Pediatricians advise mothers to enter the first complementary foods in the baby's menu, starting from six months. Moreover, cereals for this are best suited. But a rather crucial point in such an important issue is the expansion of the diet. If you do not follow the basic rules of administration and timing, then you can cause irreparable harm to the health of the crumbs. Porridge for feeding should meet many requirements. It serves as a powerful source of energy, has a beneficial effect on the digestive tract and is a rich source of trace elements, vitamins. But parents do not always clearly realize when it is best to introduce cereals and what to prefer - packaged or cooked with their own hands.
Lure goals
Mother’s breast milk is the source of all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals that the baby needs. But the child is growing rapidly and his body is already not only what he can get from milk. The baby quickly learns new skills, he learns to roll over, sit, crawl, get up and walk. All these active actions require the receipt of an increased amount of nutrients that mom can no longer give him.
Therefore, complementary foods are designed to meet the needs of a growing child in energy, which is converted from the food received in the body. As it grows, its growth increases more and more. In addition, the food that is offered to the baby contributes to the formation of taste habits in him, helps to master the chewing skill and satisfies the natural curiosity of the contents of plates in adults. Lunch porridge is most preferred in many cases. Especially often it is prescribed for lack of weight and poor nutrition of mom.
Timing of the introduction of complementary foods
Medicine in the field of pediatrics does not stand still. Specialists are constantly studying the features of the growth and development of the child, as well as the validity of the need for complementary foods. If earlier doctors advised mothers to administer complementary foods for porridge for children by the age of three months, now the deadlines have moved. Subject to natural feeding, it is worth giving any other products no earlier than six months. A little earlier, from five months old, they began to feed artificial children.
Experts say that before reaching the recommended age, any food, unlike breast milk or infant formula, will not bring any benefits. It’s just that the digestive tract is still not at all mature and cannot digest food foreign to it.
The beginning of complementary foods, starting with cereals
If it is decided to introduce complementary foods, and the pediatrician advised with porridge, then a number of requirements must be observed.
At the beginning of the dish should consist of only one type of cereal, not have traces of milk. It is forbidden to add sugar and butter for taste. If the product is purchased, then it should not contain flavors and dyes.
Porridge for feeding can be different. But as the first you need to take only gluten-free. Gluten is a plant protein that is very poorly digested. The digestive system of the child may simply not be ready for such a load. Of course, the crumb is growing rapidly, and the difficulty in digesting this component is gradually disappearing. But sometimes the problem remains for life. Buckwheat porridge for feeding, as well as rice and corn, is the best choice at the very beginning. It is recommended to hold off with oatmeal and wheat groats, which are too heavy for a fragile digestive tract.
It is important that the pediatrician advises with which porridge to start complementary foods. The choice will depend on the general condition of the child and his individual characteristics.
It is known that cereal dishes can solve many problems. So, if the baby has a tendency to constipation, then corn porridge will be useful to him. Croup contains a large amount of fiber, which has a beneficial effect on the intestines.
If the baby tolerates two or three types of cereal, dairy-free dishes, then in a month you can try to offer dairy. However, the gluten-free cereal rule remains unchanged. For self-preparation, use a milk mixture. Whole milk is allowed only after a year
Many old-fashioned children feed semolina porridge. However, modern medicine warns to do this for up to a year. Despite the fact that children often like the dish, semolina is able to delay the absorption of calcium.
How to introduce a product
Starting with cereals, the beginning of complementary foods can solve many problems in the baby, especially if they are associated with lack of weight and lack of nutrients in mother's milk. It is necessary to start no earlier than 5-6 months. However, sometimes pediatricians are advised to feed the baby with a cereal dish from 4 months. But such an approach is possible in the case of artificial children, or in the absence of the opportunity to purchase a high-quality adapted mixture. Otherwise, negative consequences from the digestive system and the manifestation of allergic reactions are possible.
The rules for the introduction of complementary foods say that the first spoon of an unfamiliar product should fall in the morning. In this case, the easiest way to track the reaction of the body. At the beginning, the crumbs are offered only a teaspoon of porridge, and then fed as usual (mixture or breast).
If no undesirable effects were observed, then in 10 days the amount of complementary foods was adjusted to a full serving. First courses must be prepared on the water.
Cooking porridge at home
The first feeding without milk porridge is an exciting moment. Of course, you can use ready-made packaged products. However, some mothers prefer to cook the dish on their own. In this case, proportions should be observed. For 100 ml of liquid, you need to take 5 g. ground cereals. You can grind the finished porridge in a blender.
If an unfamiliar dish is well tolerated by the crumbs, then after a couple of weeks you can increase the ratio of cereals by 10%. After another week or two, it is allowed to try porridge from another cereal. Thus, within a month, the baby will be able to appreciate the taste of three gluten-free cereals.
Variety of choices
The first cereals for complementary foods are very diverse. Which of them to choose, the pediatrician will always tell you, which takes into account the age of the child and his state of health. At the moment, parents can:
- to get instant porridge in a box;
- independently prepare a dish at home;
- buy a ready-made porridge.
In large megacities and retail chains, a novelty has recently appeared - wellings. Food traditional for the Scandinavian peoples. It is a product, a cross between liquid porridge and a milkshake. It is more suitable for travel and is recommended for use from 5-6 months.
Porridge for feeding can be on milk or on water. The latter is recommended for feeding and children with lactose deficiency. In addition, there is completely no starch and sugar, which create an additional burden on the intestines of crumbs.
Flour of choice
What is the best porridge for first feeding? In this case, all pediatricians advise buckwheat. Groats are especially rich in iron, contain magnesium, B vitamins and a large amount of protein. There is practically no allergy to buckwheat; it is well tolerated and easily digestible. Therefore, as a first course fits perfectly.
If the baby is diagnosed with a lack of weight, then the doctor may advise you to start with rice cereal. Grain is especially rich in healthy dietary fiber, which has a beneficial effect on the intestines. However, some parents are wary of offering rice porridge to babies because of the risk of constipation. But experts refute this fact and emphasizes that the problem may arise as a result of eating crushed rice. A rice flour product does not lead to such consequences.
No less valuable and safe product recognized corn grits. It is enriched with minerals, fiber and proteins. However, pediatricians advise introducing it into the child’s diet only after he has tried buckwheat porridge and rice.
From the whole variety for the first feeding, only one-component (consisting of one type of grain) milk-free porridge should be selected. If the baby tolerates the novelty in the diet well, he has already tried three different types of cereals, then multicomponent and dairy can be offered.
Buy or cook
The best choice is porridge for feeding. Which is better - purchased, in a box, or cooked by mom yourself? If you follow the recommendations of WHO, then they boil down to the fact that the product prepared in the factory is clearly better. Among its advantages:
- enrichment with all necessary microelements;
- the consistency is completely homogeneous and adapted for assimilation at an early age;
- the composition does not contain dyes, flavors, or salt;
- impurities of chemicals and heavy metals are completely excluded;
- The product undergoes rigorous factory quality control.
If you purchase porridge in a box from a well-known manufacturer, you can be sure of its quality and complete safety. In addition, many are bribed by the simplicity and speed of preparation of the finished dish.
Homemade porridge
In the life of every baby, sooner or later the first lure of porridge happens. Which are better in this case - purchased or factory? Of course, from the point of view of economy, purchases come out initially more expensive, because at first the child eats a small part, and you can store the remains of the dry mixture for a short period of time. There are also mothers who prefer to cook for their beloved child on their own and simply do not trust the store product.
However, in this case it is important to observe the recommended proportions and hygiene requirements very carefully during cooking. As practice shows, at home it is quite easy to cook porridge from buckwheat flour. But rice can also be cooked quite simply.
Proper cooking basics
Too many children do not give up porridge in the first lure. Which at the same time will become his favorite, it will become known in time. But in order to diversify the menu, it is important to alternate between different types of cereals and offer the baby only freshly prepared and tasty product.
If mom preferred cooked porridge out of the box, then for its preparation it is important to strictly follow the instructions. Usually it is supposed to pour a certain number of measured spoons with boiled water, mix thoroughly and allow to cool. But it is worth considering that it is impossible to cook such a product in advance.
If parents decide to cook porridge on their own, it is important to adhere to the following recommendations:
- Croup must be carefully sorted, washed and dried;
- Then it is crushed using a coffee grinder. It should be flour.
- Strict proportions require cooking porridge for the first feeding. What is the recipe? For 100 ml of water, you need to take 5 grams of cereal. Gradually, the grain ratio increases by 10%
- After cooking, you can bring the dish to the desired consistency by adding breast milk, a mixture or water.
- It is forbidden to add sugar or salt for taste.
They start feeding without milk porridge. As soon as the child is eight months old and he tolerates different types of cereals well, you can use purchased milk cereals, or add baby milk to your own cooked dishes. A small piece of oil is also shown.
Overview of popular cereals
Many parents are interested in what kind of porridge for complementary foods to choose from all the variety presented in stores. The modern industry specializing in baby food produces so many diverse products that it is difficult for an ordinary person to navigate. We will analyze the features and composition of finished cereals of the most popular brands.
"Nestle" - delicious and satisfying
The Nestle company is widely known among parents of many countries. Porridge is tasty, nutritious and completely diverse in taste. Among the rich assortment you can choose dairy-free, milk porridge. There are one-component, from several cereals and with the addition of pieces of fruit. Mom reviews confirm the quality of the products. They like a wide variety, reasonable price and excellent taste.
For the first feeding, the company produces buckwheat, rice and corn porridge. They are fully adapted for babies and recognized as safe. All raw materials pass quality control. Among the disadvantages, it is worth highlighting the presence of lecithin, which sometimes provokes an allergic reaction.
"Gerber" - high quality products
Gerber's cereals are often recommended by leading pediatricians. This is due to the fact that the products of the company are recognized as organic, which is confirmed by appropriate labeling. This ensures that all raw materials for baby food are of exceptional quality. Parents' reviews show that porridge dissolves in water quite quickly, with no lumps remaining. The finished product, despite the complete absence of sugar, salt and flavorings, has a pleasant taste and aroma.
Contradictory products from Heinz
The manufacturer does not have such a diverse line of ready-made cereals for kids. The range includes the following types:
- dairy;
- dairy free;
- allergy free;
- with various additives.
Judging by the reviews, all cereals are well bred, there are no lumps left in the plate, and there is something to choose from the presented assortment. However, not all kids are suitable for the company's products. Porridge in its composition contains additives that not all children absorb. However, the taste of dishes is on top.
"Hipp" on the broth of herbs
The products of the manufacturer are quite original, but, as reviews show, it is suitable for the first feeding. The porridge is distinguished by the decoction of herbs in the composition and the inclusion of a hypoallergenic milk mixture. Pediatricians confirm that, starting with five months, you can safely introduce cereals from this manufacturer into the diet.
The company produces a fairly extensive assortment of baby food. As the first feeding, you can choose dairy-free cereals, then enter dairy. Especially appreciated by many parents is the Good Night series with soothing herb extracts. After eight months, you can introduce cereals with fruits, cookies and even cocoa.
The famous "Baby"
The company's products are widely known even to our grandmothers and are safely recommended for children from five months. The assortment is quite diverse:
- milkless cereals;
- dairy;
- one-component;
- multi-cereal;
- with the addition of fruit slices.
Parents are attracted not only by a wide selection, but also by an affordable price. Product reviews are almost all good, cereals are tasty, nutritious and enriched with everything necessary. However, there are responses that when breeding often lumps remain, therefore, it is necessary to carefully monitor their dissolution.
Budget "Diaper"
Porridge domestic producers that are gaining popularity. Despite the low price, the products are made only from high quality raw materials and have a fairly extensive assortment.
However, reviews of doctors warn to drive porridge of this manufacturer earlier than 6-7 months due to the presence of sugar in the composition. Otherwise, the product does not cause any more complaints.
Conclusion
Porridge, as the first lure, is suitable for most children. It is important to strictly comply with the terms recommended by the pediatrician, not to rush with the introduction of new dishes in the baby's diet. As the first porridge, dairy-free buckwheat is best suited. Regardless of whether the mother cooks the dish on her own or prefers the finished product, this cereal will only benefit.