For children, breastfeeding is the first turning point in their development. If weaning is not done properly, it will be harmful to health and especially if mothers lack nutritional knowledge when preparing meals.
Here are some suggestions for mothers in caring for young children from health experts from a famous hospital in Australia.
Practice for children to gradually get used to
When the child starts to wean, the housewife's job is to take steps to help the child get used to the side dishes. Increasing the number of snacks will help reduce the number of breastfeeding times, helping children not feel deprived and uncomfortable when craving for breastfeeding.
Normally, in the first period of 4 - 6 months of age, babies only need breast milk because it already has enough nutrients. In addition, breast milk contains many essential nutrients that are important to protect the young body. However, when the baby is over 6 months old, mothers can choose to change meals for the baby to eat rice flour, ground congee with meat, fish, eggs, oil, fat, fresh vegetables, fruits, etc.
When the baby is 12 months old, the digestive function of the baby's stomach and intestines gradually improve, mothers can gradually stop drinking, but it is best to do it for children from 18 to 24 months old.
Establish a menu
Establishing a nutritional menu for children is extremely important. Because the baby is still too young and is in the process of development, mothers need to pay special attention to the issue of adequate nutritional supplementation including fiber, vitamins, starch, protein, fat, etc.
In addition, mothers need to pay attention to their children's food rations, do not force them to eat too much, which will make them feel uncomfortable, easily negligent and have a fear of eating. For young children, divide it into many meals a day and regularly change the menu to suit them.
Gradually increasing the roughness of raw materials
If babies who are still a few months old need to be ground with ingredients such as meat, fish, eggs, etc., for older babies, mothers only need to reduce the food. As your baby gets older, let the baby gradually chew the small pieces of meat. This will help children gradually get used to eating solid foods as well as absorb other food ingredients better.