Simplifying baby food introduction

According to the World Health Organization, breastfeeding is recommended up to two years, with milk being the baby’s only food until six months of age, when complementary feeding begins.

Like any new learning process, introducing food into the baby’s life also requires step-by-step learning so that it can be carried out successfully and remain for a lifetime. Its beginning depends on four readiness signs:

1. Sitting without support: around six months the baby develops the ability to fully hold the head and torso and sit without support. This control is important to avoid choking;

2. Being able to grasp objects and bring them to the mouth: this is another ability acquired in the first months of life that shows the baby’s minimum autonomy to bring food to the mouth. For those who will follow participatory technique guidelines, it is important that the baby already has this skill;

3. Decreased tongue thrust reflex: since birth, babies usually stick their tongues out when exploring something with their mouths. This helps with breastfeeding, but can hinder feeding with solids. If the baby still has this reflex, the tendency is to push food out of the mouth;

4. Showing interest in food: if the baby already watches people eating and shows curiosity, it is a good sign.

These are the signs you should observe in the baby. Starting complementary feeding too early can generate more stress than usual for the family. Some tips for this moment:

– Environment without distractions or electronics;
– No pressure regarding quantity, this is the time to present foods. The adult in food introduction has the role of offering variety, and the baby determines the amount;
– Spitting, making faces, having GAG (a natural reflex in babies, very similar to retching) are expected reactions in this process of food introduction;
– It is important to let the child put the spoon in the mouth or show that they want to receive that spoon.

Lunch should contain one food from each of the five food groups, which are: carbohydrate, protein, leafy vegetable, vegetable, and legume.

These foods can be offered in three ways:

– Traditional technique: foods mashed with a fork and separated, never blended in a mixer or mixed together.
– BLW technique: foods are offered whole, cut safely to avoid choking.
– Participatory technique: combines some foods offered on a spoon mashed with a fork and whole foods cut BLW-style.

Salt should not be used before one year of age, and meals should be prepared with natural seasonings. Sugar and sweetened foods should not be offered before two years of age.

Example of a menu with one food from each group:

– Carbohydrate: rice (seasoned with olive oil and garlic);
– Protein: chicken (olive oil, garlic, onion, parsley, and tomato);
– Vegetable: pumpkin (steamed);
– Leafy vegetable: escarole (olive oil and garlic);
– Legume: beans (olive oil, onion, garlic, and bay leaf).

As much anxiety as this moment may bring, it is important to respect the baby’s satiety and their own time to explore and discover foods. Complementary feeding goes far beyond nutrition: it teaches the true relationship between humans and food and how it should be harmonious and joyful.

Giliane Belarmino
Nutritionist, PhD and Postdoctoral degree from the Faculty of Medicine of USP, Scientific Researcher and Content Producer focused on motherhood.