Summer is the season of vibrant berries and fruits, vegetables and fruits that you may want to introduce to your baby. However, a pressing question during this time is: when should you start introducing vegetables and fruits, how, and in what quantities to ensure it doesn’t harm the child's health? Let's discuss this with family doctor Podnebessna L.V.
It is recommended to begin introducing complementary foods no earlier than when the baby reaches 4-6 months of age. The exact timing, tailored for your baby, should be explained by your doctor. Generally, we start introducing complementary foods with either vegetables or cereals. There isn't a significant difference in which you begin with, as the time gap between introducing vegetables and cereals is usually about 2 weeks.
First of all, you need to determine if either the mother or father has any serious food allergies. If they do, it’s better not to offer those foods first. If there are no allergies in the family, start with white or green vegetables: zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, and then offer all the seasonal vegetables that are familiar in your family's diet. Our goal is not to feed the child with the first complementary food, but simply to show that apart from mother's milk or infant formula, there is other food that is just as healthy and tasty.
It is better to start introducing vegetables in the first half of the day — it will be one vegetable in the amount of 1-2 teaspoons. Throughout the day, monitor the child's well-being, paying particular attention to any skin rashes and any discomfort with the tummy. If everything is fine, the next day offer the same vegetable but increase the amount by one teaspoon. If the child develops rashes or has tummy discomfort, stop giving this vegetable and consult your doctor.
Sometimes situations arise when the introduction of a new food takes not 3-5-7 days, but 14 or even more. This happens because the baby is getting used to the new taste and texture of food. So, if you offer a new product and the child is not very interested in eating it, don't get upset. Continue offering it but don't force the child to eat, either by force or with the help of cartoons. If it causes unpleasant sensations in the child or the child completely refuses to eat, stop offering that vegetable for a while and try another. But during your next doctor's visit, be sure to discuss this situation. After we have introduced each vegetable separately, we can start mixing them.
Which is better: jars or homemade food?
Jars can save you time and effort, and they also allow your child to consume vegetables that are out of season. But homemade food provides the baby with new flavors and textures each time. When preparing food yourself, you can boil, steam vegetables, or use a blender-steamer. Remember, it’s not recommended to add spices or salt, but you can start adding oil (the one you usually use for cooking in your family) when the vegetable puree reaches 100 grams or more — for every 100 grams of vegetables, add 1 teaspoon of oil.
There are various opinions on whether to introduce vegetables or fruits first. On one hand, fruits are sweeter, so after them, the child might refuse to eat unsweetened vegetables. On the other hand, by trying something tasty, you might increase the child’s interest in other foods — the baby will want to try the products you offer with more enthusiasm. In fact, the decision is yours: whichever view you support is fine. There is no mandatory order or schedule for introducing foods. Try to maintain the child's interest in food and do everything with a positive attitude.
So, around 6-6.5 months, you can start introducing fruits and berries to your baby. Keep in mind that fruits and berries are not the main meal, so they can be offered as a snack, dessert, or added to cereals and dairy products. There is no need to cook fruits, but remember to offer one fruit at a time and only start mixing them after the baby has tried each fruit separately.
Do small children need compotes or juices?
No, they do not. For example, compotes offer no nutritional benefits, as all necessary vitamins and microelements are lost during boiling. Furthermore, juices and compotes lack fiber, which is essential for proper bowel function. If you have to choose between giving a child juice or a fresh fruit, always opt for the fruit.
Start giving fruits or berries in the same way — with 1 teaspoon. The maximum amount you can give can be calculated using the formula: number of months × 10 (at 7 months — a maximum of 70 grams, at 8 months — 80 grams, and so on). These can be any seasonal fruits without exception, but it’s best not to offer watermelon, melon, or grapes as the first fruit or berry.
Regarding the introduction of exotic vegetables and fruits (avocado, mango, etc.), there is no single opinion, but it’s better to postpone their introduction to a later stage and not choose them as the first complementary foods. It is believed that products native to the region where the parents and the baby were born are more beneficial and safer. Consult your doctor regarding the timing of introducing exotic foods.
The above information is the minimum parents should know. You will be able to learn more during a consultation with your doctor.
