Generally, babies can start trying complementary foods when they are nine to ten months old, but this transition from breast milk to solid food is a challenge for both the baby and the mother. The baby may resist weaning, and the mother may face discomfort in stopping milk production. Therefore, gradual weaning is important, as it can help both parties to adapt better.
As the baby’s digestive system develops and the nutritional needs increase, whether breastfeeding, formula feeding, or mixed feeding, introducing complementary foods around five months of age becomes necessary. This helps in a smooth transition to adult eating patterns in the future. The principles of adding complementary foods include: starting with small amounts, for example, trying egg yolk from one-fourth; from thin to thick texture, starting with rice soup and then thin porridge; from fine to coarse food shapes, gradually changing; adding only one new food at a time, ensuring the baby adapts before adding another; and it should be done when the baby is in good health, pausing temporarily if there is any discomfort and trying again after recovery.
In terms of specific arrangements, starting from around four months, complementary foods can be tried at dinner, followed by breastfeeding. After about a month, dinner can be entirely replaced by complementary foods. At six to seven months, lunch also starts incorporating complementary foods, until around nine months, where lunch and dinner mainly consist of complementary foods, while milk is offered twice a day. Finally, by the age of one year, the baby’s diet will mainly consist of grains, legumes, meat, eggs, vegetables, and fruits, forming a balanced mixed diet structure.
In the initial stage, you can start with egg yolk paired with rice cereal and a small amount of milk, gradually guiding the baby to accept solid food, ensuring the entire process is nutritionally balanced, and patiently helping the baby adapt to this important stage. May all babies grow up healthy and enjoy the pleasures brought by food.
