The first year of a child is like a kaleidoscope woven from hundreds of bright memorable moments – the first “aha”, the first conscious toothless and such a sweet smile, the ability to sit independently and the thirst for new adventures, including gastronomic ones. We tell you what role fruits play in feeding babies and how to properly introduce them into the diet.
Fruits in the diet of babies of the first year – where to start
By the time your baby is 4-6 months old, you will most likely notice that he is actively interested in adult food (the one that you eat yourself) and stops filling up on breast milk or infant formula alone, the weight of the toddler from birth is approximately doubled, and still the baby can sit with support.
All these indirect signs mean that the child may be ready for the introduction of complementary foods and it’s time for an individual consultation with a specialist.
Only a specialist observing the baby, after an objective examination, assessment of the child’s health and a conversation with parents, will tell you at what age, from what product, in what volume and in what sequence to introduce complementary foods.
When to introduce fruits into complementary foods
Everything is individual. Usually, if the child is healthy, then experts recommend the following algorithm: after the introduction of vegetable purees and baby cereals, if the baby has already reached the age of 6 months, meat purees are introduced into the diet, and then acquaintance with fruits is recommended.
If complementary foods are prescribed by a specialist from 4.5-5 months. life, when a little gourmet has not yet reached the age of six months, and his diet already contains vegetables and grain complementary foods, then the introduction of fruit purees for children is allowed as a third complementary food product, but only after consultation with a specialist.
It should be remembered that, like other basic complementary foods: cereals, vegetable and meat purees, fruit purees for children should be included in the child’s diet daily and, of course, not exceed the recommended age norms.
What are the benefits of fruit purees?
Fruit and fruit and berry purees contain natural plant fibers and pectin, which enhance intestinal motility and help the growth of “useful” microflora.
Baby fruit purees contain natural natural sugars – a source of carbohydrates that provide energy for growth and development. Fruits and berries contain natural organic acids that have a positive effect on digestion.
In addition, the introduction of fruit and berry baby purees into the diet helps to expand the child’s diet and introduce the baby to new tastes, which can positively affect eating habits in the future.
How to Avoid Difficulties When Introducing Fruit Purees into Your Diet
In order not to miss the manifestations of allergies and / or food intolerances, it is better to follow simple rules.
1. The introduction of fruit puree into the diet should begin with industrially produced monocomponent children’s products.
2. The introduction of each new fruit puree gradually, from ½ teaspoon for 5-7 days, increasing the volume to the recommended age norm. In some cases, the introduction of a new product may take up to 14-15 days.
3. It is recommended to introduce a new product in the first half of the day, preferably in the second feeding. Carefully observe the child’s reaction: the condition of the skin, mucous membranes, the frequency and nature of the stool, and so on. Contact a specialist if you notice any changes.
What else to pay attention to?
It is important that the composition, type and consistency of products are age appropriate, so experts recommend a smooth transition from simple to complex. It is recommended to start acquaintance with fruits with monocomponent, traditional flavors, for example, with apple or pear puree.
Next, you can offer mashed prunes, plums, peaches, mangoes or bananas. A little later, diversify the diet with polycomponent fruit purees, for example, salads and fruit and berry mixes with cookies, cereals, yogurt or cottage cheese.
After the first birthday and the appearance of milk teeth, the baby is able to swallow, chew on solid food, and consume mashed foods. During this period, he can be offered fruits and berries as an additive to cereals, or in the form of a fruit salad for a snack and let him gnaw apple slices for an afternoon snack.
From a year to two years old, a baby is supposed to have about 100–150 g of fruit per day per day, and non-acidic berries can make up a third of this volume.
Cook at home or shop-bought?
As for whether to prepare mashed potatoes yourself or use a store-bought one, in this matter you should listen to experts who recommend the use of industrial products in the nutrition of young children that meet all the strict chemical and hygienic requirements for baby food products.
So, for example, at the plant of PROGRESS JSC (manufacturer of the FrutoNyanya brand products), each batch of raw materials undergoes input control for more than 20 indicators of taste, safety and quality. And the hypoallergenicity* of ready-made purees of the First Choice line has been proven by clinical studies.
In addition, the use of commercial complementary foods saves time and effort for parents and can be taken with them for a walk or a trip.
*Clinical study at the SCCH (currently the National Medical Research Center for Children’s Health of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation) from 2011 to 2020 passed 21 FrutoNyanya complementary foods for feeding young children: clarified apple juice, clarified pear juice, juice apple-pear with pulp, apple juice of direct extraction, juice of apples and pears of direct extraction, juice of apples and plums of direct extraction, juice of apples and blackcurrant of direct extraction. Natural apple puree, natural pear puree, natural prunes, natural broccoli cabbage puree, natural cauliflower puree, pumpkin puree, natural marrow puree, rabbit meat puree, turkey meat puree. Porridge enriched with prebiotics, vitamins and minerals for the nutrition of young children: dairy-free buckwheat, dairy-free rice porridge, dairy-free buckwheat porridge. Instant cereals, enriched with prebiotics and probiotics, vitamins and minerals, for feeding young children: dairy-free rice, dairy-free buckwheat porridge, dairy-free corn. Breast milk is the ideal food for a young child. Before the introduction of food, you should consult with a specialist. For information about age restrictions on the use of FrutoNyanya products, see the individual packaging. Breast milk is the ideal food for a young child. Before the introduction of food, you should consult with a specialist. For information about age restrictions on the use of FrutoNyanya products, see the individual packaging. Breast milk is the ideal food for a young child. Before the introduction of food, you should consult with a specialist. For information about age restrictions on the use of FrutoNyanya products, see the individual packaging.