As the baby’s iron stores run low after the sixth month, the first porridge to be introduced should be the vegetable-meat porridge, as a midday meal. Only then will the evening porridge (milk-cereal porridge) follow, and last will be the cereal-fruit porridge in the afternoon. For the introduction of each porridge, you should give the baby about four weeks to spare the digestion, metabolism and immune system. It also gives you the opportunity to identify food intolerances and allergies early on. Because almost all babies like them, you usually start with carrots as the first food.
Gradually add ingredients to the porridge
The only drawback is that they can trigger constipation. Then you can switch to another vegetable that is well tolerated, such as pumpkin or parsnips. After a few days and when the baby manages about 100 g per meal, add potatoes and some oil, and again about a week later lean meat and some vitamin C-rich juice (improves iron absorption). If your baby eats a porridge amount of 150-200g, he will not need milk afterwards.
Tips:
- Hardly any baby eats all of it right away. For the first porridge attempts, there are therefore extra small jars in stores. Or you freeze the self-cooked porridge in small quantities (eg in the ice cube tray).
- Babies do not need culinary variety in the beginning (!). They love the known and familiar and would not thank you the taste variety. In addition, you spare the digestive system of your child with a few vegetables, fruits and meats and prevent allergies.
Solid and liquid
As soon as the child gets porridge, he should also drink something afterwards. Preferably water (non-carbonated and boiled for at least the first six months) or mineral water, which is specifically recommended for the preparation of infant formula. Thin herbal tea or unsweetened fruit tea are also suitable. Juices are not so good because they are too sweet and too acidic. If they are, they should be given very diluted (at least 2 parts water and 1 part juice) and not contain too much fruit acid (so mild apple juice, for example). Drinks should be warm to lukewarm, never cold.
Tips:
- For learning, there are special sippy cups that have a drinking spout in the front. They are lightweight, unbreakable and stable. Bottles or jars with a teat are less suitable.
- Some babies enjoy it from the beginning – like adults – to drink from a glass or cup. In the beginning, of course, they still need help.
- Offer your baby something to drink regularly, but do not let it come to continuous sucking.
Meatless just as happy?
Meat is an important source of iron, vitamins B1 and B12 and zinc. If you want to feed your baby meatless, you should therefore pay special attention to ensure that it absorbs enough iron. Iron-rich cereals include millet, oats, wheat, rye and green spelt. Iron-rich vegetables e.g. beans, spinach, fennel, carrots, zucchini. Since vitamin C improves iron absorption, three spoonfuls of orange juice or fruit puree should be added to each meal. Vitamin B is provided by milk, yogurt, cottage cheese and cheese.