How to introduce meat into complementary foods, at what age and where to start. Child's menu per year

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

It doesn't even make sense to talk about the benefits of meat products for a growing baby's body - everyone knows about it. This product, enriched with protein, is necessary for the child as the main building material. Since the process of formation of the body of the infant is at an accelerated pace, protein substances are especially necessary for the growth of tissues and cells. But not all mothers know how much to introduce meat into baby food and what to choose: store-bought canned food in the baby food department or self-cooked first courses for the baby.

When can I introduce meat to my baby?

It is necessary to start talking about meat complementary foods only when the child has mastered carbohydrate and plant foods well enough. As a rule, the first products in their lives that babies try within six months of age are fruit and vegetable purees. Almost at the same time, mothers introduce milk porridge into the diet of their beloved children.

You should think about how to introduce meat into complementary foods after 1, 5-2 months from the moment the baby is first fed with an “adult” product (be it applesauce or buckwheat porridge). ATin most cases, this occurs closer to the age of eight months of the baby. By this time, the baby's gastrointestinal tract will be sufficiently developed to cope with the digestion of meat. In some cases (but rather as an exception), the doctor may prescribe mashed meat to the baby even before 7-8 months of age.

In particular, with anemia and severe signs of rickets, this product is recommended to be introduced into complementary foods by six months. Sometimes this also applies to children who are not breastfed.

Which meat should go first?

The first meat food is an exciting and disturbing moment for any mother. Many women worry, fearing that the baby will not like this product, but it is so necessary for its full growth and development. Therefore, the choice of the main ingredient must be approached responsibly.

At routine check-ups, pediatricians usually instruct moms in terms of compiling a menu for babies. They also talk about what kind of meat is better to introduce into complementary foods first. The most hypoallergenic alternative is turkey or rabbit meat. This is probably known to many.

If the baby does not like this meat puree, then in the absence of allergic reactions and other contraindications, beef or veal can be offered to the baby.

Beef and chicken for children: use with caution

It is worth paying attention to the fact that the presence of lactose intolerance in the anamnesis of a baby in almost 100% of casesleads to an allergy to cow meat. The most important thing is to use only lean meats to make baby puree, so lamb and pork are recommended for use by the baby only after a year.

With regard to chicken, most experts advise parents to refrain from including this product in the diet of an infant. Moreover, it is undesirable to give it to the baby as the first meat supplement. The presence in the chicken of chemical and hormonal substances aimed at the speedy growth and weight gain of the bird will enter the baby's body along with the meat dish.

Meat serving size for a baby

How to introduce meat into complementary foods, and in what quantity should it be given to the baby? This issue also deserves attention. Again referring to the recommendations of pediatricians, it is important to note that the optimal amount of meat for a baby at first is half a teaspoon.

If during the first week of eating meat no side effects are revealed, then from the next week its amount can be doubled. On average, by 8 months, a child should receive about 30 g of meat dishes daily. By 12 months, this amount should be doubled.

Not all kids like protein foods. If the baby did not like the meat, you can try to "deceive" him by stirring half a teaspoon of mashed potatoes with vegetables or breast milk. The reaction of the crumbs must be closely monitored in the first couple of weeks. If neither allergic manifestations nor disorders withside of the gastrointestinal tract is not detected, you can confidently move on to the further scheme of introducing complementary foods.

Methods of cooking meat for crumbs

Recommendations on how to make mashed potatoes for babies cannot but arouse interest. There is nothing complicated in this process, and even a mother who does not know the secrets of culinary wisdom will cope with it. At the age of 7 to 23 months, it is advisable to give only boiled meat, ground into ordinary mashed potatoes. Cooking time takes no more than an hour. A small piece of meat should be cooked for at least 40-50 minutes. A slightly cooled piece should be passed through a meat grinder.

Children's menu per year may include steam cutlets. It is extremely important to pay attention to the fact that any meat dish prepared for crumbs cannot be stored in the refrigerator. If the baby has not finished eating, there is no need to leave food “for later”.

Preparing meat for an infant as complementary foods should be done according to a variety of recipes. Even if the baby willingly eats cooked mashed potatoes on both cheeks, do not let it get hung up on one thing. You can improvise by including both cereals and vegetables in the dish.

Can I give my baby canned meat?

Undoubtedly, the best and most useful dish for the crumbs will be mashed meat prepared by caring gentle mother's hands. However, with all the desire, she may not always have the opportunity and time to cook. Situations are very different: a trip, an illness, and a second baby. In this case, meat will come to the rescue.canned baby food.

Today, it is not difficult to purchase such a saving jar for many mothers.

The real problem lies in its choice, because there are plenty of manufacturers of canned food for children, but which ones guarantee the quality of the contents in the package?

How to choose the right canned food in the baby food department?

In order not to make a mistake when choosing baby meat puree, you should pay attention to the following details:

1. Degree of chopping meat: it must be ground, not contain any particles, lumps.
2. Ingredients: Homogenized puree without any additives is ideal. If necessary, mixing with vegetables can be done at home.
3. Expiration date: the fresher the better.

Storage of canned meat

In addition, after opening canned food and using only half a teaspoon, the jar can be put in the refrigerator and stored for no more than a day. Before feeding, it is advisable to heat the puree not in the microwave, but in a water bath. The reviews of many mothers indicate that canned meat is great for adding to hot dishes. The broth based on them is hearty and tasty.

Any type of complementary foods, including meat, should be introduced to the baby with caution. The baby should be absolutely he althy, not experience problems with the stool and the work of the digestive organs. In this case, the first meat puree will only benefit him and he will like it to taste.

What to do withbroth, is it good for the baby?

When talking about how to introduce meat into complementary foods, one should not forget about caution. Many doctors agree that the absorption of protein in the body of a child should be preceded by the use of meat broth. Thus, you can easily prepare the baby's gastrointestinal tract for the digestion of a rather heavy and unfamiliar product. You need to start with 1-2 tablespoons, gradually increasing, and after a couple of weeks, the child can already be given 2-3 tablespoons of meat broth.

However, in this case, you can't take your eyes off the crumbs. In some cases, the introduction of broth into the baby's diet was accompanied by the appearance of a diathesis rash on the cheeks. With a similar development of an allergic reaction, meat complementary foods should be postponed for a while. You can replace the broth with ordinary vegetable soups.

Opposite opinion about baby broth

However, regarding the use of meat broths by an infant, there is another, no less reasonable position. In particular, some doctors claim that such a liquid can be given to the crumbs only after meat feeding. All microelements that could be “stuffed” with meat get into the broth. Veal should also be carefully given to the baby, so it is best to boil the broth twice. Boiled meat and purified broth are less risky for the baby. S alting the boiled dish is necessary last.

Before introducing meat into complementary foods, it is necessary to observe the condition and behavior of the child. Althoughthe nutritional value of meat broth is low, it contains many substances that serve as stimulants for the processes of digestion of food. The baby may wake up with an appetite, so it is better to give the broth, for example, before vegetable puree.

How to teach your baby to chew food?

A child's menu per year, unlike the 8-month-old baby's diet, should contain much less grated food. The same applies to meat. The child especially needs to receive a load for the gums and erupting milk teeth. Gradually, pureed foods should be replaced by denser foods.

Meat, of course, belongs to this category of products. It will help the baby prepare the chewing muscles.

Finally

Meat dishes for a child are an indispensable source of vitamins A and B, proteins, fats and easily digestible iron. As already mentioned, 7-8 months is the optimal period for a baby to get acquainted with meat dishes. Together with vegetables or porridge, the baby receives a full meal containing the nutritional value necessary for his body.

At the same age, they often begin to give children a liver. If you choose between pork, beef and chicken, you should opt for beef liver. It is considered the most useful and enriched with proteins, iron and vitamins. With a low level of hemoglobin in the blood of infants, the liver is a must-have food.

If the kid liked the meat, there is no need to rush and please him with meat purees every day. To startIt will be enough to introduce complementary foods 1-2 times during the week. Having given the child a taste of one type of meat, you can then give another. The main thing is to monitor the allergic reaction to a particular dish. Therefore, it is impossible to give a lot of meat at a time to a baby. A one-year-old peanut can eat up to 80 g of meat at a time.