Babies who drink breast milk, formula, and other liquids all the time are easily digestible, even if they drink too much. As the baby grows up and their gastrointestinal function increases, they can also eat some complementary foods. Some parents plan to give their babies dry meals when feeding them complementary foods, but they are worried that their babies may not be able to digest them. So, at what age does the baby start eating dry rice?
At what age does the baby start eating dry rice
Babies can eat rice from 6 to 12 months old. Baby's mouth and intestines are very delicate, and their digestive ability is limited. It is not advisable to give them high fiber foods for the time being. When adding staple food containing rice, Congee, high protein Rice noodles and puffed rice food should be the main food, pay attention to the soft and delicate texture, and fully heat and cook.
Before the baby is six months old, breastfeeding is usually the main way of feeding, which is a very important feeding method. However, after six months, the secretion of breast milk is no longer sufficient to satisfy the baby's appetite, and it is necessary to add complementary foods to the baby.
However, the baby's stomach is not yet able to digest harder foods. Therefore, some soft food, such as noodles or soup, and some Congee can be selected as complementary food in this period. We need to help the baby adapt to these types of complementary foods first. Then, after the baby is 7 months old and has adapted to complementary foods, parents can try preparing rice for the baby.
How old can babies eat salt
Babies over one year old can start adding a small amount of salt. Infants and young children are much more sensitive to salt than adults. When the salt content in food is 0.25%, adults find it light, while infants and young children find it salty when they eat it. Over time, the baby's taste will become increasingly strong. Meanwhile, the human body has a limited demand for salt. Before 6 months, if a baby's digestive and kidney functions are not sound, excessive intake of salt will increase the burden on the kidneys. This is still a contributing factor to the high incidence of upper respiratory tract infections in infants and young children, which may hinder the body's absorption of zinc.
Around 1 year old is a critical period for taste bud development and the formation of taste preferences. At this time, children should be encouraged to accept a variety of food and experience the original flavors of different foods. According to the recommendation of the Chinese Nutrition Society, the sodium intake of infants and young children under one year old is around 200 milligrams, which is equivalent to 0.5 grams of salt. Breast milk or formula milk, as well as the storage of infants and young children's own metabolism, can provide sufficient sodium for growth without the need for additional additives.
It is recommended not to rashly give dry rice to babies when they are still relatively young. The food given to babies must be able to chew and digest to a certain extent. There are still many people who like to eat whatever they want for their babies, and this practice must be prohibited. If they give their babies "adult food" too early, it will definitely bring various troubles to themselves.
