Being a parent is sweet, and before you know it, it's time to start introducing solid foods to your baby. Making baby food can be challenging for many moms. So how do you make baby food? Let's learn together!
Why Add Solid Foods
1. After 6 months, the amount of breast milk produced by the mother gradually decreases, and the baby's appetite starts to increase. Drinking breast milk alone is no longer enough to meet the baby's nutritional needs.
2. For babies aged 6-12 months, it is a critical period for developing chewing and swallowing skills. Chewing and swallowing abilities need to be learned.
3. Solid foods can provide a more diverse and complete range of nutrients, including calories, iron, vitamins, and even trace elements such as zinc and copper.
4. When the baby is 4-6 months old, the digestive enzymes in the intestines and stomach, such as amylase, begin to be secreted, indicating that the digestive and absorption functions are gradually maturing. This is the time to start practicing eating solid foods to improve gastrointestinal function. At the same time, the baby needs to have sufficient nutrition to grow stronger.
Tomato Fish Porridge Recipe:
Tomatoes are rich in carotene, vitamin C, and B vitamins, especially vitamin P, making them the leader among vegetables in terms of nutrient content.
Vitamin C in tomatoes has the effects of quenching thirst, improving digestion, cooling blood, regulating liver function, and reducing blood pressure. It also has a good auxiliary therapeutic effect on hypertension and kidney disease. Eating more tomatoes has anti-aging effects and keeps the skin fair and smooth.
Fish is rich in vitamin A, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and other nutrients. Regular consumption of fish can nourish the liver, replenish blood, and nourish the skin and hair.
Ingredients: 30g tomatoes, 30g carrots, 5g dried mushrooms, 30g fish;
Steps and Method: 1. Boil the carrots in a small pot until soft, then crush the carrot slices. Keep the original carrot broth.
2. Peel and chop the tomatoes, chop the mushrooms, and steam the fish until cooked, then remove the bones and mash the fish.
3. Put the crushed carrots, chopped tomatoes, chopped mushrooms, and mashed fish back into the carrot broth and cook until done.
Principles of Introducing Solid Foods to Babies
1. Start with single ingredients and gradually introduce mixed foods.
Each new type of food should be introduced for 5-7 days before adding another food. Start with rice cereal as the first solid food because rice protein is less likely to cause allergies.
2. Start with thin purees and gradually move to thicker textures.
Start with liquid foods and slowly transition to semi-liquid and then solid foods. For example, when starting with rice cereal, you can make it more diluted to make it easier for the baby to swallow.
3. Start with small amounts and gradually increase the quantity and texture.
The initial amount of food may be as little as 1 spoonful and gradually increase. The texture of the food can start as puree or mashed, making it easier to swallow. Once the baby's teeth start to come in, you can introduce slightly chunkier and harder foods to train their chewing abilities, such as trying mashed vegetables.
4. Do not force-feed.
If the baby refuses to eat a certain food, you can try changing the way it is presented. For example, offer a new drink when the baby is thirsty or introduce a new food when they are hungry.
