What to feed a baby at 7-9 months?

At seven to eight months, the third complementary feeding is introduced, the basis of which is fermented milk products. They are made from cow's milk, fermented with pure cultures of lactic acid bacteria or fungal starter, and are absorbed much better than whole milk. They reduce fermentation processes in the intestines, suppress and displace pathogenic microbes. First of all, these products are recommended for children with unstable stool. Whole cow's milk, introduced as an independent food product in complementary feeding, reduces the child's appetite and contributes to the occurrence of constipation.

These products replace another daytime feeding with breast milk or adapted formula. Thus, at this age, only two feedings with breast milk (or adapted formula) remain. Usually, the breast is given in the morning and in the evening, which creates the preconditions for easier weaning. Especially since lactation decreases for most women at this time.

When giving kefir to a seven-month-old baby, you can add cookies or a rusk to it. Since children at this age still chew poorly, rusk can be pre-soaked in milk. The amount of bread products should not exceed 5 g. By the age of one, gradually increase this amount to 10-15 g. For children who have already cut teeth, such solid food will serve as a kind of massager for the gums, which will ease the process of teething. In addition to bread or cookies, you can give cottage cheese or fruit puree.

The daily diet might look like this:

• 6.00 - breastfeeding (or formula) - 200 ml
• 10.00 - milk porridge - 170 g egg yolk - 1/4 yolk fruit juice - 50 ml
• 14.00 - meat broth - 20 ml vegetable puree - 170 g meat puree - 50 g bread, crackers or cookies - 5 g fruit juice - 20 ml
• 18.00 - kefir - 100 ml cottage cheese - 50 g fruit puree - 70 g cookies - 5 g
• 22.00 - breast milk (or formula) - 200 ml.

If a child develops allergic reactions to the introduction of complementary foods, children are prescribed special hypoallergenic mixtures based on soy protein. They are additionally enriched with mineral salts and microelements, and the fats in them are represented by vegetable oils - soy, corn, coconut.

Most children who are gradually introduced to soy formulas experience a disappearance of allergy symptoms within a few days.

However, about 15% of children may also be allergic to soy products. In these cases, you should consult a doctor who will recommend a different formula. At the same time, you should avoid juices made from brightly colored fruits.

Children aged 7-8 months can be given meat. Usually this is meat puree. However, it is important to remember that fish and chicken puree are not recommended for children with diathesis, as these products can cause allergies.

To prepare meat puree, it is better to take veal and boil it twice. After boiling for 20 minutes, the first broth is drained, and the meat is poured with hot water and boiled until fully cooked. It is customary to drain the first broth because it contains a lot of extractive substances.

Meat puree can be prepared from several types of meat or with the addition of heart or liver.

It is necessary to take into account that the child's gastrointestinal tract is not yet functionally ready to digest meat (lack of some enzymes and absence of teeth). Meat puree should be introduced into complementary feeding in a thoroughly mashed form. Moreover, meat dishes should not be given every day, but at least every other day, that is, no more than 2-3 times a week.

When introducing meat puree into complementary feeding, follow the same sequence as when introducing juices. First, you need to introduce only one type of meat, for example, veal, and then try the tongue or something else. And only after you make sure that there are no allergic reactions to these products, you can combine them. You can also buy ready-made meat purees, but you need to pay attention to the date of manufacture of the product. It should not exceed one year from the date of manufacture. Canned puree is heated in a water bath immediately before use, and the remainder can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours.

At this age, tomatoes in different forms are introduced into the diet.

Children over 8 months old can be given porridge and desserts made industrially with the addition of chocolate, hazelnuts and honey.

Products such as beets, prunes, and vegetable oil can help eliminate constipation.

At this age, you can gradually begin the process of weaning off the pacifier. To do this, you need to teach the child to eat from a spoon from a plate and drink from a cup. True, he will not be able to take several sips in a row from the cup yet, but if he likes to drink from it, do not rush, even if the feeding is delayed. By the way, you can also give milk or adapted formula partly from a cup, and partly from a bottle. This will also help you wean the child from the breast.

By nine months, breast milk (or formula) no longer exceeds 1/3-1/4 of the daily diet. The total amount of food by this age is about 1.2 liters per day, not counting juices and water.

Vegetable purees can consist of a variety of products - beets, pumpkin, cabbage, carrots, peas, zucchini. For taste and aesthetic purposes, and also, considering that these products contain a whole range of useful substances, you can add finely chopped dill and parsley, and by the end of the 9th month - green onions and lettuce.

Do not forget that the child must be given vegetable oil, especially if he has symptoms of exudative diathesis. This does not mean that they need to feed the child with a spoon. Vegetable oil should be added to vegetable purees, and in case of diathesis - to milk (or milk-free) porridges.

Fish is introduced into the diet from the age of nine months. Given the risk of allergies, fish soups, vegetable purees, and soufflés should be introduced gradually, starting with once a week. When preparing fish dishes for your baby, carefully separate the meat from the bones. There are ready-made fish products on sale that can also be given to your child.

By nine months, the baby should be eating completely from a spoon and drinking from a cup. And only at night can you (more to please yourself than the baby) give him a bottle.

While you are feeding your baby, give him a piece of bread in his hand - he is already so much like an adult!