How do you want your child to eat: Infant and Toddler Nutrition and Delicacies

Author: Li Yingji (Korean)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Weaning is a training to cultivate a child's independence. Breast milk not only contains immune substances that can keep children away from illness but is also rich in nutrition. However, as children grow, breast milk alone gradually cannot meet their nutritional needs for growth. This is why feeding weaning foods becomes necessary. After a child is born for 4–5 months, breast milk or formula alone will no longer meet their nutritional requirements for normal growth and development. Moreover, the iron, zinc, and other nutrients stored in their bodies at birth will be depleted. Additionally, children around 5–6 months old will begin to show interest in foods other than breast milk and formula. As they start teething, the functions of their digestive organs also begin to develop, and their ability to digest and absorb nutrients gradually strengthens. These are all reasons to start introducing weaning foods. In summary, the purpose of weaning is to supplement the essential nutrients for a child's growth that breast milk cannot provide, helping them to grow healthily and train them to eat independently, thereby fostering their independence. In this way, weaning helps a child's physical and mental development and guides them toward healthy growth, which is one of the important duties of a mother. Weaning is very beneficial for a child's physical and mental health. The ideal time to start weaning is when the child is 4–5 months old. Before this age, a child's digestive system is not yet capable of digesting foods other than breast milk. However, as weaning foods are introduced, the child's digestive system gradually strengthens, progressing from liquid foods to semi-solid foods and then to solid foods. The first step in weaning is using a spoon. Children gradually become accustomed to the hard spoon after being used to their mother's soft nipple, while also learning to swallow and chew food, which is the beginning of basic eating practices in life. Weaning also helps a child's mental growth. Children who are only fed by their mothers will eventually show a desire to feed themselves at a certain stage. This may appear as mischief in the mother's eyes, but in reality, it is an indication of the child's growing interest in things. If interference or scolding occurs at this time, it may completely extinguish the child's newly developed desire to eat. Therefore, it is best to place a plastic mat or newspaper under the child so that any dropped food falls onto it, while also fostering their autonomy. If the child is always fed by the mother, they may grow up to be overly dependent. However, it is essential to guide the child when mistakes occur during meals, such as "do not play with food" or "this is too hot," and never ignore these instructions because the child may not understand. When a child starts to show signals, it's time to begin weaning. There are many standards for choosing when to start weaning. Some believe it should be when the child weighs 7 kilograms, others when they can consume more than 100 milliliters of formula at a time, and still others when the child is 5 months old. Despite the various opinions, one thing is certain: when it's time to wean, the child will send signals, such as watching food with their eyes while adults are eating or drooling excessively when they want to eat something. These signals typically appear around 4 months of age, which is