Up to 6 months of age, breastmilk is the ideal food for the baby, and there is no need to give the baby anything besides, even if it is water or teas for colic. However, when it is not possible to breastfeed, specific infant formulas should be given for the baby's age, in quantities and at times as directed by the pediatrician.
Supplementary feeding should start at 6 months for babies who are breastfeeding, and at 4 months for children using infant formulas, should always start with grated fruits or foods in potato forms, such as purees and kneaded rice.
Advantages of breast milk
Breast milk has all the nutrients needed for baby growth, bringing more benefits than infant formulas, which are:
- Facilitate digestion;
- Moisturize baby;
- Bring antibodies that protect your baby and strengthen your immune system;
- Reduce risks of allergies;
- Avoid diarrhea and respiratory infections;
- Reduce the risk of developing obesity, diabetes and hypertension in the future;
- Improve the development of the child's mouth.
In addition to the advantages for the baby, breastfeeding is free and also brings benefits to the mother, how to prevent breast cancer, help in weight loss and strengthen the relationship between mother and child. Breastfeeding is recommended until 2 years of age, even if the child already feeds well with normal family meals.
When to breastfeed
The baby should be breastfed soon after birth, and whenever he or she feels hungry or thirsty. Breastfeeding should be on demand, which means that there are no fixed times or limits on quantities for breastfeeding.
It is common for children who breastfeed to feed a little more than those who take infant formulas, since breastmilk is more easily digested, which causes hunger to appear faster.
Right breastfeeding position
During feeding, the baby should be positioned so that the mouth is wide open to suck the beak from the mother's breast without causing injury and injury, which causes pain and makes breastfeeding difficult.
In addition, the child should be allowed to dry all the milk from one breast before switching to the other, so that he receives all the nutrients of the feed and the mother prevents the milk from being stoned in the breast, causing pain and redness, and preventing the feeding is effective. Here's how to massage the sinus to remove the stone milk.
Infant Formula Feeding
To feed the baby with infant formula, one should follow the recommendations of the pediatrician about the type of formula suitable for the age and the amount to be given to the child.
It is also important to remember that children who use infant formulas need to drink water because industrialized milk is not enough to maintain their hydration.
In addition, the use of porridges up to 1 year of age and cow's milk up to the age of 2 years should be avoided, as they are difficult to digest and increase colic, besides favoring excessive weight gain.
See everything you need to know about milks and infant formulas so your baby grows healthy.
When to start complementary feeding
For infants who breastfeed, complementary feeding should begin at 6 months of age, while infants who use infant formulas should start eating new foods at 4 months.
Complementary feeding should begin with fruit potatoes and natural juices followed by simple, easily digested salty foods such as rice, potatoes, pasta, and shredded meats.
See examples in:
- Food Your Baby Can Eat From 0 to 12 Months of Life
- Babies from 4 to 6 months old
- BLW Method - Hand Feeding
