When to introduce milk porridges into complementary feeding and which ones are better to choose?

A significant milestone in your baby’s development is when they are introduced to solid foods, and milk porridges can help with this process. These porridges are a fantastic option for your child because they are a great source of important nutrients. But when should you begin introducing them to your baby’s diet? Making educated decisions about your child’s nutrition can be aided by understanding the ideal age and varieties of milk porridge.

When their babies are ready for supplemental feeding, which is usually around six months of age, parents can start introducing milk porridges. At this age, infants can begin experimenting with flavors and textures; introducing grains to their diet gradually can be accomplished with milk porridges. It’s imperative to speak with your pediatrician to make sure your child is prepared for this step, though.

When choosing milk porridges, pick nutrient-dense and easily digested varieties. Seek for products with few additives and whole grains. Making your own porridges at home gives you complete control over the ingredients and lets you customize the flavors to suit your baby’s tastes. The ideal time to introduce milk porridges will be discussed in this article, along with some of the best options.

Age to Introduce	Best Milk Porridges
6-8 months	Rice Porridge
8-10 months	Oat Porridge
10-12 months	Multigrain Porridge
12 months and up	Corn Porridge

Benefits and composition

• Rice porridge is rich in calcium, potassium, various vitamins, amino acids, lecithin and zinc. It is considered easily digestible and hypoallergenic, characterized by a pleasant taste and consistency.
• In buckwheat a lot of iron and vegetable proteins, so such cereals are recommended for nutrition with low hemoglobin and insufficient body weight. Buckwheat porridge is liked by most children, rarely provokes allergies, is rich in magnesium, copper, calcium, vitamins B1, PP and others.
• Corn porridge contains a lot of vitamin A, calcium, selenium, amino acids, iron, dietary fiber. Its use reduces bloating and prevents fermentation processes. Polyunsaturated fats present in corn grits have a positive effect on the development of the nervous system.
• Millet porridge is rich in magnesium, vitamins B, manganese, iron, silicon, fluorine and copper. This dish is good for the cardiovascular system and liver.
• Oatmeal has a lot of vegetable proteins, unsaturated fats, mineral salts, B vitamins. Such porridge is a useful source of fiber.
• From barley and pearl barley the child will receive potassium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamins, essential amino acids, choline, calcium and other substances. Such cereals are nutritious, eliminate constipation, stimulate digestion and increase the body"s defenses. But due to severe digestion, they are not recommended to give them earlier than 1.5-2 years.
• In semolina A lot of starch and proteins, but fewer dietary fibers and vitamin compounds than in other cereals, so it is usually offered from 1 year. However, semolina is perfectly absorbed and provides energy, therefore it is recommended for small children. Wonderful alternative to Manka – Porridge from a piece. It is quickly digested, useful for the digestive tract and nervous system.

When to enter into complementary foods?

With breastfeeding

From nine months of age, breastfed infants can try milk porridge. Pediatricians advise against giving milk to children younger than this age and instead to introduce silent cereals, which are introduced to infants between the ages of six and seven months.

The initial serving of porridge with milk added should only be five grams in weight. Given that cow’s milk is known to contain allergens, even hypoallergenic products may not work for a baby who has an intolerance. For this reason, even if your child has been enjoying dairy-free cereal dishes for a while, you still need to start giving them milk porridge very carefully.

The first time you give milk porridge, you should do so in the morning so that by the end of the day, you can gauge how well the new product is tolerated. The following day, you will be offered a larger portion if the baby does not exhibit any undesirable symptoms such as redness, upset stool, rash, or itching. The baby then starts to eat more milk porridge every day, eventually reaching 180–200 grams.

With artificial feeding

The same milk porridge is introduced to the diet of babies who are fed artificially.

The only distinction is the younger age; according to medical professionals, a baby on artificial feeding can be introduced to a novel dish as early as 7 months of age. If the mother is not producing enough breast milk or if the baby is not gaining weight well, it may also be possible to introduce milk porridge into the baby’s diet earlier.

A child should only be given multi-grain dishes after they have tried all of the ingredients and shown no adverse reactions.

For kids who have already gotten used to them separately, it is advised to incorporate milk porridges—which are made up of fruit, vegetables, and other additives—into their diet.

Buy or cook?

Adding milk porridges to your infant’s supplemental feeding regimen can be a wholesome move for their diet. When your baby is ready for solid foods, which is usually around six months of age, you should begin this. For their growth and development, the right milk porridge is crucial, and because of their nutritional value and ease of digestion, rice, oats, and millet are excellent options. Through thoughtful selection and introduction of these porridges, you can contribute to your child’s healthy and happy eating experience.

Rating of manufacturers of ready-made porridges

There are two main categories of milk porridges that are used for supplemental feeding during the first year of life: homemade and manufactured in a factory. Baby food manufacturers sell ready-made and powdered milk porridges. The primary benefits of these products are:

• they are based on raw materials that undergo safety control;
• cereals for such porridges are ground taking into account the age category for which a particular product is intended;
• the dishes are easy to prepare – in most cases, you just need to open the package, take the required amount of grain mixture and mix it with water;
• it is easier to start feeding with ready-made porridge – you can dissolve a small portion of powder to get just a few spoons of the new product;
• in addition to single-component, many manufacturers produce multi-grain porridges, as well as products with tasty additives – vegetables, dried fruits, berries, fruits;
• useful vitamins, prebiotic substances, valuable minerals are added to the composition of factory-made porridges;
• such products can be stored for a long time.

While ready-made milk porridges are made in portioned boxes or jars, instant powder porridges are sold in boxes, bags, or cans. Both the composition and the preparation method are described in great detail on the packaging.

The manufacturer provides instructions on how to correctly brew or dilute the porridge and what ratios of liquid to use.

Additionally, factory-made porridges have a different milk component. Various businesses enhance the contents of their products:

• whole dry cow"s milk;
• skimmed dry cow"s milk;
• dry goat"s milk;
• partially adapted milk formula.

Cereals made from cow’s milk contain a variety of minerals and proteins, some of which are allergenic, so using them at first is not advised.

It is preferable to begin formula-based product feeding with milk porridge. They don’t overburden the baby’s kidneys and are more akin to breast milk. These products are also better for infants who have a history of allergies.

Although the composition of goat’s milk is more akin to that of mother’s milk, it is still challenging for the baby’s body to process. Therefore, goat’s milk has no particular benefits over cow’s milk if the baby does not have an intolerance.

These days, you can buy factory-made milk cereals online, in pharmacies, small and large stores, and online. These products cover a sizable range.

The most sought-after brands are listed below.

Hipp

This manufacturer uses organic, environmentally friendly raw ingredients, the quality of which is closely monitored, to make their porridges. They are based on baby formula, have a great taste, and contain no sugar, preservatives, or flavorings.

But practically all of these products have fruit additives in them. The only porridge made without fillers is buckwheat with prebiotics (galactooligosaccharides).

"Good Night" is the name of a different line of premade Hipp milk porridges that are sold in jars. These products are fortified with calcium, vitamins B1, D, and A, and made from whole grains without added sugar.

Nestle

This brand offers oatmeal, wheat, semolina, corn, buckwheat, and pumpkin-flavored milk porridges with dried apricots, bananas, strawberries, and pears added. They are made with sugar, vegetable oils, and skim milk powder as their base.

These porridges are rich in vitamins and minerals, taste natural, and are simple to dilute. Bifidobacteria, when added to their composition, enhances digestion, restores equilibrium, and promotes the growth of good bacteria. Nestle products are regarded as premium; these cereals fall into the average price range.

Heinz

This brand’s whole milk-based products come in a wide variety, including both single-component products and cereal mixtures. These cereals are tasty, kid-friendly, free of dyes and preservatives, and they also include inulin and a vitamin-mineral complex. Upon incorporating water, they yield a uniform mass.

The Heinz line of products includes drinking cereals made with normalized milk and omega-3 fats added, as well as a distinct line of "Lyubopyshki" for kids as young as 12 months old that encourage chewing.

Bebi

This brand offers a sizable selection of dairy cereal products. The cereals are made with added sugar, but they taste natural and include minerals, important vitamin compounds, and prebiotics.

The Bebi brand makes instant cereals with goat’s milk in addition to goods made from whole cow’s milk. The manufacturer offers four different "Learning to Chew" cereals for kids older than one year old.

Winnie

These cereal blends are created with whole milk powder, inulin, sugar, and minerals added. They taste good, are reasonably priced, dilute well with water, and are well-liked by a large number of kids.

Frutonyanya

This brand’s milk porridges are made with rice, wheat, buckwheat, multigrain, oatmeal, and groats, both with and without additives (apple, banana, pumpkin, prunes, etc.). They taste good, dissolve quickly, and are reasonably priced.

Inulin, iodine, zinc, iron, and vitamin compounds are also included in the composition. These cereals include dry cream and powdered whole and skim milk. Separately produced is a line of pre-made porridges marketed as "before bedtime" in 200 ml boxes.

Agusha

These milk porridges taste good, are simple to dilute, and contain vitamins. They’re made with whole milk, fructose, and occasionally prebiotics.

A limited assortment, a short shelf life, and the composition’s inclusion of salt are some of the drawbacks.

They also make boxed liquid porridge under this brand using normalized milk. They are referred to as "Zasipay-ka" because they contain prebiotic ingredients and are advised for the evening.

Umnitsa

Children enjoy the taste of this brand’s porridges, which come in a variety of varieties and contain a dry whole milk and vitamin and mineral complex. They are made with fruit fillings and without additives, and they are reasonably priced. They do, however, contain sugar, salt, and vanillin.

Bellakt

Buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, rice and oatmeal, 5-grain, corn, and oatmeal porridge on normalized cow’s milk with sugar added are among the products offered by this manufacturer. They are well diluted, readily absorbed, and fortified with a complex of vitamins and minerals.

Cereals made from goat’s milk are made independently. They are free of salt and sugar and are enhanced with minerals, vitamins, and prebiotics.

Malutka

This brand’s porridges are inexpensive, made with a milk formula, fortified with vitamins and minerals, and devoid of salt. However, they have a limited selection, contain sugar and maltodextrin, and frequently form lumps when diluted.

Even the most well-liked and advertised of these products may cause a child to react negatively, so keep that in mind when purchasing one for them. Try cereals from a different manufacturer if the child does not like a particular brand. You shouldn’t switch brands if the food given to the infant is enjoyed and does not negatively impact their health.

You and your child may find it rewarding to incorporate milk porridges into your child’s diet. Selecting the ideal porridge varieties and timing are crucial when navigating the world of supplemental feeding. Generally, starting when your child is six months old is a good idea, but you should always speak with your pediatrician to customize the schedule to meet your child’s unique needs.

When choosing milk porridges, pick nutrient-dense and easily digested varieties. Buckwheat, rice, and oatmeal are all great options that are high in vitamins and minerals. They can be blended with formula or breast milk to give babies a smooth, creamy texture. Always be aware of your child’s reactions and make necessary adjustments.

Keep in mind that since each child is unique, what works for one might not work for another. Have patience and let your kids experiment with different tastes and textures at their own speed. Milk porridges can become a wholesome mainstay in your child’s diet with time and thoughtful selection, laying the groundwork for future development of good eating habits.

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