8 Principles of Introducing Solid Foods_hair milos forman
From One to Many:
Don't introduce several types of solid foods to your baby all at once, as this can easily lead to adverse reactions. Start with just one type of food, and if your baby shows no adverse reactions and has normal bowel movements within 3-5 days, you can introduce another.
From Liquid to Solid:
Introduce solid foods in the order of liquid, semi-liquid, and then solid foods. Starting with solid or semi-solid foods right away can overwhelm your baby's digestive system and may lead to diarrhea.
Start with Small Amounts:
Begin by feeding your baby one or two spoonfuls and gradually increase it to four or five spoonfuls and eventually a small bowl. When starting to add solid foods, feed your baby once a day, and if there is no resistance, slowly increase the frequency.
Avoid Prolonged Consumption of Liquid Foods:
Feeding your baby only liquid or pureed foods for an extended period can hinder the development of your baby's chewing ability. Chewing sensitivity typically emerges around 6 months, so it's essential to provide opportunities for your baby to learn to chew.
Solid Foods Shouldn't Replace Milk:
Some mothers might reduce their baby's intake of breast milk or other dairy products once they start introducing solid foods at 6 months. However, this is incorrect. At this stage, your baby should primarily consume breast milk or formula, and solid foods should only serve as a supplementary source of nutrition. Overlooking this can impact your baby's healthy growth.
Stop If Discomfort Arises:
If your baby experiences allergies, diarrhea, or excessive mucus in their stool when introducing solid foods, immediately cease feeding solid foods and resume when your baby's condition returns to normal.
Avoid Additives:
When preparing solid foods, try to limit or avoid adding salt and sugar to prevent the development of unhealthy salt or sugar preferences. It's even more crucial not to include substances like MSG and artificial food coloring, as they can burden your baby's kidneys and harm kidney function.
Maintain a Pleasant Mealtime Atmosphere:
Feed solid foods to your baby when they are in a good mood and alert. Avoid using force if your baby refuses to eat. Introducing solid foods to your baby is not only about supplementing nutrition but also about cultivating healthy eating habits, manners, and promoting the development of your baby's taste buds. If your baby feels discouraged during the introduction of solid foods, it can have many negative effects.
