Patient's question:
I am breastfeeding, but my mother suggested adding complementary foods. I don't know which foods are nutritious to add.First follow-up question: Thank you. I also want to ask: How should I prepare a yolk? Are there other complementary foods? Can you list them? Can I eat fruits? Which ones? How much is appropriate? How should I arrange his complementary food schedule daily?
Doctor's answer:
Hello:1) Gradually adapt the infant. At the beginning, start by getting the child accustomed to flavors like vegetable soup, juice, etc., to pique their interest. You can dilute adult soup by 2–3 times and cool it to a temperature similar to body temperature before feeding it to the child before breastfeeding. Juice can be fed directly with water added, or mixed with formula milk.
(2) Gradually increase the quantity and variety of complementary foods for the infant. When introducing a new complementary food, do so gradually, starting with a small amount and gradually increasing it. Hasty introduction can easily lead to failure. At 4 months of age, start by adding egg yolk, beginning with 1/4. After one week, if the child’s appetite and digestion are normal, increase it to 1/2, and gradually increase it to a whole yolk thereafter. At 6 months, the child can start eating whole eggs. Do not introduce two or more new foods simultaneously. First introduce a complementary food that the child has never eaten before. Once the child has adapted to it, introduce another new food.
(3) From thin to thick, from soft to hard. Infants aged 1–3 months can drink gruel, vegetable soup, juice, etc. As the child grows older, gradually introduce thinner porridge, soft noodles, biscuits, etc. If a new complementary food is not well-received the first time, it may lead to the child disliking it later. Therefore, the first time introducing a new complementary food, make it softer and more palatable to make it easier for the child to accept and avoid overly hard food causing vomiting.
(4) From fine to coarse, from powder to pieces. The complementary food added must be made as fine as possible. Fresh vegetables should first be fed as soup, then as puree, and only then as finely chopped pieces.
(5) Frequently vary the types of food. Introducing a variety of foods ensures the infant gets a balanced diet and supports their growth.