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Expanding your diet When and where to start

Homepage Articles Expanding your diet When and where to start

Expanding your diet When and where to start

At some point in a baby's life, there's a breakthrough in expanding their diet. It's an equally important time for parents, but there are no shortage of questions and concerns. Isn't it too early? When is the right time? This article will help you resolve any doubts about expanding your diet.

Table of Contents

1. Is that even when to start expanding a child's diet?

Although the introduction of new foods will be the basis of the child's diet until the 1st year of life, the mother's milk or modified milk should remain the source of stress at this stage. However, if the child does not show an appetite for solid food, it is difficult for them to replace it, especially if the baby does not want to eat. The whole process should not take place too quickly. The duration of the diet must be adjusted to the baby. Although the new food will be introduced as the basis for the diet until 1st of year. The parents should be stressed during this stage, but if the successful replacement of these foods with solid food is difficult, it will be much easier for them, especially when the baby doesn't show a desire for food.

2. Is that why a child's diet should be expanded at all?

Now that we know when to expand your diet, it's worth considering why you're doing this at all. There may be several reasons. First of all, it is a way of supplementing nutrients. A developing child needs constantly to absorb energy, vitamins and minerals. Another issue is the development of the toddler. While eating, certain cognitive, motor, and sensory skills are formed. Chewing, splitting the tongue, or playing are important abilities that earlier acquisition supports the functioning of the brain and development of a child.

3. Blue or a spoonful?

Currently, there are two methods of feeding. The first is BLW (Baby Led Weaning), which is a way to control food by many senses. Using food in your hand allows you to feel the consistency and texture of the baby. This way of eating is guided by a spoon is omitted here. The baby has the freedom to eat how much he wants to eat and whether he is willing to eat the product in general.

4. Where do you start expanding your diet?

The first 2 years of a baby's life are thought to be key to the development of taste preferences (H. flavored apples etc. 2021). However, when eating some foods, such as blueberries, some flavors may be averted (bitter), while others are particularly preferred (sweet). This is natural and occurs in most cases. Studies show that babies fed exclusively to breast milk show a better acceptance of other flavors (B. flavoured apples et cetera 2021). Some flavors can cause aversion (gluten), whereas others may be particularly favored (such as sweet).

5. What's not to give a baby?

However, it is important to note that salt is present in many products, such as fish and dairy products. It is also important to pay attention to salt and sugar. Excessive salt intake in young children greatly increases the risk of increased blood pressure in later life. Additionally, food intake may have a negative effect on the formation of food preferences. It should be remembered that salt can be found in many foods, e.g. fish or dairy foods. However, attention should also be paid to salt in the kidneys and not be taken into account in their intake, while the intake of salt in small children will greatly increase their risk of increasing blood pressure later in life.
Source

Białek-Dratwa A., Soczewka M., Grochowska-Niedworok E., Rozszerzanie diety niemowlęcia z wykorzystaniem metody baby-led weaning („bobas lubi wybór”), „Pediatria i Medycyna Rodzinna” 2020, 16(4), 362–367.
Małaczyńska T., Leczenie dietetyczne dzieci z alergią na białka mleka krowiego, „Alergia Astma Immunologia” 2015, 20(1), 24–34.
Szajewska H. et al., Zasady żywienia zdrowych niemowląt. Stanowisko Polskiego Towarzystwa Gastroenterologii, Hepatologii i Żywienia Dzieci, „Pediatria” 2021, 11, 321–338.