Baby food

Baby food is an industrially manufactured food product adapted to the physiological characteristics of the child's body. Designed to meet its nutrient needs. There is a huge selection of baby food products on sale, which differ in their composition, consistency and properties.

Depending on the purpose and manufacturing method, the following types of baby food are distinguished: mixture; porridge; mashed potatoes; juices; teas; puddings; dairy products.

Separate milk formulas and teas are intended for use in the first days of a newborn's life, the rest of the products are introduced gradually as the baby grows up and his digestive system develops.

The ideal baby food for up to 6 months is breast milk, but if it is not possible to feed the baby with mother's milk, then formula that is sold in stores come to the rescue. When choosing a ready-made formula, adhere to the rule: the closer the mixture in its composition is to breast milk, the better.

Before entering the store, all mixtures are thoroughly tested, so they are all safe, which cannot be said about homemade food. But their price may differ, depending on how high-quality and modern the mixture is.

More modern formulas usually contain ingredients that have only recently been scientifically proven to be beneficial (such as lutein). But this does not mean that you need to abandon traditional mixtures that do not contain this substance.

From 6-7 months, the baby begins to receive complementary foods, and by 8-9 months the proportion of mixtures in the child's diet decreases to 50%, and the rest falls on fruit and vegetable purees, dairy-free cereals from ground cereals that do not contain gluten. At the second stage of complementary foods, you can introduce meat puree into the diet. It is not recommended to give juices to children under 1.5 years of age.

Up to 1 year old, a child should not drink tea. It is better to boil baby water before use.

Starting from 1 year old, the baby can eat cottage cheese and other unsweetened fermented milk products. You need to be careful with yogurt: it may contain sugar, which is not recommended for children at this age. Kefir should be excluded from the diet of preschoolers, as it has a high acidity and may contain alcohol. Baby milk powder can only be used in baked goods or in case of emergency.

It is recommended to exclude sugar and salt from the baby's menu at least up to 3 years old. Honey should be given to the child with caution - it can cause allergies.

Prevent children from eating foods that are intended for adults. Sausages and sausages are not baby food. They may contain phosphates, preservatives, and too much salt and sugar, which can be harmful to the baby.