How to add complementary food to premature babies? You must understand these skills

If a baby is born prematurely, the baby's physical constitution may be slightly different from that of a normal baby. In this case, parents must do a good job in all aspects, such as paying special attention when adding complementary foods.

1. Supplementary feeding time

When adding complementary foods to premature babies, it is necessary to add them according to the developmental level of the premature babies. The standard of developmental level is calculated in the following way: the time after the premature baby is born minus the time of birth in advance, which is the actual developmental level of the premature baby. For example, if a premature baby is born eight months premature, then the actual developmental age of the premature baby is six months. When adding complementary foods, it should be added according to the full-term baby of six months. This is more reasonable.

2. Choice of complementary food

When choosing complementary foods for premature babies, try to choose products from big brands with good reputation. Generally speaking, the most common complementary food is rice noodles. When choosing rice noodles, the texture should be delicate and the taste should be good so that babies will like to eat this kind of complementary food. If the mother makes complementary food by herself, she needs to make some complementary food that has a fresh taste, is easy to digest, and has more comprehensive nutrition. More fruits, vegetables and easily digestible high-protein foods should be added to complementary foods, which will be beneficial to the growth and development of premature babies.

3. How to add complementary foods to premature babies?

There are individual differences in the age at which premature infants start adding complementary foods, which is related to their level of developmental maturity. The introduction time of premature infants with small gestational age is relatively late, generally not earlier than 4 months of corrected age and not later than 6 months of corrected age. The order of introduction is also between the corrected age and the actual age. Adding complementary foods too early will affect the amount of milk or cause indigestion, while adding them too late will affect the absorption of multiple nutrients and cause difficulty in eating. The principle of adding complementary foods is gradual, from one type to multiple types, from little to more, and from thin to thick. Premature babies need to learn how to eat, such as training their chewing and swallowing functions, and coordinating oral muscle movements. But within 1 year old, milk is the baby's staple food. The amount of complementary food should not be too much, but there should be a variety of foods so that the baby can get sufficient and balanced nutrients and develop good habits of not being picky about food.