Nutrition for children after weaning

When weaning a baby, the mother needs to pay attention to taking each step at the same time as increasing supplementary foods, reducing the number of breastfeedings and breastfeeding time to avoid the baby feeling disappointed and uncomfortable due to craving for breast milk.

Normally, during the period of 4 - 6 months old, children do not need to eat anything more because breast milk has enough nutrients for children to develop. In addition, breast milk also contains important factors to protect the body that no other food can replace. When children are over 6 months old, they can be weaned with powdered food and porridge (must have meat, fish, eggs, oil, fat, fresh vegetables and fruits to have enough nutrition). When children are 12 months old, the digestive function of the stomach and intestines gradually improves, and they can be weaned, but to make the best use of breast milk, children should be weaned at 18 - 24 months old.

Weaning should be done gradually, do not wean the baby suddenly as it can cause mental trauma and make the baby fussy and lose appetite. Gradually increase the number of meals the baby eats instead of reducing the number of breastfeeding. You can replace breast milk with a bottle of cow's milk, sweet powder, salty powder, meat porridge until you stop completely.

Children's menus need to have enough fiber, vitamins, starch, protein, fat and other essential micronutrients, especially protein (meat, fish, eggs, beans, peas...), fat (oil, grease) and vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins.

When weaning, do not force your baby to eat too much, as this will make him feel uncomfortable, easily vomit, regurgitate and have a fear of eating. To help your baby eat well, divide the meals into many meals a day and change the menu regularly. Pay attention to preparing food to suit your baby's taste and change the dishes regularly so that your baby can eat all the food.

Food for children should be cooked soft and easy to digest. Photo: TL

Most children at weaning age, although they have teeth, have not yet fully developed chewing muscles, so they are still weak. Their digestive system is not yet as complete as that of adults, so children's food needs to be cooked thoroughly or pureed so that the baby does not choke, absorbs well and is easy to digest.

Please note:Do not wean your child when he is sick, especially when he has diarrhea because the replacement food he is not yet adapted to will cause digestive disorders, easily leading to malnutrition. Pay attention to monitor the child's weight development during weaning. If you see that your child is slow to gain weight, you must pay attention to review the child's diet and absorption capacity and consult a nutritionist. If possible, give your child formula milk to increase nutrition for the child.

According to suckhoevadoisong