When introducing complementary feeding with mixed feeding: features and recommendations

For a child up to a year, the best food is breast milk. It supplies all the necessary nutrients, gives enzymes and useful bacteria for the formation of the digestive system, and also promotes the formation of immunity in the baby. But not always the mother has the opportunity to breast-feed the baby. If this is impossible for some reason, they switch to mixed feeding. It is considered that the child receives less nutrients. Therefore, the question of when introducing complementary feeding with mixed feeding is very important. There are several different points of view on this problem, so every mother needs to study all of them and must take into account the individual characteristics of the baby.

The child on the mixed feeding

When to introduce complementary foods, it is better to consult a doctor. After all, it depends on the individual characteristics of the baby, the speed of weight gain and the state of his health. Mixed feeding, in comparison with the natural, does not provide the child with all the necessary nutrients in full.

A feature of this type of food is that breast milk is at least a fifth of the total volume of food. And the milk formula in this case is called "supplement". Use the most commonly adapted mixtures. Producers saturate them with vitamins and nutrients, but still they are worse than breast milk. Therefore, supplementation is recommended to be given only after applying to the breast, when the child sucks more actively. For the same reason, doctors advise to supplement the baby with a spoon, since it is easier to suck from a bottle and the baby can completely give up the breast.

If, for some reason, the mother can not breast-feed the baby every time, it is advisable to leave the breast milk at least 2-3 times a day, at the rest of the time giving the baby a mixture from the bottle. It is important as long as possible to keep the child able to receive breast milk, which provides all of his needs.

Necessity of complementary feeding

If the child is on mixed feeding, he receives less nutrients. Even the best mixture does not provide all the needs of a growing body. To do this, we use complementary foods. This is additional food in liquid or semi-liquid form. Western doctors consider lure only solid food, which is given to the baby with a spoon. Therefore, they enter it from the age when the child's gastrointestinal tract is ready to digest it. This occurs after about six months.

And when they introduce complementary feeding with mixed feeding in the opinion of Russian pediatricians? There is also an ambiguous opinion. Most Russian doctors refer to the lure of any food, except milk. Such food is needed for a child with mixed feeding after 4-5 months. It provides its body with missing nutrients. But even if the baby is short, the lure should be introduced before the age of seven months. After that it will be very difficult to teach him to eat new food.

When to introduce complementary feeding with mixed feeding

Komarovsky, as well as many foreign doctors, believes that a child who receives breast milk even in minimal quantities does not need additional food for up to six months. In his opinion, it is better to buy a good quality baby formula for the baby than to load his unfettered gastrointestinal tract with unfamiliar food. Only by 6 months the enzymes in the body start to function fully and the intestinal microflora is formed.

And with how much to introduce complementary feeding on mixed feeding according to the opinion of other doctors? Previously, it was generally recommended to do this from a month old. But recent studies have shown that up to 4 months the digestive system of the baby is still imperfect and is not ready for any food, except milk. Therefore, lure before this age causes intestinal distress, allergic reactions and a greater burden on the kidneys.

But do not be guided by when introducing complementary feeding for mixed-feeding other parents. Each child is individual and it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of its development. Somebody does not need food for up to 6 months, others should be introduced to him in 4 months. And according to the doctor's testimony, for example, with rickets or anemia, it is possible earlier.

How to understand that a child is ready for lure

Terms for the introduction of the first complementary meal can vary from 4 to 6 months in different children. It depends on the speed of weight gain, the physical activity of the baby and the readiness of the digestive system to absorb new food. To understand when it is possible to introduce complementary feeding on mixed feeding, the mother must take into account several factors:

• The child has already erupted teeth;
• Its weight increased 2-2.5 times;
• The kid can sit, turn his head;
• He shows interest in adult food;
• His innate reflex of pushing food by tongue disappeared.

But at the same time, do not tighten strongly with the time of introduction of complementary foods. If the baby is not 7 months acquainted with the new food, later it will be much more difficult.

What you can not do

When introducing complementary feeding with mixed feeding, for the baby's body, this is stress. Even a slight change in the diet can cause allergic reactions and an intestinal disorder. Therefore, it is very important to choose the right time for the first complementary meal and follow all the doctor's recommendations. There are several limitations that can be taken into account when feeding a baby:

• Lure can be introduced only to an absolutely healthy child, any malaise is a contraindication to this;
• A new food can be given not earlier than a week after vaccination;
• Increased risk of allergic reactions in hot weather;
• In case of a stressful situation for a child, for example, when living conditions change, it is not recommended to introduce lure;
• You can not give the baby food that has remained since the last time, yesterday or cooked a few hours ago;
• You can not feed a child violently if he turns away and spits out food.

How to start lure

Previously, all the doctors recommended to feed children with juices. But now, due to frequent allergic reactions, the approach has changed. Juices should be given no earlier than 8-9 months. The recommended products for the first complementary meal are zucchini, cauliflower or broccoli. This food does not cause allergies, is well digested and contains many nutrients. A little later you can start giving carrots, pumpkins. Other vegetables - potatoes, cabbage, peas - should be introduced after 8-9 months.

For preterm infants, as well as those who are very poorly gaining weight, it is recommended to start feeding with porridge. Buckwheat or rice are very nutritious and high-calorie.

There is another opinion about the first lure. Dr. Komarovsky believes that it is better to use sour-milk products for this. They are closest to the formula and help to improve the intestinal microflora.

How to correctly introduce complementary foods

In order for a child to adapt more easily to new foods, one must not only carefully choose what to give him. It is also very important how the food is cooked for the child. In no case can you salt food, add sugar. You can not give the child also fried. All products for complementary foods are cooked or cooked for a couple, and then wiped through a sieve or crushed in a blender. Such food is more useful than canned food. The child should only be given freshly prepared meals, so it is better to cook in small portions.

Not always mothers know how to correctly introduce complementary feeding on mixed feeding. Because of this, there are digestive disorders in the child or allergic reactions. It is recommended to introduce the baby to the new food gradually. Start with half a teaspoon, slowly increasing the amount. You can enter only one product at a time. New food is given when the child is used to the previous lure. This is about 1-2 weeks. All food should be puree, and for better absorption it can be diluted with breast milk or the usual mixture.

To feed the baby, you must immediately start with a spoon. This will help him to better adapt to adult food. When you are feeding a child on mixed feeding, you need to gradually reduce the amount of milk formula, and breast milk should try to leave as long as possible.

It is also important for moms to know when to introduce complementary feeding with mixed feeding. The perfect time to get to know the new food is the morning. It is best to do this in the second feeding - at 9-10 hours. It is not recommended to introduce a new product in the evening, since it will be difficult to follow the reaction of the baby to it.

When to introduce porridge

Now it is not recommended to start feeding the baby with cereals. To such food it is better to accustom the child after 7-8 months, when he is already accustomed to vegetable purees. For the first complementary feeding, water porridge is best suited. Begin with buckwheat or rice. With ovaryka and millet, you can introduce the baby after 8 months.

But there are situations where the introduction of the first complementary feeding with mixed feeding is recommended precisely with porridge. This is done if the child is gaining weight poorly. After all, cereals are more nutritious and nutritious than milk formulas, they can provide the body with the missing calories and nutrients.

When to introduce meat products

After the child gets used to vegetable purees, cereals and juices, he can begin to give meat. Moms are often interested in how much to introduce complementary feeding on mixed-feeding meat products. It is recommended to do this not earlier than 2 months after his acquaintance with another meal. Usually it's 7-8 months. You should also start with half a teaspoon, gradually increasing the dosage. The total amount of meat by the 9th month should not exceed 50 g. For the first complementary feeding, veal, rabbit or turkey is best suited.

Do not force a child if he does not want to eat any product. You can offer it in a week. In the process of introducing complementary foods, you need to focus only on the reaction of the child.