What kind of porridge to choose for the first feeding – expert reviews

For the first feeding, you need to use dairy-free porridge: buckwheat, corn or rice. Let's figure out which one is more suitable for the baby and what you need to pay attention to when buying.

Which baby food manufacturers are better

The crumbs need industrial cereals in order to develop properly and receive the required amount of nutrients. But such products must be absolutely safe for the baby, not cause an allergic reaction and comply with international quality standards.

The best producers of complementary foods are:

1. Nestle;

2. Nutricia;

3. Heinz;

4. HiPP;

5. Agusha.

When to use complementary porridge

If the cub is exclusively breastfed, it is not worth introducing complementary foods earlier than six months. This is because the nutrients in breast milk help babies grow and develop properly. But if the baby is artificially fed, it is permissible to introduce 'adult' food at the age of 4–4.5 months.

Mashed vegetables and porridge are traditionally used for the first feeding. It is recommended to feed porridge for those children who:

1. Gain poorly

2. Suffer from profuse and frequent regurgitation;

3. Have problems with stool (frequent diarrhea).

The best cereals for feeding

It is recommended to start complementary feeding with one-component cereals that do not contain milk and gluten. This is due to the fact that cow's milk-based products are often allergic, and gluten (plant gluten) leads to intestinal disorders, loss of appetite in a child and an allergic reaction. Moreover, early use of gluten products increases the risk of developing gluten-sensitive celiac disease in children genetically susceptible to this disease by 2–3 times (if complementary foods are introduced before 6 months).

Gluten-sensitive celiac disease is characterized by damage to the lining of the small intestine, impaired absorption, iron deficiency, and wasting.

The best cereals are:

1. Buckwheat. An excellent option for young children, especially those who have been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. It increases the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood and does not cause allergies. It contains vitamins (A, B, C), iron, manganese, selenium, potassium, magnesium and other useful substances.

2. Rice. Such porridge is well absorbed by the baby's organisms, especially if he has gastrointestinal disorders and diarrhea. It has a high nutritional value – it contains a large amount of vitamins B and C, amino acids, selenium, iodine, iron, etc.

3. Corn. This porridge normalizes bowel function, and due to the large amount of fiber it is suitable for children who often suffer from constipation. It has a high nutritional value and contains vitamins A, C, E, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, folic acid, tryptophan, etc.

The composition of the porridge for the baby

Nutritionists recommend starting to feed your baby with industrial cereals. Such products are often enriched with vitamins, minerals and other useful compounds necessary for the normal development of the baby. In addition, the consistency of store cereals is maximally adapted to the requirements of the child's ventricle.

Porridge often includes:

1. Vitamin A is needed for healthy vision, strong immunity and normal physical development of the child. Deficiency of this substance in infants can lead to an increased risk of infections and anemia.

2. Folic acid (B9). A lack of this substance can cause the infant to develop megaloblastic anemia, as well as stunted growth and development, poor appetite and exhaustion.

3. Vitamin C – promotes wound healing, affects the functioning of the immune system and promotes collagen synthesis.

4. Vitamin D – helps calcium to be absorbed in the intestines, has a positive effect on bone metabolism and the functioning of the immune system. Its deficiency can lead to the development of rickets.

5. Iodine – plays a major role in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, which are necessary for the normal development of the child, maintaining metabolism and enriching cells with oxygen. It is also essential for the mental development of the infant. Lack of iodine in a baby during the perinatal period can cause the appearance of endemic goiter and hypothyroidism, in which the baby has problems with the intestines, brittle nails, lethargy and other symptoms.

6. Zinc – affects the metabolic processes of the child's body. The need for it increases when infants recover from infectious diseases. Breast milk contains enough zinc for a baby under 6 months old, but babies over this age need to get this substance from their complementary foods. Zinc deficiency is characterized by developmental delay, diarrhea, immune problems, etc.

7. Calcium – plays an important role in metabolic processes and bone mineralization. It is necessary for the normal growth of the skeleton. If the baby is not being fed breast milk or other dairy products, he should receive calcium supplements.

8. Iron. Children 6 months to 2 years of age have an increased sensitivity to iron deficiency. At this time, they should receive the mineral in large quantities. With iron deficiency, iron deficiency anemia develops. Early introduction of unmodified dairy products increases the risk of developing it.

WHO estimates that around 43% of infants and children under 4 years of age suffer from anemia worldwide. Premature babies tend to have little iron stores in their bodies, so they need an increased amount of the mineral. Anemia can lead to stunted growth and physical development, increased susceptibility to disease and even mental impairment.

Prebiotics. They increase the growth of 'good' bacteria and promote their functioning in the digestive tract. Thanks to this, the baby's stool is normalized and colic disappears.

What cereals are not recommended to choose

It is not recommended to choose cereals that include:

1. Gluten and milk.

2. Salt. Parents should not add salt to their baby's food and buy cereals containing salt. The need for this substance in a baby is very low – 0.3 g. Sodium chloride is very poorly introduced by children's kidneys, and its excess can lead to an increase in pressure in children. At the same time, the functioning of the kidneys and pancreas worsens.

3. Sugar – can lead to the development of allergies and intestinal disorders.

4. Palm oil. It can negatively affect digestion and remove calcium from the body.

5. Artificial flavors, colors and thickeners. They cause allergies in children, reduce the absorption of nutrients, and lead to the development of various diseases, including cancer.

When choosing porridge for the first feeding, also pay attention to hypoallergenic and low-allergenic products. Using these products will reduce the chances of your child developing an allergic reaction and facilitate the transition to 'adult' foods.

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In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to use infant formula and the secrets of choosing baby food and recommendations for choosing a highchair for your baby.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.