Food diversification is a step very rich in emotions and discoveries for our babies but also for us as parents, however we must not be in a hurry, it is very important to wait until baby is ready even if he starts his DA later, your child will have all his life to eat small purees, compotes and dishes of great.
There is no point in running in a hurry that baby is less at the breast or to prepare fewer bottles or to do like the neighbor or the best friend who started with her baby of the same age! Preparing solid meals for baby to eat every day is a real investment of time and a lot of work. I invite you to start when your baby has shown real signs of interest in food.
My advice:
- I recommend that you do not buy anything without reading reviews or getting feedback from loved ones. The equipment for diversification can quickly become expensive and it would be dramatic to clutter you with equipment that in the end is impractical and that you will not use.
- During the first few months of AD, always refer to your baby's pediatrician before introducing anything new.
- It is recommended to offer purees only at lunch until baby has started his dietary diversification for several months. In case of allergic reaction or food intolerances it will be easier to detect them and react in the afternoon rather than in the middle of the night.
- Do not put pressure on yourself, baby may not like the purees you offer him at all, it happens. Put yourself in the shoes of a baby who has only known milk since birth and suddenly discovers a new texture, a new flavor and the spoon instead of Mom's pacifier or breast. This is a lot of information to store for baby but do not worry, he will eventually love and ask for more. Be patient and do not anticipate your child's reactions you may be disappointed!
- It is not very wise to offer baby only the fruits and vegetables you like, it is a full-fledged person who has the right to taste all the fruits and vegetables that Mother Nature offers us and to love them regardless of your tastes, even if you hate endives or leeks, your baby may love them and thank you.
- Listen to your baby, if he seems to hate a puree and making him eat it is tedious do not force. Offer him another puree. It is preferable that the time of the meal remains a moment of pleasure for everyone.
- Be aware that you can keep the small jars of purees and compotes for 48 hours in the fridge and for 2 months in the freezer.
- For the introduction of potatoes. Brooklyn having started its food diversification at more than 5 months, we introduced the potato in its diet from the beginning, mixed with vegetables at the rate of 1/3 of potatoes for 2/3 of vegetables. It is a binder that helps to soften purees and smooth them to perfection. Always refer to your child's pediatrician before making a change in the baby's diet or when you have any doubts. This health professional knows your child and will be able to tell you when to introduce the potato.
- During meals, remember to often offer small sips of water to baby to hydrate him well and help him swallow his meal well. Eating while thirsty is especially unpleasant and baby might not want his meal because of it. Brooklyn drinks exclusively Mont-Roucous water and I offer to drink before and after the meal.
- Avoid mixing vegetables at the beginning of food diversification, this will make it easier to identify foods that cause allergies (in case of allergies)
- Offering a single vegetable to baby is also recommended to help him identify vegetables.
- If baby shows signs of fatigue before the meal, it is better that he takes a nap before making him eat because otherwise he will not eat or cry during the meal.
Fats
Fats are ESSENTIAL for the proper functioning of the baby's body. Some fatty acids that are not produced by the body must be provided through the diet. These are EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids) Omega 6, Omega 3, docosahexaenoic acid among others. They are essential for the good brain development but also visual of baby.
It is better not to cook the fat. You can add them at the end of cooking just before serving and mix them with a spatula or spoon.
Oils
I invite you to favor organic oils.
Always choose first cold pressed oils. Vary the oils often: sunflower oil, olive oil, rapeseed oil, walnut oil, peanut oil, flaxseed oil, hemp oil… you are spoilt for choice!
Regarding walnut oil and peanut oil. It is now recommended to introduce allergens into the baby's diet as soon as possible as this would reduce the risk of him developing allergies to these foods by 80% later. However, refer to your pediatrician before introducing an allergen into the baby's diet.
I have never given peanut oil in Brooklyn but since the age of 6 months I put a little bit of walnut oil in some of its purees.
On the other hand, palm and copra oils are to be avoided absolutely because they contain far too many saturated fatty acids.
Butter
You can add a little raw pasteurized butter to the baby puree. Add it at the end of cooking the puree just before serving and mix.
Fresh cream
You can add a small spoon of pasteurized fresh cream, to the baby puree. Add there at the end of cooking the puree before serving and mix.