Yolk is one of the products that is given to the child in a small amount. It is a source of nutrients and vitamins. The yolk will relieve the children's body of iron deficiency, prevent rickets and contribute to normal growth and development. It is necessary to carry out complementary foods with this product correctly. Many mothers are interested in how to introduce a yolk to a baby. The article will discuss the rules for introducing the product, the age of the baby and other features.
The benefits of the yolk
The egg yolk includes a lot of nutrients and vitamins. It is absorbed much better than protein. The latter is allowed to give the child after a year.
The yolk in the feeding of a child has a positive effect on the body, due to its composition:
- Vitamin A. Positive effect on vision, increases the body's resistance, promotes hair growth.
- Vitamins of group B. Strengthen the nervous system, normalize metabolism and blood sugar.
- Vitamin D. It is synthesized in the body due to exposure to sunlight. Promotes the formation of the skeleton and prevents the development of rickets.
- Vitamin E. Improves tissue regeneration by increasing blood coagulation.
- Lecithin. It is necessary for transporting nutrients to various organs of a person; liver and brain cells are formed from it.
The yolk also contains many minerals (iodine, phosphorus, iron and potassium). They are especially important for strengthening the nervous, immune and circulatory system.
All these substances are necessary for the baby’s fast-growing body, especially in the first year of his life.
Yolk age
The composition of the egg yolk includes cholesterol and fats, so it is quite a heavy product, especially for the baby’s immature digestive system. It should not be given until six months. Such a load on the children's body can become excessive. After eating the yolk, indigestion, rash, abdominal pain, vomiting, or allergies sometimes occur. The latter can cause particular concern to parents.
If the baby is allergic to drugs or food, then the introduction of complementary foods with the yolk should be carried out after 10 months. In this case, heredity is of great importance. If one of the parents is intolerant of the yolk, then the term for its introduction is postponed to one year. In this situation, the benefits of the product do not justify the risk.
After the introduction of yolk into the diet, you can proceed to the inclusion of protein in food.
There are WHO standards according to which the yolk is administered:
- with breastfeeding - after 8 months;
- with artificial - 7 months.
The older generation, who raised their children in different conditions, will be advised to start complementary foods at 3-4 months. However, at this age in the baby’s stomach there are no enzymes that will help him digest such heavy food. This can lead to serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Which eggs are better to choose
More chicken eggs have always been considered the best quail eggs. They contain a large amount of nutrients. The product is often used to treat or prevent various diseases (gastritis). Quail eggs are easily absorbed by the body. Unlike goose and duck, they can be introduced into the diet in the first year of life.
Feeding with egg yolk should begin after 6 months. Important product quality. If you choose between quail or chicken eggs, it is best to purchase fresh ones. In food, children should introduce a product that is no more than 8-10 days.
If we consider factory or domestic eggs, then this does not make a fundamental difference. The color of the latter can be saturated, thanks to the varied diet of the bird. The composition of the eggs is similar. If you are not sure about the quality of a home product, it is best to use a factory product.
Cooking features
Many mothers are interested in how to properly introduce the yolk to the baby's food. The product is thoroughly washed with soap before cooking. Ideally, this should be done after the appearance of eggs in the house. On the shell is a mass of pathogenic microorganisms, including salmonella. It is because of this that the eggs must be subjected to heat treatment, especially before preparing them for the child. Children should not be given a soft-boiled product, soft-boiled, and even more so raw.
Boil eggs for 10 minutes after boiling. Large should be processed for at least 12-13 minutes. Quail eggs are enough to cook for 5 minutes.
After cooking, they are placed in cold water so that the shell is more easily removed. Next, the protein is removed, and the yolk is used to guide the child's diet. Store it for more than 2 hours at room temperature should not be.
Age norms
Many mothers are interested in how to introduce the yolk to the baby and how much. If a chicken egg is used as complementary food, then the first portion for the baby is 1/5 of its portion. On average, the yolk weighs 18-20 g, so the child is allowed to eat about 3-4 g. If there is no kitchen scale, then mothers are determined by eye.
If a quail egg is used for feeding, then 1/4 part is enough. The feeding scheme is as follows:
- initially - 1/5 part;
- repeatedly - 1/4;
- third time - 1/3;
- further and up to a year - 1/2.
Do not include yolk in your baby’s diet daily. It is necessary to introduce it into food gradually. As soon as the body gets used to new food, and negative reactions are absent, the yolk can be given to the baby every other day.
With what and when to give the yolk
Usually, the yolk is introduced into the child’s diet in the morning so that parents have the opportunity to check the baby’s reaction to the new product. This should happen for breakfast. It is important that on this day no other new food is included in the diet.
In its pure form, egg yolk is not recommended. It must be properly included in the diet. In the first stages, the yolk must be diluted with breast milk or a mixture. These products should not be new to the baby's body.
How to give yolk in complementary foods? Here are the key recommendations:
- It is necessary to separate the recommended amount of yolk. Mash thoroughly with a fork or spoon.
- Gradually add milk to the yolk. Do not pour in a lot. A baby can simply refuse a large portion.
- Stir the mixture until smooth. The result should be a mixture that, in consistency, resembles fruit or vegetable puree.
- A new product is best given to the baby in the morning before eating.
- After that, feed with the main course, milk or mixture.
In its pure form, yolk is not recommended, because many babies are wary of new tastes. So you can quickly enter it into the diet.
If the yolk did not suit the baby's taste, then there is nothing wrong with that. After a few days, you can try again. Perhaps she will be more successful.
If the child's body took the yolk, and its amount increased to 1/2 part, then it can be added to various dishes. It is important that they are fresh and warm. Serving should not be large. Otherwise, food will remain on the plate with the remains of the yolk.
The product can be added, both in the first and second courses, milk, kefir. Sometimes children do not refuse fruit or berry purees, which also go well with yolk.
Yolk allergy
Egg yolk is less allergenic than protein. However, a negative reaction may occur to it. It usually appears the next morning. In rare cases, allergy symptoms can accumulate, and the first signs appear in a few days.
Previously it was believed that the yolk of the quail egg is hypoallergenic, but this opinion of experts was erroneous. Reactions to them are not less common.
Allergy is manifested as follows:
- redness of the cheeks and buttocks;
- rash and itching on the body;
- abdominal pain, so the baby cries and gets nervous.
Symptoms of allergies can be one or more. Even a slight reddening of the cheeks in the baby should alert parents. In this situation, the yolk is best administered after 5-6 days, while carefully monitoring the condition of the skin. If the rash and redness have resumed, then the introduction of the yolk in the diet is delayed for several months, and it is best to do it after a year.
Tips from a famous pediatrician
When to introduce a yolk to a baby? Komarovsky advises to include a product in the diet, after the baby is 8 months old.
Well-known pediatrician suggests starting complementary foods when the child’s body is ready. Be sure to introduce products in order of priority. Yolk adaptation is assessed over the course of a week. During this period, parents need to monitor the health of the baby. There should be no signs of allergy in the form of a rash and redness.
The first portion of the yolk is the minimum amount. If the baby's body normally perceives the product, then the dose is gradually increased. Within 7-10 days, the baby can be given 1/2 yolk. It is allowed to add to the first and second courses, vegetable and fruit purees.
Conclusion
Egg yolk is an important component of a complete baby’s diet. It is necessary for the successful growth and development of the child. However, introducing the yolk too early can cause health problems.
With the right approach and following the recommendations of the pediatrician, the new food will become a full-fledged source of nutrients and vitamins for the baby.