At what age does the child eat

Baby feeding

 Food provides the nutrients and energy needed for the infant to maintain his health, and it is advised at the beginning of the age of the infants to breastfeed them, because it provides them with all their needs of vitamins, minerals, etc., and after the infant gets older, he needs to start eating, after consulting the caregiver Health, and in this article we will talk about the appropriate time to start feeding the child.

The appropriate age to feed the child

 The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breastfeeding be enough to feed children the first 6 months of their age, but it is possible to start introducing foods in conjunction with breastfeeding between the fourth and sixth months, and it is possible to know if the child is ready to eat solid food when noticing some changes to it, and we mention one of the importants:

• The immature swallowing of the child disappears, which is the response that causes food to be pushed out of the child's mouth and prevents him from suffocating.
•  The child's ability to support his head and sit properly, because inserting food into the child's diet requires being able to control his head and neck. Show the child an interest in food, that is, he begins to try to catch him or stare at him.

Tips to start feeding the baby

 These tips can be followed when first feeding your baby:

• Choose the times when the child is happy and does not feel very hungry or tired, and try to feed him slowly and quenched.
•  Choose one type of food to start with, and try it a few days before serving another type, to make sure that the child does not have an allergy to any type of food.
• Stop feeding the child to any new type of food if he develops diarrhea, vomiting, or a rash, and consult the pediatrician if this occurs.
• Choose the types of cereals made especially for children, because they are supported by nutrients important for the child's development.

Food suitable for children

There are many foods that can be suitable for children, some of which are rich in vitamins, some of which are rich in proteins, and basic nutrients for the body, and we mention of these foods:

• Avocado: As it is characterized by its texture that resembles butter, and its richness in unsaturated fats, which is useful for the development of the brain, it should also be noted that the composition of avocado is very similar to the composition of breast milk. 
• Bananas: which is characterized by being a good source of many vitamins, such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, and minerals such as potassium, iron, and calcium. Bananas can be used to make juice by crushing it and adding it to peach pieces with yogurt or milk, and other recipes.
• Blueberries: These fruits are distinguished by being rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, which are beneficial to the child's eyes, brain, and even urinary tract. This fruit can be pureed or mixed and fed to him with milk.
• Broccoli: As this type of vegetables is distinguished by its calcium, fiber and folate content, it has also been found that it reduces the risk of developing cancer, and mothers are advised to introduce broccoli to the children's diet early, without adding other flavors, in order to get him used to eating vegetables when he is old, Broccoli can be steam cooked until tender, and cut into small pieces so that the infant can eat them, and cool them well before serving them.
•  Lentils: As legumes are foods rich in proteins low in fat and fiber, lentils are distinguished by their small size, which makes them more suitable for children than other types of large sizes, as they are also low-cost, and lentils can be cooked with carrots cut into small pieces and fed to the child.
• Meat: As the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends entering meat into a child's diet early, because it contains iron, and its deficiency may lead to a child's anemia, as the meat is rich in proteins, zinc, especially dark poultry meat, and red meat, and can start feeding Baby turkey or mashed chicken.
•  Dried peaches: This fruit is characterized by being rich in fiber, which protects children from constipation when they start eating solid food, as it can help with digestion, as it is soft in texture and sweet in taste, and it can be fed to children mashed without any additives, or mix it with other foods, Like grains and oats. 
• Sweet Potatoes: It is a root vegetable colored with beta carotene, copper, iron, and vitamin C, in addition to its sweet taste and distinctive texture, where it can be presented to the child mashed alone or mixed with other foods.
• Winter squash: It is characterized by the sweetness of its taste, and its creamy texture, in addition to being rich in beta-carotene, which is beneficial for eye health, and vitamin C. The squash can be mashed and served to the child, and add different flavors to it when the child grows a little.
•  Milk: It is characterized by being rich in calcium and vitamin D, which are important for the growth of bones and teeth, and can be presented to the child early when he is between 4-6 months, i.e. long before the introduction of cow's milk to him, but it is advisable to choose milk that does not contain added sugars and flavors, which It contains beneficial bacteria, which enhances the health of the child's digestive system. It should also be noted that whole milk types must be chosen, because the child needs to obtain calories from fat.

Foods children should avoid

Children are more susceptible to allergies or related problems such as asthma and eczema if one of the family members suffers from it, and foods that can cause allergies to children are peanuts, in addition to that honey should not be provided to children, because it may contain spores that can cause Having botulism, and they should also not be given cow's milk before the age of one year.