Complementary Feeding: Discovering Flavors and Textures

The stage of complementary feeding is an exciting journey full of discoveries for your baby. From birth to six months, exclusive breastfeeding on demand is the ideal food. However, when it is time to explore new flavors and textures, a series of important questions and considerations arise.

From six months to one year of age, milk remains essential, but it is the perfect time to gradually introduce other foods. Chunks or purees? It is a common question. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, but there is no single answer. We will explore this topic in detail in another post.

During this stage, it is essential to remember some key guidelines. There is no need to dedicate several days to a single new food in search of allergies. Introducing a variety of foods is beneficial, and the earlier potentially allergenic foods are presented (from 6 months of age), the lower the risk of developing food allergies.

Your baby is exploring flavors and textures, which means they may reject a food several times before accepting it. It is important to go at the child’s pace and respect their individual preferences.

The growth curve may experience changes between six and nine months, which is normal, and there is room to adjust complementary feeding to ensure healthy growth.

The natural regulation of hunger and satiety is innate and precise. Avoid practices that may alter this mechanism, such as forcing the child to eat more or distracting them during meals, especially with electronic devices.

It is desirable to gradually structure meals, working towards a regular schedule of breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner. Maintain schedules and routines, and encourage eating seated around a table, and if possible, with family.

Some foods should be avoided until a certain age. For example, dairy should not be introduced until 11-12 months, and salt should be avoided until one year of age. Avoid large fish such as bluefin tuna, and whole nuts until 3-5 years old. Limit sugar, introducing it, if necessary, after the age of 3 and in minimal and infrequent amounts.

In summary, complementary feeding is an exciting journey of exploration for your baby. With patience, flexibility, and respect for their individual pace, you can help them discover a world of flavors and textures while establishing healthy eating habits for life.