Add iron-rich foods to premature babies during weaning, because premature babies have a higher risk of iron deficiency. full-term infants. The supply of iron in breast milk also decreases over time. Do not add spices to the food of children under 1 year of age, which may affect the kidneys, not good for the development of the child. need to be breastfed to ensure nutrition. Feed the baby on demand, not close to mealtime.

In summary, the time of weaning of premature babies is not necessarily later than that of full-term babies, it is necessary to decide based on the child's health status and signs of readiness to eat solid foods. Introduce children slowly to a variety of foods so that they have the most complete and quality nutrition.
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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