8 important milestones in the baby feeding process

When your baby is ready to start eating solid foods, many important events will happen. Here are some of those important milestones.

Milestone 1: your baby can start eating solid foods

Most pediatricians will recommend solid food when your baby is four to six months old. This is the time when your baby begins to lose the “tongue-push reflex” - this reflex is used for breastfeeding or bottle-feeding when the baby is young but interferes with feeding. At this time, the baby can also raise his head and keep his neck still for a period of time.

If your baby is this age, he or she can sit up with your support and show interest in watching you eat. This is a good time for your baby to try solid foods rather than milk. The baby's digestive system from 4 - 5 months old is still immature, so feeding the baby at this time will have the risk of being "hard to see" but having a great impact on the health and long-term development. of children. If your baby is exclusively breastfed you should wait until your baby is six months old to start solids. According to the World Health Organization - WHO, the right time to start solids-feeding is from 6 months old and still keep breastfeeding for as long as possible.

Milestone 2: your baby is ready to transition from eating mashed foods to cut foods

Feeding your baby cut is a lengthy process. You should not let your baby switch directly from milk to cereal rice and flour. Give your baby the first few weeks to get used to chewing instead of just swallowing food as before. Introduce your baby to new foods slowly. It's best to start with a banana or mashed avocado dish. You can also buy foods that are available at specialized children's food stores.

Milestone 3: the baby can sit in a dining chair

When your baby is ready to eat solid foods, he can sit upright with your support, keeping his head and neck still. Being able to sit on a high chair is an important milestone, but you will need to always fasten the seat belt as soon as your baby is in the seat even though he or she may not be able to reach the tray from the seat at this time. When your baby gets older and becomes hyperactive, he or she can open the lanyard. So make it a good practice for yourself to wear a seat belt as soon as you put your baby in the chair, even if you think your baby can't fall off or climb out.

Milestone 4: Baby can hold food by hand

When your baby is between the ages of 7 and 11 months, he'll let you know he's ready to eat the adult foods by trying to reach for them from you. At first, your baby will reach for food with his hands, but soon he will develop the ability to "hold the pincers" by using his thumb and index finger to grip small objects. At that time, your baby is already proficient in self-feeding, so encourage him to hold food by hand and let him explore for himself. Please feed your baby with the whole family so that everyone's eating atmosphere will help them get more excited when starting their weaning journey!

Almost any nutritious and healthy food has a soft texture so your baby can hold them in his hand. Foods such as chopped pasta, finely cooked vegetables such as carrots, peas or squash; Small pea sized chicken and tender meats, small, sugar-free round grain cereals are good choices for babies.

You should avoid giving your baby grapes, sausages (even if they are chopped), nuts and hard candies as they can choke your baby when choking.

Milestone 5: baby starts using a spoon

Most babies will not be able to learn how to use a spoon effectively until they are one year old. However, help your baby enjoy meals by letting him try a spoon from an early age. You can give your baby a soft colorful, funny spoon to hold while you feed your baby. This will both help your baby practice holding the spoon and distract him from the intention of snatching the spoon from your hand.

When you think your baby is ready to get the spoon in the right direction, try offering thicker and sticky foods, like yogurt, mashed potatoes or cottage cheese. Or you can try the following tip: place some cream cheese in a spoon and sprinkle the cereal on top. The cream cheese will still be there and the baby will be able to eat the cream cheese when the cereal spoon is placed in her mouth.

If you are concerned that your baby will vomit or spit out, put on a plastic pad or waterproof cover and place a rug or rag under the chair to make cleaning easier.

Milestone 6: babies can try foods with a high risk of allergies

Pediatricians often advise you to wait until your baby is at least one year old before feeding allergen-prone foods like eggs or fish. But current studies cannot prove any benefit in waiting for your baby to get old enough to feed them, unless your family has a history of allergy to these foods or You have other reasons to believe your baby is allergic to certain foods.

Currently, there is no evidence that giving babies under one year of age-sensitive foods increases their chances of having an allergy. So you should just feed your baby these foods normally, even if your baby is not yet a year old. If you are careful, you can avoid feeding your baby crustaceans and peanuts because the allergic reaction these foods cause can be especially dangerous for your baby's life.

Wooden column 7: babies can drink water

Infants do not need to drink water during the first six months of life because they already have the required amount of water from breast milk or formula. You should not give any type of water to babies under six months old as this will quickly fill the baby's little stomach, while the baby needs milk-based nutrients to thrive. Once your baby starts eating the primary solid food - usually around nine months old - he or she can start drinking water with the meal.

When your baby is old enough and shows concern when you drink water, giving your baby a few sips of water will not cause problems, as long as you make sure the water will not replace breastmilk or nutritional formula. need to be loaded into the body.

Milestone 8: babies can eat by themselves

Practicing the habit of eating with eating utensils requires babies to go through a long process to get used to and use these utensils well. Most babies will not be able to use proficient eating utensils until they are one year older. Encourage your baby to practice using them safely and be prepared to clean up any mess they may cause.

General advice for easy to remember mom

Mothers should give babies a variety of foods and 4 food groups: starches, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Eat gradually from a little to a lot, from thin to thick, thick, smooth to coarse, from 1 group to many food groups. Feed your baby at RIGHT AGE, prepare foods suitable for your age, use colorful, fun shapes to attract babies.

Mom needs to practice feeding on time and right time. Encourage your baby to concentrate during meals, not watching TV, playing games or distracting activities while eating. Do not snack before meals.

If you think your child is having trouble eating, consult your doctor or pediatric specialist for prompt advice and answers.