“Dietary diversification is a founding stage in a child’s life. Indeed, the educational practices of parents, relatives and more generally of the social environment will contribute to the child’s acceptance of new foods during the period. period of diversification and will have an influence on the way they eat in the long term “underlines Public Health France in a press release. This is why the experts have just developed the new recommendations on dietary diversification for children, in collaboration with the National Agency for Health, Food, Environment and Occupational Safety (ANSES) and the High Council for Public Health (HCSP).
Step by step, from 4 months to 3 years
The food diversification step corresponds to the transition from a diet consisting exclusively of milk to a varied diet. It begins between 4 and 6 months and continues gradually until the age of 3 years. The new recommendations presented by Public Health France are also developed in a “Small guide to food diversification” downloadable from the site mangerbouger.fr.
>> Possibility of introducing all food groups from the start of diversification, i.e. between 4 and 6 months. The same goes for foods known to be allergenic (eggs, peanuts, powdered almonds or hazelnuts, etc.) or for gluten In fact, we now know that the earlier children taste them, the more they develop their tolerance to these foods..
>> At first, because her stomach is small, your baby only takes a few tablespoons of puree, followed by unlimited feedings or a bottle prepared in the amount indicated by your doctor. Gradually, he will eat more: trust his appetite, observe his reactions and never force it.
>> We introduce new textures from 6-8 months (approximately 2 months after the start of diversification). Your child will thus be able to develop his ability to chew well. Introduce only one new texture per meal. If you feed small jars, vary brands and recipes, consistency and size of pieces vary from product to product.
>> If he refuses a new food, do not insist but try again a few days later. It is often necessary present the same food several times (sometimes up to 10 times!) so that a child accepts it and begins to enjoy it
>> Systematically add fat in homemade preparations or in store-bought products that do not contain it. Contrary to popular belief, children under 3 years of age should be given fat because they have high lipid requirements to ensure their proper development. These lipids (fats) are largely provided by breast or infant milk, but must also be provided by the diet from the start of diversification. Add them raw to your preparations or in small jars if they do not contain any: rather oil, varying rapeseed, walnut and olive oil or, from time to time a little butter in your preparations.
>> The sugar is introduced as late as possible, and in a very limited way. To taste it, cook a peeled seasonal fruit in a saucepan with 2 spoons of water then mix, without adding sugar. Then, gradually, offer tender raw or cooked fruits mashed with a fork, always without sugar. Fruit juices, squeezed or store-bought (even without added sugars) and fruit drinks are very sweet and are not recommended.
How to prepare a good smooth puree?
- For vegetables, pulses, potatoes: cook in water or steam, without salt.
- For poultry, meat or fish: cook thoroughly, without salt.
- Mix foods or mash them very finely with a fork. Add a little fresh water and some fat (oil, varying from rapeseed, walnuts and olives, or from time to time a knob of butter). Mix to obtain a very smooth consistency. Do not salt.
Read also :
- Baby food: 6 puree recipes to innovate
- Gluten: it can be introduced between 4 and 12 months
- Infographic: baby feeding month by month