No more just milk - complementary feeding after the 6th month

Babies develop rapidly in the first six months, their body weight doubles. In order to continue to grow, they slowly need more than just breast milk or formula milk. Of course, even after six months and at least up to a year, the baby will still be breastfed, and at the same time we are starting to introduce a mixed diet - vegetable and fruit purees, purees with cereals and vegetable and meat purees, which will gradually become thicker so that the baby is encouraged to chew and swallow. 

After the sixth month is the best time to introduce new foods and solid foods. We strongly advise against the introduction of solid foods before the 4th month (17th week of the child's age), because the baby's digestive system is still immature and cannot cope with complex food. In fully breastfed babies, introducing a new food before six months of age (26 weeks of age) does not increase energy intake and therefore does not improve the baby's growth; it can only replace the energy intake that we provide the baby with breast milk, which is rich in protective substances that other foods do not have. For this reason, we advise the gradual introduction of foods at six months of age, because for those older than six months, only mother's milk often no longer provides sufficient intake of nutrients the baby needs. During the period of complementary feeding in breastfed babies, we need to cover more than 90% of the daily iron needs with foods that are a good source of iron. 

WE START ONCE THE BABY IS READY 

 If we observe the baby carefully between the fourth and sixth months, they tell us with certain signs that they are ready to gradually accept solid foods. These signs are rapid hunger after an otherwise large meal, shorter and shorter intervals between meals, less restful nights, drooling or crying at the sight of food, chewing everything within reach... 

During the first few weeks of introducing foods, parents should be patient, because the introduction of solid foods is primarily about learning, exploring - not an important source of nutrition. The first foods we offer to the baby should be simple and neutral in taste to help them get used to it. 

 
 
Table: consistency of food for different ages and levels of development 

(Infant and young child feeding: Standard recommendations for the European Union; translation. B. Bratanic; 2008) 

 
Once you decide to start introducing your baby to new foods and the flavors thereof, choose a part of the day when you are both relaxed with your baby. First, offer your baby some food at the end of a spoon. Most babies will manage to swallow some of the food, and some food will run down their little chin. Every day we offer baby a spoon more. A few days after the first meal, we offer the baby another meal; if everything goes well, in three to four days we offer a third and so on. Do not rush and do not forget that during this period breast milk is still the most important food for your baby, and at the same time solid foods are becoming an increasingly important source of nutrients.