When does our baby have to start eating? At 4 months? At 6?
The official body recommend introduce complementary feeding from 6 months of life. Until that age, babies should only drink breast milk or formula.
But not only is age taken into account, they also pay attention to the baby's signs of maturity.
And what are these signs?
That the baby is capable of sit alone, without falling to the sides, without the help of cushions, or special supports.
That the baby have lost the extrusion reflection. This reflex is what causes anything solid, such as a spoon, to be ejected from the mouth. It usually disappears between 4 and 6 months of life although sometimes it is present up to 8 months.
That the baby show interest genuine for the food, looking at her curiously. There are some babies who follow the path of the cutlery from the plate to the mother's mouth with their eyes if they are in her arms while she eats. Some even make mouth movements when they see adults eat.
That the baby be able show signs of hunger and satiety. As you bring the spoon closer to him, he will close his mouth and turn his face to one side.
These signals will indicate at what neuronal level, our baby is ready to discover complementary feeding.
How to introduce complementary feeding?
Keep in mind that our attitude is fundamental. If we want our little one to have a good relationship with food, we will try to make it a good experience. We will not force the baby, nor will we resort to pressure, blackmail, punishment ...
It is convenient to share a table with the baby. We can sit him on our lap or in his high chair and leave suitable food within his reach so that he can taste flavors, textures ... It is not necessary to give him with a spoon, we can let him take the food with his fingers. In time, by imitation and when he acquires the necessary dexterity, he will be able to pick up the spoon himself.
Until the year, the main food is milk. Complementary feeding, as its name suggests, only complements breast milk or formula. The amounts you eat are likely to be minimal, but it is not a cause for concern as long as you are drinking enough milk. For this same reason, it is not necessary to substitute feedings or to breastfeed or bottle for dessert.
It is not essential to resort to special baby food. We can offer the foods that the family consumes by adapting them to the baby: without salt, sugar, spices ...
The order of the food does not matter that we offer the baby. Although it is important not to introduce several new foods at the same time. In this way, if something does not suit our child, we can identify it more easily.
There is also no need to grind baby food. We can offer food that is soft enough in texture so that the baby can crush it between his fingers or with his gums.
Accompanying the baby in the discovery of foods other than milk is quite an adventure, so let's enjoy it.
Thank you very much for these recommendations Rosana, of course it is much better to observe the babies to adapt to their needs, than to use practices to force them in some way.
A greeting.