2023-10-20 13:52:14
A major stage in the life of a newborn, dietary diversification involves many changes for children and their parents to understand together, at their own pace. Why is it so important to introduce new foods from 4, 5 or 6 months? What are the best practices to ensure that this new way of eating goes smoothly?
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Between 4 and 6 months of life, the needs of infants change and to support their growth, milk must be supplemented with the first fruits and vegetables. The objective? Gradually introduce new tastes into your little one’s menu through solid foods (always mixed, pureed or compote) in order to help them open their palate while providing them with the nutrients they need as they grow. . So take advantage of this period of observation and tasting and introduce your baby to the pleasure of fruit.
At this age, the digestive system becomes mature enough to accommodate and digest these previously unknown nutritional contributions. But before embarking on this gastronomic adventure, seek the advice of your pediatrician who will define with you the best time to start.
Adopting a more varied and balanced diet also contributes to the development of the microbiota and the immune system. A crucial step to reduce the risk of neuropsychiatric diseases or inflammatory pathologies later.
What can we make baby taste?
This transition begins by adding a vegetable puree during the meal. The Belgian organization ONE (Office of Birth and Childhood) recommends starting slowly: fruit or vegetable, it does not matter, the main thing is to present the baby with one food following another. Carrot, zucchini, corn, pumpkin, spinach, green beans and peas are some of the most common purees. However, be sure to include one food at a time at the beginning to give your child time to wake up to these discoveries, and to add proteins gradually later. Diversification remains a change that happens step by step.
Furthermore, be aware that Public Health France recommends adding and varying fats in the preparation (if ready-made pots do not contain added fats) to meet lipid needs, according to IREPS.
This apprehension of foreign products will allow you to experiment with a consistency and natural tastes that your child will find later in the form of other foods and new gestures, the bottle being replaced by a spoon adapted to the mouth and gums of young children. .
This is why it is important to vary babies’ diets from an early age. By selecting a variety of compotes, you have the opportunity to treat your child with naturally sweet flavors (and without added sugars). Apple, banana, strawberry, apricot, pear… So many possibilities to supplement an infant’s diet with vitamins and new flavors.
Let baby discover foods
For a gentle and successful diversification, don’t forget that baby needs to understand these new foods in all forms. The taste of course, but also the texture thanks to the touch with the fingers and the mouth, the smell thanks to the aromas and the colors with a varied choice of foods.
You will notice that already at this age, your child will have his preferences or may be resistant to certain flavors. In this case, don’t insist and try once more later, in another context perhaps this puree will be more appreciated!
Finally, let us remember that milk remains, even with the introduction of solid foods, the main element of a baby’s diet, whether it is breast milk or infant milk.
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