During the process of feeding the baby, mothers have different opinions on when to wean. Some mothers start weaning the baby earlier to maintain their figure, while others consider the baby’s health more and choose a later weaning time. In fact, there is no unified best time for weaning, and mothers can decide based on their personal situation and the baby’s needs.
After weaning, toddlers around the age of 1 have limited chewing and digestive abilities and should choose soft, easily digestible, and nutritious foods. For example, staple foods can include soft noodles, rice porridge, and small wontons; recommended side dishes include minced meat, shredded meat, smooth vegetable puree, and scrambled eggs. In addition, milk is an essential beverage during the weaning period, as it is easily digestible, nutritionally comprehensive, and can fully meet the baby’s nutritional needs for growth.
Usually, within about a week after weaning, the baby’s appetite will gradually return to normal. In the early stages, there may be resistance to feeding, and parents need to be patient and continue to guide. If conditions permit, waiting until the child is close to one year old to wean may be smoother, as they can now accept a wider variety of foods, including solid foods like rice, which can help alleviate the discomfort of weaning.
When adding complementary foods, attention should be paid to balanced combinations, including staple foods such as various rice and wheat products, as well as rich side dishes like fish, vegetables, and soy products, to ensure the baby receives comprehensive nutrition.
It is worth noting that frequently feeding the baby rice soup is not a wise choice. Although soup contains some nutrients, most of the nutrients are actually retained in solid foods, and long-term consumption of rice soup may further burden the baby’s digestion. Additionally, trying to solve the baby’s constipation issues by replacing vegetables with fruits is also not advisable, as they have different nutritional focuses, and the fiber in vegetables is crucial for maintaining intestinal health, which fruits cannot completely replace.
Lastly, once the baby can smoothly eat thin porridge or rice gruel, the role of milk cake as a transitional food is complete and no longer necessary. Continued reliance on milk cake may affect the normal development of the baby’s teeth and chewing abilities. Therefore, adjusting the diet structure in a timely manner to promote the healthy growth of the baby is essential.
