Question
My baby is about to turn six months old, which is the stage to start introducing complementary foods. I am worried that if not done carefully, it may lead to diarrhea. What precautions should be taken when introducing complementary foods?
Answer
When introducing complementary foods for infants, each item should be added individually, and close observation of the baby’s condition should be made for at least 3 to 4 days after adding each new food. If the baby exhibits signs of decreased appetite, abnormal bowel movements, or allergic reactions, the food should be temporarily discontinued until symptoms return to normal, and then reintroduced in small amounts. Additionally, the texture of the complementary foods should gradually transition from thin to thick, from fine to coarse, such as following the sequence of “rice gruel-thin porridge-thick porridge-soft rice,” or “vegetable soup-vegetable puree-crushed vegetables.”