5 things to know about weaning!
Weaning - also called the start of complementary feeding - consists in the transition from an exclusively milky diet to a semi-solid, and then solid diet, characterized by the progressive introduction of so-called complementary foods, foods other than milk. This is an important moment in a child's nutritional life, in which he progressively passes from a dependent to an independent diet. In fact, at this stage, breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to satisfy the baby's nutritional requirements.
But not only. The need to start weaning is not determined only by purely nutritional factors, but also by the maturation of the reflexes associated with motor coordination and swallowing of the child. Weaning is in fact a significant stage not only for nutritional changes, but also for the psychological and sensory evolution of the baby Below you can find 5 things to know about weaning that can help you to better enjoy this special moment in your baby's life.
1. Choose the right time
But when to start weaning? First of all, it must be said that there is no precise and equal time for all infants that marks the beginning of weaning: the introduction of the first fruit and the first baby food depends on several individual factors, including the specific nutritional needs of the baby. , its development, the mother-child relationship, the specific needs of the mother and the socio-cultural context It is undoubtedly important to follow the advice of your trusted pediatrician who can suggest the exact moment to proceed with weaning.
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Although, as we said, the period in which to start weaning is more of an individual character, it is still possible to identify universally recognized rules about the moment of its beginning, which all infants have in common. On the advice of the pediatrician, it is advisable to introduce foods other than milk no earlier than the fourth month, because the baby's digestive system is not yet mature, and no later than the sixth, because milk no longer fully satisfies its nutritional needs.
This is because at 3 months the baby still has a very small mouth, which allows the tongue only "forward-backward" movements suitable for sucking. At about 6 months, intestinal maturation is complete and neurological development allows for effective grasping, chewing and swallowing; moreover, at this age, most children are able to maintain the sitting position with support and to take food from a teaspoon. At about 8 months, the baby develops the ability to chew and side-squeeze more voluminous foods, to arrive, around 10-12 months, to bring the food independently to the mouth, drink from a cup using both hands and eat a large part. of the food that the whole family eats.
If on the one hand, as we said, it is not possible to start weaning a baby of less than 4 months, on the other hand it is not recommended to introduce foods other than milk too late. In fact, it is recommended not to postpone it beyond the sixth month, because milk alone no longer satisfies its nutritional needs, which change following the stages of its growth.
2. The baby still needs milk anyway
Milk must continue to be an important part of the baby's nutrition, even at the time of weaning. Alternatively or in addition to breast milk, if this is not enough and after hearing the opinion of the pediatrician, from the 6th month onwards, follow-on formulas can be used, adapted to the nutritional needs of the child up to the year of life.
3. Weaning the baby: what to give and what to avoid
In the weaning phase, the baby's diet must be balanced and for this reason it is important to choose the right foods to propose.
In the weaning phase, there are no defined methods and menus to be taken as a model; once you have learned the main recommendations to be followed according to the advice of the pediatrician, there are different diets granted that can lead to meeting the nutritional needs of the child
In the weaning phase, there are no defined methods and menus to be taken as a model; once the main recommendations to be followed have been learned, there are different diets that can lead to satisfying the child's nutritional needs. This depends on various factors, including family preferences, the pediatrician's recommendations and the socio-cultural context in which the child grows up. At this stage, the child begins to develop his own taste and the foundations are laid for food choices that will guide him during his growth, with a view to proper nutrition. However, there are some fundamental rules to be respected in this "perspective: first of all, do not add salt to foods introduced during weaning and secondly, avoid the consumption of fruit juices or drinks containing sugar.
In addition to milk, which is always important in this phase of the baby's growth, fruit is usually introduced. For example, Humana organic baby food, available in different flavors, is designed to offer the child all the natural goodness of fruit and is prepared with very few production steps to preserve its taste and texture.
Once the child gets used to the teaspoon and the semi-solid consistency of the fruit, they can move on to the first meals, generally based on:
- Vegetable broth, starting with potato and carrot and straining the broth
- Cereal creams
- Meat, to be introduced gradually according to the pediatrician's instructions, a fundamental food for its protein content and for the supply of iron.
After the creamy consistencies of the first baby food, cereal creams can be substituted with pastries designed specifically for the little ones. Even the snack takes on an increasingly important role and must give the child the right nourishment. For this, in addition to being tasty, it must also be balanced and able to provide the energy it needs, without weighing it down.
4. Add the food one at a time
ESPGHAN (European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition) recommends introducing foods one at a time, to gradually accustom the child to the new flavors, giving them time to assimilate and recognize them, and to allow the causes of any intolerances to be identified. or allergic reactions. This specifically means avoiding mixing multiple flavors and foods in the initial phase of weaning, especially when it comes to all new foods and flavors, and concentrating on one food at a time, also offering it in different ways and for several close meals.
5. Meal time: how to propose the baby's food and position
In order for the moment of the meal to be lived in the best possible way, a trick is to offer the food with a spoon, without forcing the child, allowing him to touch the food on the plate and eat with his hands. It is a small useful strategy to introduce the child to the novelty and allow him to get to know new foods, textures and flavors naturally and in a sweeter way. In the event that the child does not like the "menu" that you offer him, avoid insisting, rather repropose it with patience in the following days, possibly preparing it in a different way.
Another recommendation concerns the position of the baby during the time of the meal: it is important that the child eats seated - preferably in the high chair - so that he can chew and swallow more easily and actively participate in the meal. baby food moment: if his desire is to touch and mess or even start picking up the spoon to feed himself, let him do it. With your supervision and a little joy, it will become a moment full of joy and special sharing between you two.
