How do you feed a baby at 9-12 months?

Starting from the tenth month, you can gradually wean your baby. It is important to remember that this is a very serious event for both the mother and the child. The fact is that even if the breast is no longer a source of nutrition for the child, it still remains a symbol and an organ for closer contact with the mother, just as the umbilical cord once was for him. This is also very important for the mother: whether she breastfeeds the child or not. She may feel disappointed that she has lost her significance for the child. In order to painlessly end this long-lasting unity, gradualness and a feeling that this stage is over are needed. Forced, rude weaning from the breast can cause disappointment and even an emotional breakdown in the child, which can later manifest itself in the form of aggression, self-doubt, anxiety.

The baby should be completely weaned by the age of one. Usually after one year, children rarely require the breast. Sometimes, to help the baby fall asleep faster, some mothers give it to the baby before bed, but this has little to do with feeding.

Taking into account all of the above, we can offer an approximate menu for a child from ten months to one year:

• 6.00 - breast milk (or adapted milk formula) - 200 ml (if the child has been weaned for a long time, this can be kefir or milk in the same volume)
• 10.00 - porridge (semolina, oatmeal, buckwheat) - 180-200 ml (if the child is not prone to constipation or the stool is unstable, you can give rice porridge) fruit puree - 90-100 g half an egg yolk
• 14.00 - meat broth - 30 ml meatballs or cutlets - 25-50 g vegetable puree - 100 g bread - 5 g fruit juice - 90 ml
• 18.00 - kefir - 180-200 ml cottage cheese - 30 g cookies - one piece
• 22.00 - breast milk (or adapted milk formula or milk) - 200 ml.

By this age, the child most likely already has 4-8 teeth, but the child cannot chew with them yet, since these are incisors. However, he can quite successfully chew pieces of boiled vegetables, fruits, cookies with the help of gums and tongue. Therefore, after the ninth month, start giving the child food in pieces. Naturally, meat should not be given in pieces yet.

When switching from pureed food to pieces, remember that, firstly, this change should be gradual. First, thoroughly mash the pieces of food with a fork and put it in the baby's mouth in small portions. And later, when the baby gets used to this kind of food, gradually increase the pieces. Secondly, not all food should be served in pieces, but only individual dishes.