The Transition Between Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding

The introduction of complementary feeding is the period in which the infant leaves the exclusive breastfeeding nutrition, to introduce new foods into your diet.

The start of complementary feeding, that is, the introduction of various milk in the diet of baby food should begin at six months, and gradually made until 18-24 months, with continued breastfeeding on demand.

Bear in mind that in the transition of food

- Increased vulnerability to malnutrition in the infant, being a decisive stage in their food. For this reason, it should be done at the time and with appropriate frequency, to be always recommended by your pediatrician.

Is important, also the quantity and quality of the feed. These should be introduced gradually, to avoid intolerance. Moreover, in the preparation of food should exercise extreme hygiene and safely prepared, i.e., minimizing the risk of contamination by pathogenic microorganisms

- WHO (World Health Organization) recommends that infants start receiving food from six months, and performed with a frequency of two or three times a day during the first two months. Then, at a frequency of three to four times daily. Thus, the quantity of food increases as the child grows. Moreover, breastfeeding should be done to demand the infant.

- There is a concept called active power, which aims to respond to the needs of the child, that is, encourage the child and respond to the signals of hunger and satisfaction that it manifests. This process must be done slowly, encouraging children to eat, but not forced. Also, if the child refuses food, it is important to try different combinations and textures, and remember that for the child the act of eating is a period of learning and affection.

Recommendations for the introduction of foods in infants

- The introduction in the diet of new foods should be progressive. That is, you should start with the easiest to digest and tolerate food and build up gradually. It is important to respect an interval of between 10 and 15 days after each change in diet or introducing a new food.

- Cereals without gluten and some fruits such as apples or pears will be the first food for infants. That is, the ideal age is the beginning at six months. Importantly, tolerance and pay attention.

- The vegetables and white meat (chicken) will continue with this process.

- Later, around seven months, it will proceed to introduce cereals with gluten and other meats, such as lamb. Subsequently, after the grace period, the beef will be introduced.

- By 10 months, the cooked egg yolk, legumes and fish.

- Finally, we wait a year for the egg.

- Food should be given pureed or crushed, and gradually increase its consistency in terms of tolerance and infant demand. Teats can be counterproductive to continue breastfeeding; always consult your pediatrician.

- This process continues until 18-24 months of age, with a gradual process of adaptation and introduction of new foods, forming a complete and varied food for the future.

Take time to read and learn

Now, you start a stage with your child that will last until independent. In it, you have the opportunity and responsibility to transmit the values of a healthy Mediterranean diet. What you will learn how to incorporate their habits for the rest of his life. To help with this task, we suggest you download and read the Guide for Children's Food, a manual to help adults to teach healthy eating habits to their children. You can relieve the water guide free here.

Do not forget…

Observe your baby. Note that is undergoing many changes and discovering new flavors, textures and sensations. He or she will tell you one way or another how is accepting each new process. Remember it's a way that you will do together, and the connection between them will be the engine that will drive a balanced diet.

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The 10 Best Foods to Start with Solid Food

From 6 to 8 months of age your baby can start eating foods or creamy mashed fine to start their solid diet gradually and for the period between 8 and 10 months can start small pieces added to food to finish the transition to solid food per year of age. Anyway, you're the only one who can decide when to start the transition, because breast feeding can be extended for longer and baby offering unique benefits.

It is where; you know what the top 10 foods are:

 

1. Squash

Also called squash and pumpkin is rich in vitamins A and C and is a favorite for moms to start the transition to solid food meal, can be served with parmesan cheese baked way porridge or thick creams with splash of milk, sweet flavor and creamy texture is welcomed by small family.

2. Lentils

These are rich in protein and iron, can be served cooked and mixed with vegetables or rice and mushy.

3. Tangerines

Source of vitamin C, is an ideal food for your baby because you can peel, separate their wedges and remove the seeds for your baby to take with your hands and eat slowly to cool off on hot days. Another refreshing for hot days and cool gums when teething fruit milk is the pin, cut the seeded cubes for your baby to take them with her hands.

4. Chickpeas

These grains rich in fiber and protein for its mild flavor can be prepared in different ways, porridge or puree with a drizzle of olive oil and sesame butter, or mixed with diced boiled pumpkin to eat with their own little hands.

5. Leafy greens

Some of them are Swiss chard, Brussels sprouts, watercress and spinach, can serve them sauteed with butter, mixed with vegetables or gratin, their contributions to iron the body of your little will be very beneficial.

6. Broccoli

Known for children as "green trees" is one of the most calcium-rich foods and fiber that can give your baby to transition to solid food, serve them boiled and drizzled with a little olive oil to your baby begins to enjoy them.

7. Prunes

Another ally rich in fiber will help your baby to prevent ailments such as constipation and pain at not being able to do their basic needs, can serve them soaked and mixed with other fruits to enjoy their soft textures.

8. Beef

Some mother’s think that is a very heavy for her small stomach food, but actually is rich in iron and zing, and can be eaten from 7 months ground or in stews accompanied by other vegetables.

9. Blueberries

They capture the attention of babies immediately by its blue color, are very beneficial for the eyes wild fruits, urinary tract, brain. 1 cup serving cold after cooking these with 1 cup of water in the microwave.

10. Avocado

Rich in vitamin E and unsaturated fats or similar to those found in breast milk fats are good fats, can give your baby avocado puree, leaving small pieces to feel its texture and served with bread in their lunches.

Some mothers wonder what foods are best suited for this transition in the stomach gets used to his little more than liquid, because the best way to select is on the premise of offering variety of flavors for your baby to get used to them from an early age and get the nutrients needed for proper growth and nutrition.

These mentioned foods can serve as a guide to start, but the idea is to wait three days to introduce new food in your diet and so sure you have no allergic reactions, the options are numerous and you can go testing them one by one.

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Baby Solid Foods by Age 6 to 8 Months

Signs that are ready to eat solid foods

You probably already have begun to notice signs that your baby is ready to start eating solid foods. And it is that these signs are most noticeable around 6 months. It is also quite possible that your baby is already eating solid foods.

Here is a list of signals that you must be careful to start or continue with solid foods. But keep in mind that it is likely that your baby does not do all these things:

• You can hold your head up alone.
• You can sit well in his high chair to eat.
• It is able to make chewing motions.
• Shows interest in food.
• You can close your mouth around a spoon
• You can move the tongue from side to side but is losing the extrusion reflex of the tongue, that is, the reflection of pushing his tongue out of his mouth all that is solid.

In addition to your baby present these signs, it is essential you have the approval of the pediatrician to start feeding your baby solid foods.

Foods you can give

• Breast milk: about 4 to 6 times a day. Either formula: about 4 to 5 bottles 6 to 8 ounces (178-237 ml) of formula per day. In addition to:
• Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley or oats).
• Porridge or mashed fruits like banana, pear, peach (peach) or applesauce.
• Porridge or mashed vegetables like avocado, cooked carrots, squash or sweet potato (sweet potato).
• Pureed meat (chicken, pork or beef).
• Small amounts of unsweetened yogurt (but do not give cow's milk until age one) or cottage cheese. If you wonder why these dairy products can be given to a child much earlier than cow's milk (which should not be introduced to the baby's diet until 12 months of age), it is because the culture processes used to make the manufacture easier to digest milk protein and reduce the amounts of lactose.

 

Tofu

Pureed vegetables such as peas and lentils. Also different types of beans like, red, black eye and faba.

 

How much to eat per day
-   Between 3 and 9 tablespoons of cereal a day, 2 or 3 meals.
-   Both fruits as vegetables, you can start with small amounts, such as a teaspoon, and gradually increase the amount gradually to give 1/4 to 1/2 cup of fruit and vegetables every day, in 2 or 3 meals.


It is very important not to overfeed your child. Keep in mind that your baby, he alone will determine when it will be satisfied or full. That is, your small stomach determines the amount of food you need. In addition, and for your peace of mind, regular visits to the pediatrician you can confirm whether your baby is growing properly.

It is very important to follow the doctor's recommendations in all that relates to feeding your child.

 

Other tips 

• Enter the new food with three days apart from each other. Thus, if your little one has an allergic reaction you may realize.
• Read more tips here on how to introduce solid foods.

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Baby Solid Foods by Age 4 to 6 Months

Signs that are ready to eat solid foods

 

Around 6 months, you will probably begin to notice signs that your baby is ready to start eating solid foods. Here is a list of signals that you must be careful. However, keep in mind that it is likely that your baby does not do all these things:

• You can hold your head up alone.
• You can sit well in his high chair to eat.
• It is able to make chewing motions
• It shows a significant weight gain (it has doubled the weight he had at birth).
• Shows interest in food.
• You can close your mouth when you introduce a spoon in his mouth.
• You can move the tongue from side to side but is losing the extrusion reflex of the tongue, that is, the reflection of pushing his tongue out of his mouth all that is solid.
• It seems that your baby is still hungry even when you feed daily between 6-8 times with breast milk or about 40 ounces of formula (1118 ml).

They are teething.

Keep in mind that one of the causes of childhood obesity, which is common among Latino children, is stop breastfeeding too soon and introduce solid foods before 6 months. Therefore, before introducing them to the diet of your baby, check with the doctor and make sure your baby shows more of the above signals.

Foods you can give

Breast milk or formula. In addition to:

• Porridge or pureed foods as sweet potatoes (sweet potato), pumpkin, apple, banana, peach (peach) and pear. Or, semi iron-fortified cereal.

How much to eat per day

- To begin, give about a teaspoon of porridge or cereal. Mix 4-5 teaspoons of breast milk or formula with cereal (the consistency is very liquid).

- Increases and starts to give a large spoonful of porridge or cereal mixed with breast milk or formula, twice a day. If you give cereal, you can go gradually thicken consistency (what you can achieve if you add less liquid), but try to be easy to swallow.

 

Other tips 

- If by giving your baby cereal for the first time, does not accept it, wait a few days before offering it again.

- Read more tips here on how to introduce solid foods.

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Problems with Food in Children One Year

Typically, the first few times the child eats just put it all lost and costing accept new foods, such as vegetables feared.

With love, respect and a little patience, we can teach them to eat everything.

At age one; children begin to supplement milk with other foods that are not always to their liking. In many families, with the introduction of solid food when it becomes a daily struggle.

So that the change is not so hard, we can use tricks like solid foods cut into small pieces, and let the vegetables dose take some food with your hands. These are some of the main problems with some parents.

1. Just want to paste

It is healthy and nutritious, but cannot live alone based on pasta, especially if accompanied with any other food.

It can be a healthy and balanced if taken with tomato dish that vegetable sympathetic not really know if fruit or vegetable, so worth the two. It can also be combined with minced meat.

 

2. Only eat ground and jars

If the child gets to mourn inconsolably when you have a meal before unground, e.g. macaroni, or a few peas or chicken cut into small pieces can be ground as smoothly. Just take a few minutes to prepare it and the food you feed alike.
But if you put the entire meal and just not eat (but not complaining), then it is not hungry period. It is advisable to crush them food to force them to eat when they have no appetite.
 

3. Do not accept any type of vegetable

The vegetable is one of the new foods least successful among our children. It is mostly water and very little food. Children have small stomachs, and if you fill in vegetables, then could not eat anything. So yes foods like almost all are the 'fat', those calories in a small volume: pasta, rice, bread, biscuits, milk, custard, chocolate or chips. The poor calorie foods (fruit, soup or vegetables) tend to have very little success.
Some children eat now and then a piece of lettuce, a slice of cucumber or tomato sauce macaroni. These amounts are taking a child this age when it supports vegetables. Peas, as they have more calories, more accepting (i.e., five or six units).

 

4. Refuse to try new foods

Most children at this age do not want to try new foods. It is a completely normal behavior, and so widespread that doctor’s call 'neophobia': I hate the new. Sooner or later, the children are eating what they see their parents eating (and friends). Some do it sooner and some later.

 

5. It takes a thousand years to finish the dish

To find out if the child eats slowly or really is over, we must remove the plate and ask if you are finished. If indeed you are going to play happier than a lark, he is already finished. If, by contrast, it makes us understand that is not yet full, we leave near the plate and continue after half an hour. At the end of the day, if it is he who eats slowly because he wants and likes, what harm?

 

6. When eating alone puts it all lost

Nobody is born and taught the first times that a child eats alone, it is normal to put it all lost. It is worrying, just let him put lost and eat at ease. When finished, and clean up the soil, the child or both.
 

7. It will serve two years and leaves the bottle

Many nutrition experts recommend that, at a year, children stop using a bottle to take less milk. It is not always easy:

• If we put the small glass of milk in front and begins to mourn or refuses to eat, it is preferable to continue to take the bottle to stay hungry. Sooner or later, all children leave the bottle, and each has its own rhythm.
• However, if the child looks odd glass of milk and drink a little, even just a sip, and have achieved our goal. Gradually, the small will get used to drink by the glass and start to supplement milk with other foods.

Any solid food that can come chopped or cut into appropriately sized pieces serve: fried potatoes, peas, chickpeas, potato salad, meat, fruit or macaroni.

8. My 18 month old son eats very little

Every child needs a different amount. And it is very risky to set a figure because eating more than necessary is almost as dangerous as eating less. You have to eat the right amount. Fortunately, children do not know. Therefore, to avoid mistakes, it is best to let them eat what they want.

If the child loses weight, we must take him to the doctor because it could be sick. If your weight is normal, you have eaten normally. Although for many mothers, children always eat 'very little', the fact is that the daily amount required is much lower than we imagine.

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