Complementary feeding by month when breastfeeding: WHO food table, when and what to give, quantity, first complementary feeding and up to a year

Complementary feeding is any food addition to mother's milk or infant formula. The principles of introducing new foods change with new medical knowledge. What complicates the issue is that each child’s body is individual and reacts differently to the same products. To make the right decision, parents need to collect information and, armed with common sense, apply theoretical principles in practice.

Baby's readiness for complementary feeding

The first feeding of a baby is an important and sensitive matter that must be carried out in a timely manner. The beginning of complementary feeding depends on the developmental characteristics of the baby and the amount of mother's milk. When to introduce complementary foods, each mother decides independently, after consulting with a pediatrician. With normal development of the baby, new foods are introduced into the diet starting from 5-6 months, and gradually move on to adult food.

Each baby is unique, developing at its own special speed, depending on genetic predisposition, timely birth, natural birth or medical intervention.

Mommy should be attentive to signs that the baby is ready to explore new food:

• Weight gain has doubled since birth;
• Check the reflex of pushing out foreign objects with the tongue;
• Age from four months;
• The baby must sit and hold his head;
• Lack of mother's milk;
• The baby pulls objects into his mouth;
• The child opens his mouth when you offer a spoon;
• Possession of chewing skills;
• The first teeth have erupted.

A clear sign of readiness for a new food is showing interest in food. The baby carefully examines what adults eat, and may even try to take food from its parents. The timeliness of the first introduction of a new food should certainly be agreed with the doctor.

Rules for complementary feeding when breastfeeding

The scheme for introducing complementary foods during breastfeeding is based on the characteristics of food products, the risk of developing allergies, and digestibility. The schedule for introducing food is a guideline and may vary.

The complementary feeding table for children under one year old involves several stages based on the baby’s age, the emergence of new abilities, and therefore needs.

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Some doctors argue that adult nutrition should be introduced no earlier than six months, if the mother has a sufficient amount of milk. Rules and schemes must be carefully adjusted under the supervision of a pediatrician. The doctor will recommend which product to start accustoming your baby to a new type of food.

A few generations ago, it was believed that it was possible to give a child porridge starting from the age of three months, modern medicine has a completely different opinion on this issue.

Experts recommend starting the first acquaintance with adult food from six months when feeding the baby with breast milk, or a month earlier if the baby uses artificial nutrition. The correct sequence of food consumption will be suggested by the pediatrician who is observing the child.

Introducing adult foods early can have unpleasant consequences. Enzymes begin to be produced closer to six months; until this moment, the absorption of nutrition is too difficult for the baby’s body. When a child is fed artificially, the body produces enzymes earlier.

New products give from five grams for the first time, increasing the dose in stages up to one hundred grams. They begin their acquaintance with adult food by eating hypoallergenic vegetables.

Bad advice

Friends and relatives often give young mothers advice that ultimately does more harm than good.

1. Baby formulas are the same. In fact, they are distinguished not only by price and manufacturer, but also by composition. Mixtures can also be liquid or dry. Some children do not digest infant formula made with cow's milk well, often regurgitating the food. Goat's milk may be suitable for them. Researchers have found that its composition is closest to a woman's breast milk. To avoid allergies and digestive problems, you should consult your pediatrician before purchasing.
2. Healthy cow's milk. Cow's milk is a fatty and difficult product for the body. In children, it causes indigestion, allergies and impaired calcium absorption.
3. The child must eat everything. The baby feels full and begins to refuse food. However, mothers (and especially grandmothers) try to force the baby to eat everything that was prepared for him. In the future, such zeal may result in stomach and kidney problems.

Complementary feeding from 1-2 months

The table of complementary feeding for a child by month up to a year during breastfeeding suggests the stages of food consumption, the order, and the daily dose necessary for the full development of the baby. Introducing complementary foods between the ages of one and two months can cause developmental disorders in the body. Porridge should be introduced into the baby’s diet no earlier than six months, and not two months, as grandmothers previously believed.

Premature complementary feeding contributes to the development of food intolerance and allergic reactions. Early exposure to adult food provokes the development of diseases of the digestive system. The reflex for swallowing dense food at this age is not yet developed, which makes feeding dangerous.

Complementary feeding at 3-4 months

Quite a lot of controversy arises regarding the possibility of complementary feeding from the age of 3-4 months. Features of the introduction of nutrition are directly related to the development of the baby, even genetic predispositions. Pediatricians may recommend early complementary feeding for premature babies or if the mother has insufficient breast milk. The first to be introduced into the diet are vegetable purees, porridge, and chicken yolk. You should start eating foods early only as prescribed by a doctor; I strictly monitor the reaction to the new diet and the amount of food.

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Transitional power

The next most important period in a child’s life is the introduction of complementary foods as a stage of gradual preparation for completely independent nutrition. This is a very important moment in the life of a family. Many parents wonder whether there are any possible health consequences with earlier or, conversely, later introduction of certain foods into the diet, and at what months it would be most optimal to start complementary feeding. The next group of questions is related to the choice of food group to start with and the correct sequence of administration. These aspects not only concern parents, but are also the subject of numerous scientific studies, based on which recommendations are formed. Taking into account modern knowledge, it can be argued that the timing, quality and quantity of food introduced into a child’s diet cannot be arbitrary values, but they also do not have a uniform scheme for everyone. They are largely determined by the individual characteristics of the baby, and must correspond to the modern general nutritional strategy for a child in the first year of life.

Complementary feeding at 5-6 months

From the age of six months, babies are ready to try new, unfamiliar foods. Ready-made vegetable puree can be the first dish. If the baby does not gain weight, complementary feeding begins with cereals. Vegetables for babies should be hypoallergenic. Zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower may be suitable. To prepare the product yourself, steam it and grind it to the ideal consistency.

After administration, the condition of the body is monitored and the absence of allergic reactions is observed. The portion of the product is gradually increased over two weeks. After two weeks, the phased introduction of the second vegetable begins. The second stage is getting to know carrots and pumpkins. The last thing they try is potatoes.

Some of the latest in vegetable complementary feeding are pumpkin and carrots. They are allergenic products, be careful. After mastering several products, you can prepare a vegetable mix.

For the first feeding of cereals, choose rice or buckwheat. Food for the baby should not contain salt or sugar.

Features of introducing new products

Without exception, all products must be introduced in fractions. You should start with a few drops or half a spoon. If no undesirable effects are identified, then on the third day you can increase the amount of the new product. By the end of the first month after starting complementary feeding, the amount can reach the size of 1 serving.

Your child's first vegetable should be zucchini. Following this, the child is given potatoes, carrots and cauliflower (it does not cause bloating).

Vegetables must be boiled until tender, and then pureed with a blender or through a nylon strainer. All dishes are prepared using water without adding salt. Vegetable oil is added to food only after all permitted vegetables have been digested in the form of a multi-component stew. Butter is not recommended for children under one year of age, but if the mother's milk is low-fat, then this product can make up for the lack of milk fat.

Weaning porridges must be water-based and gluten-free

The daily intake of liquid porridge with or without milk for a child of average height and weight can reach 160 g. In this case, you should pay attention to the order in which the porridge is administered. Pediatric nutritionists recommend trying buckwheat first, then introducing:

• rice;
• corn grits;
• oatmeal.

The most favorite porridge of all grandmothers is semolina; it is advisable to introduce it to the menu as late as possible. Although, if the child is underweight and does not have problems digesting wheat, then very liquid semolina can be given in fractional portions in the first half of the day, starting from six months.

Each product should be given with caution and always, alternating with already familiar cereals. It is also important to understand that buckwheat is the least allergenic, rice helps strengthen the stool, and oatmeal, on the contrary, weakens it. Corn grits do not cause problems in children's intestines, but are introduced to diversify the mineral and vitamin composition of food.

Complementary feeding at 7-8 months

By the age of seven months, the baby is already familiar with vegetables and cereals. The diet is gradually becoming wider. At this point you can taste the fruit. Pears and apples are considered safe foods for complementary feeding. Next they give apricots, peaches, plums, prunes. Try a small amount, gradually increasing the amount of the daily dose.

When introducing cereals only at seven months, you should start with dairy-free dishes. Porridge can be diluted with breast milk or infant formula. It is not advisable to consume milk from cows and goats before one year.

The baby's breakfast can consist of porridge and fruit puree. By this age, first courses of meat are offered. Dietary rabbit and turkey can please your baby. The second to eat is beef, chicken, and veal. It is not advisable for children under two years of age to consume pork. A couple of times a week, eat a quarter of the yolk mixed with food.

Sequence of innovation

You need to introduce a new product carefully, following several rules:

• complementary foods are introduced monthly;
• every month – one type of food;
• Vegetables are the first to be introduced into the diet. If a child is underweight, they start with cereals;
• Initially, dishes must contain one component.

A doctor will help you answer the question of where to start feeding your children. Usually they offer the following order.

When the child is 6 months old, the introduction of vegetables begins. It is better to feed with dishes made from zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli, pumpkin, and carrots. First, the product must be washed, doused with boiling water, peeled and seeds removed, and cut into small pieces. You need to steam it. You can't add salt or sugar. It should be prepared immediately before feeding and cannot be stored.

Complementary foods must be included in the diet before the main feeding with breast milk. Scheme for introducing zucchini to a 6-month-old child.

• 1st day – 1 teaspoon;
• 2nd day – 2 teaspoons;
• 3rd day – 4 teaspoons;
• 4th day – 40 g;
• 5th day – 80 g;
• 6th day – 120 g;
• Day 7 – 150 g.

When the product is digested, the introduction of the next vegetable, cauliflower, begins. The diagram will look a little different.

• Day 1 – 1 teaspoon of cauliflower puree and 145 g of zucchini puree;
• Day 2 – 2 teaspoons of cabbage and 140 g of zucchini;
• Day 3 – 20 g cauliflower, 130 g zucchini puree, etc.

The diagram clearly shows that the amount of zucchini puree will gradually decrease. The norm for zucchini puree by the end of the 7th day is 150 g. There is no need to force the baby to eat the entire portion. Perhaps a smaller amount is enough for him to saturate.

When the baby turns 7 months old, the introduction of cereals begins. Porridges for children under one year of age should be gluten-free and dairy-free.

Gluten is a protein that can cause a small intestinal disease called celiac disease. The most suitable grains with which to start complementary feeding include corn, rice and buckwheat. This set is quite enough to diversify the diet of a child up to one year old.

When children are introduced to new foods, you need to carefully monitor their condition and behavior. An undesirable reaction (rash, diarrhea, vomiting, anxiety, moodiness) may occur not only on the first day, but as the portion increases. Therefore, you cannot introduce several new foods at the same time.

At 8 months, several new foods are alternately introduced into the diet: meat, yolk and mashed potatoes.

Potatoes are kept apart from all other vegetables, as they most often cause allergies. Therefore, it must be introduced slowly. A child under one year old can eat this product no more than 50 grams.

For children under one year old, it is allowed to give chicken yolk, or even better, quail, as it is less allergenic. First offer ¼ portion, but no more than 2 times a week. It is better to give it in the morning. When your baby is 9 months old, you can eat about half the yolk. This norm should be maintained until the age of one year.

As for meat, a child up to one year old can eat low-fat varieties: chicken, turkey, veal. Beef and pork should not be given. At 8 months it is enough to eat 50 grams of meat. By the year the portion will increase to 100 grams.

The introduction of fermented milk products for children under one year old begins at 9 months: kefir, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk. You only need to take special baby products from the dairy kitchen, or make them yourself. Regular cottage cheese contains components that negatively affect the functioning of the digestive system.

And only at 10 months, according to WHO, can fruits be introduced. You only need to eat fruits that grow in your area of ​​residence. It is better to leave the introduction of exotic fruits for a period after a year. At the same time, you can start giving juices from familiar fruits: pears, apples. Children are allowed to eat about 100 grams of fruit per day.

You need to start introducing adult food correctly. It is recommended to use a spoon. Spoon feeding helps develop chewing skills and the swallowing reflex.

You need to take into account the peculiarities of the intestines: is there a tendency to constipation or, conversely, is the stool most often liquid. A new food product has different effects, for example, rice and all dishes made from it strengthen, and vegetables weaken.

The table will help you clearly understand how foods are introduced into a baby’s diet and what the volume norm should be. Approximate schedule by month.

The table shows that the amount of breast milk consumed decreases as the year approaches. From the beginning of complementary feeding, the child should eat about 1000 grams of food throughout the day. About a year the volume should increase to 1200 grams.