When and how to introduce cereals in the infant's diet

Breast milk is the ideal food for the baby: covers your needs during the first months of life and supplements your diet for at least two years, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). However, despite the fact that its composition is adapted to the needs of the child, there comes a time when it is necessary to introduce complementary foods in a progressive manner, to strengthen a varied and balanced nutrition.

The gateway to complementary food

Baby cereals, along with fruit, are one of the first foods that break the exclusivity of milk for multiple reasons. First, respond to the baby's nutritional needs at this stage, in which he grows at a faster rate than in the rest of his life. Thus, this excellent source of energy provides carbohydrates, proteins, minerals such as phosphorus or potassium and vitamins of group B (folic acid included) that favor the development of a microbiota close to an adult profile.

Where do they come from? They are the fruit of vegetables of the grass family, such as rice, oats, corn, wheat, barley, rye, spelled, etc. They are easy to digest and less likely to cause allergies. They are also an optimal vehicle for the iron supply in the diet of the infant. In fact, some firms such as Hero Baby, offer parents a varied assortment of cereals specially designed for our little ones, enriched with iron and calcium and ready to prepare bottles or porridge easily.

In addition to nutritional or metabolic reasons, we must take into account that cereals have a smooth taste and a semi-solid texture and consistency, ideal for the acceptance of solids by the baby at the beginning of complementary feeding. Then we will incorporate fruits and vegetables, poultry, egg yolks ... Always in semi-solid and soft textures and made in the most natural way possible: fresh sliced ​​fruit, steamed cooking or cooking without salt or added sugars.

Finally, a compelling reason can be valued when instilling healthy habits in the child and future adult. And it is that some studies indicate that the period of complementary feeding is absolutely key in the setting preferences and eating habits of the baby.

When is the baby ready?

The Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP) notes that six months ago usually the "necessary maturation at the neurological, renal, gastrointestinal and immune levels" to begin with the complementary milk diet, although it may vary slightly from one child to another. In fact, the medical community points out that these requirements must be met:

  • The baby stays sitting by itself, without back support: indicates that you can swallow safely.
  • Show interest in food: he follows her with his eyes, he intends to take her with his hands, etc.
  • The extrusion reflex has disappeared: that "security mechanism" by which he expelled objects from his mouth with his tongue.
  • He is able to take the food and bring it to your mouth, a sign that you are prepared to manage foods other than milk.

As we say, these requirements usually occur around half a year, but we must bear in mind that it would be normal for our baby to take a little longer to acquire these skills. In any case, breast milk, or failing that of formula, must remain the mainstay until twelve months.

Why shouldn't we advance or delay it?

According to pediatricians, the clearest risk of advancing complementary feeding in the baby is the choking possibility (even with porridge). Although the AEPED also warns that it would favor an increase in the incidence of acute gastroenteritis and respiratory infections.

On the opposite side, many parents face with fear the introduction of foods other than milk, which leads them to delay complementary feeding. In this sense, pediatricians also warn of the possible consequences of a late introduction: nutritional deficiencies (iron and zinc), increased risk of allergies and food intolerances, worse acceptance of new textures and flavors and greater possibility of impaired motor skills oral So, the AEPED advised against delaying the introduction beyond the seventh month.

What are the most advisable cereals?

The nutrition of children is one of the issues that concern both first-time parents and experienced mothers, because although in principle all foods that are legally marketed are suitable for consumption, research and advances in health mark a trend that few They want to ignore. Here are some of the guidelines with the greatest consensus on the introduction of cereals.

In the market we will find gluten free baby cereals (mainly rice and corn) and with gluten (wheat, barley, spelled, oats and rye). According to the Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics (AEPAP), gluten-free cereals are indicated after four months, always with the approval of the pediatrician and when there is exclusive breastfeeding.

While the previous recommendations considered that delaying the introduction of cereals with gluten could avoid allergies, it is currently advised to offer them to the baby from six months and, if possible, while maintaining breastfeeding.

After this first barrier, we have all become aware of the importance of natural or minimally processed foods, and it is also the line that is being marked in infant feeding. In infant cereals, the war on added sugars, to which the authorized voices begin to add those produced during the hydrolysis process, such as glucose.

Likewise, WHO extols unprocessed grain, also known as whole or whole grain, as it is how the maximum nutritional power of cereals is obtained. Whether in the form of whole grain, ground, broken or flaked, it retains the proportionality of its main components and its nutritional contributions: endosperm (which concentrates the greatest contribution of carbohydrates and proteins), bran (provides fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants) and germ (with lipids, vitamins and minerals).

In spite of benefits of whole grains, among which we can mention its contribution to avoid overweight thanks to its higher fiber content (satiating effect) and its lower glycemic index (GI) than those of the refined versions, its consumption is reduced. The reason: possibly a natural flavor that does not offer the baby the sweetest stimulation - but less healthy - of the processed ones.

In this sense, brands like Hero Baby have wanted to join the impulse of the genuine, healthy and natural launching a new range of children's cereals with 0% added or produced sugars (except the variety with honey) thanks to the elimination of the hydrolysis process (or dextrination). Broadly speaking, this involves adding enzymes to starch during industrial processing to obtain small pieces; but, when broken, sugars are produced.

Recent research confirming that non-hydrolyzed cereals do not hinder digestion and hydrolysates can affect the achievement of bad habits by prioritizing sweet flavors, have led Hero Baby to present the new range. They also enrich their recipes with iron, calcium and vitamins to prevent possible deficiencies. If you want discover for free the most natural flavor of Hero Baby cereals, you can do it from this link and also enter the raffle for a family trip.

How to educate on healthy eating

The best way to instill healthy habits in our baby is to start from the first months of life. According to the WHO, exclusive breastfeeding prevents diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and overweight in children and adolescents.

Beyond the first six months, we must encourage interaction of the little one with the different flavors (sweet, salty, sour and bitter), since, "if we get used to the palate to acidic flavors, like some fruits, or bitter, like some vegetables, their consumption will be greater throughout life." Similarly, exposure to different flavors during the opening stage to complementary feeding could reduce the risk of refusal to try new foods, as noted by the AEPED.

Among the recommendations of pediatricians to ensure a varied and balanced diet in our baby are to opt for the consumption of whole fruit instead of juices, reduce salt intake (less than 1 g per day until the year and 2 g up the three years) and avoid added and free sugars. The Spanish Association of Pediatrics also remembers that it is important "respect the hunger and satiety signs of the infant ... without forcing to eat or distract. "

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