First complementary feeding during breastfeeding scheme from 4 months, advice from Dr. Komarovsky

Why is it important?

The main purpose of complementary feeding is to adapt and get used to the child’s body to new food. This means that the baby gradually receives a variety of foods in addition to the usual familiar diet - formula. Pediatricians' opinions on complementary feeding may differ, and parents face a difficult choice - who should they listen to?

Complementary feeding according to Komarovsky has its own nuances and subtleties, which should be studied by all mothers who decide to feed their children according to this specialist’s system.

When is the best time to introduce the first “adult” food?

This is the very first question a mother faces when her newborn baby begins to grow up. The first year of a child's life in pediatrics is the most important stage , and proper nutrition is of great importance. Evgeniy Olegovich believes that if up to the age of six months the child has developed normally and there are no deviations, then he does not need additional food products other than infant formula.

Dr. Komarovsky claims that 6 months is the ideal age for an artificial baby to start introducing new foods into the diet.

Also, a child’s readiness for complementary feeding can be judged by several signs:

1. since birth, the weight has doubled;
2. ability to sit independently;
3. ability to hold an object with two fingers;
4. showing interest in new foods;
5. food is not pushed out by the tongue;
6. The baby may turn away if he is full or does not want to try the product.

Start of complementary feeding

It is believed that up to 6 months, a child’s intestines cannot yet process regular food. The famous pediatrician Evgeniy Olegovich Komarovsky also agrees with this axiom. But all children develop differently. So if the baby is ready to start complementary feeding, then it is not necessary to wait until six months of age.

The main signs of a baby’s readiness to start complementary feeding are: • weight gain has doubled since birth; • confident holding of the head; • the tongue does not push food out reflexively; • the baby has learned to stretch his lips forward; • when refusing food, the child turns his head; • the child tries to sit and actively rolls over.

Advantages and disadvantages

Pros:

• Exactly following the doctor’s recommendations and introducing complementary foods according to his rules strengthens the baby’s health, he is actively developing physically and psycho-emotionally. A balanced set of new products, which Komarovsky proposes to introduce according to a specially designed scheme, allows the child to receive all the necessary nutrients in accordance with his age.
• The baby begins to develop new skills. He learns to hold a spoon and point it towards his mouth, fingering food, developing tactile sensations. Chewing food helps the baby prepare his gums for the first teeth to appear. When a baby holds food in his hands or even plays with it, fine motor skills develop rapidly.

Minuses:

• If parents ignore and violate the basic rules of feeding a bottle-fed child, this can affect his health and development. When introducing foods after six months, the baby does not develop chewing skills and fine motor skills in a timely manner. An incorrectly selected diet can lead to insufficient weight gain and stunted growth.
• If complementary foods are introduced early, unfamiliar foods will cause more harm to the baby than good. Before the age of six months, the body is not yet ready to assimilate new food; complications may arise in the form of severe allergic reactions, digestive disorders, deterioration in the baby’s well-being and mood.
• Parents should pay close attention to complementary feeding; this process cannot be rushed; gradualism and caution are important; each new action must be carefully weighed and thought out.

Introduction rules

Evgeniy Olegovich recommends starting complementary feeding smoothly and carefully. A new product should be tried in the first half of the day , since the rest of the time you can monitor the child and easily track the possible occurrence of negative consequences in the form of rash, itching, colic, and diarrhea.

It is better to start with half a teaspoon, gradually increasing the portion every day to the required amount. In case of allergies or intestinal disorders, the new product should be discontinued for 3-4 weeks, and then tried again under close parental supervision.

Products should only be freshly prepared and offered to the child in a separate, clean container.

It is very convenient to feed the baby using a special plastic or silicone spoon ; it does not injure the baby’s delicate gums.

These tips coincide with the opinion of most pediatricians, but Komarovsky also has his own developed principles:

• Food must be monocomponent.
• If a child is sick, it is better to postpone complementary feeding until complete recovery, and you should not try new foods 3 days before and after vaccinations.
• A calm, unhurried environment is important, then the child will feel protected, relaxed and will be inclined to accept unfamiliar foods.
• The menu needs to be expanded gradually, the ideal duration of taking one type of product is 5-7 days, only then can you move on to the next one.
• Complementary foods are given on an empty stomach, then the baby needs to be supplemented with formula.
• In case of refusal of food, you cannot insist and force the child to eat a portion; you need to stop feeding and make another attempt in a few days.

What not to do, according to the doctor

It is worth remembering that it is still undesirable to start feeding a baby at 4 months. The best option is six months. But if this becomes necessary or is recommended by the pediatrician supervising the baby, then you need to follow a few simple rules. • only a healthy child can be fed; • complementary foods should not be introduced if teeth begin to cut; • you should not give a new product if the baby is capricious; • new products should be abandoned 3 days before the baby’s scheduled vaccination and within 3 days after the vaccination was given; • there is no need to offer the baby several new products at once, since the body must adapt to one thing and only after that will it be ready to expand the diet.

Komarovsky’s advice for parents’ peace of mind. Don’t be upset if your baby refuses a certain product. There is no point in insisting. You can return to a product you don't like after a couple of weeks. Disputes often arise between young mothers about which is better: ready-made complementary foods from jars or homemade complementary foods from natural products. Dr. Komarovsky does not limit parents in this regard. If you have time to cook for your baby with your own hands, that’s very good. But if mom is busy, then ready-made products from well-known brands are also quite suitable.

Where to start?

1. According to Komarovsky’s rules, complementary feeding should begin with kefir.
   This is explained by the fact that kefir is similar to milk, to which the digestive system is already accustomed. In addition, it contains lactic acid bacteria, which help strengthen the immune system, reduce the risk of intestinal infections, improve digestive processes and reduce the load on the baby’s fragile liver. The product should be tried in the morning. In the absence of negative reactions, the dose should be gradually increased from half a teaspoon to 150 ml per feeding.
2. After a week, you can introduce cottage cheese. If the baby does not like its taste, the doctor advises adding a little sugar. When kefir and cottage cheese replace one feeding and the child gets used to them, you need to move on to milk porridges. Recommended cereals for first feeding are rice, buckwheat, oatmeal.
3. By 8 months it is allowed to introduce fruits and vegetables, gradually adding egg yolk and meat to the puree. In this case, you need to start with a decoction of vegetables or meat and only after that give puree or soup from these products.

how to introduce meat into complementary foods Komarovsky

Lizonka is 11 months old.

What a big girl I have! I can't believe it.

This month, as usual, many micro-skills appeared, about which I wrote separate notes, so I will not repeat them again. But here is the main macro skill, which, of course, I’m waiting for until we have it. Naturally, I’m talking about walking. :-) No, I initially “didn’t plan” that we would go before 11.5 months, because... I read in smart articles that it is good if a child crawls on all fours for 4 months and then walks. Lizulka crawled on all fours at about 7.5, so I gave her the age for walking - 11.5 :-). But at the moment I see that there are no prerequisites that my child will go “on schedule”... And this suddenly began to make me sad. ((She still expertly runs along the walls, but she doesn’t even try to stand without support or get up without support. If standing up without support is an optional condition for walking, then there’s certainly no way around it without standing. :-)

As I wrote, after the massage we completely stopped leading her by the hand and, it would seem, Lizulka stopped asking and stopped swearing when I didn’t do it. But about a week ago she again remembered how fun it was to walk by the hand and began to insist furiously again. Naturally, I evade in every possible way, distract, sometimes I just don’t give my hand... In response I get snot, tears, angry mother.:( And today I decided, well, if you want to walk, then walk with one hand. Mom, give me your second hand, I say, give me your second hand. Then she calmed down and went.

It went beautifully and steadily and even ran in places. I remember a long time ago we had the experience of walking by one hand, but she didn’t like it. Now it seemed to me that Lizulka suddenly understood - oh, I can! Well, mom realized that everything seems to be good with our balance, why doesn’t she try to stand without support? Well, okay, he’s afraid on the floor, but what about in the crib? I’ve even noticed her a couple of times - she’s standing with support, suddenly unhooks herself to take something, forgets herself, stands for 3 seconds, then seems to come to her senses and immediately grabs the support or splashes on her butt, and not because she’s staggered, but I was just scared.

So, we finally have 3 teeth, although the third is still only sticking out. The fourth incisor, and also the lateral incisor, is getting ready to emerge. The front incisors are still not coming in, although our gums have been swollen for many months. I listened to Komarovsky here and calmed down about the order of teething: he says that a deviation from the timing of teething by six months in any direction is the norm, a deviation from the order of teething is also the norm.

I didn’t introduce anything new in terms of complementary feeding this month. I just started giving plum compote and started adding honey, there seemed to be no reaction. I began to gradually replace porridge from powdered cereals to Yasno Solnyshko flakes - I replaced oatmeal, rice, and millet. Next up is buckwheat, and, in fact, normal semolina. Lizonka eats such porridges no worse than powdered ones.

Our regime remains the same. Still alternating 1 or 2 sleeps depending on when we got up in the morning. In general, of course, I would like us to still have 2 normal sleeps or finally switch to 1 sleep, because now everything is not very convenient. Probably, by the year we will have switched to 1 nap, and everything will be more stable.

I’ll write down the approximate ideal daily routine: 9 – get up 9:30 – porridge + fruit puree (breakfast) 12:20 – sleep for 40 minutes 13:20 – vegetables + meat + butter + compote (lunch) 14:30 – walk for about an hour 17:00 - yogurt or cottage cheese + cookies + bite an apple or banana + breast - I don’t always give it... (afternoon snack) 17:20 - sleep at 1:20 20:00 - porridge + fruit puree (dinner) 20:30 - splash in bathroom 21:00 - chest - rages in the crib for 30-40 minutes 21:30 - sleep

I pick him up at about 1:00, and then I breastfeed for the first time at night. Before this, Lizonka can wake up 3 times... I come, take her in my arms, and put her back down. In general, we don't sleep very well at night. From 1:00 to 9:00 I don’t even know how many times Lisa wakes up, I don’t always breastfeed. My only hope is that my poor sleep is due to teeth and in general, when I wean, my sleep will return to normal. For now, like this... At the same time, I can’t describe the thrill I feel, nudging into her fluffy crown and inhaling Liza’s smell... Sometimes I even feel uneasy that someday this will end.

About diapers and panties. I gave up on all these experiments with panties. More and more often, my child runs around the house in a T-shirt and diapers. I thought there wasn’t much point in what I was doing. Now, if I potty trained her, then everything would be fine, but otherwise... I just create work for myself in washing and wiping the floors. With the potty, as it didn’t work out for us, since then I haven’t bothered the child anymore. I haven’t decided yet when I’ll start again. The neurologist advised me to start in May-June, most likely I will follow her advice.

I gradually began to teach her to hold a spoon - it turns out poorly, but we try (not always). He also holds the cup, only if I remind him, or rather, he doesn’t even hold it, he just holds it.

Table by month

Doctor's recommendations

The doctor offers a number of recommendations and tips to help parents cope with difficulties and problems when starting complementary feeding:

1. What to do if your baby refuses complementary foods?
   The baby tries new foods with interest, but sometimes it happens that he doesn’t like the food, the child actively pushes it out with his tongue, turns away and screams. In such situations, it is important not to insist or force-feed; this can emotionally traumatize the baby and subsequently lead to fear of food or complete refusal of it.

   Therefore, it is better to try again in 7-10 days. Mothers should be patient and constantly repeat the introduction of a product they don’t like; the child can appreciate the new taste even after 12-14 unsuccessful attempts.

   Important! It is better to feed your baby during a common meal. This way the child will watch adults with interest and imitate them. You need to sit him in a special chair with high legs, a comfortable chair and a small table.

2. Should I buy or prepare my own purees, cereals and juices for complementary feeding of infants on IV?
   Dr. Komarovsky says that industrially prepared baby food can be used for formula-fed children, because well-known baby food manufacturers have been on the market for many years and have proven the quality and safety of their products.

   This type of food can always help out when traveling, when you are short on time, it is quickly prepared, and the consistency is ideal for a baby who is not yet accustomed to solid food. In addition, store-bought purees, cereals and juices are often enriched with additional vitamins and minerals that will benefit the artificial diet.

   Despite all the advantages of factory-made food, it is best to prepare food for your child at home, if possible. The taste of such dishes is always better and more pleasant, the composition is controlled independently, and financial costs are reduced.

   Read also:  Cauliflower puree for babies - a recipe for tasty and healthy complementary foods
3. Prohibited products:
   candies, chocolate and confectionery products containing palm oil, dyes, preservatives and unhealthy fats;
4. pickled vegetables and canned fruits, which have a harmful effect on the liver;
5. pork and fatty beef are difficult to digest and absorb;
6. red vegetables and fruits can cause allergies;
7. mushrooms;
8. carbonated sweet drinks;
9. pure cow's milk, porridge with milk.
10. Formula-fed babies need extra fluids; don’t forget to give your baby clean drinking water between feedings.
11. The doctor does not recommend sterilizing bottles and nipples, as this can increase the risk of allergies; thorough washing will be enough.
12. Artificial children do not need to be given vitamin D; it is found in sufficient quantities in commercial formulas and cereals, and an overdose can cause negative consequences.
13. The issue of stopping artificial feeding is decided by the parents, but Komarovsky claims that after a year the child does not need formula, his diet includes meat, fruits, and vegetables, which replenish all the necessary nutrients.
14. Choose better adapted mixtures, but if the child is prone to allergies, then hypoallergenic ones will come to the rescue.

Transfer to adult food

From birth, the baby's main food is breast milk. If a breastfed child does not get enough to eat, then an adapted formula is introduced into the diet - bottle-fed supplementation. Complementary feeding is the gradual replacement of main food with adult food.

When to introduce the first complementary foods? Where to start the first complementary feeding? The school of Dr. Komarovsky answers. Dr. Komarovsky video recommends switching to adult food gradually and safely. It is necessary to observe the time interval of nutrition.

The purpose of introducing complementary foods is to prepare the child for adult food. WHO recommends introducing first complementary foods from six months. From six months, children’s bodies are ready to accept a new principle of nutrition.

Recently, the sequence in which a child is introduced to complementary foods has changed. Dr. Komarovsky video explains that children used to be fed cow's or goat's milk. Animal milk at any stage of heat treatment does not contain the necessary nutrients. Therefore, the recommendations of those times contain information on complementary feeding from three months. It was customary to introduce a decoction of vegetables, apple juice, yolk, etc. into complementary foods.

Now breastfed and bottle-fed children have normal nutrition. Up to six months, the first feeding is not required.