Baby

Guide to Baby Food Stages (Purees and BLW)

Learn everything you need to know about Baby Food Stages in this easy-to-read, comprehensive guide. It explains the different feeding stages, going over what every stage — Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3, Finger Foods, and Baby-Led Weaning — is all about.

Medically reviewed by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Baby Food Stages

Are you finding the baby food feeding stages confusing?

Well, you are not alone!

Stages 1, 2, 3, table foods, finger foods, baby-led weaning… ahhh… help! What does it all even mean? 🤯

Don’t worry; I’m here for you!

I broke down each stage into an easy-to-digest (pun intended) guide. 👊

What is in this guide:

1. Baby Food Ages
2. When Can Baby Start Solids?
3. Overview: Purees – Stages 1, 2 and 3
4. Overview: Baby-Led Weaning or Finger Foods
5. Stage 1 Purees
6. Stage 2 Purees
7. Stage 3 Purees
8. Baby-Led Weaning or Finger Foods

Baby Food Stages Video

Watch this video to see how the different baby food stages compare.

Baby Food Ages

• Stage 1 Purees: 4-6+ months
• Stage 2 Purees: 6+ months
• Stage 3 Purees: 9+ months
• Finger Foods: 10+ months
• Baby-Led Weaning: 6+ months

WHEN CAN BABY START SOLIDS?

When a baby can start on solids is determined by their own rate of development. Generally, it occurs between 4-6 months of age for purees and 6+ months for baby-led weaning. Some of the developmental milestones babies need to reach in order to start solids include: if your baby has solid control of their head and neck, if your baby has doubled in weight, and if your baby is reaching for or opening their mouth when you eat (see my guide here). But remember, before you start baby on solids, you should consult with your pediatrician to make sure your child is developmentally ready.

Purees – Stages 1, 2, and 3

So, to start, Baby Food Purees are grouped into 3 different stages — Stage One, Stage Two, and Stage Three. Without a doubt, they all consist of baby food purees. But they actually range from single-ingredient smooth purees to chunky combination purees filled with soft-cooked foods. Here’s a quick reference:

Stage One

• the first stage of feeding
• single-ingredient thin purees
• smooth and easy to swallow

Stage One Products We Love

• high chair
• suction bowl
• spoons
• bib with food catcher

Stage Two

• slightly thicker
• combination purees made up of several different ingredients like fruits and vegetables
• may also include yogurt, grains, and proteins

Stage Three

• combination purees with soft-cooked chunks of food
• perfect for babies that need to practice chewing and swallowing foods

A NOTE TO FIRST-TIME BABY FOOD PREPPERS

First time making homemade baby food? Then, I would suggest that you start by reading my very in-depth Guide on how to Make Homemade Baby Food – which goes over all the important information such as the best cooking tools to have on hand, safe storage, how to know when baby is ready for solids, how to introduce purees, the best first foods for baby, and more! If you are doing Baby-Led Weaning, then be sure to check out my Complete Guide to Baby-Led Weaning – which covers what exactly is baby-led weaning, to every parent’s concern of baby-led weaning and choking, this guide goes over it all. I will also share how to know when baby is ready for BLW, the top 10 best first foods, a helpful sample blw feeding schedule, helpful tools to have on hand, and much much more!

Baby-Led Weaning or Finger Foods

Basically, Baby-Led Weaning and Finger Foods are the same types of food; they’re just served to your baby at different times. Baby-Led Weaning is a newer approach to feeding your baby where you skip the puree stages altogether. Rather, you serve baby chunks of cooked food. Whereas Finger Foods, or sometimes referred to as Table Foods, are typically served to your baby after they master Stage 3 baby food purees.

In short, finger foods are served at 10+ months and baby-led weaning starts at 6+ months.

You can read more here: The Ultimate Guide to Finger Foods for Baby-Led Weaning.

Baby-Led Weaning Products We Love

• high chair or clip-on chair
• mat for under high chair
• suction plate
• self-feeding spoons
• long-sleeved bib

Stage 1 Purees

Stage 1 baby food is the first type of puree you will be introducing to your baby. Made with a single ingredient and pureed until smooth, these simple purees are perfect for your budding eater. Besides, they are nutritious and full of flavor!

• age: 4-6+ months
• single-ingredient recipes
• smooth texture
• can be thinned out (similar to a thick soup but dripping off the spoon)
• first bites can be fruits, veggies, or grain cereal

Here are a few tips:

• first, offer your baby one puree at a time to watch for any allergic reactions
• also, consider offering different colors of food and flavors to start developing their palette

Stage One Recipes

• 15 Stage One Baby Food Purees (4-6 months)
• 4 Homemade Baby Cereal Recipes (4+ months)
• 36 Healthy + Homemade Baby Food Recipes (4+ Months)

Stage 2 Purees

Meanwhile, Stage 2 purees will make your baby’s mealtime more exciting with multiple ingredients. This time, you can focus on exposing your baby to various fruits, veggies, grains, and proteins. Plus, you can also add spices and herbs to come up with appetizing and unique flavor combinations.

• age: 6+ months
• combination of multiple-ingredient purees
• smooth texture
• can have a thicker consistency than stage one purees
• great way to expose your baby to a variety of flavors and food colors
• may include plain yogurt, grains, and proteins

Stage Two Recipes

• 18 Stage 2 Baby Food Purees (That Baby Will Actually Eat)
• 15 Fast + Easy Baby Food Recipes (made in under 15 minutes!)
• 18 Breakfast Ideas for Baby (6+ months)

Stage 3 Purees

In contrast, Stage 3 is full of hearty meals with multiple-ingredient purees plus soft-cooked chunks of food. This stage is all about giving your baby time to learn how to chew and swallow small pieces of soft foods. Then the next step will be finger foods or table foods.

• age: 9+ months
• combination purees and soft-cooked chunks of food
• also a great way to expose your baby to various food flavors and colors
• features wholesome fruits, vegetables, grains, meats, yogurt, even spices
• easy to make — simply pulse your own meal with a blender to turn it into a baby meal

Stage Three Recipes

• 18 Stage 3 Baby Food Recipes (Easy, Delicious + Homemade)

Baby-Led Weaning or Finger Foods

As mentioned, Baby-Led Weaning is actually a newer approach to feeding your baby where you skip the puree stages altogether. Instead, you serve small chunks or strips of cooked food right from the very start. Ultimately, you would be feeding your baby the exact food you are having at that meal.

However, finger foods can be served to your baby after Stage 3.

To sum up, finger foods and the food you serve to baby for Baby-Led Weaning are the same foods. But they are served at different times during your baby’s eating journey. Finger foods are served at 10+ months, while baby-led weaning starts at 6+ months.

If you want to learn more, check out my Ultimate Guide to Finger Foods for Baby-Led Weaning.

• baby-led weaning age: 6+ months
• finger food age: 10+ months
• both include chunks of cooked foods
• can be served in 2-3 inch strips or chopped to pea-sized pieces

Remember, avoid hard foods such as hot dogs, popcorn, dried fruit, nuts, etc., that can be choking hazards.

Baby-Led Weaning (Finger Food) Recipes

• 125 Baby Led Weaning Foods (Starter Foods + Recipe Ideas)
• 8 Baby-Led Weaning Meal Ideas for Baby + Toddler
• 6 Baby-Led Weaning Breakfast Ideas

When is a child ready to try a bit more texture?

Once your baby has mastered the art of slurping down smooth purees, it may be time to expand their culinary horizons with Stage 2 baby food. Your little gourmand isn’t quite ready to dine on a plate of spaghetti and meatballs just yet, but Stage 2 foods will give them the opportunity to sample new tastes, as well as consistencies. 

Think your baby is ready to graduate onto the next stage of baby food? Here, parents and experts weigh in on Stage 2 baby food. Bon appetit! 

What is Stage 2 baby food?

While the jarred Stage 2 baby food you find at the store is typically combinations of food (“sweet potato and chicken dinner”), it’s important to keep in mind this stage is more about the consistency of the food.

“While Stage 1 baby food is completely pureed, Stage 2 baby food has a bit more texture to it,” says Dr. Zulma Laracuente, a pediatrician in Alexandria, Louisiana. “The concept behind slowly transitioning baby from purees to thicker solids is to get them used to chewing and swallowing.”

Of course, every child develops at their own individual pace, so check with your child’s doctor for baby food recommendations during the first 12 months.

When to start Stage 2 baby food

The Stage 2 baby food age may vary based on when your infant started eating Stage 1 foods. The general age recommendation for Stage 1 baby food is between 4 and 6 months, so taking into consideration how long — and how well — your child has been eating these foods will help you determine if they’re ready to move up. According to Laracuente, babies are usually ready for Stage 2 between 6 and 8 months old — but make sure your little one has honed their Stage 1 skills before making the leap. 

“Once your baby has done well with Stage 1 solids and has tried multiple foods, it is safe to advance to Stage 2 baby food,” says Dr. Melanie Custer, a pediatrician at at West Bend Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. “These foods usually have multiple ingredients, including some spices and are thicker in consistency.” 

“These foods usually have multiple ingredients, including some spices and are thicker in consistency.” 

DR. MELANIE CUSTER, PEDIATRICIAN

Signs baby is ready to start Stage 2 food

How do you know if your baby is nailing it with their Stage 1 foods and ready for the next step? Simply put, they’re eating and swallowing. 

“As your baby’s oral skills develop and improve, you can move on to Stage 2 foods, which are purees with small chunks and texture,” says Jenifer Thompson,  R.D., an advanced practice dietician at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. 

Thompson says in order to move on to Stage 2 foods, babies should be consistently taking the spoon in their mouth when you offer it to them, without spitting or pushing it back out. 

“Once my baby was no longer grimacing or letting his food dribble onto his chin, I knew we were ready to move onto Stage 2 foods,” says mom of two Darcy McConnell of Garwood, New Jersey. “I actually have no idea how old he was when we made the switch since I based it off of how well he was eating!”

What Stage 2 baby foods to start with

It’s important to expose your child to a number of foods, most of which are safe at this point. 

“By the time they are 7 to 8 months, babies should be eating a variety of foods from different food groups, including cereals, meat and other proteins, yogurt, cheese, vegetables and fruits,” says Thompson.

“Most foods can be prepared for any stage, so long as they’re texturally age-appropriate,” says Dr. Kristen Treegoob, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “When we think of Stage 2 baby food, we’re thinking of thicker purees with some mashable bits.”

Experts advise introducing as many different foods as possible during this stage of food development so your baby gets accustomed to them. 

“While bananas, applesauce and peaches are good options and most babies like them, as they are naturally sweet, it is also important to try other foods that aren’t as common and popular, such as beets, rhubarb and asparagus, so they develop a taste for them,” says Custer.   

Another thing to keep in mind is that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) no longer recommends delaying the introduction of allergenic foods, particularly peanuts. While it was once advised to wait until your baby was at least 10 months to introduce peanut-containing foods, the AAP now recommends giving babies with no known egg allergy or eczema, infant-safe forms of peanut between 4 to 6 months old. Babies with mild eczema should wait until at least 6 months, and for babies with severe eczema, speak to their doctor before giving them peanut-containing foods. (To find out if your baby has an egg allergy, they must be tested by their pediatrician.)

Which foods to avoid during Stage 2

Even though your little one is venturing into new food texture territory with Stage 2, you should still avoid giving them chunks and small pieces of food, which can pose a serious risk. (Food may be thicker at Stage 2, but it’s still all about the purees and mashes at this point.) 

“Infants may have any food that is texture-appropriate for their developmental feeding stage, but it’s important to stay away from choking hazards, such as whole grapes, nuts and seeds,” says Treegoob.

“Infants may have any food that is texture-appropriate for their developmental feeding stage, but it’s important to stay away from choking hazards, such as whole grapes, nuts and seeds.”

DR. KRISTEN TREEGOOB, PEDIATRICIAN

Also, avoid giving your baby honey — raw or cooked — before the age of 12 months, as it may cause a botulism infection.

And finally, when it comes to your baby’s beverage, steer clear of juice. The AAP recommends parents eschew juice, which has “no nutritional benefits over whole fruit,” until at least 1. “At this point, it’s best to stick with breast milk, formula or the odd bit of water (1 to 2 ounces a day), which is mainly for introducing your baby to the skill of using a sippy cup,” says Thompson. 

How to start Stage 2 foods safely

Baby should be sitting in a highchair when eating and never left alone. You’ll still be spooning food into your baby’s mouth at this point, but don’t be afraid to let your little one take a whirl at self-feeding in order to get in some practice using utensils.  

“At around 9 months, we started letting our son try his hand at feeding himself in his highchair,” says mom of two Erin Henderson, of Waltham, Massachusetts. “It was a mess, but he obviously enjoyed the learning experience.”

Also, during the latter half of your baby’s Stage 2 stint, they may learn how to grab things with their thumb and forefinger and bring them to their mouth. 

“Between 8 and 12 months, babies develop the pincer grasp ability and should be able to pick up small pieces of finger food, such as Cheerios or puffs,” says Thompson.

As your baby grows and hones their eating skills, they’ll cut down a bit on how much breast milk or formula they drink — but keep in mind, that should still be their primary source of nutrients. 

“Most infants will naturally start to moderate their breast milk or formula intake once their solid intake increases,” says Treegoob. “Solid food may start to account for a significant source of nutritional intake closer to 7 to 9 months. At this time, parents may notice that their baby shows interest in smaller or less frequent bottle or breastfeeds. As long as their weight remains on track and baby is drinking enough milk to stay well-hydrated, there should be no need for concern. Infants typically take somewhere between 24 to 40 ounces of breast milk or formula between 4 to 6 months and 24 to 32 ounces from 6 to 9 months.” 

According to the AAP, babies should be eating about 4 ounces of solids (about one small jar of baby food) at each of their meals. And if you’re wondering how long baby food lasts, experts typically recommend 24-48 hours in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.

Lastly, bear in mind that if at first you don’t succeed with a food, try, try again. 

“At this age, if babies grimace when taking a bite or shake themselves, it is most often because of a texture issue, not the actual taste,” says Custer. “It is important to keep introducing these foods as it may take a baby up to 15 times to get used to a texture before you can say for sure he/she doesn’t like it. ”

Ready for the next stage?

• Stage 3 baby food

Breastfeeding a newborn | What to Expect in the First Week

The first week of a baby’s life is a wonderful but hectic time, especially if you haven’t breastfed before. Our breastfeeding tips will help you settle in as quickly as possible

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The first time after childbirth, mothers are often confused. The body is still recovering, and you are already starting to get to know your newborn baby. The emotional state during this period can be unstable, especially between the second and fifth day, when many women have milk ¹ and at the same time postpartum depression begins ² . In addition, people around often expect (and demand) that a woman come to her senses as soon as possible and become a “super mom”. But the best thing to do this first week is just to be with your baby and get breastfeeding going.

When should I start breastfeeding my newborn?

Try to breastfeed your baby within the first hour after birth. When the baby latch onto the breast and begins sucking rhythmically, it stimulates the mammary gland cells and starts milk production. ¹ It is not for nothing that this time is called the “magic hour”!

“Ideally, the baby should be placed on the mother’s stomach immediately after birth so that it can immediately attach to the breast. He won’t necessarily eat, but he should be able to,” explains Cathy Garbin, an internationally recognized expert on breastfeeding.

“Hold your baby and let him find the breast on his own and put the nipple in his mouth. This is called the breast-seeking reflex. On the Internet you can watch videos that show what this process looks like. If the baby does not latch onto the nipple on its own, the midwife will help to properly attach it to the breast. But for starters, it’s good to give the baby the opportunity to do it on their own. In this case, the optimal position for the mother is reclining. ”

Don’t spend that special first hour of your baby’s life weighing and swaddling—or at least wait until he’s suckling for the first time. Enjoy hugs and close skin-to-skin contact. This promotes the production of oxytocin, the hormone of love, in you and your baby, and oxytocin plays a key role in the supply of the first breast milk – colostrum. ³

“As soon as the obstetricians were convinced that our son was healthy, the three of us — me, my husband and our baby — were left to give us the opportunity to get to know each other. It was a very special hour – an hour of awkwardness, turbulent emotions and bliss. During this time, I breastfed my son twice, ”recalls Ellie, a mother of two from the UK.

Did you know that breastfeeding helps to recover after childbirth? This is because oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions. In the first hours after childbirth, this contributes to the natural release of the placenta and reduces blood loss. ⁴

What if the birth did not go according to plan?

If you had a cesarean section or other complications during childbirth,
You can still make skin-to-skin contact with your baby and breastfeed him in the first hours after birth.

“If you can’t hold your baby, have your partner do it for you and make skin-to-skin contact with the baby. This will give the baby a sense of security, care and warmth so that he can hold on until you recover, ”Katie advises.

If the baby is unable to breastfeed, it is advisable to start expressing milk as early as possible and do so as often as possible until the baby is able to feed on its own. “While breastfeeding in the first hours after birth lays an excellent foundation for the future, it is not so important,” Cathy reassures. “It is much more important to start lactation so that in the future, if necessary, you can start breastfeeding.”

To start milk production, you can express milk manually or use a breast pump that can be given to you at the hospital. ⁵ And with expressed precious colostrum, it will be possible to feed the child. This is especially important if the baby was born premature or weak, since breast milk is extremely healthy.

If a baby was born prematurely or has a medical condition and cannot be breastfed immediately, this is no reason not to continue breastfeeding. “I have worked with many new mothers who were unable to breastfeed their baby for the first six weeks due to preterm labor or other reasons. Nevertheless, all of them later successfully switched to breastfeeding,” says Kathy.

Does the baby latch on correctly?

Correct breastfeeding is essential for successful breastfeeding ⁶ , as it determines how effectively the baby will suckle milk and hence grow and develop. Latching on the breast incorrectly can cause sore or damaged nipples, so don’t hesitate to ask your doctor to check that your baby is properly attached to the breast, even if you are told that everything is fine and you do not see obvious problems – especially while you are in the hospital.

“While I was in the hospital, I called the doctor at every feed and asked me to check if I was breastfeeding correctly,” says Emma, ​​mother of two from Australia. – There were several cases when it seemed to me that everything seemed to be right, but it was painful to feed, and the doctor helped me take the baby off the breast and attach it correctly. By the time I was discharged, I had already learned to do it confidently.”

When applying to the breast, point the nipple towards the palate. This will allow the baby to take the nipple and part of the areola under it into their mouth. It will be easier for him to suck if he has both the nipple and part of the areola around in his mouth. ⁶

“When a baby latch on properly, it doesn’t cause discomfort and it causes a pulling sensation, not pain,” Cathy explains. – The baby’s mouth is wide open, the lower lip may be slightly turned outward, and the upper one lies comfortably on the chest. The body language of the child indicates that he is comfortable. There isn’t much milk at this early stage, so you probably won’t notice your baby swallowing, but he will suckle a lot and nurse frequently.”

How often should a newborn be fed?

The frequency and duration of breastfeeding in the first week can vary greatly. “The first 24 hours of life are completely different for different children. Someone sleeps a lot (after all, childbirth is tiring!), And someone often eats, says Katie. – Such a variety greatly confuses young mothers. Everyone gives different advice, so it’s important to remember that every mother and child is different.”

“Colostrum is thicker than mature breast milk and is produced in smaller amounts, but has many benefits. When the baby eats colostrum, he learns to suck, swallow and breathe until milk begins to flow in more volume, ”explains Cathy.

Milk usually arrives on the second or fourth day after birth. Until this time, the baby is applied to the breast 8-12 times a day (and sometimes more often!), including at night. ⁷ Feeding may take 10-15 minutes at this stage, or 45 minutes or even an hour, as the baby is just beginning to develop the muscles and coordination needed to suckle effectively.

“At first, the intensity of feeding is very high, often higher than many people realize, and this is shocking to most new mothers,” says Cathy. – Sometimes mom has no time to go to the toilet, take a shower and have a snack. It usually comes as a surprise.”

Camille, a mother from Australia, experienced this. “The first week, Frankie ate every two hours, day and night, and each time it took half an hour to an hour to feed,” she recalls. “My husband and I were completely exhausted!”

Do I need to feed my newborn on a schedule?

The good news is that frequent feeding promotes lactation and stimulates milk production. ⁷ The more your baby eats, the more milk you will have. Therefore, forget about feeding your newborn on a schedule – this way he will have less chance of feeding. Try to feed your baby when he signals that he is hungry ⁸ :

• tossing and turning in her sleep;
• opens eyes;
• turns his head if he feels a touch on his cheek;
• sticks out tongue;
• groans;
• licks lips;
• sucks fingers;
• is naughty;
• whimpers;
• is crying.

Crying is the last sign of hunger, so when in doubt, just offer your baby the breast. If he bursts into tears, it will be more difficult to feed him, especially at first, when both of you are just learning how to do it. As your baby grows, he will likely eat less frequently and take less time to feed, so breastfeeding will seem more predictable.

Does breastfeeding hurt?

You may have heard that breastfeeding is not painful at all, but in fact, in the first days, many new mothers experience discomfort. And this is not at all surprising, given that the nipples are not used to such frequent and strong sucking.

“Breastfeeding can be uncomfortable for the first couple of days – your body and your baby are just getting used to it. If a baby eats for too long and does not latch well, the sensations are almost the same as from unworn new shoes, Cathy compares. Just as tight shoes can rub your feet, improper suckling can damage your nipples. Prevention is always better than cure, so if the pain persists after a few days of feeding,
contact a lactation consultant or healthcare professional. ”

Maria, a mother from Canada, agrees: “Although my son seemed to latch onto the breast well, he damaged his nipples while feeding, and I was in pain. As it turned out, the reason was a shortened frenulum of the tongue. The breastfeeding specialists at our city clinic have been of great help in diagnosis and treatment.”

In addition, you may experience period cramps during the first few days after breastfeeding, especially if this is not your first baby. This is the so-called postpartum pain. The fact is that oxytocin, which is released during breastfeeding, contributes to further contraction of the uterus to restore its normal size. ⁴

When milk arrives, the breasts usually become fuller, firmer and larger than before delivery. In some women, the breasts swell, harden and become very sensitive – swelling of the mammary glands occurs. ¹⁰ Frequent breastfeeding relieves these symptoms. For more breast care tips, read our article What is Breast Swelling?

How often does the newborn urinate and defecate?

What goes into the body must go back out. Colostrum
has a laxative effect, helping to eliminate meconium – the original feces. It looks a little scary – black and sticky, like tar. ¹¹ But don’t worry, it won’t always be like this. Breastfed babies usually have a slightly sweet smell of stool.

How many times a day you will need to change diapers and how the contents should look like, see below.

Day one

• Frequency: once or more.
• Colour: greenish black.
• Texture: sticky like tar.

Day two

• Frequency: twice or more.
• Colour: dark greenish brown.
• Texture: less sticky.

Day three

• Frequency: twice or more.
• Colour: greenish brown to brownish yellow.
• Texture: non-sticky.

Fourth day and then the entire first month

• Frequency: twice or more.
• Color: yellow (feces should turn yellow no later than by the end of the fourth day).
• Texture: grainy (like mustard with grains interspersed). Leaky and watery.

The baby’s urine should be light yellow. On average, babies urinate once a day for the first two days. Starting around the third day, the number of wet diapers increases to three, and from the fifth day onwards, diapers have to be changed five times a day or more often. In addition, during the first few days, the weight of wet diapers increases. ¹¹

Is the baby getting enough breast milk?

Since very little milk is produced at first,
You may feel that this is not enough for your baby. But if you feed your baby on demand, you will produce exactly as much milk as he needs. If you want to keep the process under control, be guided by the frequency of diaper changes above. If your baby soils less diapers, check with your doctor.

“For the first three or four weeks, most babies just eat and sleep. If the child is worried and constantly asks for a breast, you should consult with your doctor, ”Katie recommends.

Sometimes the baby may vomit after feeding. If the vomit is the color of milk, this is not a cause for concern. But if there are orange, red, green, brown or black blotches in it, or the child vomits with a “fountain”, consult a doctor. You should also consult a doctor if the baby has a high temperature, the fontanel (soft spot on the head) has sunk, blood is found in the stool, and also if the weight recorded at birth has not recovered within two weeks. ¹¹

But if there are no frightening symptoms and the baby is growing at a normal pace, it means that he has enough milk. Soon you will both get used to breastfeeding and establish a more stable routine.

For the next step in breastfeeding, see Breastfeeding in the First Month: What to Expect.

Literature

1 Pang WW, Hartmann PE. Initiation of human lactation: secretory differentiation and secretory activation. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2007;12(4):211-221. – Pang, W.W., Hartmann, P.I., “Lactation initiation in the lactating mother: secretory differentiation and secretory activation.” G Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. 2007;12(4):211-221.

2 Shashi R et al. Postpartum psychiatric disorders: Early diagnosis and management. Indian J Psychiatry . 2015; 57( Suppl 2): S 216– S 221. – Shashi R. et al., Postnatal mental disorders: early diagnosis and treatment. Indian J Saikiatri. 2015; 57(App 2):S216-S221.

3 Moberg KU, Prime DK. Oxytocin effects in mothers and infants during breastfeeding. Infant . 2013;9(6):201-206. – Moberg K, Prime DK, “The effects of oxytocin on mother and child during breastfeeding.” Infant. 2013;9(6):201-206.

4 Sobhy SI, Mohame NA. The effect of early initiation of breast feeding on the amount of vaginal blood loss during the fourth stage of labor. J Egypt Public Health Assoc . 2004;79(1-2):1-12. – Sobhi SI, Moham NA, “Early initiation of breastfeeding and its effect on vaginal bleeding in the fourth stage of labor.” G Egypt Public Health Assoc. 2004;79(1-2):1-2.

5 Meier PP et al. Which breast pump for which mother: an evidence-based approach to individualizing breast pump technology. J Perinatol . 2016;36(7):493. – Meyer P.P. et al., Breastpump Selection: A Scientific Approach to Customizing Pumping Technology. J Perinatol (Journal of Perinatology). 2016;36(7):493-499.

6 Cadwell K. Latching – On and Suckling of the Healthy Term Neonate: Breastfeeding Assessment. J MIDWIFERY & Women ’ S Health . 2007;52(6):638-642. — Cadwell, K., “Latching and sucking in healthy newborns: evaluation of breastfeeding.” W Midwifery Women Health. 2007;52(6):638-642.

7 Kent JC et al. Principles for maintaining or increasing breast milk production. J Obstet , 0200 . 2012;41(1):114-121. – Kent J.S. et al., “Principles for Maintaining and Increasing Milk Production”. J Obstet Ginecol Neoneutal Nurs. 2012;41(1):114-121.

8 Australian Breastfeeding Association [ Internet ]. Feeding cues ; 2017 Sep [ cited 2018 Feb ]. – Australian Breastfeeding Association [Internet], Feed Ready Signals; September 2017 [cited February 2018]

9 Jacobs A et al. S3-guidelines for the treatment of inflammatory breast disease during the lactation period. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd . 2013;73(12):1202-1208. – Jacobs A. et al., “Guidelines S -3 for the management of inflammatory breast disease during breastfeeding.” Geburtskhilfe und Frauenheilkünde. 2013;73(12):1202-1208.

10 Lawrence RA, Lawrence RM. Breastfeeding: A guide for the medical profession. 7th ed. Maryland Heights MO, USA: Elsevier Mosby; 2010. 1128 p . – Lawrence R.A., Lawrence R.M., “Breastfeeding: A guide for healthcare professionals.” Seventh edition. Publisher Maryland Heights , Missouri, USA: Elsevier Mosby; 2010. P. 1128.

Breastfeeding Newborns: Everything You Need to Know

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Some of the most common questions about newborns have to do with feeding, which will take up a lot of time during the first few months of a baby’s life. In this article, we will discuss all of its main aspects, from the basic principles of breastfeeding to the best tips for effective newborn feeding.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, seek the opinion of another specialist.

Basic principles of breastfeeding

Although every baby is different, newborns usually eat every two to three hours, for a total of 8 to 12 times a day. In the first one or two days after birth, babies usually drink 25-50 ml of milk per feeding. This volume will gradually increase to 50-75 ml when the baby is about two weeks old.

More information on how much a newborn should eat can be found here.

How long does one feeding last?

Again, every baby is different, so there is no set time frame for every newborn. But in general, breastfeeding a newborn takes five minutes to one hour. This time depends on the size, age of the baby and the frequency and duration of feeding the newborn.

How to start breastfeeding?

In the first minutes of a child’s life, the mother should put the baby on her chest and ensure body contact. This time is called the “golden hour”: it is at this hour that a connection is established between mother and child and the newborn’s natural instinct to seek the breast manifests itself. As soon as the child begins to show signs of hunger, you need to give him a breast.

Mothers who are just learning to breastfeed their newborns should remember that comfort is key. There is no better way to ensure breastfeeding success than by creating a comfortable and relaxing environment for the mother. For starters, mom can sit comfortably on the couch, on the bed, or in a chair with pillows to support her back while feeding. Breastfeeding moms can get creative with breastfeeding and choose specific lighting, soothing music, or anything else that helps them relax.

Bring your baby to your breast, not the other way around. If you want to make breastfeeding a newborn easier, then do not lean towards the baby, but bring it to your chest. The baby’s mouth should be against the nipple, the neck should be straight, and the shoulders and hips should be in line. Mom can also lightly touch her nipple to her baby’s nose and mouth to encourage him to latch on.

Support your chest. Holding the newborn with one hand, the mother can place the other hand directly under the breast to support it. When learning to breastfeed, some mothers prefer to leave one hand free; in this case, a rolled towel can be used.

Breastfeeding can be done in different positions; experiment with them to find the most comfortable for you and your baby. Below we list the most common breastfeeding techniques:

• Cradle. In this position, the baby lies on the mother’s hand from the side of the breast, which he sucks. The baby’s head lies on the mother’s elbow during feeding.

• Cross cradle. With a cross cradle, the mother holds the baby with the hand opposite to the mammary gland that the baby sucks. With the other hand, mom can support her breasts.

• Underhand or Football. In this position, the mother holds the child next to her, putting her back on her arm. With the other hand, she supports the baby’s head, facing the mammary gland, with which she feeds the baby.

• Lying on the side. In this position, the mother lies on her side, and the child lies next to her, facing her chest. Mom can support the child under the back with the hand that is on top, or put a folded towel under the back of the child.

Newborn Breastfeeding Tips

After looking at breastfeeding techniques, here are some tips for new mothers:

A good grip is important for both mother and baby. With a good grip, the baby will suck out milk correctly, and the mother’s nipples will not hurt. To achieve a good latch, the mother needs to find a position that makes it easier for the newborn to latch onto the breast, and to do this, she should experiment with different positions. If a mother is having difficulty feeding, she should contact a lactation consultant.

2. Maintain milk supply. Sometimes a nursing mother cannot be constantly with her child during feedings. In such cases, it is very important to maintain milk production. An excellent solution for maintaining milk production when mother and baby are not together is pumping milk.

Take a look at this double breast pump: it reduces pumping time and features a massage petal attachment to gently stimulate milk flow.

3. Breastfeeding everywhere. One of the many benefits of breast milk is that mom always has it with her. But some moms feel awkward at first when they have to breastfeed their baby in public. For such mothers, we recommend that you first practice breastfeeding your newborn in front of a mirror and choose clothes that allow you to cover your breasts during feeding. A shawl or scarf can help with this – with them, the mother will feel more comfortable when feeding the baby outside the home.

And to keep clothes dry and clean while breastfeeding, we recommend that mums use these disposable bra pads with a porous and breathable structure: they do not leak and let air through.

Be prepared for difficulties. It is important for moms not to panic or get upset when faced with a common breastfeeding problem, such as insufficient milk production, breast engorgement, clogged milk ducts, mastitis, or sore nipples. To feel calm and confident during all stages of breastfeeding a baby, mothers need a circle of support: family members, friends, and healthcare professionals. The main thing is to stay calm, but if a mother is concerned about any aspect of breast health, she should definitely see a doctor. Learn more about breastfeeding difficulties and how to overcome them.

Articles and tips from Philips Avent

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Baby Hates the Car Seat? 8 Car Safety Tips to Help Your Tot Travel Happy

Photo by Sally Anscombe / Stocksy United

Not every infant loves the car seat. Also true: Some babies who start out loving their car seat for the comfy, cozy security it offers may suddenly rebel against it as they get older.

Needless to say, when the anti-car seat crying starts (or the wailing or thrashing), it’s just no fun for moms and dads who, of course: 1) want their kids to be happy, and 2) have places they need to go!

Still, safety comes first: Rear-facing seats with snug fitting straps are the safest option for kids until they’re two years old. And while, yes, this too shall pass, there are a few tips and tricks you can try in the meantime to help your tot become more travel ready.

1. Make Traveling by Car with Your Baby Fun

Turn your child’s car fright into delight by creating an adventure ritual—sing a silly song with your baby, buy a special toy that they can have only in the car, have a good long snuggle before strapping them in, or play some special tunes on your mobile device that you know they love. The idea is to create a positive association with car rides. Car rides = special times!

2. Keep Calm and Drive On

When faced with a car-seat meltdown, strive to keep your voice calm and neutral. (If you respond with stress or other heightened emotions, it can increase your child’s own feelings of anxiety.) Give your baby heaps of praise when they’re settling down or when they successfully manage a trip to the store without a tantrum. And keep the praise up once you get back home or arrive at your destination.

3. Check to See if Something Is Causing Them Discomfort

Is the sun shining in their face? Use a stick-on sunshade. Do they hate not being able to see you? Check out a safe plastic mirror for rear-facing car seats. Does the car seat actually fit? Double check the car seat’s size and weight recommendations and see if it’s time to upgrade.

Photo by Jessica Byrum / Stocksy

4. Dress for (Car) Success

Young babies have a hard time regulating their body temperature, so it’s important that your baby not be too hot…or too cold. A good rule of thumb? Dress them in a couple of thin layers of clothing when they’ll be in their car seat, but never in bulky jackets or clothes. (Bulky clothing can prevent you from adequately tightening the car-seat straps and harness.) If you’re worried they may be cold, place a coat or blanket over them after you’ve buckled them in.

5. Turn on Their Favorite Song

“Any kind of relaxing, calming music can contribute to calmer moods,” notes the American Academy of Pediatrics. While that may eliminate Metallica from your car travel playlist, there’s no need to restrict yourself to “kid” music to promote a sense of calm. (After all, you should be able to enjoy it, too!)

6. Have Someone Ride Alongside Them (When Possible)

If you’re driving with another adult or older child, have them sit next to your child to keep them occupied with a favorite toy or book. If you’re driving alone, talk or sing to your child—even if they can’t see you, they will hear and recognize your voice.

7. Use a Calming Essential Oil in a Car Diffuser

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, using essential oils like lavender, clary sage, neroli, and chamomile can reduce agitation and stress, and promote calm. Harness the power of aromatherapy with a car diffuser to help turn car-seat anxieties into quieter, more relaxing moments. (Be sure to use natural essential oils rather than chemical-based fragrances, as some people may have negative reactions to these products.) If the aromas don’t help your child, they may help you relax a little more. Speaking of which…

8. Grin and Bear It—Their Safety Comes First

When all else fails, you may need to just put up with some noisy, unhappy car rides. Regardless of how loudly they voice their displeasure, rear-facing seats are simply a necessity for keeping kids safe and healthy.

Caring For Kids

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Why Do Some Babies Hate Car Seats? — Tips for Happy Trips

Tips, Tricks & Trends

Does your baby wail and put up a big fuss when riding in a car seat? Find out potential reasons for your baby’s aversion to their car seat, as well as advice for an enjoyable ride.

by
Mark Putzer

Published on November 27, 2022

3 min read

Babies show a broad spectrum of reactions when riding in a car seat. Some babies love it and blissfully relax as a vehicle rides along the road. However, for others, it’s like the chair of death. They’ll cry in anguish, scream, and make a big fuss when placed in a car seat. We explore why some babies hate car seats — and offer tips so your little one can have happy trips. 

Improper installation or uncomfortable position could be why your baby doesn’t like car seat

Baby in car seat | Alexander Grey via Unsplash

There are a variety of reasons why some babies don’t like their car seat. However, two of the most common reasons are the improper installation of the car seat and an uncomfortable seating position. Your baby could be crying because they are actually in pain from sitting in the car seat. 

If your baby has an adverse reaction to a car seat, then the first thing to do is check to make sure it’s properly installed. Follow the installation guidelines according to the manuals for both the car seat and your vehicle. 

After checking the installation of the seat, take a look at the seating position. One problem is the straps might be too tight. This can result in placing too much pressure on a baby’s belly. It can also restrict their breathing and cause choking. Other potential problems include an uncomfortable seating angle, a seat that causes a hunched position, and inadequate padding. 

Additional reasons why some babies hate car seats

Baby by steering wheel | Carl Figuracion via Unsplash

If you check the installation, seating position, and other comfort aspects and your baby still dislikes their car seat, it could be due to various other reasons. As detailed by Chiropractic Place and Today’s Parent, this includes:

• Motion sickness
• Boredom
• If your baby ate food recently, the car ride could cause an upset stomach.
• Dislikes being alone
• Aversion to confinement and restrictions for playing with their hands
• Sunlight shining on them through the window
• The air temperature is either too cold or too hot.
• Bunched-up clothing
• Tightness in the muscles or ligaments
• Medical issues, such as a chiropractic problem or reflux in the stomach

What to do when your baby doesn’t like riding in a car seat

As covered earlier, if your baby hates riding in a car seat, the first thing to do is check to ensure that the seat is properly installed. Then check the seating position, the straps, and other aspects of the seat that could cause discomfort.

A particular car seat might also be a bad fit for your baby, so it’s worth upgrading to a better one. When your baby’s health and happiness are at stake, you don’t want to skimp on quality. There’s a great deal of variance in the quality of car seats. There are some cheap, low-quality ones, but it’s not worth putting your baby at risk. It’s better to opt for a higher quality one, even if it means paying more money.

There are also some measures that you can take to calm and distract your baby during car rides. This includes playing nursery rhymes or other music, giving toys to your baby, and offering them a pacifier.

Additionally, it’s best to not go for a ride immediately after a baby eats to avoid stomach issues. Also, consider testing out different feeding schedules. Furthermore, it’s helpful to burp your baby before placing them in your vehicle.

If your baby still wails and hates it anytime they’re in a seat after taking these measures — then the aversion could be due to a medical issue. Discuss the matter with a pediatrician or another medical professional to diagnose the problem.

Hopefully, you can soon solve the riddle of your baby’s dislike for car seats so that they can have an enjoyable time on your excursions. Happy travels with your little one!

How to make a child love a car seat: 10 tips for parents

Content

• 1 A child does not like a car seat: 10 tips that will help you
  • 1.1 How to get a child to love a car seat
  • 1.2 Explain the need for a car seat 9000 8
  • 1.3 Select a seat that fits your child
  • 1.4 Give your child a choice
  • 1.5 Make car seat fun
  • 1.6 Don’t force your child to sit in the seat
  • 1.7 Set a good example using seat belts
  • 1.8 Have a review test drive
  • 1.9 Give your child an important task regarding the car seat
  • 1.10 Reward your child for using the car seat
  • 1.11 Seek professional help
  • 1.12 Related videos:

The article offers 10 tips for parents whose child does not like to sit in a car seat. Find out how to make travel safe and comfortable for your little one and how to deal with car seat rejection.

A car seat is one of the most important items for a child in a car, but getting a child to love it can be tricky. Over time, parents face the problem when their children begin to resist being placed in a car seat. If your child does not like the car seat, then first of all you need to understand why this is happening.

There are many reasons why a child may not like a car seat. Your child may experience discomfort while driving or get bored while driving. Either way, you need to find a solution to this problem. In this article, you will find 10 tips to help you make your child love the car seat and feel comfortable and safe during car rides.

Start by understanding that a car seat is not just an item you can’t live without, it’s a very important safety feature for your child in the car. Therefore, your task as a parent is to ensure maximum comfort and safety for your baby while traveling by car. To that end, use our tips and remember that you are not alone in your struggle to keep your child safe in the car.

How to make your child love a car seat

A car seat is one of the most important safety features when transporting a child in a car. But not all children are happy to sit in it and often show resistance. In this article, we will share 10 tips to make using a car seat enjoyable for your child and safe for him and all passengers.

1. Choose the correct seat for your child’s age and weight . This will help increase comfort while traveling. Buy a seat that is appropriate for your child’s height and weight so that they are comfortable and safe. Also pay attention to the possibility of adjusting the angle of the backrest and fixing the head.
2. Introduce your child to the seat. Let him look at the chair, feel it, sit in it, touch the straps and fasteners. This will help the child get used to the chair and will not cause fear when using.
3. Have a positive attitude towards the chair. Show your child that a seat is an important safety feature and a point to take good care of yourself and other passengers. Make sure you yourself always follow the safety rules and use the seat belts.
4. Prepare toys and entertainment . If the trip is long, prepare toys and entertainment so that the child does not get bored. The child will be busy and will not think that he is bored in the chair.
5. Play your favorite music . Play your child’s favorite music or audiobook. This will create an atmosphere of comfort and help the child forget that he is in a chair.
6. Bring nutritious and tasty snacks . Carry nutritious and tasty snacks that your child loves on the road. This will help the child to be a little distracted and interested in the process of eating.
7. Play games while driving . Start playing with your child a game that he likes. This will create an atmosphere of pleasure and the chair will be associated with fun and play, not just stress and boredom.
8. Take breaks to warm up . Regular breaks will help stretch your legs and relax. Give your child the opportunity to run, play and just relax before the next leg of the trip.
9. Be prepared for the unexpected . Be prepared for the fact that various situations may arise during the trip. Think in advance what to take with you so that it is comfortable and safe for all passengers.
10. Most importantly, do not forget about safety . With all the desire to make the trip comfortable and interesting, it is important not to forget about safety. Make sure the seat is properly installed, the harness is securely fastened and the child is seated correctly and comfortably.

By following these tips, you will help your child love the car seat and create a comfortable and safe ride for him. Remember that safety is the most important thing, and comfort is a nice bonus.

Explain the need for a car seat

A car seat is one of the most important safety items for your child in a car. It protects the child from injury in an accident or sudden braking, reducing the likelihood of severe injuries to the head and neck.

Parents must explain to their child the need for a car seat. You can use examples of stories that happened to people you know or in the news to illustrate the safety hazards of not having a car seat. Remember that your example can also influence your child’s behavior, so be disciplined and always use a car seat.

• Remember that using the car seat correctly is one of the most effective ways to protect your little one in the car.
• Explain to your child the need for a car seat, using examples from life or the news.
• Remind you that not using a car seat can result in a fine and cause insurance issues.

Choose the seat that suits your child

Choosing a car seat for your child is a very important step. The chair should be suitable for the age, height and weight of the child. It is also necessary to take into account the type of car, the size of the seat and its installation.

Before buying, you must study the instructions for the car and the recommendations of the manufacturer of the car seat.

Main types of car seats:

• Group 0+ – for infants up to 13 kg.
• Group 1 – for children from 9 to 18 kg.
• Group 2 – for children from 15 to 25 kg.
• Group 3 – for children from 22 to 36 kg.

There are also combination chairs that fit several groups, this saves money and time on buying new chairs.

Remember that the seat must be installed in accordance with the instructions to ensure the safety of the child. The direction of installation depends on the age of the child and the type of chair.

Give your child a choice

When it comes to car seats, you don’t have to make decisions on behalf of your child. Let him choose and include him in the seat selection process. This will help the child feel like a part of the important process and increase the likelihood that he will feel better about the car seat in the future.

In addition, you can give your child the opportunity to choose their favorite car seat color or purchase accessories that will help them feel better in class. If your child loves cars, you can offer them a car seat in the shape of a car or with their favorite characters in the seat. This way you can keep him interested in the car seat and he won’t get confused when it’s time to ride in the car.

In summary, giving your child a choice when choosing a car seat is a great way to keep them interested and more likely to love their car seat. Remember that the safety of children in the car is a top priority, and the choice of a car seat should not depend only on the desires of the child.

Make your car seat rides fun

In order to not only keep your child safe on the road, but also keep them engaged, here are a few simple tips.

• Choose a car seat with a bright design and interesting details. In such a chair, your child will not only sit comfortably, but will also enjoy learning about various details.
• Choose toys and books that are only suitable for car travel. It can be a magnetic sketchbook, a modeling kit, a picture book or items to search for. This way, your little one will look forward to every ride to continue playing.
• If necessary, stop and spend time in the fresh air. A walk in the playground or playground will allow the child to stretch after a long trip, as well as prepare him for the continuation of the journey.

And don’t forget to show positive emotions when you travel – a cheerful mood and positive emotions will quickly pass on to your child and help him get rid of any negative associations with the car seat.

Do not force a child to sit in a chair

Many parents are unaware that forcing a child to sit in a car seat is abuse. This leads to serious health problems for the child and causes psychological discomfort. Instead of violence, it is necessary to find ways for the child to sit in the chair voluntarily.

Ways:

• Praise and encouragement. The child needs to feel that he is making the right decision on his own, sitting in a chair. Praise should be sincere and not tied to a certain number of hours in the chair.
• Chair selection. It is important to show that the child has the right to choose. Offer him several options for chairs and ask him to choose.
• Chair fun. It will be easier for the child to sit in the chair if he is busy with fun games or can watch a cartoon during the trip. Prepare a set of toys and books that can only be used in the car.
• An example of parents. The child must see that the parents also follow the safety rules, sitting in seat belts without the use of violence. Don’t forget to put on the straps and secure the chair in place.

Remember that violence is never the right thing to do. Try to communicate with the child and explain to him the need to use a car seat. Use encouragement and entertainment to get your child to sit in the chair without being forced.

Set a good example by using seat belts

Children are very attentive to the actions of adults, especially parents. If you don’t put on your own seat belt in your car, don’t expect your child to. Therefore, it is very important to set a good example.

Remember to make sure your child is properly seated before every ride, and remember to do it yourself. This will help increase your child’s level of confidence in the car seat and demonstrate that their safety is important to all of their loved ones.

It is also recommended to explain to the child the importance of seat belts and show them how they work. To do this, you can use a special device similar to a car seat and demonstrate how to properly put on and tighten seat belts.

Take a review test drive

One of the most effective ways to convince your child to use a car seat is to take a review test drive. The child must understand that the seat controls his safety on the road, and learn to get used to using it.

Perhaps the easiest way is to put the car seat in the car and let the child try to sit on it. He can test the comfort of the seat, adjust the seat belts to suit himself, and just play in the seat. You can give him more instructions on proper use or explain how the chair works.

If your child loves cars and toys, try buying a toy car seat for him. He can try to sit down his favorite soft toys, conduct safety tests with them, and even learn how to correctly restrain a toy with a belt.

In general, an overview test drive will help your child get to know the car seat and understand that it is not just a toy, but an important tool for his own safety and health.

Give your child an important task regarding the car seat

Children are respected and like to be entrusted with important tasks. Ask your child to help you with the car seat. Assign him the responsibility of checking that the chair is installed correctly.

For this task, you can give your child a checklist with important points. For example, make sure that the straps fit snugly around the child, that the seat does not move when you shake it, and that the width of the chair is appropriate for the size of the car.

Also, ask your child to help you fold and unfold the seat. And explain to him why this is necessary and how he can help in case of an accident. If the child understands the importance of his role, he will be ready to help you every time you are going to go out on the road.

Don’t forget to reward your child for their help and the skills they learn along the way. A little praise for a task well done can be a powerful motivator for your little one.

Give your child the responsibility and opportunity to take an active part in road safety. This is a great way to help him feel important and to ensure his safety and well-being while driving.

Reward your child for using the car seat

Like any other person, a child likes to receive praise and recognition. Use this fact to encourage your child to use the car seat.

Have your child walk around the car while your friend installs the car seat. Then ask him to shake the seat, check the seat belts, tighten them and help secure the seat in the car. The child will be happy to help you and will enjoy the feeling of responsibility.

Create a reward system where the child is rewarded for using the car seat. For example, you can promise him a small gift after, for example, every five car rides using a car seat.

Don’t forget about feedback. Let the child tell himself what he liked about the trip when he was strapped into the car seat. You can put a note in the log that the child was protected and safe in the car, which in turn can be a great motivation for the child to use the car seat in the future.

Seek professional help

If all attempts to convince your child to sit in a car seat have failed and you are having difficulty, you can seek professional help. Traffic safety specialists or psychologists can help you sort out a difficult situation.

Road safety experts can give you advice and help you understand the different factors that affect your child. They can explain why a car seat is important to your child’s safety and how to best choose the right model. Professional advice can help you build a relationship with your child and show them that you truly care about their safety.

Psychologists can help you understand why your child is behaving and help you find ways to convince them to use a car seat. They can do special work with the child, which will help him better understand why he needs to sit in a car seat. It can also help reduce stress for you and your child while traveling by car.

With the help of professionals, you can get individual counseling and discuss the specific problems that you and your child have. Feel free to contact the professionals if you feel you can’t handle the problem on your own – your safety and the safety of your loved ones is a priority.

Related videos:

Clause 21. 11 of the Road Traffic Regulations for Ukraine is confiscated to transport children without car seats, boosters and special restraint systems. We were able to obey the law, to feed the safety of the little one, for the yak, the fathers for the kerm. Ale scho work, like a child forced to sit in a car seat? Adzhe 3-Richny Malyukov Baiduzh to the PDR and fines. For fathers of children, who hate car seats, we prepared sprats of joy:

1. Adjust the fit of the seat

For some kids, the fit of the car seat plays a vital role in comfort. To correct this nuance, you can slightly improve the child’s shutter before travelling.

The stings of stomach pain in children are still not too strong, sitting in the supra-vertical position of the building will cause tension in the stomach and chest, or else it will calm the breath. In such a situation, no one can feel comfortable.

Change your car seat if you’re well enough. Vіdpovіdno up to the standards of the safety of car seats, the kut is badly guilty of conforming to the proponated kutu, which sounds like 30 to 45 degrees.

2. Reverse the size of the car seat and the life of the belt

And not only strangers. Guess when you got your car seat adjusted? Possibly, from that hour the child grew up and it just became crowded. Perevirte, chi do not squeeze the belts and enough space in the car seat for the baby in the season.

It is possible that the problem is with a particular car seat. For clarity, protest at a few trips for a different model: ask someone you know to rent.

3. Can you hit a child?

At the sight of the children of the older age, as if they can tell about those who are bad for them, those little ones do not talk about crying and/or screaming. Like a trip in the car zmushuє їх vodchuvati boredom, it’s quite natural that the stench will cry already at the moment of landing in the chair.

Studies have shown that more than half of the nursing mothers said that their children’s tantrums in the car seat were the result of an infection, as if they were diagnosing the older one.

When to Start Baby Food

Starting solids is an exciting and important milestone in baby’s development—one that not only opens them up to a brand-new world of flavors and textures, but also puts them on the right path to growing healthy and strong. Here’s what you need to know about how and when to start baby food for a smooth transition.

In this article:
When to start baby food
How to start baby on solids
Best first foods for baby
Introducing allergenic foods

When to Start Baby Food

Knowing when to start baby food is both crucial and tricky. Starting baby on solids too early means you might increase the risk of choking, obesity and bellyaches, but introducing solids too late means you might slow baby’s growth and encourage an aversion to solid foods, among other conditions. Fortunately, doctors have zeroed in on a sweet spot for starting baby food, which is sometime between 4 and 6 months of age—though, ideally, baby should be receiving their nutrition exclusively from breast milk until the six-month mark, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). How to tell if it’s time for starting solids for your little one? Baby will give you clues, including:

• Baby can sit in a high chair comfortably on their own. This is a major sign in terms of when to start baby food, says Lauren Kupersmith, MD, a pediatrician at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone in New York City. It means baby can hold their head up and doesn’t need to be propped up to stay in the upright position, which is important to avoid choking.

• Baby looks interested at mealtime. Babies likes to mimic what we do, so if your child likes to sit up like a big kid and watch you eat, then by all means let them try eating too.

• Baby can move food to the back of their throat to swallow. But if baby tends to push the food out of their mouth—not because they don’t like it, but because they can’t seem to get the food to where it needs to go—hold off on starting solids.

How to Start Baby on Solids

At 4 to 6 months, most of baby’s nutrition will still come from breast milk or formula, so don’t worry if baby doesn’t like eating food right away. Introducing solids is a gradual process, and every baby learns in their own time. Here are some general guidelines for how to start baby on solids:

• Feed baby with a spoon. Letting your child go at it with their hands may seem tempting (and super-cute), but it’s best that they learn the right way from the get-go. (And even then, be prepared to clean up more than a few messes!) Also, never put cereal (or any other food) in baby’s bottle—it’s a choking hazard.

• Start slowly. When introducing solids, a half spoonful will do at first—you may even want to talk baby through it (“Yummy!”). To make it easier for baby to get accustomed to the idea of swallowing solids, start mealtime with a little breast milk or formula, then offer some food (again, no more than a half teaspoon at a time) and finish off with more breast milk or formula. If baby cries or turns away when you present the spoon, try again some other time. Start off with introducing solids at one meal a day, then slowly work your way up. The morning is a good place to start, since baby is often hungriest at that time. When starting solids, baby typically won’t eat more than an ounce or two in one sitting.

• Try new foods more than once. Since babies’ tastes will evolve, you may need to try a food 20 times before a baby actually likes it, says Kupersmith.

• Stick with the same food for three days before trying another one. This makes it easy to track whether baby is allergic to a particular food.

• Try foods in different forms. If baby doesn’t like pureed food, try it mashed. After all, baby is learning about new textures as well as new tastes. It may be a case of trial and error until you find a winner.

Best First Foods for Baby

Got baby safely strapped into the high chair and bib? You’re ready to finally start feeding baby solids! There aren’t any official food rules for babies starting solids, and there’s no scientific evidence suggesting you should introduce one type of food before another, assuming the foods aren’t choking hazards. Nevertheless, baby cereal (such as oatmeal, rice and barley) is an “easy training food,” says Kupersmith, which is why it’s often recommended as baby’s first food; you can always mix it with more milk to build up to a thicker consistency. Many doctors also recommend starting vegetables before fruits, but there’s no evidence that this would make babies like vegetables more when they grow up—babies innately love sweets, and the order of introducing solids to baby doesn’t change that.

So why not simply start introducing solids with something you think baby will like? Here are a few common first foods for baby that are healthy and easy to eat (and, in the case sweet potato and banana, also easy to digest). Whatever you decide to feed baby, mash it with a fork or puree before serving whenever introducing solids.

• Baby cereal, such as oatmeal, rice, barley
• Sweet potato
• Banana
• Avocado
• Apples
• Pears
• Green beans
• Butternut squash

If your child has been breastfeeding, check with your pediatrician about getting a jump on pureed chicken or beef when you’re starting solids. These foods contain easily absorbable forms of iron and zinc, which baby needs by 4 to 6 months, according to the AAP.

At around 9 months, baby should have already worked their way up to a variety of foods, including cereal, vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs and fish (see below regarding the last two). (Keep in mind, though, that baby will still get the majority of their nutrients from breast milk or formula until age one.) By now, baby will probably settle on three meals a day along with two snacks. Let them consume about 4 ounces of solids at each meal (equivalent to a small jar of strained baby food) and about half that amount for each snack.

Save honey and cow’s milk for after baby’s first birthday—there’s a risk for infant botulism with honey (a type of bacterial poisoning), and baby’s tummy isn’t prepared to digest large amounts of cow’s milk until they’re about one year old. Avoid adult processed foods and foods that are choking hazards (such as sticky foods, like large gobs of peanut butter; hard foods that are difficult to gum, like raw vegetables, nuts, seeds and popcorn; and round, slippery foods that haven’t been cut up, like grapes and cherry tomatoes). Instead, the first foods for baby, and those in the months that follow, should be soft and served mashed, pureed or (once baby seems ready to move up from the really mushy stuff) cut up into really little bits. “There’s pretty much free reign at that point,” Kupersmith says.

Introducing Solids Chart

Hesitant about improvising your first foods for baby? That’s okay too. If you prefer an “introducing solids chart” to help you plan out baby’s path, the guide below can come in handy.

Image: The Bump

Introducing Allergenic Foods

Much of the confusion around when to start baby food stems from questions concerning allergenic foods. These are foods that babies are most often allergic to. The major culprits include dairy, eggs, fish, peanuts and tree nuts. In the past, parents were advised to hold off on exposing baby to these foods, but now doctors recommend introducing them early, often and in age-appropriate format, which means starting off with purees and soft textures.

“Dairy is an easy starting point, given options such as yogurt and cheese,” says David Stukus, MD, director of the Food Allergy Treatment Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and a spokesperson for the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. You can also try scrambled eggs in small amounts, although baby may not be too pleased with the texture at first.

As far as peanut products go, the National Institutes of Health issued new guidelines in 2017 that encourage parents of children at high risk for peanut allergies to incorporate them into baby’s diet at 4 to 6 months of age. Giving these babies peanut products before the age of one actually decreases their risk of developing a peanut allergy before age 5 by 81 percent, compared to kids who are introduced to peanuts later in life. Parents of kids without the food allergy risk can start peanut products whenever they’d like, as long as the nuts are in an age-appropriate form: Peanut butter can be thinned out with water or mixed into a fruit or vegetable puree, and peanut powder can also be mixed into cereal and fruits. Don’t give whole peanuts or pieces of peanuts, since they’re a choking risk.

Allergic reactions to food are never just a fluke; they will happen with every exposure. Symptoms can range from mild (such as a rash or vomiting) to severe (such as trouble breathing). If baby has a food allergy, you’ll notice a reaction within minutes or up to two hours after eating the problematic food, Stukus says. If the symptoms are severe, call 911 right away. Otherwise, talk to your pediatrician; she can help confirm whether it’s an allergy or some other type of condition (such as a viral illness).

Expert bios:*

Lauren Kupersmith, MD, IBCLC, is a pediatrician and clinical instructor at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone in New York City, as well as a certified lactation consultant. She earned her medical degree from New York Medical College in 2005.

David Stukus, MD, is the director of the Food Allergy Treatment Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, an associate professor of pediatrics in the division of allergy and immunology and a spokesperson for the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. He earned his medical degree from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2002.

Updated January 2020

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

22 Homemade Stage 1 Baby Food Purees // Serenity Kids™

When it comes to introducing solids, purees are often seen as the go-to. Purees can offer some serious nutritional benefits that differ from other feeding approaches – you can pack a LOT of goodies into a puree!

Plus, purees are pretty simple to make at home. When you make purees at home, you can control the texture and consistency. This allows you to tailor the puree to your baby’s preferences and readiness. You can start with a very thin consistency so that it is easy for baby to swallow and then work your way up to a chunkier puree for an added sensory experience once baby is accustomed to swallowing and eating from a spoon.

Finally, purees provide an easy way to add variety to a baby’s diet, as they can be mixed and matched with different meats, veggies, fats, and other boosters like breast milk, bone broth, herbs, and spices. 

Know that we aren’t exclusively team puree. Serving foods “baby-led weaning” style also has its benefits, and we think a combination of approaches is great for a number of reasons.

In this blog post, we’ll provide an overview of when and how to start solids, what tools you’ll need, and some tips for storing and serving. We also share 22 ideas for homemade stage 1 baby food purees. 

When Can Your Babies Start Eating Solid Foods? Learn The Signs

Starting to introduce foods can be really exciting for some parents, so there can be a tendency to try and do it a little too early. There is no reason to rush! There are no risks in waiting too long to start solids, however there are several risks associated with starting too early so when in doubt, wait! 

How do you know when it’s time? While there is no strict timeline, there are signs that a baby may be ready to begin exploring new flavors and textures:

• Can sit upright well without support 
• Has lost the tongue-thrust reflex (doesn’t automatically push solids out of the mouth with the tongue)
• Has good head control (does not bob or nod when unsupported)
• Is willing and able to chew (even if he or she does not yet have teeth)
• Is developing a pincer grasp (picks up food or other objects between thumb and forefinger)
• Is interested in food and is eager to participate in mealtime (may watch you closely as you eat, lean into food, or try to grab food off of your plate)

Many babies start to show these signs around six months of age, but every baby is different.

How Can You Introduce Food to a Baby?

It can be daunting to introduce food to your baby, so here are some tips:

1. Try a puree

Purees can be nutrient dense and less intimidating that solid foods since they are easy to swallow. they are a great way to give baby a little taste of new flavors. You can even load a spoon for baby and allow he or she to self-feed.

2. Start smart with solids

When feeding solids, start with foods that are mashed or large enough to hold, and cut small round foods in half, or break them up a bit yourself first by crushing them before giving them to baby.

3. Prioritize animal proteins

They’re dense in critical nutrients like beef, liver, and salmon.

4. Let baby lead the way

Take the lead on offering foods, but allow them to set the pace while you keep an eye out for hunger and satiety cues. If baby is turning their head, closing their lips, or pushing food away, they’re making it clear that they’re done. Don’t force it, even if they haven’t eaten much.

5. Offer positive feedback

Food is a foreign experience for babies just starting to eat. Your smiles, silly faces, and positive words will offer reassurance to baby that they’re in a safe space.

6. Be patient

You’ll need some patience and have a sense of humor. It can be frustrating when you spend a bunch of time prepping homemade baby food only for them to take one bite and fling the rest of the floor, but it’s all part of the learning process!

For more tips on how to introduce baby to solid foods, check out Baby’s First Bites: Dos and Don’ts for Introducing Solids in a Safe and Stress-Free Way

Baby Food Stages: What is the Difference Between Them?

The baby food stages listed on baby food can be very confusing for parents and are not always used in a consistent way by the baby food industry. The idea behind labeling a food with a baby food stage is to help guide parents along a journey of introducing different foods and textures as baby progresses from simple ingredients and thinner smooth purees to multiple ingredients and thicker purees.

Truthfully, baby food stages can be a good guide, but they certainly aren’t gospel when it comes to how you should feed your baby. What’s more important is to observe your baby and follow their lead. Parents know best, so if your baby is clearly bored with their runny sweet potato baby food, it’s time to ramp up the texture and flavor!

In general, here’s how baby food stages are defined:

1. Stage 1 baby foods

Stage 1 baby foods are typically the first baby food stage served around six months and are a watery puree of a single ingredient.

2. Stage 2 baby foods

Stage 2 baby foods are intended for around 6 to 9 months and are a thicker texture that is strained or mashed.

3. Stage 3 baby foods

Stage 3 baby foods are intended for around 10 to 12 months and are a mushy but chunkier texture.

But again, these are not hard and fast rules. Most “stage 3” purees are fine for babies as young as 6 months old, and older babies might still like the “stage 1” purees so use your own judgment.   

Approaches to Baby Food  

There are different approaches to introducing solids or “complementary feeding” as it is sometimes called. There is no one right way to feed a baby, which is why we love a combination of the different approaches (more on that here!): 

1. Baby-led weaning

Baby-led weaning is an approach that has parents offer babies safely prepared versions of whole food items, such as soft cooked chunks of sweet potato, broccoli, salmon, etc. This allows baby to take the lead on what and how much they choose to eat. It’s a great way to give baby a sensory experience and help them be part of mealtime with the rest of the family.

2. Purees

As we discussed, purees have a number of benefits, from nutrient density to ease of eating. It’s also the best way to introduce meat (an essential first food) which can be hard to chew for a little one with no teeth.

3. Eating with fingers

Eating with fingers isn’t exactly an “approach” to baby feeding, but more of a stage. Offering finger foods is a great way to practice the pincer grasp. Our puffs are a great way to practice alongside other finger foods.

Best Tools for Making Homemade Baby Food Purees and Eating Essentials

To set yourself up for success in preparing stage 1 baby food purees, you’ll need some tools.

1. Steamer basket (if you plan to steam veggies or meat before pureeing)

2. Blender, immersion blender, or food processor (for the pureeing step)

3. Silicone ice cube trays (we love Wee Sprout)

4. Freezer bags (we love Stasher)

5. Storage containers (we love Wee Sprout)

6. Pouches (for homemade purees, we love the reusable pouches from Wee Sprout, and of course our own Serenity Kids pouches as a backup or portable option)

7. Medium saucepan (if you plan to steam or saute veggies or meat, preferably cast iron or stainless steel)

8. Nontoxic baking sheet (if you plan to roast veggies or meat before pureeing)

9. Suction bowl and spoon set (optional, but super convenient)

10. Bib with a food catcher (we like the silicone ones that are easy to wash)

How Can You Store Stage 1 Baby Food Purees?

So what’s the best way to store stage 1 baby food puree? You’ve got options! It is safe to store baby food puree in both the refrigerator or freezer, and which you choose depends on when you expect to feed it to your baby. A great option is a combo of both. Cooking a big batch of puree and leaving some in the fridge and freezing the rest is the ultimate baby meal prep. If you do this each time you try a new recipe, you’ll end up with a great variety of your own stage 1 baby food in the freezer to pull out on busy days! 

1. Refrigerator

If you expect that your baby will eat a puree within a few days, then the fridge is great option. We prefer to avoid plastics so we like to store baby food purees in glass jars (like these ones). Label your jar with the date the food was prepared so that you know when to toss it. Baby food purees are generally good for about 3 days in the fridge, however, if your baby has eaten directly from the container, you may need  to toss it earlier since bacteria can build up inside once a spoon goes from baby’s mouth back into the jar.

2. Freezer

If you don’t expect that all of your puree will be eaten within about 3 days, the freezer is the better option. Silicone ice cube or baby food trays are a great tool to store frozen puree since you can pop out individual servings as you need them. Just be sure to cool baby food purees to room temperature before freezing. And if your baby is teething, you can let them chew on a cube of frozen baby food. Is messy but a fun way to feed and provide teething relief at the same time!

Baby Food Allergies: How Can You Tell?

When introducing solids to a baby, it is important to consider food allergies.  Allergies to baby food are not always obvious – the signs can be subtle and easily mistaken for something else.

There are a few common symptoms that may indicate a food allergy:

• Rash or hives
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

It can be scary to experience allergic reactions, so always seek medical attention if you notice any of these signs after feeding your baby.  Allergic reactions might present right after a baby eats a new food or up to five days later.

It might seem counterintuitive but research shows that early allergen introduction is key to helping to prevent food allergies. Babies don’t need much of a food to trigger an allergic reaction, or to help prevent food allergies. So-called “micro-exposures” of allergenic foods are enough to help prevent against developing food allergies, however it must be done at the right time with the right proportions, and most of the allergen introduction foods are not based on the scientific research. Ready Set Food is a brand we trust for this process, however we believe early allergen introduction is really only necessary for babies that are already at a high risk for allergies.

22 Ideas for Homemade Stage 1 Baby Food Purees

Many parents don’t realize that animal products, like meat, fatty fish, eggs, and liver, are ideal first foods for babies. The truth is, animal products are dense in the nutrients babies really need (like iron, zinc, and healthy fats) and are easier to digest than the grain-based baby cereal commonly recommended for babies. Plus, they have a savory flavor profile (read more on why meat is an ideal first food here). Fun fact: Our ancestors would pre-chew meat for their babies, called “pre-mastication”, as a way to serve pureed meats to baby. Since we now have blenders, that isn’t necessary. Of course, go for it if you want! 

After meat, veggies are the next best thing to introduce to baby. Veggies help introduce more savory flavors and nutrients. Veggies are great steamed, roasted, or sauteed and combined with some healthy fats like grass-fed ghee, whipped bone marrow, olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil.

Some fresh fruit is ok but can be high in sugar, and offering too much may lead to sweeter taste preferences and picky eating. We do not recommend grains, rice cereal, or baby cereal. For more on why, check out Why We’re Grain Free.

So here we go, 22 ideas for stage 1 baby purees:

1. Meats: grass-fed beef, free-range turkey and chicken, beef liver, chicken liver

Blend cooked meats (the fattier the better) with a little breast milk or formula, bone broth, or water,

2.

Bone broth

Okay, bone broth isn’t really a puree, but it’s super nutrient dense food and can be served in a bottle or cup. It can also be used to thin out other purees to your desired consistency. Check out our chicken bone broth and liver bone broth recipes.

3. Egg and Egg Yolk 

Just cook it softly (can use grass fed ghee or bone marrow) and then mash it up!

4. Sweet potato

Just steam, saute, or roast sweet potatoes and then mash it up!

5. Avocado

All you need is a ripe avocado and then mash it up – as smooth or chunky as you’d like.

6. Peas

Just cook and blend them. They make a great thickener when mixed with other meats and veggies.

7. Carrot

Just steam, saute, or roast carrots and then mash them up! Find more ideas for carrot baby food here!

8. Butternut squash

Just steam, saute, or roast butternut squash and then mash it up!

9. Broccoli

Just steam, saute, or roast broccoli and then blend it up!

10.

Cauliflower

Just steam, saute, or roast cauliflower and then blend it up!

11. Zucchini

Just steam, saute, or roast zucchini and then blend it up!

12. Asparagus

Just steam, saute, or roast asparagus and then blend it up!

13. Bell pepper

Just steam, saute, or roast bell pepper and then blend it up!

14. Pumpkin

You can buy pumpkin already pureed, or make your own, similar to butternut squash

15. Green beans

Just steam, saute, or roast bell pepper and then blend it up!

16. Spinach or kale

Just steam or saute spinach or kale and then blend it up!

17. Mango

Just blend it up (and consider combining with a fat like avocado once introduced so it isn’t pure sweetness).

18. Peach

Just blend it up (and consider combining with a fat like avocado once introduced so it isn’t pure sweetness).

19. Blueberry

Just blend it up (and consider combining with a fat like avocado once introduced so it isn’t pure sweetness).

20. Strawberry

Just blend it up (and consider combining with a fat like avocado once introduced so it isn’t pure sweetness).

21. Pear

Just blend it up (and consider combining with a fat like avocado once introduced so it isn’t pure sweetness). These can help if baby is a bit constipated.

22. Plums and prunes

Just blend it up (and consider combining with a fat like avocado once introduced so it isn’t pure sweetness). These can help if baby is a bit constipated.

 

Bon Appetit!

There are a variety of approaches you can take, and decisions around what and how to feed can feel overwhelming. But ultimately, introducing solids should be a fun and exciting journey for you and your little one! Try a variety of flavors, textures, and methods of eating to see what your baby enjoys. And remember, preferences might change daily, so go with the flow and follow their lead!

 

First complementary feeding of children with artificial feeding – Start of complementary feeding on IV

Babies grow so fast, and now an important and new stage is coming for both parents and crumbs: the introduction of the first complementary foods! Complementary foods are all new food for the child, except for the already familiar breast milk, formula and water. As the baby grows, regardless of whether he is on breastfeeding or IV, milk protein alone becomes insufficient for the harmonious development of the body and strengthening immunity. It is from complementary foods that the child will receive the nutrients, elements and vitamins necessary for his growing body. Therefore, it is so important to carefully choose the products for the first feeding of the crumbs, to cook only healthy “dishes”!

Often, parents of formula-fed babies are especially worried about how to properly introduce the first complementary foods, when to start and with what foods. You should not think that if your child is fed a mixture, and not breast milk, then his body urgently requires some additional nutrients and the first complementary foods will be radically different. Regardless of the type of feeding, complementary foods must be introduced according to certain rules.

When should I start weaning with IV?

Here are the signs that parents can understand: it’s time to try new foods, the baby is ready!

1. The baby sits with a little support from the parents or on their own.

2. The baby already has teeth or they are being cut.

3. He can drink liquid from a spoon.

4. The child has an interest in food.

5. The baby purposefully “pulls” objects into the mouth.

Complementary feeding with artificial feeding will begin at an earlier age of the child. The optimal time is 4 – 4.5 months, but the pediatrician will tell you the exact timing.

How to introduce complementary foods correctly?

• Pediatricians advise starting complementary foods with half a teaspoon and by the end of the first week (in 7-10 days) increase the volume to two spoons.

• Complementary foods should be given before the main feeding with the mixture, in the morning or afternoon feeding.

• One new product at a time, the next product is introduced in a week.

• Keep a baby food diary.

• Do not force the child to eat complementary foods if he does not want to, give the baby time, listen to his tastes

• Complementary foods are introduced in the form of puree.

• The mixture remains in the baby’s diet for approximately one year.

• Complementary foods are introduced only to a healthy child: if the baby has a temperature, there are skin rashes, gastrointestinal disorders, you should wait a little with the start of complementary foods.

Complementary foods for IV: which product to start with?

The optimal first complementary foods for artificial feeding are vegetable purees, they are best absorbed by the body. It is good to start with zucchini, pumpkin, broccoli, cauliflower. An exception is the situation with a lack of body weight in a child: then complementary foods begin with gluten-free cereals, and only then give vegetable purees.

Next, you can give the child a taste of fruit purees. When the child gets used to the innovations, you can start combining fruits and vegetables.

The procedure for introducing new foods into the child’s diet should be agreed with the doctor, who will also tell you a list of allergenic foods and give you a table for the introduction of complementary foods. Sugar and salt for a child under one year old are prohibited.

Why is it important to prepare your own complementary foods?

Despite the huge number of ready-made jars of mashed potatoes, it is advisable to prepare complementary foods with artificial feeding yourself. So the baby will eat only natural and healthy products. In addition, it is economically beneficial, especially during the season of vegetables and fruits. At first glance, it may seem to the mother that preparing complementary foods at home is difficult, and the process will take a lot of time. This is not so: the main thing in this business is to “enlist the support” of smart technology, and then the process will go fairly quickly and comfortably.

Vegetable purees are prepared as follows: vegetables are boiled in a small amount of water or steamed (without salt), then crushed to a puree state. At first, mashed potatoes can be diluted with vegetable broth in which vegetables were cooked. The multifunctional AGU Octopy processor or the AGU Cookee mini-processor will help you prepare mashed potatoes: these devices combine the functions of a double boiler and a blender, maintain the required temperature of ready-made dishes.

If you need to use cereals as the first food, then remember that they must have a liquid consistency. To prepare porridge, add 5 g of cereal flour to 100 ml of boiling water and cook until tender. Grinding cereals to the state of flour can be done in any of the AGU processors. If you buy ready-made cereals for a baby, then they must be brewed with boiled water, cooled to 40-45 degrees. The AGU Bubbly kettle will help to cope with this task: it will boil water, then cool it and keep it within the required temperature range.

Complementary feeding of children with artificial feeding should be varied and contain all the necessary useful elements for the harmonious development of the crumbs. Let the baby grow up healthy!

table of the introduction of the first complementary foods by months, input scheme, the correct menu of the child on the IV, what can be given to the artificial

Contents: Hide

1. When can we introduce complementary foods with artificial breastfeeding
2. When to wait for complementary foods
3. Basic rules for introducing complementary foods
4. Complementary feeding schedule
5. How to choose complementary foods
6. Introduction of complementary foods to formula-fed premature babies
7. Answers to frequently asked questions mothers

Complementary foods with artificial feeding

Inexperienced mothers of newborn babies are concerned about many problems: fighting colic, establishing a daily routine, and performing hygiene procedures. However, time goes by and acute issues gradually become irrelevant. Inexorably, a new crucial stage is coming – the introduction of the first complementary foods begins. We will tell you how to properly introduce complementary foods with artificial feeding.

Why a baby needs complementary foods

Both natural and bottle-fed babies are usually equally full of energy, active and inquisitive. The introduction of complementary foods allows you to gradually accustom the baby’s gastrointestinal tract to new food, as well as give the growing body the vitamins and minerals that it needs at a particular stage of physical development. Also, with its help, you can gradually adapt the baby to the diet of adult family members and then painlessly transfer it to the common table. There are no exact norms and rules for the introduction of complementary foods. It is necessary to focus on the needs of the child and follow the recommendations of the pediatrician.

When can complementary foods be introduced with artificial feeding

Teaching children to adult food should be timely. The fact is that the gastrointestinal tract of an infant at a too early age (for example, 2-3 months) is not able to process certain foods. The mucous membrane of the digestive system is irritated, and this can provoke gastritis and other serious health problems.

IMPORTANT! How many months can you introduce your baby to new products? For children in good health, WHO recommends that complementary foods be introduced at 6 months of age. But for some babies, if there are certain medical indications, the doctor may advise you to do this earlier.

The recommendations do not provide a specific menu for each age, which must be followed. Much depends on the socio-cultural characteristics of different peoples and the individual pace of development of children. In most cases, the timing of the start of complementary foods varies from 4.5 to 6 months. Specialists distinguish the following signs of a child’s readiness to try something new, in addition to the usual artificial mixture:

• the baby is not quite full of the mixture and asks to continue the meal;
• his first teeth have already erupted, he tries to chew them, takes and tries to taste the food from the adult’s plates;
• if you bring a spoon to the baby, he will begin to examine its contents and want to try it;
• the child sits confidently, can turn his head and control his body;
• Tongue thrust reflex fades so baby can drink water from a spoon without it dripping back out.

It is not necessary that all of the listed features be present at once. If several of them are observed, then it is quite possible to try to introduce the first complementary foods.

See also: How much does a newborn eat per feeding?

When to delay feeding

It is better to delay feeding if:
• the child is ill;
• less than three days have passed since vaccination;
• the baby is teething, he does not sleep well and is naughty;
• there have been some changes in the family’s lifestyle, such as moving to a new home, mother going to work, traveling to another city or country;
• the crumbs have manifestations of allergies, upset of the gastrointestinal tract;
• The weather is too hot outside.

Therefore, complementary foods should be offered to the child only when he is completely healthy, calm and in a good mood.

Basic rules for the introduction of complementary foods

Anna Levadnaya, pediatrician, Candidate of Medical Sciences, explains that the principles of introducing complementary foods on natural and artificial feeding are similar: it is recommended to focus on food interest, signs of a child’s readiness to introduce complementary foods. The only thing is that with exclusive breastfeeding, it is not recommended to supplement the child with water, while bottle-fed children can be offered water.

Video: 10 rules for complementary foods
Author: pediatrician, Ph.D. Komarovsky E.O.

The rest of the principle is the same: for both breastfeeding and formula-feeding, offer your baby a new food before feeding, and then supplement with breast milk or formula.

In order for new products to benefit your formula-fed baby and not harm his health, you should follow a number of simple recommendations.
1. Complementary foods are usually given in the morning before the main formula feeding. This allows you to track the reaction to unfamiliar food during the day and take action if necessary.
2. It is necessary to carefully monitor the cleanliness of children’s dishes, pots and blenders. The gastrointestinal tract of an infant is very sensitive to infectious agents.
3. New food is introduced into the baby’s diet from a quarter of a teaspoon. If he tolerated the product well, then within a week the portion is brought to one or two tablespoons. Then you should look at the desire of the child and his well-being, and also take into account the recommendations of the pediatrician.
4. The first dishes should be of a liquid consistency, then they are made into a puree, and only closer to a year can you give soft pieces to chew. Pediatricians advise adding butter and vegetable oils to them as vegetables and cereals are introduced into the diet.
5. In order to protect the child’s body from pathogens that may be contained in unprocessed food, complementary foods should first be boiled, stewed or baked. The baby is offered slightly warm food: the optimum temperature is 36-37 degrees.
6. It is advisable to immediately try the products from a spoon. If the baby gets used to the bottle, this will slow down the formation of the skill of chewing food and may subsequently affect diction.
7. A food diary can help you reliably identify what your child has an allergic reaction to. It should record everything that the baby ate during the day, in what quantity and at what time. You can also record in a diary whether he liked the new dish or not.
8. Complementary foods should be introduced only from mono-products. Only after making sure that vegetables, cereals, juices, fruits or protein products are well tolerated by the child, you can offer their mixes.
9. The interval between introduced and new complementary foods should be at least a week. Such a period of time will allow the child’s body to adapt to the expanded diet and perceive other dishes without unpleasant surprises.
10. If you are allergic to any food, you should immediately remove it from the menu and seek the advice of a pediatrician. It will be possible to return to this complementary food no earlier than in a month.
11. It is desirable that with the introduction of complementary foods the infant receives a sufficient amount of liquid. It can be both ordinary water and compotes.
12. Do not offer your child foods that are considered highly allergenic as first foods: full-fat cow’s milk, citrus fruits, gluten-containing cereals, chicken eggs, etc.
13. Do not force-feed a child, even if you think that he is hungry. A small person has the right to defend his opinion in the choice of dishes.
14. Feed your baby exclusively in a sitting or reclining position to avoid the risk of aspiration. Very convenient for this purpose are special highchairs made of easy-to-clean material.

From 7–8 months of age, formula-fed mashed or pureed food, such as a banana, can be used as complementary foods. If semi-solid food is not introduced into his diet in time, problems may arise with the intake of solid food in the future: after a year, the child will refuse it completely. From 8–9 months, the child should be offered the so-called finger food: cut soft fruits and vegetables into pieces, such as boiled carrots, potatoes, and offer them to the baby. If you follow this scheme, by the year the child will be ready to eat solid food from the common table, Levadnaya explains.

Complementary Feeding Schedule

We provide a suggested complementary feeding schedule for up to a year to guide you unless advised otherwise by your doctor. As a standard, formula-fed babies with normal weight gain are offered products in approximately the following order:
• vegetable puree;
• cereals;
• fruit puree;
• kefir;
• butter and vegetable oil;
• children’s biscuits and bread;
• meat puree;
• fish puree.

The earlier introduction of vegetable puree rather than fruit puree is explained by the fact that the former has a more insipid taste. Having fallen in love with sweet apples and bananas, the child may subsequently refuse to eat zucchini, pumpkin, etc. However, if the infant is underweight, the doctor may recommend porridge as the first complementary food for him. They are more high-calorie and allow you to gain the missing kilograms faster. Each type of complementary food is described in the table.




Vegetables	They are usually offered to children in the following order: marrow; cauliflower; broccoli; carrots; pumpkin; green peas; potatoes. Tomatoes, white cabbage and cucumbers are recommended to be included in the menu already after a year.
Fruit	Seasonal fruits are recommended. The approximate order of their introduction: apples, pears, peaches, apricots and bananas. If the baby suffers from constipation, you can carefully and with the permission of the pediatrician offer him plums.
Kashi	To start complementary foods, choose gluten-free cereals: buckwheat, rice, corn grits. After the child is 8 months old, you can gradually give him a taste of oatmeal, wheat and barley porridge. It is better to refuse semolina altogether, since it contains very few useful substances and at the same time it is very high in calories. Cereals can be ground in a coffee grinder or mashed from ready-made cereals in a blender.
Protein products	Fermented milk products do not need to be introduced earlier than 8 months, since only by this time do children begin to produce the enzymes necessary for their processing. From meat, children under one year old should be given rabbit, chicken, turkey and veal. Sea fish is more suitable – hake, cod or flounder. Meat and fish are offered to kids in grated form as part of vegetable dishes and cereals. Cottage cheese can be prepared for the baby yourself. This will require pasteurized milk 2.5% fat and sourdough. After the milk turns sour, it is placed in a water bath and heated over low heat until the whey leaves. Then it remains only to drain the liquid through a colander or gauze and grind the resulting curd to make it more tender.

IMPORTANT! It is undesirable to add salt, sugar and spices to food for a child. His taste buds are not yet accustomed to strong stimuli, so it is better for him to appreciate the natural taste of the food offered. Soup should be boiled only on vegetable broths, and meat should be added to an already prepared dish. Meat broth may be too heavy for the baby’s kidneys.

How to choose complementary foods

The main recommendations for choosing specific foods to start complementary foods are as follows:

1. It is recommended that your baby’s diet be based on products grown in the region where he/she lives. If the period of the first feeding falls on the winter, it is advisable to stock up vegetables, fruits and berries from your garden in advance, putting them in the freezer for safekeeping. In the event that this is not possible, you can give preference to ready-made canned mashed potatoes. They undergo mandatory certification confirming the quality.
2. It is advisable not to buy store-bought juices for your child in large quantities. Compotes will be much more useful for him. You can also offer decoctions of dried fruits.
3. If you decide to buy ready-made food for your baby, then pay attention to the labeling and the release date. The product must be age appropriate and fresh. The composition should not contain salt, sucrose, dextrose and other extraneous additives.

In general, it is worth remembering that the first food offered to a child should be puree-like, not too viscous products, consisting of one ingredient, soft consistency, without added sugar, salt and spices, says Andrey Mosov, head of the expert direction of NP Roskontrol, doctor on nutritional hygiene of children and adolescents. He insists that preference should be given to industrial prepared meals, as such products have been tested and certified. There are no guarantees with mashed homemade vegetables.

Introduction of complementary foods to formula-fed premature babies

The question of the correct introduction of complementary foods to a premature baby should be discussed individually at a pediatrician’s appointment. In order for the body to be able to process a new product, organs and systems must be sufficiently mature and prepared. The quality of food digestion largely depends on the production of special enzymes, so you should not be self-motivated in compiling the baby’s menu.

The schedule for the introduction of complementary foods will be determined by the presence or absence of anemia, the rate of weight gain, the tendency to allergies, and some other nuances. Formula-fed premature babies are usually advised to start introducing meat and egg yolk earlier. It is advisable to cook porridge on a vegetable broth or mixture, and not on water, since then they will be more nutritious and healthy.

IMPORTANT! However, the course of complementary foods must be monitored by a pediatrician. The doctor monitors the child’s reaction to new products, evaluates the dynamics of growth and general physical development. The scheme may change if any deviations from the norm are detected during routine inspections.

Answers to frequently asked questions for mothers

• What foods should not be given to babies under one year old?
It is forbidden to give cow’s milk to babies under the age of one, as it can cause allergic reactions and digestive disorders. It is perfectly replaced by adapted mixtures from modern manufacturers. In addition to milk, it is not recommended to include nuts, citrus fruits, exotic fruits and vegetables, red fish and honey in the menu of the crumbs of the first year of life.
• What should I do if my child absolutely does not want to eat complementary foods?
Wait a while and try to offer food again, but don’t insist on another refusal. Perhaps the baby did not like the new dish because of the unfamiliar taste. Children are big conservatives and are often wary of change. Be patient, do not rush to introduce complementary foods. Show your child with what appetite you yourself eat from your plate, and then he may have a desire.
• What should I do if my baby has problems with stool while weaning?
If a child has a stool retention of more than three days during the introduction of complementary foods, then we can talk about constipation. In this case, you need to visit a pediatrician, as well as immediately exclude fixing foods from the menu and give more fluids to drink. If the stool has become too frequent (more than 5 times a day), then this may be due to indigestion or an intestinal infection. Be sure to consult your doctor about this.
• What should I do if I have an allergy to complementary foods?
It is advisable to take care of this issue even before the introduction of complementary foods, asking the observing pediatrician to prescribe an antihistamine drug that is optimal for his age. You should also carefully fill out the food diary at first. With it, it will be possible to identify a possible allergen and exclude it from the baby’s menu, preventing more serious health consequences.
• How do you know if a baby tolerates complementary foods well?
Normal weight and height gain, regular bowel movements, and the absence of allergic skin rashes indicate the successful introduction of complementary foods. If the baby is cheerful, active, he has a good appetite and a good sleep, most likely, this means that you are doing everything right and the selected diet suits him.

However, it is impossible to completely refuse artificial formula when introducing complementary foods, even when the baby eats complementary foods with appetite. His body is not yet ready for a complete change in the type of food and may malfunction. This often manifests itself in the form of allergies, stool disorders or growth retardation. Remember that the baby should enjoy the new food.