1. What is complementary food
Complementary feeding refers to gradually adding other foods other than breast milk or formula milk to the baby after 6 months of age. These foods can provide your baby with more nutrients and energy and help promote your baby\’s growth and development. Common complementary foods include rice noodles, vegetable purees, fruit purees, etc.
2. How to choose complementary food suitable for your baby
1. Choose foods that are easy to digest: For babies around 6 months old, their digestion is not yet mature, so they should choose foods that are easy to digest, such as rice noodles.
2. Choose foods rich in nutrients: Complementary food should provide sufficient nutrition and energy for your baby, so you should choose foods rich in nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals.
3. Avoid adding condiments: When adding complementary foods, try to avoid adding salt, sugar and other condiments. These condiments may cause harm to the baby.
3. How to start adding complementary foods
1. Start with a small amount: Before adding complementary food, let the baby try a small amount of rice noodles or vegetable puree to observe the baby\’s reaction.
2. Gradually increase the amount: If the baby does not have adverse reactions, you can gradually increase the amount of complementary food.
3. Choose the right time: When adding complementary foods, it is best to choose a time when the baby is in good condition and comfortable.
4. How to ensure the safety of complementary foods
1. The ingredients should be fresh: When adding complementary foods, you should choose fresh ingredients and pay attention to hygiene during the production process.
2. Do not add condiments: Avoid adding salt, sugar and other condiments, which may cause harm to the baby.
3. Pay attention to storage: The prepared complementary food should be fed to the baby as soon as possible, and the remaining food should be stored in the refrigerator.
5. How to match complementary foods
1. Match according to nutritional needs: match different types and quantities of complementary foods according to the nutritional needs of babies at different stages.
2. Diverse combinations: Rice noodles, vegetable purees and fruit purees can be combined in various ways to ensure that your baby gets a variety of nutrients.
6. How to avoid the mistake of adding complementary foods
1. Do not add complementary foods too early: Before 6 months, the baby only needs breast milk or formula milk and does not need to add complementary foods.
2. Do not add new foods too quickly: Do not add other new foods immediately before your baby adapts to a new complementary food.
3. Don’t force your baby to eat: If your baby doesn’t like a certain complementary food, you should stop feeding it and try other types of food.
Abstract:
Introducing complementary foods to your baby is an important step in promoting their healthy growth and development. Choose foods that are easily digestible, nutrient-dense, and flavor-free, and start with small amounts and gradually increase the amount. Pay attention to ensure the safety and diversified combination of complementary foods, and avoidAvoid adding new foods too early or too quickly. The most important thing is not to force your baby to eat anything, respect his or her independent choice.
