In the summer heat, these questions become especially relevant for parents.

Everyone knows that water is necessary for the life of all organs and systems of the human body. Its lack primarily affects the processes of digestion and assimilation of food, hematopoiesis - the formation of new blood cells. In addition, without water, heat transfer processes in the body cannot occur. The baby's need for fluid depends on age, type of nutrition (breastfeeding, artificial milk formula, complementary foods), temperature environment, motor activity and individual characteristics of metabolism.

The total amount of fluid that a child of the first year of life should receive is 100-150 ml / kg of body weight per day. Up to 6 months it is 80-130 ml / kg per day, after 6 months - 130-150 ml / kg,
from 1-3 years - 100 ml / kg, after 3 years - 80 ml / kg per day.

When to start?

The fact is that breast milk is both food and drink for the baby. The "front" milk that is released at the beginning of feeding is more liquid and consists of 87% water. It fully satisfies the baby's need for liquid. Supplementing a breastfed infant before 6 months of age may result in reduced breast milk intake. This is due to the fact that if the baby receives water instead of milk, he has false feeling satiety, it sucks out less milk, which leads to malnutrition and weight loss crumbs.

If the baby sucks little and reluctantly after drinking water, this, in turn, can lead to a decrease in the mother's milk production. Therefore, a breastfed baby should be supplemented with water only with the start of the introduction of complementary foods.

For children who are formula-fed or mixed-fed, the need for additional water intake arises from the moment formula is introduced into the diet. Formula milk is a difficult product to digest, and without supplementation, the baby may develop problems with the gastrointestinal tract, such as constipation.

How to drink a child?

However, there are times when a baby needs extra fluid, regardless of whether he is receiving formula milk or breast milk. These are conditions in which pathological fluid loss occurs: fever (body temperature rises above 38 ° C), vomiting, frequent loose stools, hot and dry weather (above 25 ° C). To avoid dehydration, children need to drink more often than usual in the heat; Breastfed babies can breastfeed more often.

Drinking can be given to the child in between feedings. It is not necessary to offer the baby some water before feeding, so as not to cause a false feeling of satiety. It is better to drink the crumbs from a spoon, and when he grows up a little, you can teach him to drink from a drinking bowl or a non-spill cup. Such a cup has a special valve on the back of the lid that does not allow the liquid to spill, even if it is overturned or tilted to the side.

When the baby drinks from a spoon, the liquid goes directly into his mouth, and you just need to swallow it. Drinking from a cup uses the same principle. Babies who are used to drinking from a bottle (drinking requires several sucking movements) often find it difficult to transition to drinking from a cup.

Choosing drinks

Water

At first, the best drink for a child is water. It must be clean and of good quality. This is necessary because the children's body is more susceptible to harmful substances and microorganisms, because in young children the immune system is not yet fully formed.

It is best to give your baby special baby bottled water. Firstly, during its production, all hygienic requirements are observed, and it is safe for the child. Secondly, it has a low level of mineralization, which is important for the normal functioning of the kidneys. On a bottle of water, it must be written that it is “for children”. Water must meet the basic quality characteristics: be transparent, odorless, have a neutral taste.

To drink a child, you can also use ordinary boiled water, cooled to room temperature. Only in this case it is necessary that the tap water be pre-filtered. Filters purify tap water from harmful impurities - chlorine, iron, salts heavy metals as well as some bacteria and viruses.

Teas

In addition to water, various children's teas are used to drink children. It is important to remember that children's tea is not at all the tea that adults drink. Ordinary black tea should not be given to children under 1.5–2 years old. This is due to the fact that it contains tannin - a substance that has an exciting effect on the central nervous system. As a result, the child develops sleep disturbances, tearfulness, increased excitability. In addition, tannin affects the functioning of the heart, causing an increase in the number of heartbeats.

Children's tea has many useful properties. For example, it strengthens the walls and enhances vascular tone; contains fluoride, which helps to avoid the development of caries and strengthens bones and teeth; contains many vitamins of group B, necessary for the full development of the crumbs. Lightly brewed black tea can be given to children from 1.5–2 years old, after diluting it with milk.

For babies, there are special children's teas that may contain extracts of medicinal herbs (chamomile, dill, fennel, lemon balm, mint, anise) or fruit and berry supplements - lemon, wild berries, raspberries, etc. Herbal teas have a certain preventive and therapeutic effect. So, for example, tea with mint or lemon balm has a calming effect, and it can be offered to a child with increased neuro-reflex excitability, a violation of the process of falling asleep and sleeping. To stimulate the immune system, rosehip extract, anise and vitamin C are added to children's tea. Before buying and drinking children's herbal tea, it is recommended to consult a pediatrician.

Most baby teas can be started on a formula-fed baby as early as 4-5 months of age; up to this age, babies are supplemented only with water. Children receiving breast milk, teas are not recommended to enter earlier than 6 months. The age at which tea can be used should be indicated on the package. The exception is chamomile and fennel tea, which can be given from the first month of life. It is used in children with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, as it eliminates flatulence (excessive gas formation), relieves intestinal spasms and stimulates digestion.

The amount of tea drunk for a baby should not exceed 100 ml per day. Almost all children's teas industrial production contain a significant amount of carbohydrates: sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose. Excessive consumption of tea as a drink can cause the development of caries, flatulence.

When preparing teas, you must follow the instructions on the package, do not give the tea hot (it should be at room temperature) and do not add sugar.

Juices

Children are very fond of these drinks, but you should not rush to give your baby juice. The fact is that juices are an allergenic product and can cause diathesis in infants, as well as irritate the immature mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, which can cause bloating, rumbling, abdominal pain, and unstable stools. Pediatricians and the World Health Organization recommend introducing juices into a baby's diet no earlier than 8 months.

First, clarified juices (without pulp) are introduced into the child's diet, and at 10-11 months you can try to give the baby juices with pulp. The later introduction of juices with pulp is due to the fact that they contain plant fibers (fiber), which stimulate the activity of the intestines, and the child may develop stool disorders.

At first, it is better for a baby to give one-component juices made from one type of fruit. This is necessary so that if an allergic reaction occurs, it can be determined which component the child's body reacted negatively to and eliminate the allergen.

The first thing you can offer your baby is green apple juice. It is the least allergenic and contains a large amount of iron needed by the baby. Then pear, peach, apricot and plum juices are introduced. You can not offer your child juices of exotic fruits (mango, papaya, grapefruit), orange and strawberries: they often cause allergies, so it is recommended to give them after the age of 1-1.5 years. With the introduction of grape juice, too, do not rush: grapes contain an increased amount of sugar and can cause fermentation processes in the intestines of the crumbs, which will cause him anxiety.

You need to start giving juice to your child with 5 drops, gradually increasing the volume per week to 20-30 ml per day (2nd day - ½ teaspoon, 3rd day - 1 teaspoon, by the 7th day - 6 teaspoons (30 ml ) By the end of the first year of life, the volume of juice that the baby drinks should be 100-120 ml per day.

The child can be given fresh juices prepared with a juicer, or commercially produced juices recommended for baby food. The package usually indicates the age at which children can use this product.

Freshly squeezed juices can irritate the baby's intestinal mucosa due to high content in them organic acids. This is manifested by increased gas formation, bloating, intestinal colic. Therefore, it is recommended to dilute such juices with chilled boiled or bottled water in a ratio of 1:1 (up to 2–3 years of age), and children over 3 years old can be offered juices that are not diluted with water. Juices of industrial production at the beginning of administration are also recommended to be diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1 for better adaptation of the child's gastrointestinal tract to this product. You can stop diluting the juice when the child begins to receive the amount of this drink that corresponds to the age norm.

compotes

After 1 year, the child can be offered compotes from fresh berries and dried fruits. They are prepared without added sugar. The same rule applies here as with the introduction of juices: you need to start with a monocomponent drink and give it in small portions (starting with 10 ml per day). First, compote for a baby is better to cook from hypoallergenic fruits - apples, pears, plums. After a while, you can add berries - cherries, sweet cherries. Compote is given to the child chilled to room temperature.

Morse

This drink, made from the juice of berries or fruits, contains various vitamins (although some of them are destroyed during cooking), quenches thirst well, increases body tone, and appetite. Morse is prepared from different berries: cranberries, lingonberries, blackberries, blueberries, currants, raspberries. It can be offered to the baby in the third year of life. For the first acquaintance of young children with this drink, it is better to prepare fruit drink from one variety of berries. Fruit drinks of industrial production are mainly allowed for children over 3-4 years old. They are often a mixture of juices of several types of berries and water, so you can offer such a drink to a baby if he is not allergic to the components that make up its composition.

Morse can be cooked at home on your own. To do this, the berries must be sorted out, washed and squeezed out of them with the juice using a fine sieve or gauze. The remaining pomace must be poured hot water, add a little sugar and boil for 10-12 minutes after boiling, then strain. Strained broth should be mixed with previously obtained juice. Morse is usually drunk chilled.

Kissel

Homemade jelly from fresh or frozen berries and fruits can be given to a baby after 1 year. Kissel of industrial production (in packs) contains a large amount of dyes and sweeteners, so it can be given to a child no earlier than 3 years. In order to cook jelly yourself, you will need fresh or frozen berries and potato starch. The berries must be sorted out, washed with hot water, mashed and squeezed out the juice through a fine sieve or gauze. The pomace should be poured with hot water and boiled for 5 minutes, then strained. It is necessary to pour potato starch previously diluted in chilled boiled water into the strained broth and, stirring, let it boil again, then add the previously squeezed juice. For 1 cup of berries take 2 tablespoons of potato starch.

Mineral water

It is divided into two categories - dining and medical. Healing mineral water contains many different salts and is intended for the treatment of certain diseases. Such water should not be drunk without a doctor's prescription. Table mineral water is poorly mineralized and has no therapeutic effect. Main important elements in mineral water are calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron. Table mineral water can be offered to children after 1 year. To remove gas bubbles from the mineral water, it is enough to pour the required volume of water into the cup and let it stand for 20-30 minutes; you can stir the water in a glass with a spoon - and everything will happen faster.

soda

Sweet carbonated drinks are not recommended for children under 3 years of age. There are a lot of preservatives, flavorings and dyes in "soda" that can cause allergies in a child. Such drinks also contain a lot of sugar or its substitutes, which contribute to the development of cavities. Finally, carbon dioxide, which is found in soda water, causes belching and bloating.

Cocoa

From hot drinks, a child over 2-3 years old can be given cocoa no more than 3 times a week. It is best to offer your baby cocoa with milk for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Cocoa powder is rich in protein, fiber and vitamins. It contains many useful trace elements, such as zinc and iron, folic acid. Cocoa is a very healthy drink for underweight children, as it is a high-calorie product. The recommended amount of cocoa for young children is no more than 50 ml per day.

coffee drinks

Another hot drink is coffee. Instant coffee is strictly contraindicated for children under 13-14 years old. Coffee, as you know, contains caffeine, which has a stimulating effect on the nervous system. In a baby, this can lead to overexcitability, capriciousness, neuroses, and sleep disturbances. Children can be given a coffee drink that does not contain caffeine. It may include chicory, extracts of rye, barley, oats, rose hips. These products are completely safe for the baby and very rarely cause allergies. Moreover, they have useful properties. Chicory increases appetite and regulates metabolism. In addition, the composition of chicory includes various mineral elements and vitamins A, E, B1, B12. Rosehip helps to strengthen the immune system, and extracts of barley and oats improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. A coffee drink diluted with milk can be given to a baby over 2 years old.

When choosing a coffee drink, you need to carefully examine the packaging. Sometimes it may include a small percentage of natural coffee. It is better not to offer such drinks to a child.

Drinking mode in the heat

Particular attention should be paid to the drinking regime in hot weather, when the baby sweats a lot and loses a lot of fluid. The supply of fluid in children is consumed faster, since water metabolism is more intense than in adults. Babies still have an imperfect thermoregulation system, so they easily overheat. On hot days, you need to carefully monitor the condition of the crumbs (due to possible dehydration of the body) and water the child more often, even if he does not ask.

The main symptoms of excessive fluid loss (dehydration) of the body are:
lethargy;
drowsiness;
weakness;
dry mucous membranes;
decrease in the number of urination (less than 6 times a day).

To prevent dehydration, breastfed babies should simply breastfeed more often. It is advisable for "artificial" children to offer cool drinks every 15-20 minutes. As a drink, ordinary drinking water room temperature, non-carbonated mineral water, unsweetened children's tea.

Older children can be offered non-carbonated mineral water, diluted juice, unsweetened compote, children's kefir as a drink. Drinking should not be sweet, as sweet drinks do not quench thirst well and the baby will soon want to drink again. It is also important to remember that on hot days it is not recommended to drink cold drinks, because due to the sharp temperature difference, you can catch a cold.

Drinks should be at room temperature or slightly chilled.

It is very important to observe the drinking regimen for a child, since water and various drinks are an important part of his daily diet. Improper drinking regimen can lead to a violation of the water and electrolyte balance, constipation, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract in a baby.

In the first months of life, the child feeds on mother's milk. However, the baby is growing, and when he turns 4 months old, parents ask themselves the question: what kind of food can be given to a child at 4 months old? The answer to this question is simple - nothing. If the baby is exclusively breastfed, then up to six months he should not receive anything other than breast milk. However, it matters here whether the child's breastfeeding is properly organized and whether he receives an adapted milk formula.

Complementary foods at 4 months while breastfeeding

Most natural way feeding a newborn baby - breastfeeding. According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (hereinafter - WHO), a child who is breastfed (hereinafter - LB) does not need additional food and liquids on demand up to 6 months. The meaning in this case is the words "on demand".

GW on demand

Breastfeeding on demand suggests that the baby is breastfed whenever he asks for it. A newborn baby cannot ask for milk either with words or gestures. In addition, the desire to breastfeed is often not associated with a desire to eat milk - a newborn may want to breastfeed in the following cases:

• he is hungry;
• wants to drink;
• tired;
• frightened;
• just wants to mom;
• experiencing a feeling of anxiety;
• the baby is in pain.

Also, in the body of a child, phenomena can occur that the mother may not be aware of. For example:

• the child begins to get sick and his body needs more fluid;
• the baby receives insufficient nutrients and by frequent breast sucking makes up for this deficiency;
• is in the growth spurt phase, when the body needs enhanced nutrition.

The human body, even the smallest one, is able to understand when and how much it needs to eat. Breast milk, in turn, is created by nature in such a way that the baby can eat it 24 hours a day. It is quickly digested, well absorbed and contains all the necessary substances for the normal development of a child up to 6 months.

In addition, breastfeeding contributes to a feeling of calmness in the baby - he is cozy and warm at his mother's breast. Breast milk is pain-relieving and calming. If a newborn baby is breastfed on demand, then no additional food or fluids are needed.

Dummy for breastfeeding

It is important to understand that pacifier sucking eliminates breastfeeding on demand. This is because when a child begins to act up, the mother decides on her own whether to give him a breast or a pacifier. The guideline for the mother is how long she fed the baby. And if it was, say, 30 minutes ago, she decides that the child does not want to eat and he just needs to be given a pacifier so that he does not act up. However, as mentioned above, there may be other reasons for a baby to breastfeed other than to eat. When he is given a pacifier, he satisfies only the sucking reflex and calms down (or falls asleep), without getting what he asked for. In this case, non-demand DHW takes place.

GW by regime

Sometimes parents limit the presence of the child at the breast. This can happen for various reasons. For example, if the mother does not have the opportunity to be around the baby around the clock or feeds him by the hour, because she is afraid to overfeed or worries that the baby will get used to the constant presence of her mother nearby.

There are other objective or subjective reasons why mothers are not ready to often (every hour or more) breastfeed a baby.

If the mother nevertheless decided to follow the diet in breastfeeding, it may make sense to transfer the baby to mixed feeding and feed it with an adapted infant formula in order to provide his body with all the necessary vitamins before the introduction of the first complementary foods at 6 months.

With HB according to the regimen, water should be given in some cases:

• if it is hot outside or in the apartment and the child sweats a lot;
• the baby is sick (ARVI, diarrhea, etc.);
• the baby has signs of dehydration (pees a little, cries loudly, there are no tears when crying, the fontanel has fallen).

However, it should be borne in mind that if the baby drinks a lot of water, then there will be little room for breast milk in the stomach and the baby may completely refuse the breast. And if you refuse milk, the baby may experience a lack of nutrients and vitamins.

If the mother nevertheless chose breastfeeding for the baby according to the regimen, then it is better to breastfeed the child as often as possible, at least during the crisis periods of his life - during the period of illness, hot weather and others.

With artificial and mixed feeding

On artificial feeding (hereinafter - IV), the child is fed with an adapted mixture, diluted with water, strictly by the hour (usually every 3 hours). A child on IV does not need to be fed with anything for up to 6 months, except for a mixture. The child can drink water as much as he wants - unlike breast milk, one mixture does not satisfy the baby's needs for liquid.

Options for the introduction of complementary foods to a child at 4 months. Types of complementary foods and their quantity.

Young mothers have a lot of questions about feeding a child. This is especially true for mothers who do not breastfeed their babies, but give them mixtures. In each individual case, the feasibility and period of introducing complementary foods is discussed with the pediatrician.

Is it necessary and how to introduce complementary foods at 4 months while breastfeeding?

Even now, many pediatricians argue with each other about complementary foods for children who eat mother's milk. Previously, it was possible to introduce fruit juices into the child's diet, starting from the age of one month. At the same time, it did not matter whether the baby was breastfed or bottle-fed.

But there were a lot of allergic reactions, and later the researchers determined that such a young organism is not yet able to fully process and absorb the beneficial substances of the juice.

The same debate arose with the use of chicken yolk. First of all, it is worth understanding that the yolk was given as a source of vitamin D, now children are given Aquadetrim, so there is no need to give the yolk. This product is also a strong allergen.

How to introduce complementary foods at 4 months on artificial feeding?

Formula-fed babies need complementary foods as early as 4 months old. This is due to the lack of vitamins and minerals that are contained in the mixture. Because of this, there may be problems with the stool, the baby often spits up and does not eat up.

The pediatrician will tell you what is better to give the baby as complementary foods. But usually vegetable puree or porridge is introduced first. The choice of one or another option depends on how well the child is gaining weight. If the baby weighs little and eats the mixture very poorly, porridge is introduced. They are higher in calories and promote weight gain. If the crumb is “thick”, then vegetable puree is introduced. It is best to give mashed zucchini or broccoli. They are easily digestible and do not cause allergies.

Vegetable complementary foods at 4 months - what vegetables and how to introduce?

It is best to choose light-colored vegetables as the first vegetable puree. Zucchini, cauliflower and broccoli can be considered ideal. To start, pour the vegetables cold water and bring to a boil. After that, boil until cooked.

Salt, pepper, sugar and butter should not be added to the mixture. Next, boiled vegetables are chopped in a blender and a decoction is added to make the puree liquid. It is recommended to introduce a new vegetable every three weeks. Be sure to watch for reactions.

How much vegetable puree should a baby eat at 4 months?

If you decide to introduce complementary foods, then you should not immediately replace the intake of the mixture with vegetables. It is necessary before the next meal to offer the baby a teaspoon of mashed potatoes and supplement with the mixture, that is, give 150 ml of the mixture.

On the second day, give 2 tablespoons of puree, the mixture already needs 130 ml. So gradually increase the amount of puree. In a week, you will be able to completely replace one dose of 150 ml of the mixture with vegetable puree. It also needs to be given 100-150 ml. Do not mix vegetables to puree.

What kind of porridge and how can I give at 4 months?

Porridge is a popular type of complementary food among babies who are not gaining weight well. Usually these children have loose stools, they are constantly worried and do not recover well. In no case should you introduce semolina, this porridge is the most useless of all. It is very low in vitamins and minerals.

It is recommended to give rice or buckwheat porridge. Oatmeal is recommended if the child does not have a reaction to gluten. Initially, porridges are boiled in water without the addition of salt and oil. The consistency of the porridge is very liquid. If before that the baby was given cow or goat milk and there is no reaction, then it is allowed to cook cereals in milk, after diluting them in half with water.

The best cereals:

They can be purchased or you can make them yourself by grinding ready-made porridge with the addition of cereal broth.

Mode and diet of a child 4 months: complementary feeding scheme

The main thing is not to rush with complementary foods. First you need to understand that at 4 months the child should eat 5-6 times a day, that is, the break between meals is 3 hours. Milk mixture is given in the morning. After that, after 3 hours, complementary foods are introduced in the amount of 20-150 g. A mixture is given in proportion to the mass of complementary foods. That is, if you gave 50 g of puree, then the mixture should be given 100 ml.

It is impossible at this age to replace the mixture with vegetable puree for more than one dose. The calorie content of puree is low and the child may begin to lose weight. In addition, there may be problems with the stool.

Baby menu at 4 months

Here is an example menu:

As you can see, ideally it is best to breastfeed your baby up to 6 months. With normal weight gain, the baby does not need complementary foods. On artificial feeding, complementary foods are introduced at 4 months.

Should be monotonous, but useful. The fact is that at this age, the baby’s stomach cannot yet process large volumes of heavy carbohydrates, but it copes with lactose without difficulty. Nevertheless, it is already worth thinking about expanding the baby's diet.

at 4 months

First you need to determine and draw up a general daily routine. At 6.30 am the first time is recommended (early breakfast). Up to 8.00 the baby should be awake. Then for 2 hours the child needs to sleep. Morning sleep is the strongest and most useful after night sleep.

At 10:30 it's time for the second feeding. Then an hour and a half of wakefulness, which can end with a light massage. Daytime sleep starts at 12.30. At this time, it is recommended to take a walk so that the baby can sleep in the fresh air. It is very useful for the respiratory system and brain activity of the child.

The third feeding should take place closer to 14.30. Then again a period of wakefulness and sleep. A child can have dinner at 18.00 or at 18.30 (at the request of the baby). During the evening wakefulness, it is recommended to bathe the baby and do gymnastic exercises to strengthen the muscular system. The last feeding begins closer to 22.30. After it, the baby should be laid for a night's sleep.

It is important at this stage to build just such a diet for a 4-month-old baby. The intervals between feedings should be from 3.5 to 4 hours.

Diet at 4 months

From 17-18 weeks of life, the baby should gradually move on to 5 meals a day. At the same time, a 4-month-old baby needs to be expanded, replenishing it with new vitamin products. A baby should eat 1/6 of its weight per day. One serving is approximately 180 g.

The first food that is allowed to supplement a 4-month-old baby's diet is broccoli. This vegetable is rich in vitamins and minerals necessary to strengthen the immune system. Essentially, on initial stage expanding the baby's diet are allowed almost all vegetables, except for potatoes, carrots and beets.

Breastfed babies are more tolerant of the introduction of new foods. Therefore, by the end of the 4th month, they are allowed to give a spoonful of apple juice. At this age, mother's milk (mixture) should remain the main one. All other products are additional.

Proper complementary foods

The nutrition of a 4-month-old baby should be rich not only in carbohydrates and proteins, but also in vegetable fats. At this age, babies lay the foundation for a healthy body. That is why it is so important to gradually introduce new foods into the diet from 4 months.

Complementary foods must be in semi-liquid form. Puree is made from boiled (steamed) products in a blender. Bananas can be grated on a fine grater. Complementary foods are recommended to be given a few minutes before the main feeding in a small amount (1-2 teaspoons). The transition from one new product to another is done only after 7-10 days, so that the stomach has enough time to get used to it.

Meat or fish should not yet be introduced into the diet of a 4-month-old baby. If a baby has a skin rash on his face or body, the new product should be immediately removed from the diet. Also, an allergic reaction can manifest itself in the form of constipation, diarrhea, gneiss, flatulence.

Complementary foods

To start with, the nutrition of a 4-month-old baby can be consistently enriched with broccoli, cauliflower and zucchini. Each vegetable is introduced separately for 1-2 weeks. If there is no allergic reaction from the puree, you can expand the diet to cereals. By consistency, they should be liquid so that the child eats them through the nipple.

At this age, buckwheat and oatmeal are best suited. Some experts also advise rice, but because of it, babies often have indigestion and constipation. The introduction of porridge is also carried out gradually, starting from 30 g.

Should not replace full feeding yet. It is allowed to give new products 1-2 times a day before the main meal in a proportion of 50 to 50.

By the end of the month, you can add pumpkin and banana puree to your diet. From fruits, only the most non-allergenic, such as a pear, an apple, should be selected. It is important that the puree be made from boiled products, and not from fresh, grated ones.

Approximate daily menu

The first and last feeding must be breastfeeding. At 10.00, vegetable puree with a drop of olive oil is allowed as complementary foods. After 10-15 minutes, you need to start the main meal. Before lunch or evening breastfeeding, an infant can be given 2 teaspoons of semi-liquid baby cottage cheese.

The nutrition of a 4-month-old artificial child is allowed to diversify with special kefir, that is, a sour-milk mixture. It is best to start a new day (first breakfast). It is worth noting that the main food product is the mixture. As a morning meal closer to 10.00, you can alternate buckwheat porridge and vegetable puree. In the evening, it is allowed to give the child 2 teaspoons of baby cottage cheese or a banana.

The intervals between feedings should be up to 4 hours, with the exception of nighttime (about 8 hours). It is important to adhere to the established diet so that the baby's stomach adapts faster. When breastfeeding, portions should be slightly smaller than with artificial feeding. Compotes and soups at such an early age are prohibited. Complementary foods in the form of vegetable and fruit purees should be taken from a spoon, cereals - from a bottle.

The introduction of complementary foods at 4 months of age for a breastfed child is started in rare cases. This, above all, negatively affects the process of lactation. Breast milk contains antibodies and enzymes that ensure the normal functioning of the baby's immune and digestive systems. Therefore, you need to breastfeed him as long as possible. The main indications for the introduction of complementary foods at this age is the state of health of the child (anemia, underweight). It is important for mom to know which foods can be given and which should be postponed until a later date. If you properly organize the diet, you can avoid many problems.

If the question arose before the mother, where to start complementary foods, you should first of all contact a specialist. WHO recommends that breastfed babies start complementary foods with fruit juices and purees. They are quickly absorbed by the body and will help make up for the lack of a vitamin-mineral complex. Supplementary feeding with protein products is difficult for the child's intestinal microflora to perceive.

Foods you can feed your baby at 4 months.

Supplementary feeding with vegetable puree is considered safe for the child's body. The introduction of vegetables into the diet will ensure the normal functioning of the intestines due to the high fiber content.

It can be made with cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, carrots or pumpkin. They rarely cause allergies. Before preparing the dish, the vegetable is thoroughly washed, doused with boiling water, cleaned of seeds and peel. Boil vegetables in water until softened. After that, you need to use a blender to bring them to a puree state. You can add broth in which vegetables, breast milk or formula were boiled.

Porridge is quickly accepted by the child, they are sweeter and more nutritious. Introduce cereals into the diet with caution, starting with gluten-free ones.

The cereal is thoroughly washed, dried and ground in a coffee grinder. And only after that it is boiled in water. You can add a drop of butter to the finished dish.

The table of the beginning of the introduction of complementary foods to a child of 4 months is as follows.

Age, months	4	5	6	7	8	9-12
New products and dishes
Natural juices from fruits, ml	45	55	65	75	85	90
Fruit puree, ml	45	55	65	75	85	90
Curd, g		25	35	45	45	55
Yolk, pcs.			1/4	1/2	1/2	1/2
Vegetable puree, g		160	160	170	180	200
Kashi, g		90	160	160	170	200
Meat, g				30	55	65
Fish, g					30	60
Kefir, ml				180	200	400
Cookies, crackers, g			5	10	10	15
Vegetable oil, g	2	3	3	4	5	6
Butter, g		3	4	4	5	6

If the mother simply does not have enough milk, you can switch to mixed feeding, supplementing the baby with an adapted mixture, and start complementary foods closer to 5 months.

Early introduction of complementary foods (before 4 months) leads to the fact that breast milk will be produced less. Nutrition will not be sufficiently enriched with those substances that are in mother's milk. In addition, the intestines are not ready to receive new food, the risk of developing allergies and diseases of the digestive tract increases.

An approximate scheme for entering a vegetable dish into the menu for a breastfed child using the example of zucchini.

• 1st day - ½ teaspoon;
• 2nd day - 1 teaspoon (5 g);
• 3rd day - 10 g;
• 4th day - 25 g;
• 5th day - 50 g;
• 6th day - 90-100 g;
• 7th day - 120 g (maximum 150 g).

The introduction of a new vegetable, such as cauliflower, will coincide with the 8th day. The feeding scheme in this case will look like this.

• 8th day - 1 teaspoon of cauliflower puree and 110 g of zucchini puree;
• 9th day - 2 teaspoons of cabbage and 110 g of zucchini;
• 10th day - 20 g of cauliflower and 100 g of zucchini;
• 11th day - 40 g of cabbage and 80 g of zucchini, etc.

Thus, the amount of zucchini decreases by the 14th day, and the volume of cauliflower should be equal to 120 g.

You can not push breastfeeding into the background. New food should be taken as an addition to the main source of nutrition.

Rules for the introduction of products

Before you start the first complementary foods at 4 months, you need to make sure that it is necessary, as well as that the baby himself is ready to receive new food. It is believed that complementary foods can be introduced in the following cases:

• the child is 4 months old;
• doubled weight since birth
• when bringing food to the mouth, the baby does not push it out;
• the child confidently holds the back, can sit with support;

• remains hungry when fed the recommended portion of formula or breast milk;
• holds objects in hand;
• the child develops an interest in what adults have on their plate.

1. At the time of the introduction of complementary foods, the baby should feel good. You can not introduce complementary foods if the child is sick or has been vaccinated.
2. If the baby has a reaction to supplementary feeding in the form of a rash, diarrhea, vomiting, then the introduction of complementary foods should be temporarily stopped.
3. You can not introduce milk up to a year. It can be replaced with any dairy products. Closer to the year, you can cook porridge in pasteurized milk half with water.
4. Food should be prepared without the addition of spices, salt and sugar. Its consistency should be close to breast milk.
5. Feeding should be given with a spoon. This is how the swallowing reflex is formed faster and better.
6. The new product should be fed before breastfeeding.

A 4-month-old baby is more difficult to get used to new dishes, he compares any supplement with breast milk.

Therefore, the scheme for introducing fruit juice may look something like this: for the first time, one drop of juice is enough, the second day - 2-3 drops.

The taste becomes familiar to the baby gradually, and it is less likely that he will push the food out. If the child is not used to it, then for a couple of days you can give 2-3 drops, and then a whole teaspoon.

Later, closer to 6 months, a new product can be “hidden” in an already favorite dish. For example, chicken yolk is finely ground and mixed with breast milk or formula. Gradually, the amount of yolk becomes more than milk.

Table of an approximate menu for a child at 4 months.

Time of day, hour	6	10	14	18	22
Age, months
4	Breast milk -180-200 ml	Breast milk -160 ml, juice - 20 ml	Vegetable puree - 120 g, breast milk - 60 ml, juice - 20 ml	Breast milk - 160 ml, puree of familiar fruits - 40 g	Mom's milk - 180-200 ml
5		Porridge - 140 g, fruit puree - 60 g	Vegetable puree - 140 g, breast milk - 60 ml	Breast milk - 120 ml, cottage cheese - 30 g, juice 50 ml
6		Porridge - 150 g, juice - 30 ml, yolk - ¼ pcs.	Vegetable (130 g) and meat (40 g) puree, fruit juice - 30 ml	Breast milk - 140 ml, cottage cheese - 30 g, fruit puree - 30 g

The table clearly shows that meals are provided 5 times a day. At this time, almost all babies wake up at night for feeding, especially breastfed babies.

Very often, the introduction of complementary foods at 4 months when breastfeeding a child is accompanied by undesirable reactions:

• disruption of the gastrointestinal tract;
• frequent, profuse regurgitation;
• colic, bloating and increased formation of gases in the abdomen;
• stool disorders (diarrhea or constipation);
• problems with immunity lead to frequent colds;
• develops a tendency to allergic reactions;
• improper feeding can lead to the fact that the child can easily choke;
• Complementary foods can reduce a child's appetite.

Therefore, before feeding a child with a new product, you need to consult a doctor. If there is a need to give additional nutrition, then it will help determine where to start and how to do it correctly.

You need to introduce the product slowly, carefully monitoring the condition and behavior of the baby.

Supplementary feeding of a child of 4 months should be carried out with extreme caution. If the mother correctly plans the diet, includes allowed foods and the amount of food in it, then many undesirable reactions from the child's body can be avoided.

You can introduce complementary foods at 4 months, but only strictly following the rules. Mom needs to know where to start and how much to give new food to the child.