The long-awaited time has arrived to introduce purees and foods to babies. In the midst of so much advice from friends, relatives, and recommendations from pediatricians, many mothers still have some doubts about the baby’s diet routine from 6 months onward. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that introducing foods at this stage of life is crucial to meet the nutritional needs that breast milk alone cannot provide. Including in your baby’s meal plan options rich in zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and other nutrients is essential for the child’s healthy development. The presentation of foods to the baby should be gradual, so there are often doubts regarding the first foods that can be offered. Here are some suggestions:

Fruits

These are always the first options the baby tries. At first, firmer fruits are served mashed and in small quantities. Offer the child the same fruit for two days, observe their reaction to the food, and only then introduce alternatives. By experiencing different flavors, the child develops their palate and, over time, will have greater acceptance of different types of food. Fruit options to introduce: banana, papaya, grated apple, watermelon (seedless).

IMPORTANT: avoid replacing fresh fruit with juice, even if it is also natural. Juices can hinder the child’s experience with the food and delay the development of chewing.

Respect your baby’s appetite

Foods introduced for the first time may provoke both positive reactions and rejection. This happens due to their unfamiliar texture, but with time, the baby gets used to the new options. The tip is: if the child refuses the food after you have insisted three times, allow them to interact, touch, get messy, and have a tactile experience.

Which Foods Should I Add to the Puree?

After introducing the first fruits, it’s time to offer tasty purees. Children, just like us, enjoy tasting their food, and the more care taken with presentation and taste, the greater the chances that they will like the dish. Use natural seasonings: Baby food does not have to be bland; after all, we too don’t like tasteless dishes. So, rely on natural herbs and seasonings, such as parsley, chives, onion, cilantro, olive oil, and salt. All in small and measured amounts. Other good choices include:

  • Vegetables: parsnip, carrot, potato, beetroot, and broccoli;
  • Leafy greens: kale, watercress, escarole, spinach, and arugula;
  • Meats: lean cuts of red meat, chicken, boneless fish, beef liver.

Preparation Tips

  1. Sauté the meat of your choice with olive oil
  2. Add seasonings, such as onion, chives, parsley, and garlic (if desired)
  3. After sautéing the meat well to give flavor, add water and two or three types of vegetables. Example: kale, carrot, and zucchini.
  4. Let it cook until the broth dries up
  5. Serve on a plate and offer to the child. Offer a piece of fruit as dessert instead of juice. It’s good to wait a little for digestion, at least 30 minutes, before offering it.
  6. Do not give milk to the child after lunch. The food hinders the absorption of iron, an essential nutrient for the baby.

Foods to Avoid in the First Years

Honey: The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) warns that children up to 12 months old should not eat honey. Honey contains a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum, which causes the intestinal infection botulism. The warning is especially valid during the first year of life, when the child’s intestinal flora is still developing. Refined sugar: Try to sweeten foods with brown sugar. Refined sugar is not only highly caloric, but also poor in nutrients and linked to various diseases.

IMPORTANT: There are foods with large amounts of sugar that are disguised on supermarket shelves, such as chocolate milk and some kinds of yogurt. Nowadays there are several healthier alternatives—always check the labels.

Coffee: Many children love coffee, but avoid offering it to babies as much as possible, even with milk. It’s important to stress that coffee is a natural stimulant that directly excites the nervous system, causing anxious and stressful reactions in babies. Caffeine directly impairs the absorption of vitamins and nutrients like iron due to its high concentration of tannins. Other foods that contain caffeine include: cola-type soft drinks, mate tea, green tea, and chocolate. Nuts and seeds: Although they offer health benefits, choices like almonds, cashews, walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts, and pistachios should be kept off the baby’s menu, especially until one year of age. As an example of complications that nuts and seeds can cause, in the United States, peanuts have been the main cause of food allergies in children for the past 11 years. It’s important to note that new foods should be introduced in small amounts, about one (coffee spoon), and watch for any type of reaction within the following 48 hours. See Also: Vegetarian Diet for Children – Healthy or Risky? Photo: 422737