The first half a year of a newborn's life, mother's milk is the most complete food. In order for this period to be comfortable for the mother, and to bring only benefit to the baby, every inexperienced mother should know basic and most important rules of breastfeeding.
Note to moms!
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Attaching the baby to the breast. Important points:
Features of modern breastfeeding
- One of the principles is free and unlimited feeding at the first request of the baby. Unlike the old methods, this method has a positive effect on the psycho-emotional state of the child and. It is advisable to breastfeed for any restless condition of the baby, without waiting for him to cry. If the baby requires 10-16 feeds in the first months, this is normal!
- Up to six months, the baby needs night feedings, since they bring the greatest benefit to the baby, and the mother forms a stable lactation.
- The duration of sucking depends only on the child. The last milk in the breast is the fattest and healthiest, therefore it is recommended to let the baby suck out one mammary gland until the very end. The second should only be offered at the next feeding. An exception can only be in the case of a lack of breast milk in one breast for full saturation.
- An infant up to six months can do only with breast milk without the introduction of additional nutrition. ()
- The best option for the full development of the child, strengthening immune system and virus protection is breast-feeding up to one and a half to two years.
When breastfeeding, you do not need:
- Wash your breasts often, as frequent washing removes the protective fat layer from the nipples. The lack of a protective film leads to painful cracks in the nipples and areola. It is enough to take a shower once or twice a day.
- Giving your baby water - Extra water can reduce appetite and increase flatulence in the baby's digestive system. A teaspoon of water per day can be given only if the child has constipation from mother's fat milk.
- Use pacifiers and drink from a bottle for up to six months. If the baby does not have enough breast milk, then supplementation should be given with a spoon or pipette. An infant may confuse breastfeeding with a nipple (it is more difficult to suck milk out of the breast than from a bottle), and improper sucking can lead to cracked nipples. In addition, the child may completely refuse breast milk.
- Express milk residues after each feed. An exception is chest congestion, engorgement or forced separation of the mother from the baby.
- Weigh the baby frequently. It is enough to control the weight once every one to two weeks. Frequent weighing can unnerve the mother and lead to unnecessary supplementation.
- Give the baby sweet tea. Sweets can harm future teeth, and tea can contribute to iron deficiency anemia.
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Breastfeeding a baby is an individual natural process. All children, like mothers, are different. Only with the help of her own experience, any mother herself will be able to establish the rules of feeding. infant, relying on the characteristics of your baby and following the recommendations of specialists and mothers who have fed more than one child.
Regurgitation of mucus after feeding is common (due to weakness of gastric smooth muscles), but should disappear within 48 hours.If regurgitation or vomiting persists after 48 hours or in the presence of bilious vomiting, a full upper GI and airway assessment should be performed to determine congenital anomalies.
Feeding problems... Minor changes in the daily diet are frequent, and although parents are often worried, in the absence of signs of illness or changes in growth parameters, in particular weight (changes in the child's percentile on standard growth curves are more significant than absolute changes), do not need correction.
Birth weight should be regained in 2 weeks and then increased by 20-30 g / day (1 oz / day) for the first few months. After 6 months, babies should weigh twice as much as at birth.
Breast-feeding
Breast milk is the food of choice.
- For the child: nutritional and cognitive benefits and protection against infectious diseases.
- For the mother: decreased fertility during lactation, faster return to normal prenatal status.
Milk production in primiparas fully develops in 72-96 hours and in less time in multiparous ones. The first milk, called colostrum, is a high-calorie, high-protein liquid that is immunoprotective because it is rich in antibodies, lymphocytes and macrophages; colostrum also stimulates the secretion of meconium.
Subsequent breast milk has the following characteristics:
- It is high in lactose and is a readily available energy source compatible with newborn enzymes.
- Contains significant amounts of vitamin E, an important antioxidant that can help prevent anemia by increasing the lifespan of red blood cells.
If the mother's diet is varied enough, no nutritional or vitamin supplementation is required for herself or her full-term, breastfed infant, with the exception of vitamin D. are at particular risk. After 6 months, breastfed babies in homes where the water does not have an adequate amount of fluoride (supplemental or natural) should be given fluoride drops. Doctors can get fluoride data from their local dentist.
Infants under 6 months of age should not be given additional water because of the risk of hyponatremia.
Technics
The mother should use any comfortable, relaxed position and support the breast with her hand to make sure it is in the baby's mouth, minimizing pain. The center of the baby's lower lip should be stimulated by the nipple so that the search reflex occurs and the mouth opens wide. The child should be able to grip as much of the breast and areola with his mouth as he can, positioning his lips 2.5-4 cm from the base of the nipple. Initially, it takes at least 2 minutes before the oxytocin reflex occurs. The volume of milk increases, the infant grows, and the stimulation of the mammary glands increases. The duration of feeding is usually determined by the infant. Some mothers need a breast pump to increase or maintain lactation. 90 minutes of work with a breast pump per day, divided into 6-8 sessions, provides milk for an infant who is not directly breastfed.
The baby should suckle on one breast until it becomes soft and milk flow slows down or stops. The mother can interrupt sucking with her finger before weaning the baby from one breast and giving the other. In the first days after birth, babies can only suck on one side, and then the mother must alternate breasts with each feed. The mother can wean the baby from the breast if sucking slows down, let the baby vomit and move the baby to the other side. This change in position keeps the baby awake and stimulates milk production in both breasts.
Mothers should be encouraged to feed on demand or every 1.5–3 hours at a frequency that gradually decreases over time; some infants less than 2,500 g may need to be fed more frequently to prevent hypoglycemia. In the first few days, newborns may need to be awakened and stimulated; Small babies and premature babies should not be allowed to sleep long at night. Large, term babies who are well nourished (as evidenced by stools) can sleep longer. After all, a schedule that allows babies to sleep as long as possible at night is generally best for both the child and the family.
The frequency of milk production varies but should be close to the infant's feeding schedule. Expressed breast milk should be immediately refrigerated if it is to be used within 48 hours, and frozen immediately if it is to be used after more than 48 hours. Chilled milk not used within 96 hours is discarded because there is a high risk of bacterial infection. Frozen milk can be thawed by placing it in warm water; defrosting in the microwave is not recommended.
Complications in infants
The main complication is malnutrition, which can lead to dehydration and hyperbilirubinemia. Risk factors for malnutrition include young or premature primiparous babies, sick mothers, or mothers with complicated or surgically delivered births. A rough assessment of the adequacy of breastfeeding can be done daily by examining the diaper. At the age of 5 days normal newborn urinates using at least 6 diapers per day and defecates by soiling at least 4 diapers per day; lower rates indicate inadequate hydration and malnutrition. In addition, the stool should change from dark meconium at birth to light brown and then yellow. Weight is also a significant parameter for observation; failure to achieve the required growth rates implies malnutrition. Constant fussiness before 6 weeks of age can also indicate malnutrition. Dehydration should be suspected if the infant's crying force decreases or the skin becomes taut, parchment-like; Lethargy and drowsiness are extreme signs of dehydration and should be tested for hypernatremia if detected.
Complications in the mother
Loss of breast engorgement that occurs during early lactation and can last from 24 to 48 hours can be minimized by early frequent feedings. Wearing a comfortable bra 24h / day can help, as can cool compresses after breastfeeding and a mild pain reliever (such as ibuprofen). Shortly before breastfeeding, the mother may need to apply massage and warm compresses and manually express milk to allow the swollen areola to enter the infant's mouth. Excessive suction of milk between feedings accelerates engorgement, so only sufficient milk must be sucked to reduce discomfort.
With inflammation of the nipples, you need to check the position of the child; sometimes he bites the nipple with his gums, causing irritation. The mother can loosen the baby's lips with her thumb. Cool compresses reduce breast engorgement and provide further symptom relief.
The blockage of the ducts appears as soft, painful lumps in the breasts of lactating women who have no other systemic signs of the disease. The lumps appear in different places and are not painful. Continued breastfeeding ensures adequate breast emptying. Warm compresses and massaging the affected area before feeding can also help with emptying. Women can alternate positions as different areas of the breast are emptied better depending on the position of the baby. A good bra is beneficial for nursing mothers, as conventional bras with wire support or straps can lead to milk stagnation in the compressed area.
Mastitis is very common and appears as a painful, warm, swollen, wedge-shaped area of \u200b\u200bthe breast. It is caused by engorgement of the mammary glands, blockage or blockage of the breast area; the infection can occur secondarily, caused most often by penicillin-resistant patients. The number of cells and cultures in breast milk culture can be a hallmark of infectious and non-infectious mastitis. If symptoms are mild and present for<24 ч, консервативного лечения (удаления молока при кормлении грудью, сцеживания молокоотсосом, компрессов, анальгетиков, поддерживающего бюстгальтера и снятия стресса) может быть достаточно. Если симптомы не уменьшаются в течение 12-24 ч или если женщина тяжело больна, нужно начать применение антибиотиков, безопасных для младенцев на грудном вскармливании и эффективных против S. aureus; продолжительность лечения составляет 10-14 дней. Внебольничный метициллинустойчивый S. aureus следует предполагать при заболевании, не реагирующем сразу на указанную антибиотикотерапию, или при наличии абсцесса. Осложнениями отложенного лечения являются рецидивы и формирование абсцесса. В каждом случае вопрос о возможности продолжения грудного вскармливания на фоне антибиотикотерапии мастита решается в индивидуальном порядке.
Maternal anxiety, frustration, and feelings of inferiority can result from a lack of breastfeeding experience, physical difficulty holding the infant, grabbing the nipple and sucking, fatigue, difficulty assessing nutritional adequacy and physiological changes in the postpartum period. These factors and emotions are the most common reasons a mother stops breastfeeding. Early pediatric management or consultation with a lactation specialist is helpful and effective in preventing early termination of breastfeeding.
Drugs
If drug therapy is needed, the mother should avoid contraindicated drugs and drugs that suppress lactation (eg, bromocriptine, levodopa, trazodone).
If medication is needed, the safest alternative should be used. Data on the adverse effects of most drugs are obtained from clinical cases and small studies. The safety of some drugs has been established in extensive studies, but others are considered safe only because there are no reported side effects. Drugs with a long history of use are generally safer than drugs for which there is little data.
Weaning
Weaning can be done whenever mother and baby have a mutual desire, although preferably after the baby is at least 12 months old. Gradual weaning over several weeks or months with concurrent administration of solid foods is most common; some mothers and babies stop breastfeeding abruptly without problems. There is no correct timetable.
Artificial feeding
The benefits of formula feeding include the ability to quantify the amount of food consumed and the ability of family members to participate in feeding. However, all other things being equal, these benefits are outweighed by the undeniable benefits of natural breastfeeding.
Manufactured infant formulas are available as powders, concentrated liquids and solutions (ready to use); they all contain vitamins and are rich in iron. Baby food should be prepared with fluoridated water.
The choice of baby food depends on the needs of the children. Cow's milk formulas are the primary choice if worry, regurgitation or gas does not suggest a sensitivity to cow's milk proteins; in this case, a diet based on soy proteins may be recommended. Hydrolyzed meals can be derived from cow's milk, but contain triglycerides, proteins, and monosaccharides digested to smaller, non-allergenic components. Truly elemental formulas (proteins are broken down into amino acids) are available for some children who have allergic reactions to hydrolyzed formulas. Special carbohydrate-free blends are also available.
With artificial feeding, babies are fed on demand.
Solid food
WHO recommends breastfeeding for 6 months followed by solid foods. Other organizations suggest introducing solid foods between 4 and 6 months. Until 4 months of age, solid food is not required as a source of nutrients, and the extrusion reflex, in which the tongue pushes whatever it enters the mouth, makes it difficult to feed solid food.
Solid food must be introduced after breastfeeding or bottle feeding to ensure adequate nutrition. Iron-fortified rice flakes are traditionally the first solid food introduced in the United States because they are non-allergenic, easily absorbed by the body, and an essential source of iron. New foods are recommended to be introduced into the diet once a week so that food allergies can be identified. The food does not have to be introduced in any particular order, the main thing is to follow the principle of switching to solid foods: for example, from rice flakes to soft homemade foods and chopped homemade foods. Meat that is mashed to prevent aspiration is a good source of iron and zinc and is therefore a good early complementary food. Vegetarian infants can get adequate iron from iron-fortified cereals and grains, peas and dried beans, and adequate zinc from yeast whole grain breads and fortified infant cereals.
Homemade blends are equivalent to commercial meals, but commercial foods containing carrots, beets, turnips, kale and spinach are preferred for up to a year (if available) as they are tested for nitrate. High levels of nitrates, which can induce methemoglobinemia in young children, are present in vegetables grown using fertilized water.
Foods to avoid:
- eggs, peanuts and cow's milk, usually until children are 1 year old, to prevent food intolerances;
- honey up to a year due to the risk of infant botulism
- foods that, when aspirated, can block the baby's airways (for example, nuts, round candy, popcorn, hot dogs, meat if not mashed, grapes if not cut into small pieces).
Nuts should be avoided until 2 or 3 years of age as children are unable to chew them fully and small pieces may be aspirated, causing bronchial obstruction or pneumonia and other complications.
At 1 year or older, babies can start drinking whole cow's milk; skim milk is avoided until age 2, when the baby's diet is essentially the same as that of the rest of the family. Parents should limit milk intake to 450-600 ml per day for young children; more can reduce intake of other important food sources and contribute to iron deficiency.
Juice is a poor source of nutrients, promotes the development of tooth decay and should be limited to 120-180 ml per day or completely excluded from the diet.
The growth rate usually slows down about a year. Children require less food and may skip certain foods in certain meals. Parents should be encouraged to estimate their child's intake over the course of the week, rather than per meal or per day. Malnutrition in solid foods is a concern only when children are not gaining the expected weight at the required rate.
The first year is a time for active development. Never again in a lifetime will a baby grow so rapidly. A child needs energy, at the same time he needs a special diet that is different from an adult meal. Let's see how baby feeding changes by months and find out what can and cannot be given to a newborn.
Newborn period - acquaintance
Everyone knows, of course, that newborn feeding begins with breast milk. This is the most ideal food that exists at this stage. "Why?" - you ask. Judge for yourself:
Mother's milk is useful and always with you, "warmed up" to the right temperature
- Milk changes its properties as the baby grows up. It all starts with colostrum, when at the time of latching the baby to the breast in the delivery room, he receives only a few milliliters of valuable fluid, rich in immune bodies and antitoxins. Colostrum helps cleanse the intestines of original feces by acting as a mild laxative. It is quite high in calories, and at the same time, the child does not strain, spending a lot of energy on sucking.
- Milk protein in a woman mainly includes serum proteins, albumin and globulins, which are not only easily absorbed, but also participate in the formation of the children's immune system. Casein, a protein considered to be heavy, is 10 times less than cow's milk. With such nutrition, special enzymes enter the baby's body that facilitate digestion.
- Fats from breast milk are absorbed by 95%, due to the increased content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and lipase enzyme, which promotes fat breakdown.
- The main carbohydrates in human milk are lactose. Due to the fact that it is not completely broken down, getting into the large intestine, the growth of bifidobacteria, that is, beneficial microflora, is naturally stimulated. This is another reason to breastfeed your baby. Children are less likely to suffer from intestinal diseases.
- Speaking about the composition of minerals and vitamins, it can be noted that they are perfectly balanced and are in easily digestible formulas.
- The mother, together with milk, transfers to the child protective factors, a kind of immunity in the form of interferon, immunoglobulins, lysozyme, lactoferin and other substances.
- When newborns are fed with breast milk, children, according to statistics, are less likely to get ARVI, rickets, pneumonia, and allergic manifestations. They develop well physically, grow up well-balanced people, have great affection for their mother.
- Mother's milk is always “at hand”, you do not need to buy it, heat it up, sterilize it, count on portions.
- Breastfeeding newborns is a pleasant process that gives happy moments, allows you to fully experience the joy of motherhood, to establish as close, as possible, contact with your son or daughter.
In the first month, the mother needs to focus on mastering the technique of correct attachment to the breast, establish a feeding regime for the newborn, and prevent lactostasis. Here you need to remember an important rule: the more often the baby is attached to the breast, the less problems with breastfeeding will be.
2nd and 3rd month: active growth phase
By this time, the baby holds the head, raises the front of the body on the arms and gains weight well. The first trimester of life, the baby grows up by 2-3 cm every month and gains from 600 to 900 grams!
Since digestion is just getting better, most parents and children are faced with the problem of intestinal colic. The unhappy baby now bends in pain, then presses her legs to her tummy, crying plaintively. They say that this period just needs to be lived through, but it is still possible and necessary to help the child:
- The emotional component. Carry the baby on your hands, pressing your tummy to you. There should be no alarm in your voice. Sing calm, measured songs. This serves as a kind of red herring.
- Place a warm diaper or a wrapped heating pad on your tummy. Massage the navel in a clockwise direction, without applying too much pressure. Do an exercise to squeeze and unclench the legs.
- Give your baby a fennel-based drug (Plantex, for example) or simethicone (Espumisan, Infacol). The first group removes spasms, the second eliminates gas bubbles in the intestines.
Usually, by this time, the feeding of the infant is getting better, it is determined in the need or unnecessary supplementation or the transition to artificial nutrition.
4th and 5th month: I want to sit
The crumb is becoming more and more active, and now he needs energy not only for growth, but also for knowing the world around him. Mother's milk or adapted formula is still the main food for the baby. However, for a 5-month-old infant who is bottle-fed, according to the testimony of doctors, complementary foods may be introduced.
Regardless of the type of feeding, in the fifth month, complementary foods are introduced only on the recommendation of pediatricians
Sometimes the so-called corrective feeding is needed. For example, at the 4th month, an iron deficiency was found in a baby. Then the pediatrician recommends introducing one-component products with its content: baby buckwheat porridge or apple juice. Children with poor weight gain may be advised of carbohydrate foods. But this is only when urgently needed. In all other cases, you should wait another month.
6th month - feeding time
According to WHO recommendations, 6 months is the most ideal time to start complementary feeding, if there are no medical contraindications. Usually, by this time, the baby has acquired its first teeth. But there are still other criteria by which you can determine whether a child is ready to get acquainted with a new food:
- the baby's weight from birth has doubled;
- he does not make pushing movements with his tongue;
- can sit by himself;
- if he is not hungry, can demonstrate this by turning away;
- able to eat from a spoon;
- mom's and Dad's food interests him very much.
Complementary foods begin with one-component dishes. There are different opinions about what to feed initially, but we will focus on the traditional option - vegetable puree from zucchini, as an alternative - from cauliflower. They are perfectly digestible and serve as a good prevention of constipation.
Children are not advised to add sugar or salt to dishes, so such food may seem bland to an adult. But for babies, this is not difficult if they are not already familiar with delicious fruit purees. In the same month, you can gradually introduce into the diet of cereals, necessarily gluten-free. These include rice, buckwheat, corn.
Any product is first given in a small portion, literally half a teaspoon, increasing it every day. It is important how you propose a new dish, because your mother's emotions play an important role in the acceptance of food. If you are tense or alert, the baby will feel it, and not the fact that he will accept the innovation with delight. Praise the prepared product, you can eat the first spoon yourself, showing with your expression that it is very tasty.
7 months - we continue our acquaintance
The child's diet is gradually expanding. He is already familiar with cereals and vegetables, it's time to introduce fruit puree and protein foods in the form of cottage cheese and kefir. If the crumb suffers from constipation, it will be useful to take kefir and prune puree.
By 7 months, the frequency of feeding is as follows: three times with breast milk and about three times by complementary feeding. Keep in mind, however, that the portions recommended as one-off may be too large for your child, and if he refuses to finish the porridge, you should not force him.
8 months - transition to more solid foods
There are already enough teeth to taste meat delicacies in the form of puddings, soufflés, mashed potatoes. For the first samples, dietary rabbit, turkey, and veal meat is suitable. After a month, you can include beef and chicken puree in the menu. From this age, it is advisable to give meat every day in a volume of about 50 grams. Store-bought mashed potatoes in jars are also suitable.
The yolk, due to possible allergic reactions, only appears on the list of permitted foods, although its composition is very useful for children. The yolk is given the first time in the morning, a quarter, after which the baby is monitored for allergies. You need to feed the baby with yolk twice a week.
Potatoes. In our country, perhaps, not a day goes by without this vegetable. However, it is best to wait until 8 months of age, as it is also an allergenic product.
Towards the end of the 8th month, fish can be added to the diet. Up to a year, it is advisable to cook low-fat marine fish such as hake, cod or pollock. It is thoroughly washed with running water, the pulp is separated from the bones, the scales are removed. Fillet is cooked in boiling water for about 20 minutes or steamed. Enough 2 fish dishes per week. Ordinary canned fish are not used in the diet of children under 2 years old!
Bagels are tasty and healthy for the gums
In children during this period, their teeth are actively climbing and the gums itch. Therefore, a crouton or a bagel will be a real gift for a child. A little butter and sunflower oil are introduced into the diet.
Approximate feeding scheme at 8 months:
- 6 am - breast milk;
- 10 am - rice porridge 180 gr, half a yolk, 50 gr fruit puree;
- 14:00 - vegetable puree 180 gr, meat pudding 50 gr, bread - 5 gr;
- 18 pm - mother's milk, cottage cheese 50 gr, cookies;
- If desired, from 18:00 to 22:00, you can give the toddler kefir - 150 ml;
- 22:00 - mother's milk.
A growing child wants to do everything himself, like an adult. Let him drink from a cup, letting him grasp it with both hands. Be prepared for spilled puddles - there is no way to learn without loss of independence.
10 months - "I eat with a spoon"
It is believed that a 10-month-old baby can already be taught to hold a cutlery on his own. To prevent food from flying around the house due to clumsy movements during the educational process, it is recommended to apply a few simple tricks:
- buy a deep plate with suction cups;
- place your favorite dish on a plate;
- put a spoon in your hands and show how to use it;
- refrain from reproaches due to awkward movements;
- do not skimp on praise.
With regard to nutrition, we can say that it is becoming more varied, although the main products remain the same. Raisins, apples, pears and other fruits are added to cereals. A 10-month-old baby's feeding schedule should include at least 2 doses of breast milk.
Learning to eat with a spoon is a very creative and time-consuming process.
Children especially love cottage cheese casseroles. To prepare 500 g of cottage cheese, grind with sugar and 1-2 eggs until a delicate consistency (some rub it through a sieve), add 1-2 tablespoons of semolina, mix and put in a greased form. The resulting mass is baked in the oven for about 50 minutes at 180 ° C.
If earlier meat puddings were preferable, then with the appearance of teeth it is better to make meatballs for the development of chewing muscles. The meat is passed through a meat grinder. A little grated onion, an egg, a little white bread are added. Minced meat is salted and balls with a diameter of 2 cm are formed from it. The meatballs are thrown into boiling salted water and cooked over low heat for about 15 minutes.
1 year - it's time to take stock
At 12 months, the little man's nutrition is quite complete, and some decide to stop lactation, although it is sometimes possible to allow the baby to breastfeed in the morning and evening even after the mother goes to work. When deciding, everyone is guided by their individual needs. If you do decide to wean, here are some guidelines:
- it is dangerous to wean from the breast in the summer, in the midst of intestinal infections;
- you should not do this during a child's illness, he is already weakened, and he does not need unnecessary stress;
- denying your baby your favorite sis, reassure him of your love, explain that he is already big and eats delicious food for adults.
In a year, the child's nutrition practically does not differ from the 10-month period, except that the portions increase. Breakfast and afternoon tea, as in adults, is represented by light food (milk porridge, vegetable puree). Lunch, along with dinner, is hearty. From sweets, children are given marshmallow, marshmallow, marmalade. As a drink, besides water, they offer compotes, fruit drinks, jelly.
So the first year has come to an end. He was full of events, experiences and joys, full of troubles. During this time, you did your best to teach the baby many things, including instilling in him a love of healthy eating. May you continue to succeed in raising your baby.
Proper nutrition of the baby is the key to its excellent health and timely development. Immediately after birth, the healthiest and most natural product for a newborn is breast milk. This product will be an integral part of his diet until at least one year of age.
However, sometimes, for some reason, breastfeeding is impossible or insufficient. In this case, they resort to the introduction of artificial milk mixtures. Also, in rare cases, supplementation is introduced to eliminate health problems, and special therapeutic food is used.
Compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards is essential for the prevention of infectious diseases and allergic reactions. Any food should be prepared with clean hands, in sterilized containers and from environmentally friendly products.
It is only required to feed the baby if he is really hungry and in the quantities that he himself wants to eat. The total amount of food is determined with the help of a pediatrician, taking into account the weight, age of the baby and his state of health. Overfeeding leads to excess body weight, which negatively affects all body systems. For very young children, free feeding is often used, but adherence to the regime, at least approximate with slight fluctuations, will not hurt.
Artificial people begin to introduce complementary foods at 4.5 - 5 months, children on breast milk at 5 - 6 months. They begin to give each new type of food with a very small amount, in the absence of allergies, gradually increase the dose. All products must be given one at a time, after the body gets used to them, you can mix different types of fruits, vegetables, meat, cereals. The newborn does not know how to chew, so everything that he eats must have a puree appearance. After the appearance of the chewing reflex at 8 - 10 months, small soft pieces of food, baby cookies, and a crouton are added to the food.
Vegetable puree is offered as a first course for infants with normal body weight. From six months, porridge and fruit purees have been added to the menu. According to modern pediatricians, juices from fruits and vegetables can negatively affect the work of the gastrointestinal tract if they are introduced too early into the baby's diet, so you should wait up to a year with them. From 7-8 months, the baby can start tasting cottage cheese, kefir, meat and egg yolk. It is advisable to wait up to 10 months with fish, as it often causes allergies.
If a child gains weight adequately and is always in a good mood, it means that he has enough nutrition. And if his diet is well balanced, varied and contains dairy products, cereals, vegetables, meat and fruits every day, there will be no problems with a lack of certain microelements.
A complete balanced diet is a prerequisite for the normal development of all organs and systems of the baby. It is important that children receive a certain amount of macronutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates), minerals and vitamins every day. Thanks to this, they will grow up healthy, cheerful and smart. How to properly organize the feeding of children under one year old? Let's figure out this issue that interests all conscious parents.
Types of nutrition for children under one year old
There are three types of feeding of children under one year old: natural, artificial and mixed. Each of them has its own diet. Consider the features of different types of newborn menus. General diagrams are given for healthy babies. In case of violations of the norms of food consumption, the doctor determines.
Natural feeding
A breastfed baby from 0 to 6 months receives only breast milk. According to the WHO recommendations, after this age, solid food (complementary foods) is gradually introduced into his diet. The share of breast milk in the daily food volume is decreasing, but remains high. The famous children's doctor E.O. Komarovsky insists that the introduction of complementary foods at an earlier period is inappropriate.
With breastfeeding, most experts recommend feeding the baby freely, that is, at his request. This approach allows you to maintain lactation at the required level. After 2-3 months, even in the case of free feeding, a flexible schedule for feeding the newborn is established: meals take place with an interval of 2-2.5 hours.
Artificial feeding
With artificial feeding, the child receives an adapted milk formula. Breast milk may be present on his menu, but in small quantities - up to 20% of the total food volume.
Artificial feeding requires adherence to a clear feeding schedule with specific intervals between meals. E.O. Komarovsky reminds that they must be kept, since the mixture is digested more slowly than mother's milk.
Mixed feeding
The need for mixed feeding occurs when the mother produces breast milk, but it is not enough for the baby. The shortage is compensated for with artificial mixtures.
The share of breast milk with mixed feeding is more than 20% of the daily ration. The feeding regimen for this type of diet depends on the mother's lactation level. If the basis of the diet is breast milk, then the schedule approaches free. In the case of a predominance of the mixture, feeding occurs by the hour.
How to calculate the amount of food required?
Dear reader!
This article talks about typical ways of solving your questions, but each case is unique! If you want to know how to solve your particular problem - ask your question. It's fast and free!
First 7-10 days
The calculation of the daily volume of formula or breast milk for children in the first 7-10 days of life is carried out in one of two ways:
- Zaitseva's formula. It is necessary to multiply the child's body weight at birth by the number of days of his life and find 2% of this number. As a result, you get the required amount of food per day.
- Finkelstein's formula. To determine the daily amount of milk or formula for a child weighing less than 3.2 kg, you should multiply his age in days by 70. If the weight of the crumbs is less than 3.2 kg, you need to find the product of the number of his days of life and 80.
Regardless of the formula used, the daily volume obtained must be divided by the number of feedings. This way you can find out the amount of milk or mixture that is sufficient for one meal.
Older than 7-10 days
To calculate the amount of nutrition for a newborn older than 7-10 days up to 12 months, the Heibener and Cherni method or volumetric is used. The Geibener and Czerny method allows you to find the required total amount of liquid per day, including mixture, milk, water, juice, tea, and so on. This takes into account the child's weight and age. The main recommendations are presented in the table.
For example, a baby at 3 months weighs 5.2 kg. He needs 5200 ÷ 6 \u003d 867 ml of milk or mixture per day. This indicator should be divided by the number of meals. The total volume of liquid should not exceed 1 liter in 24 hours.
In modern conditions, the Heibener and Czerny technique is rarely used, since it is not designed for children with increased body weight, of whom more and more are being born recently. The volumetric method is considered more rational.
Food consumption rates depending on the child's age are shown in the table.
Introduction of complementary foods
There are special WHO instructions, which contain information on the sequence of introducing solid food into the diet of children in the first year of life. Recommendations broken down by month are presented below.
Boil porridge in water. Starting from 6 months, vegetable oil should be added to mashed potatoes and porridge. For the first time, it is recommended to limit yourself to 1 drop, gradually increasing the volume to 1 teaspoon. Butter is introduced into the diet at 7 months. The initial dose is 1 g, the average is 10 g. It is advisable to add it to ready-made cereals.
The given feeding scheme is relevant for breastfed babies. If the child receives a mixture, then solid food can be introduced from 5 months, since his body needs vitamins and minerals for normal development. The same table is used, but all rows are shifted by a month.
Detailed information on how to feed your baby with "adult" products can be found in the table. All recommendations are general. Before introducing complementary foods, you should consult a pediatrician.
Product Term number Dishes to start feeding Vegetables With normal or overweight from 6 (sometimes from 5-5.5) months. Puree from 1 vegetable, white or green. Porridge With normal or overweight from 6-7 months. If the weight is insufficient, then they are introduced from 4-5 months. Initial - ½ teaspoon. The maximum is 100-200 g. Gluten-free cereals boiled in water - buckwheat, rice, corn, oatmeal. After entering each porridge separately, you can cook the cereal mixes. Vegetable oil 6 months Initial - 3-5 drops. The maximum is 1 teaspoon. Sunflower, corn, olive oils. They should be added to pureed vegetables or meat. Butter 7 Initial - 1/3 teaspoon. The maximum is 10-20 g. High-quality butter without vegetable components should be added to vegetable purees and cereals. Fruits 8 Initial - ½ teaspoon. The maximum is 100-200 g. Monopure of soft fruits. Gradually, you can make multi-component dishes. Meat 8 Initial - ½ teaspoon. The maximum is 50-100 g. Puree from one component - rabbit, turkey, veal, beef. Yolk 8 Initial - 1/4 teaspoon. The maximum is ½ the yolk of a chicken egg. It is necessary to boil the egg and add the chopped yolk to mashed potatoes or porridge. Dairy products* 9 Initial - ½ teaspoon. The maximum is 150-200 g. Children's yogurt, kefir or biolact. After 10 months, products with fillers can be introduced (we recommend reading :). Cottage cheese* 9 Initial - ½ teaspoon. Maximum - 50 g. Pure baby cottage cheese. From 10 months it should be supplemented with fruit puree. Baby cookies 9-10 Initial - 1/3 cookie. The maximum is 5 pieces. Fish The average introduction period is 10 months (we recommend reading :). If the child has a tendency to allergies - 1 year. Initial - ½ teaspoon. The maximum is 60 g. It is worth feeding the baby with fish 1-2 times a week. Low-fat types of fish - river perch, hake, cod. It should be boiled or steamed and then mashed. Juices 10-12 Initial - 2-3 drops. The maximum is 100 ml. Clarified juices from green and white fruits.
* Note that the approach of Dr. E.O. Komarovsky regarding complementary foods differs from the WHO recommendations. He suggests starting acquaintance with adult food with the help of sour milk - kefir and cottage cheese.
The new product should be given to the baby in the morning. It is recommended to increase the amount very slowly, gradually bringing it to the age norm and monitoring the reaction of the child's body. In a week, the child should be introduced to one new dish. If there is an allergy or a malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract, the product must be removed from the menu.
Nutrition after a year
The baby's menu after 12 months includes all the main food groups. He no longer needs breast milk as food, so many mothers decide to stop lactation. However, it contains substances valuable for the baby, and the reasons to continue breastfeeding remain.
Lactation can be maintained even if mom goes to work. The frequency of breastfeeding will decrease, but the baby will receive valuable elements. If there is a need to stop lactation, doctors advise not to do this during the period of the child's illness, when his body is weakened, and also in the summer, since at this time there is a high probability of contracting an intestinal infection.
The baby's nutrition at 1 year does not differ from his menu at 11 months, but the portions increase slightly (we recommend reading :). For breakfast and afternoon tea, it should be fed with porridge or vegetable puree. Dinner and lunch should be satisfying. For dessert, you can offer marmalade, marshmallow, marshmallow, and as a drink - water, tea, jelly, compote or fruit drink.
