How to properly breed porridge for complementary feeding. We introduce the first complementary food: porridge. Approximate scheme for introducing complementary foods

Proper balanced nutrition is the key to a child’s future health.

Reaching the age of 4-6 months, for the growth and formation of the child’s body, additional sources of energy, vitamins and minerals are required. The first complementary foods provide the baby's body with the substances necessary for full development and prepares the baby for weaning, developing the ability to chew and fermentation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Porridge, along with vegetable purees, are the main products for introducing the first complementary foods. For underweight babies, it is recommended to start complementary feeding with cereals; dairy-free or hypoallergenic ones are good. For overweight children with periodic constipation, it is recommended to start complementary feeding with vegetable purees.

Signs of the need to introduce complementary foods

WHO doctors have developed an application based on which infants can start complementary feeding from 6 months when breastfed and from 4-5 months when babies are bottle-fed. Domestic pediatricians recommend starting complementary feeding at 4-6 months, depending on the individual characteristics of the baby. In addition to age, you can determine a child’s readiness for the introduction of complementary foods by the following signs:

• The child began to ask for breast or formula more often than usual;
• Doubling the child’s weight from the weight at birth;
• The child can sit with the support of his parents and holds his head confidently;
• Absence of a reflex to push out solid food when it enters the mouth;
• The baby's interest in adult food is looking into the plates and mouth.

Rules for introducing complementary foods

When starting to feed a baby, you need to take into account a number of factors, neglect of which can negatively affect the baby’s health. And so, complementary foods:

• Carried out when the baby is absolutely healthy;
• It is better to start with industrially produced products;
• Must be monocomponent;
• Should start with fairly liquid foods;
• It is performed in the first half of the day to assess its tolerability;
• Starts with small quantities - 0.5-1 teaspoon;
• Before breastfeeding;
• Must be freshly prepared;
• Served warm to the baby;
• It is introduced into the diet after consultation with a pediatrician.

What features exist when introducing complementary foods?

The most important thing is the baby’s health, as well as the age, level of physical health and development of the child’s digestive system affect the sequence in which new foods will be introduced into the diet.

There is no point in introducing complementary foods to babies under 4 months of age, since the child’s stomach is not prepared to absorb food other than mother’s milk or formula. Starting complementary feeding later is also not recommended due to the deficiency of vitamins and minerals that occurs in the body. To better understand this issue, below is the table.

Which Heinz cereals are suitable for complementary feeding?

Review of the most popular vitamin supplements for children from Garden of Life

How can Earth Mama products help new parents care for their babies?

Dong Quai is an amazing plant that helps maintain youth in the female body.

Vitamin complexes, probiotics, omega-3 from Garden of Life, designed specifically for pregnant women

Heinz porridges contain prebiotics that improve digestion without being broken down in the upper gastrointestinal tract; they enter the large intestine and feed bifidobacteria. The porridge contains inulin, a natural prebiotic that helps in the absorption of calcium and lipid metabolism. The manufacturer divides its porridges into:

1. Low allergenic– ideal for first feeding, does not contain gluten, milk, sugar and salt. They are distinguished by their high nutritional value and are suitable even for children with allergies. Made without the use of genetically modified products, harmful dyes and preservatives.
2. Dairy-free– ideal for starting grain feeding. Rich in microelements and Omega-3. A wide range of flavors will allow you to choose dairy-free porridges that will become your favorite treat. When switching from low-allergen to dairy-free, carefully read the application on the back of the box.
3. Dairy– made with the addition of milk combined with rich nutritional value, excellent for developing organisms. Suitable for children without milk allergies; milk porridges should be introduced into complementary foods with caution, no more than a teaspoon for a week, followed by an increase in the norm.
4. Tidbits– are produced with the addition of fruit and a larger amount of milk, compared to dairy products, up to 31% of the composition. Forms the child's taste habits. Like any other porridge, for cooking, it is enough to dilute the delicacies in hot water.

Features of cooking Heinz porridge

Choose dairy-free or low-allergenic Heinz cereals, taking a volume of 5-10 grams, gradually increasing the volume to the recommended amount. The table above will tell you the required volume depending on age.

Preparing porridge is simple; you need to dilute the porridge in boiled water at a temperature of 40 degrees. The resulting mixture must be thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Porridge is easy to prepare and there is no point in preparing it for several meals.

Important: the porridge is fresh for 4 hours, after which it is not recommended for consumption by the baby.

The app on the back of the box will tell you the exact proportions for preparing the porridge.

Why Heinz porridge?

Porridge, unlike vegetable purees, is closer in taste to breast milk or formula, which makes the introduction of such complementary foods easier. The skill of eating from a spoon also develops.

For underweight children, porridge is the best complementary food due to its high content of fats, proteins, carbohydrates and microelements. Heinz porridges are saturated with various microelements, and the nutritional value of porridge depends on the type of cereal used in production.

IMPORTANT! Before preparing porridge, use a clean, dry container, previously scalded with boiling water, in which you will need to dilute the porridge. Any porridge is prepared according to the proportions contained in the appendix on the back of the box.

Diet

For normal development, a child aged 5-6 months needs to eat 6 times a day. We introduce porridge into the baby’s diet gradually. We carefully monitor the child’s reaction to new food; in case of allergic reactions, we stop giving the porridge for 5-7 days and try again using a different type of porridge.

Why should you use products made in complementary feeding factories?

Scientific work in the field of pediatric nutrition and numerous studies have cast doubt on the benefits of complementary feeding from homemade products.

1. Vegetables grown in your garden contain insufficient amounts of vitamins and microelements;
2. Contaminated soil and the use of chemical fertilizers saturate vegetables with harmful substances, just as the use of low-quality animal feed results in unhealthy meat;
3. Heat treatment of foods reduces the level of nutrients in them.

Factory-made products allow you to add maximum variety to your baby’s diet; just dilute the new flavor with water and you get a new dish.

They guarantee sterility and a rich content of vitamins and microelements necessary for full development. Possibility to choose age-appropriate porridge. No preservatives or dyes. Preservation of the composition throughout the entire shelf life. Maintaining high demands on its products, the Heinz company receives high marks at exhibitions and the best reviews from experts.

Instant (soluble) porridges in baby food mean grain-based mixtures (in Russia we call them porridges, but in the world this product is known as cerial, i.e. cereal mixtures).

They are a unique source of almost all nutrients: proteins, fats, carbohydrates, a number of vitamins and minerals. Porridges are of particular importance in Russia, since in their consistency (liquid or viscous) they are close to the consistency of human milk - the main food product for babies.

The nutritional value of porridge depends on the raw materials, i.e., on the type of cereal from which it is made. All porridges are primarily a source of carbohydrates (60-70%), proteins (7-12%), as well as fats (their minimum content is 0.8% in semolina and quite significant - up to 7% in oatmeal) .

The dietary fiber content also varies depending on the type of flour and cereal. The most significant differences between different types of flour and cereals are in the content of vitamins and mineral salts. Buckwheat and oatmeal flour and cereals are the richest in vitamins B1, B2, magnesium and iron. These same types of cereals contain protein of the highest biological value, which distinguishes them favorably, for example, from semolina, traditionally widely used in Russia.

Vegetable puree is recommended as the first complementary food at the age of approximately 5-5.5 months, except in cases where, for example, the baby is unstable. Then rice porridge is introduced as the first complementary food at 4-5 months. But remember that after trying the delicious baby porridge, the baby will have great difficulty getting used to tasteless (albeit extremely healthy) vegetable puree.

What types of baby cereals are there?

All instant porridges differ according to several criteria.

Milk content. Porridges come in milk and dairy-free varieties.
Milk porridges contain a certain proportion of milk powder, which adds additional nutrients (calcium, vitamins A and B2, etc.) to the child’s daily diet. Pediatricians recommend dairy-free cereals for babies with dietary intake of cow's milk proteins and other forms of malabsorption. There are a number of cereals that contain not just powdered milk, but a substitute for human milk.

Variety of grains. Porridges can be monograin (i.e., made from only one type of grain) or mixed (from several types of grains). It is recommended to start complementary feeding with monocomponent porridge. And later, when the child is accustomed to one taste and the parents do not find any signs of an allergic reaction to this product (which is the most important thing!), you can offer porridge that combines several types of grains.

Content of fillers. may be unflavored or contain flavoring additives. Dry powders of natural fruits, berries, honey, cocoa powder, etc. are often introduced as flavoring fillers. The age of the porridge “consumer” varies depending on the presence of fillers. For example, rice porridge without fillers may be recommended from 4 months of age. But if flavoring agents are added to rice flour, it is recommended from an older age. Moreover, the more likely an allergy to the filler (honey, strawberries), the older the porridge will be offered.

New cereals

Especially for babies who are allergic to cow's and human milk proteins, manufacturers offer cereals based on soy protein isolates.

Most cereals are enriched with mixtures of vitamins and mineral salts (from 30 to 50% of the daily requirement), which make it possible to compensate for the lack of vitamins coming from mother's milk or its substitutes in children older than 4-5 months.

Recently, products have appeared on the Russian market that are traditionally used in countries

Scandinavia - the so-called Wellings. This is not porridge in our “Russian” understanding. It would be more correct to call them porridge or gruel. They are more liquid in consistency and are convenient to give to a child from a bottle. The proportion of milk in them is very significant. Many parents try to feed their babies such cereals with a spoon - as a rule, nothing works. Therefore, when purchasing ready-made cereals for your baby, you need to carefully read the label on which the manufacturer gives his recommendations for preparation and feeding.

How to breed baby cereals?

Instant porridges are diluted with water or milk, depending on whether the porridge already contains milk. To ensure that the porridge has a uniform consistency, without lumps, you must strictly follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. So, porridge can turn out with lumps if you brew it with too hot a liquid. In addition, some vitamins included in cereals (vitamin C, in particular) are susceptible to destruction under the influence of high temperatures.

Rules for storing baby cereals

The shelf life of instant porridges after opening depends on the grain from which they are made. For example, rice flour contains only 0.7% fat, so the product made from it is less susceptible to oxidation, while oatmeal contains more fat and, accordingly, spoils faster.

Each manufacturer is also required to give its recommendations (they are indicated on the packaging) for storing the opened product. Usually this period is no more than 2-3 weeks, and it is better to store the bag of powder in a dark, cool place, but not in the refrigerator.

Complementary feeding for infants begins with dairy-free cereals, which are diluted with water. This is what manufacturers and pediatricians recommend. But parents have questions about whether dairy-free porridge can be diluted with a mixture to increase calorie content.

Can dairy-free porridge be diluted with milk?

Pediatricians recommend starting complementary feeding with ready-made dairy-free cereals. Manufacturers made sure that the composition of the porridge was balanced and healthy for children to eat. Another advantage of such cereals is that they are hypoallergenic and are produced separately for each age. Cooking porridge does not take much time, the main thing is to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

First, children are given one-ingredient porridge (rice, buckwheat, corn). They do not contain gluten, sugar or artificial additives. Then you can feed them porridge with the addition of fruits and vegetables.

Dairy-free porridges are prepared using water, but are sometimes diluted with formula or breast milk. Milk is added to increase nutritional value in underweight children.

Is it possible to add milk to dairy-free porridge? If the baby does not eat porridge with water, then of course you can dilute it in milk. Often mothers express breast milk and mix it into porridge. This is very healthy and will increase the calorie content of your food.

The porridge is diluted with goat's or cow's milk, but this must be done carefully so as not to cause an allergic reaction. Milk is not given in its pure form, as it is very fatty and will lead to digestive problems. You can dilute the milk in half with water and pour it into the porridge.

How to prepare dairy-free porridge for babies?

Dairy-free cereals are bred in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. There are clear instructions on the packaging that must be followed.

Dilute the porridge with boiled water, cooled to 40 degrees. The proportions are approximately as follows: for 1 tsp. dry porridge 4-5 tablespoons of water. The mixture is thoroughly stirred so that there are no lumps. To obtain thick porridge, add less water, for thin porridge - a little more. These proportions are maintained if you stir the porridge with mixture or milk.

How to dilute dairy-free porridge during breastfeeding? The best option for breastfeeding is to dilute dairy-free porridge with breast milk. Thus, the baby continues to receive all the beneficial elements contained in milk. The calorie content of the porridge increases and the baby recovers quickly. If breast milk is not enough, you can dilute with infant formula.

How to properly dilute dairy-free porridge? Dairy-free cereals are diluted with water, mixture or milk in a ratio of 1 tsp. porridge to 4-5 tablespoons of liquid. At the initial stage of complementary feeding, dairy-free cereals cannot be diluted with whole milk. Milk is diluted with water to avoid problems with digestion and allergies.

Is it possible to mix milk porridge with dairy-free porridge? It is possible, but when the baby is already fully receiving complementary foods. Mixing porridges diversifies food and allows you to get interesting flavors.

Can I add dairy-free porridge to the mixture?

You can add baby formula to dairy-free porridge, pediatricians and porridge manufacturers talk about it. This is especially true for bottle-fed children; the baby receives familiar food mixed with new ones. The mixture is prepared according to the manufacturers' recommendations and porridge is gradually added, starting with 1 tsp. Liquid porridge is diluted with a large amount of the mixture and given in a bottle.

The mixture increases the calorie content of porridge and is useful for weight gain in babies. Fresh porridge is prepared for each meal; previously diluted and uneaten porridge cannot be reused.

How much mixture should I add to dairy-free porridge? It is not difficult to dilute dairy-free porridge with the mixture, the main thing is to follow the instructions. The water is replaced with the mixture and the porridge is diluted (4-5 spoons per 1 spoon of porridge). First, the baby formula is diluted and then added to the porridge. If you make liquid porridge, then increase the amount of mixture.

Dairy-free porridge with mixture already contains useful substances, just like the mixture, so it is important not to overdo it and not to dilute the concentrated product. The baby may experience constipation or an allergic reaction.

Undoubtedly, dairy-free cereals are a great help for mothers in starting complementary feeding for their infants. Porridge contains the necessary amount of nutrients and microelements for the full growth of the baby. A gradual transition to new food occurs without problems and with pleasure.

Even inexperienced young mothers know very well that too much depends on proper nutrition of the baby, including full development and health. Doctors advise feeding your baby breast milk, but what to do if the lactation period ends too early? The question of whether porridge can be diluted with a mixture is best asked to a doctor. The doctor will certainly recommend how to do this correctly and which formulations to give preference to.

The peculiarity of dairy-free products for children is that they do not contain cow's milk, which often causes an allergic reaction in children. Doctors recommend that children with allergies use this particular product, which eliminates irritation, rashes and digestive tract disorders. Preference in choosing complementary foods should be given to rice, wheat, semolina, and barley.

How to properly prepare food and is it recommended to use mixtures for dilution? Doctors insist that if the lactation period has not yet ended, it is better to take breast milk, it is more beneficial for the child. If breastfeeding is already over, use milk formula, which will increase the taste and nutritional quality of the baby's dish.

Be sure to carefully study the instructions and carry out preparation in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements. Basic rules to follow:

• use the liquid warm (a hot mixture will lead to the formation of lumps);
• Stir the mixture thoroughly until smooth;
• exclude the addition of sweet ingredients to improve taste;
• use cooked food immediately;
• Storing, even in the refrigerator, is strictly prohibited.

Another condition is to monitor the child’s reaction to food if it is given for the first time. If you notice alarming signals from a small organism, immediately abandon the selected composition and consult a doctor for advice.

Is it possible to dilute baby milk porridge with formula?

A special feature of children's milk porridges is the high content of milk powder. Thanks to this, the nutritional value of the product is good; adding the mixture is not necessary, although doctors do not prohibit it. Before preparing complementary foods for your baby, it is recommended to study the instructions - they indicate the proportions, it says whether the mixture can be used in preparation or whether it is better to limit it to boiled water.

There is one definite plus in preparing milk porridge using the mixture - the taste of the dish for the baby is significantly improved. The nutritional value also increases, but if the child is overweight, it is better not to overuse the nutrients.

When preparing complementary foods for your baby, you must follow the preparation rules specified by the manufacturers. Each composition contains vitamin complexes, which, under the influence of hot temperatures, can be destroyed. It's easy to avoid this - use only warm mixture or water.

How to cook?

Each package of porridge for babies is accompanied by detailed instructions from the manufacturers. It is recommended that you ensure that the manual is included at the time of purchase. If there is no information about preparation on the package or only a note in an unknown language is visible, without translation, it is better to refuse the purchase - the use of such compounds threatens the child with allergies or more serious health problems.

Prepare the porridge in this order:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly and use detergent.
2. Use clean dishes that have been treated with boiling water.
3. Pour the warm mixture into the cooking container (not higher than 50 degrees), if necessary, wait a little until it cools.
4. Add 23-25 ​​grams of dry product per 150 milliliters of liquid.
5. When adding porridge, stir constantly; it is recommended to do this with a fork.

Give your child a prepared dish immediately - even short storage is enough for bacteria to begin to multiply in the food. Before feeding your baby, make sure that the complementary foods are warm and do not exceed body temperature.

Give your child food carefully, watching how he reacts to a new dish. The first meals are best taken in small portions. Only after the parents are convinced that the digestive system of the small organism accepts the new food well should they increase the amount.

If the child has not eaten all the porridge, throw away the rest, rinse the dishes thoroughly, and rinse them with boiling water. Complementary foods cannot be stored - bacteria multiply at tremendous speed in milk formulas.

Is it possible to use mixtures in preparing porridge for a child? How to do this correctly, and what rules to follow? What recommendations do doctors give? Young mothers have a lot of questions. To protect the child and prevent unpleasant consequences, it is better to start complementary feeding only after carefully studying the information to prevent mistakes.

To keep your baby healthy, it is very important to make his diet balanced and healthy. WHO experts recommend feeding your baby only breast milk for the first six months, but in the seventh month of a child’s life, many mothers worry: how to properly introduce complementary foods, where to start? If the pediatrician recommended introducing cereals first, which usually happens with children who are low birth weight or suffering from bowel disorders, preference should be given (at least at first) to industrially produced cereals. Why?

Baby instant porridge

Industrially produced porridges contain natural and hypoallergenic ingredients, and the composition of this product is optimally selected and enriched with vitamins and microelements. The consistency of the porridge is also convenient: a homogeneous fine flour-like structure is an ideal solution for little toothless children and their immature digestive system.

Porridges come in gluten-free and gluten-containing varieties.

• For the first complementary foods, it is better to prefer the second ones - rice, corn and buckwheat.
• Another important criterion that needs to be taken into account when buying porridge is the milk content.
• There are milk porridges that contain milk, and there are dairy-free ones.
• If with the first everything is clear - dilute it with water, and the dish is ready, then with the second questions arise, the most common of which is whether it is possible to dilute dairy-free porridge with the mixture.

How to cook dairy-free porridge?

Dairy-free cereals are intended primarily for children with allergies who cannot tolerate cow's milk protein, and children with lactose intolerance. But this type of porridge is also suitable for absolutely healthy babies.

How to make dairy-free porridge for first feeding?

• Detailed instructions are always indicated on the packaging.
• You can use expressed mother's milk for these purposes, but formula-fed children are completely allowed to dilute porridge with their usual milk formula.
• The liquid should not be too hot, otherwise lumps will form.
• In addition, hot food destroys vitamin C, which most porridges are enriched with. Be sure to use clean dishes.

Is it possible to dilute dairy-free porridge with water? Of course, you can, but the nutritional value of porridge with milk is slightly higher than porridge with water. Water is a good solvent for porridges, to which mothers can add meat puree for older babies.