Your six-month-old baby has noticeably changed, matured, become more active and active. At this age, all the objects that come into view become interesting; the child pays attention to everything. Guttural, melodious sounds appear more and more, they sound with different intonations. Emotional reactions are already much richer, the baby recognizes loved ones, smiles at them, and is alert at the sight of strangers. Of course, at this age, breastfeeding is still necessary, but the diet of a child at 6 months already requires more, it is time to start feeding.
New dishes on the menu of a six-month-old baby
If there are no deviations in the development of the baby, then with natural feeding until six months, it is not worth introducing additional products. The diet of a baby at 6 months of breastfeeding may already include additional products, for example, fruit purees, juices, and individual intolerance must be taken into account.
Artificial children begin to feel somewhat faster a certain lack of useful substances that are necessary for normal growth. That is why they previously have a need for complementary foods. Already from three to four months such babies can be fed juices, mashed potatoes. If an allergic child eats a mixture based on soy proteins or a hydrolyzate, he already has a shortage of animal protein at 5 months. At this age, mashed meat can be added to the diet. The meat should be boiled twice. If there is intolerance to beef protein (it is similar in composition to cow's milk), then in the diet of a child at 6 months of age, it is necessary to include meat of turkey, rabbit, lean pork, chicken, horse meat in the diet. You can try ready-made meat baby food. Enter the products gradually, observing the reaction of the body.
Feeding schedule
For a six-month-old baby, the optimal number of feeds per day is five. For infants and artificers, adhere to the following regimen:
6.00 The first feeding for babies is mother’s milk, for artificers - adapted special mixture.
10.00 Second feeding and (or) complementary foods.
14.00 Third feeding and (or) complementary foods.
18.00 Fourth feeding.
22.00 Late fifth feeding.
Adhere to the time interval, withstand four hours between feedings. So your baby will develop a regimen, the body will work like a clock.
Introducing mashed vegetables
In the diet of a child at 6 months, first of all, either porridge or vegetable puree is introduced. If the baby has any signs of anemia, rickets, food allergies, then it is best to start with vegetable puree. If you have a food allergy, you should pay attention to such vegetables as cabbage, zucchini, potatoes, peas, green beans, that is, having a white or green color. Since potatoes have some allergenic properties, their mass fraction should not be more than 20% of the total volume. For mashed potatoes, it is recommended to use not only natural products, you can take frozen vegetables, children's canned goods from light vegetables listed above. To the finished dish, you can add vegetable oil (olive, corn or sunflower), it is better to use deodorized and refined.
Porridge
Babies suffering from frequent regurgitation, having insufficient body weight, should use porridge as the first feeding . To start with, a 6-month-old baby’s diet should include gluten-free milk porridge (rice, corn or buckwheat). It is best to give preference to special children's products manufactured in industrial production. Baby food is made from the purest natural raw materials, which are enriched with vitamins, minerals, most often do not require cooking.
Cooking the right porridge
The diet of a child of 6 months on breastfeeding, artificial or mixed necessarily includes cereals. If you decide to cook them yourself, then keep in mind that you should not use cow's milk for up to eight months. A porridge can be prepared in breast milk, infant formula, or even in water. Ready-made industrial cereals can feed your baby from 5-6 months.
First, prepare a five percent porridge: 100 grams of liquid will require 5 grams of cereal. The consistency should be thin so that the finished porridge drains from the spoon. Gradually introduce more cereals, each time the porridge will be thicker. From five months you can add a little butter, and from six - a quarter of the egg yolk.
We offer new products.
The main rule of feeding is the thesis: in one week - one new product. Until one element is brought to the desired volume, do not enter anything new. In total for a month, the baby should learn no more than four products. If you decide to add butter to the porridge, then do this only after the crumbs are completely used to the main component. The diet of the child at 6 months is gradually enriched, you can already give not only cereals, vegetable purees, but also sweet fruit.
Useful recommendations:
- At the beginning of feeding, offer your baby non-dairy products with a neutral taste (for example, zucchini puree), after a delicious fruit, he categorically will refuse vegetable.
- The diet of a child of 6 months with artificial feeding may include industrial purees and cereals. At this age, milk protein is still poorly tolerated, so ready-made baby food is best.
- Start feeding with small volumes: half a spoonful of mashed potatoes, porridge, a few drops of juice, for the first time this will be enough. The normal volume (approximately 150 grams) is achieved gradually, for 10-12 days.
- It is difficult for a baby to immediately master thick foods; feed him carefully from a spoon carefully, patiently. For starters, it's best to use a soft silicone spoon.
- Forced feeding is not permissible! If the dish is not to your liking, do not force the child.
The diet of the child at 6 months. Menu table| Feeding | 1 option (babies) | Option 2 (Artists) | Option 3 (with a tendency to allergies) |
| one | Breast milk | Milk formula | Breast milk, up to 250 ml of fermented milk product on the recommendation of a pediatrician, the basis is soy mixture, or protein hydrolyzate |
| 2 | Fruit puree - up to 35 gr., Breast milk | Porridge - up to 155 gr. (adding 4 g. butter), fruit puree - up to 55 g. | Dairy-free porridge - up to 175 gr. (addition of breast milk, 3 g. rast. oil), fruit puree - 25 g. |
| 3 | Vegetable puree - up to 155 gr. (add 3 gr. vegetable oil), fruit juice | Vegetable puree - up to 155 gr. (adding 3 gr. vegetable oil), egg yolk - ¼ part, fruit juice | Vegetable puree - up to 155 gr. (addition of 3 gr. vegetable oil), mashed meat - up to 55 gr., fruit puree - up to 25 gr. |
| 4 | Fruit puree - up to 35 gr., Breast milk | Cottage cheese - up to 45 gr., Milk mixture, fruit juice | A dish prepared from cereals and vegetables - up to 155 gr., Meat puree - up to 35 gr., Fruit puree - up to 25 gr. |
| 5 | Breast milk | Milk formula | Breast milk, or dairy products, or up to 250 ml of a special mixture |
Diet of a 6-month-old baby on mixed feeding may include some part of the first and part of the second menu option.
Recommendations of Dr. Komarovsky
Dr. Komarovsky publishes unique books that describe in detail how to properly care for a baby. In his recommendations, you can find the answer to the question of parents "what can be the diet of a child at 6 months?". Komarovsky has an army of followers, communicates with his readers on his official website. The doctor has his own clinic. Thanks to Komarovsky, many parents became aware of some of the nuances of pediatrics, his explanations are clear even to those who do not have a medical education. Having many years of pediatric experience, Dr. Komarovsky has developed his own method for caring for children, it differs in many respects from the traditional one. Many parents receive really valuable advice on the treatment, nutrition, parenting of babies.
The doctor pays special attention to food hygiene. It plays a huge role, because it is through stale, unprocessed foods that many microbes and bacteria enter the human body, causing up to 200 diseases. In feeding the baby, hygiene should, of course, come first. When preparing food, maintain perfect cleanliness. Fish, meat products must undergo the most thorough heat treatment. Do not forget about the timing, rules for storing food. It should always be freshly prepared.
Diet of a child at 6 months: recipes
The main condition for preparing a dish is its puree state.
Potato soup
1 liter of water will require one potato, carrot, chicken breast. Boil the broth, do not forget to remove the foam. Add diced vegetables, no need to grind much. Cook until tender. When the soup has cooled, chop it with a blender. Such a light soup will appeal to any kid.
Pumpkin porridge
Cook the diced pumpkin in a liter of water until cooked. Pour 2 tablespoons of oatmeal, it is cooked very quickly. At the end add 100 gr. boiled milk and a little butter. Beat the cooled porridge with a blender. A sweet gruel will appeal to all small gourmets to taste. Be careful with milk. If there is an allergy, then you should not add it.
Fruit puree
Peel an apple or pear, finely chop. Put in a saucepan, pour water or juice. Cook for 6-8 minutes. Cool, grind directly in the liquid in which the fruit was boiled. Liquid, sweet fruit puree will really please your baby. Bon Appetit!