Supplement

Complementary feeding: Additional nutrition for babies

Complementary feeding is additional nutrition that is prescribed to a child aged 6 months and older in addition to milk and/or formula. Complementary foods help babies get all the nutrients they need for healthy development and growth.

As a rule, the first product introduced into complementary foods is rice porridge, then vegetables, fruits and meat are gradually added. It is important to remember that complementary feeding should start with small portions and gradually increase so that the child can get used to new foods and not cause any digestive problems.

However, before starting complementary feeding, you should consult your pediatrician. It will help you determine when and how to start complementary feeding, and will also help you choose the right foods for complementary feeding.

In addition, it is important to maintain hygiene when preparing and storing complementary foods. All products must be fresh and well washed before use. Porridges and purees should be prepared only in clean water, and tools and utensils for preparing and serving complementary foods should be thoroughly washed and disinfected.

Finally, remember that complementary foods are an addition to milk and formula, not a replacement. Breast milk or formula should remain the main source of nutrition for your baby for up to one year.

By eliminating complementary foods, you help your baby get all the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development. But remember that the correct approach to complementary feeding must be agreed with the pediatrician and follow all hygiene rules.

As a child, I loved to sit on my grandmother's lap and watch her prepare traditional porridge. I remember the sweet smell of hot butter and milk, and the serene sound of the pot bubbling away. Who would have thought that this simple kitchen would become my entry point into the world of complementary feeding?

Complementary feeding is the food that is prescribed to children in the first year of life, when they are just beginning to learn about adult food. And although at first it is just additional food, over time complementary feeding becomes a full-fledged element of the child’s diet. It serves as an important step in the evolution of man - from an invertebrate creature to a conscious organism.

Of course, each child is unique and follows his own individual development path. Some try new foods much earlier than others, but a number of important milestones remain the same. In the first months of life, children are fed regular liquid food, often juices or water. But already at 6 months you can introduce other foods - pureed vegetables and fruits, cereal dishes, as well as meat and vegetable purees.