Weaning food is a meal that is prepared over a period of about one year to match the growth and development of your baby. It is divided into early, middle, late, and complete stages of weaning, but this is just a guideline. There are individual differences in the growth and development of babies. Even if things don't go as planned, don't rush and go at your baby's pace.
Around 5 to 6 months old, once the rhythm of breastfeeding has stabilized, it's time to start weaning food.
Points to note when starting baby food
Check your baby's behavior, and if the following four situations apply to you, start weaning your baby.
I can sit up and turn over in bed.
Can sit for more than 5 seconds
When I put a spoon or other object in my mouth, I am less likely to push it out with my tongue.
Showing interest in food
Note: The first step is to practice swallowing with a "gokkun" sound. For about a week after starting baby food, practice by getting your baby used to eating porridge and spoons.
About how to proceed
Feed once a day, preferably at the same time every day. If you use the current breastfeeding time as a guideline, it will be easier for your baby to eat. Start by eating one type of food a day, a spoonful of baby food, for about three days. Once you get used to it, try using other ingredients in the same way. Give baby food before breastfeeding when your baby is hungry. Give your baby as much breast milk or formula as he or she wants after meals. A set of baby food and breast milk/milk is considered one meal.
Start with temple itch, which is less likely to cause allergies, and then try mild vegetables such as potatoes, pumpkin, and carrots. Once you get used to it, try tofu, white fish, and egg yolks. No seasoning is necessary at the beginning of weaning.
The hardness, size, and seasoning will be adjusted according to the baby's development.
Things to be careful when cooking
Four points
Food for babies with weak immune systems. Be careful about hygiene.
Wash your hands carefully with soap before cooking.
Cooking and eating utensils do not need to be sterilized like baby bottles, but they should be washed carefully and sterilized if necessary.
Avoid giving leftovers or pre-made food.
How to make 10x gayu
Rinse and drain the rice, then add the same amount of water as the rice to a pot (1 part rice to 10 parts water) and soak for 20 to 30 minutes.
Cover and place on high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover slightly to prevent overflow, and simmer for about 50 minutes.
Turn off the heat, cover tightly, and let it steam for about 10 minutes. Once it cools down a bit, grind it into a paste.
Note: At first, it will be in a thick, easy-to-gulp form, and once you get good at swallowing it, you can make it into a yogurt-like form. Once you get used to the texture, gradually increase the texture.
To make a simple porridge, when cooking rice for adults, place rice and water in a deep heat-resistant container and place it in the center of the rice cooker. Then, if you cook the rice as usual, the porridge will be cooked together with the rice.
Recipes for early weaning
[Potatoes boiled in milk]
material
1/4 potato 50cc of baby milk or vegetable soup or stock
How to make
(1) Peel the potatoes, boil them, and mash them with a masher until they are smooth. (2) Dissolve baby milk in boiling water, mix with (1), and make a paste.
[Pumpkin mash]
material
30g pumpkin, 50cc boiled pumpkin or 50cc baby milk
How to make
(1) Boil the pumpkin and mash it in a mortar or puree. (2) Boil pumpkin or spread with 50cc of baby milk.
Foods that require caution until one year of age
Pay attention to the following three foods
Honey cannot be used until the baby is 1 year old to prevent infant botulism.
Milk can be heated and used as a cooking ingredient from the middle of weaning (around 7 to 8 months of age), but it should not be given to a baby until it is over 1 year old.
Unheated foods (excluding fruit juice, fruits, etc.)
Use baby food as a reference for your baby's first weaning food
When making baby food for the first time, it can be difficult to understand the cooking process. In such a case, let's refer to baby food. It's convenient and hygienic in the early stages when you only eat a small amount. When you give it to someone, check its shape and feel it with your hands to make sure there are no rough edges left. If you are using 10x Gayu for the first time, it is convenient to use the powder type, just mix it with hot water. As for the thickness, you want it to be like a creamy potage.
Regarding food allergies
Delaying the start of weaning or introducing certain foods does not prevent food allergies. Weaning should begin around 5 to 6 months of age. Do not eliminate certain foods to prevent allergies without a doctor's diagnosis, as this may affect your baby's growth and development.
For more details, please see the PDF file below.
Inquiries regarding this page
Inagi City Child Welfare Department Oyako Comprehensive Support Center Phone: 042-378-3434