2023-06-30 09:48:22
Food diversification is a crucial step in the life of a breastfed baby. This is when he begins to explore new tastes and textures besides breast milk. To make this transition go smoothly, find out how the food diversification of a breastfed baby works.
The importance of food diversification
Breast milk is the ideal food for infants because it is adapted to their nutritional needs during their first months. Diversify the baby diet plays a vital role in its overall development. By providing him with new foods, in addition to breast or infant milk, he will benefit from a greater variety of nutrients essential to his growth. According to experts, food diversification can take place from 4/6 months with the agreement of a pediatrician. After 6 months, breast milk or infant formula are no longer sufficient to cover all of the baby’s nutritional needs.
At this stage, children tend to grow faster and move more. It is therefore essential to gradually introduce solid foods appropriate for their age. These foods will provide the vitamins and minerals necessary for the development of the immune system, muscles and nervous system.
In addition, food diversification promotes the learning of new flavors and textures. This can contribute to the construction of the child’s food preferences. According to specialists, diversifying baby’s diet early can also reduce the later onset of the risk of allergy or intolerance to certain foods. It is important to emphasize that each baby is unique and that food diversification must be tailored to their individual needsin collaboration with a healthcare professional.
How to start food diversification for a breastfed baby?
The dietary diversity of a baby breastfed requires a progressive and adapted approach. Between 4 and 6 months, your baby can begin to discover new flavors. You should not consider these first experiences as real meals. There is therefore no need to worry if the first attempts are not conclusive.
First of all, make sure that your child is always seated, with their back straight and vertical, under the permanent supervision of an adult.
To start, it is recommended to introduce a few spoons of vegetable purees at lunch and gradually increase the quantities. If your baby seems to like the novelty, try adding fruit purees to the snack after about 15 days. During this time, continue to breastfeed your baby on demand and prioritize breastfeeding first.
Around 6 months, if you are still breastfeeding on demand, it would be ideal at this stage to offer solid foods at the usual mealtimes. Offer her the breast before or after the purees offered but also at other times of the day according to her needs. The goal is to help your baby establish a rhythm, gently.
Check out our article on eating eggs for babies.
What foods can be added to the menu of a breastfed baby?
Many food choices are available to you. However, it is important to choose foods that are appropriate for your baby’s age and nutritional needs. Vegetables should be introduced first when diversifying food. You can cook for example:
carrot, zucchini, spinach, artichoke, broccoli,…
To prepare them, all you have to do is wash them, peel them, rinse them and offer them steamed and mixed.
Fruits such as pears, apples, peaches, apricots, etc. can also be gradually introduced into the menu, after the main vegetables have been discovered by your baby. Also be sure to wash, peel and deseed them, rinse them before cooking and blending them.
Then it will be the turn of proteins such as chicken, beef, pork, fish or eggs to enter your baby’s meals, only once a day. It is essential that the meat and fish are well cooked through and the egg is hard boiled.
Remember to systematically add a drizzle of a mixture of oils in your baby’s small dish just before serving it.
Finally, infant cereals intended for young children can be introduced into the diet of breastfed babies. For example, you can add a small dose to a fruit puree.
The rule of thumb is to introduce one new food at a time.
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