Once your baby reaches the seven-month, it shifts into some important physical milestones like sitting up and teething. Providing the right nutrition during this critical growth period is very important for the baby. At the 7. month, you can create a richer menu as you see that your baby is used to supplementary food in the baby feeding chart. In this period, breast milk is still the main food.

BEST FOODS FOR 7-MONTH-OLD BABIES

1. 1. Fruit Puree: Fruits are a great source of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Fruits as apple, banana, watermelon, avocado are great options for a snack or meal.

1. 2. Vegetables: Vegetables contain essential multi-vitamins and minerals. Different nutritious vegetables can be given by steaming and pureeing. Steamed vegetable slices can also be given to the baby as an excellent snack.

1. 3. Porridge: Porridge made from single grain cereals makes a great nutritional supplement for babies. Grains as rice, wheat, oat, barley, millet can be pulverized to make a puree mix.

1. 4. Meat and Meat Products: Lamb, chicken, red meat can be added to the diet this month.

1. 5. Egg: Egg is a source of healthy fat and protein. After boiling, it can be given to babies in bite-sized pieces. Make sure it is well cooked.

1. 6. Cheese: It is rich in fat, protein and vitamins. Soft and unsalted cheeses made from pasteurized milk should be preferred. Curd cheese or a homemade unsalted cheese is ideal. We recommend making the cheese at home by churning out pasteurized goat`s milk.

1. 7. You can add a small amount of thyme, mint and cumin to their meals.

1. 8. Quinoa is also in the grain group that you can include in its diet this month.

1. 9. You can now start giving your baby homemade soups of dried yoghurt, yoghurt and noodle. You can add lean minced meat or lamb to the soups you have prepared. You should definitely not add tomato paste, spices and salt to soups.

1. 10. You can feed your baby with rice, pasta and bread as of this month. Bread must be wholemeal and prepared without salt or sugar. It should easily melt in its mouth.

DAILY MEAL AMOUNT

Typically, seven-month-old babies eat three solid meals and two snacks in between. Breastfeeding morning and night, and some mid-day breastfeeding/feeding sessions are also part of the routine.

Typically, babies consume about a quarter cup of puree or porridge in a single meal. You can increase the amount according to demand. Babies also consume an average of 800-900 ml of breast milk or formula.

The 7-month-old baby should be fed as in the 6th month that is, approximately 5-6 meals a day, every 3 hours

However, the density of meals consisting of only breast milk in the 7-month-old baby`s feeding has begun to decrease. You can give breast milk at night and add it to its breakfast in the morning.

BLW METHOD IN BABY NUTRITION

BLW (Baby Led Weaning) is one of the most researched topics in recent years. BLW, in fact, is a method that allows the baby to feed itself in the transition to supplementary food. In order for the baby to eat on its own, the baby must be ready for it and have a desire. What you need to do is to realize that your baby is ready by following the clues and support it.

WHEN SHOULD BLW BEGIN?

You want to contribute to both the development of your baby and strengthen its bond with food. So you may wonder when to BLW method apply. You can start the BLW technique when your baby is 6 month old. In fact, technically, the transition to supplementary food is the first factor for BLW. Because in this period when your baby`s hand eye coordination and motor skills reach a sufficient level, you can start giving solid foods to your baby with this method.

How can you understand when your baby is ready to feed on its own?

1. If your baby can sit with little or no support,

1. If it reaches out to take something in his hand,

1. If it puts its toys in its mouth and gnaws them,

1. If it is making chewing movements,

1. If it has started to eat a food on its own, it is ready to BLW feeding.

HOW IS THE BLW METHOD APPLIED?

In BLW feeding, you should sit at the table with your baby at every meal, place the food properly in front of your baby, and wait for it to grasp the food with its hands and bring it to its mouth. Even if it does not eat the food, sitting at the table together helps it gain the habit of eating.

You shouldn`t put a bowl or plate in front of your baby at first tries. You can put the food in small pieces on the table of the highchair. You have to let the food spread without worrying about getting dirty of the environment and your baby. The important thing is to provide it to discover food.

WHAT ARE BLW MEALS?

What is given in BLW, which foods you can choose for the start, we have listed for you.

1. BLW starting meals; vegetables such as steamed carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli and fruits such as apples and pears.

1. You can cut the banana and give it.

1. You should cut fruits such as grapes or vegetables such as cherry tomatoes in half.

1. You should not give stone fruits such as cherries to the little fingers without removing their seeds.

1. While serving dishes such as soup or puree, put boiled vegetables in front of it so that it can pick them up and eat them. For example, if you have carrots in its soup, you can boil the carrot and cut it thin and long so that your baby can eat it by itself.

One small note: Nuts shouldn`t be on the BLW list.

WHY PREFER BLW?

1. Your baby understands that eating is so fun and enjoys it.

1. Discovers foods and this happens very naturally.

1. Learns foods with their taste, smell and structure.

1. Learns to eat safely.

1. Learns concepts such as size, shape, weight, structure and texture better than many educational toys.

1. Develops handcrsft and hand-eye coordination. These skills will be very useful in the development of fine motor skills such as writing and drawing later on.

1. Makes self-confident.

1. Attends family meals and gains social skills.

1. Learns to control its appetite. It is fed only as much as it needs.

1. It is fed better and its long-term health is positively affected.

1. It becomes easier for the family to eat out.

1. It is cheap because the baby eats what the family eats. Of course, according to the month, attention should be paid to the foods that should not be eaten yet.

WHAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE BLW METHOD?

1. Your baby should be sitting upright and securely.

1. For the first few months, it should eat by only using its hands.

1. It should not be very hungry, restless, tired or irritable at feeding times.

1. The goal is not to be satiated or adequately fed. That`s why you don`t have to be quick or pushy.

1. Long cut foods are easier to hold and grasp. That`s why you should initially give BLW finger foods about 5 cm long.

1. Food to be given to the baby`s hand should not be too soft or too hard.

1. You should put the food in a place where your baby can reach out, on a plate or tray. Your goal is not to give it to your baby, to present it.

1. Your baby will show it if it finishes the one in front of it and still wants to eat. If it doesn`t want some more, you might think it`s had enough.

1. After the meal is finished, check that there is no food left in its mouth or inside its cheeks.

1. Eat together and snack also to get the baby to imitate and help it learn.

1. It would be better to lay a large sheet under the highchair for spilled food.

1. Prefer the least possible clothing according to the season. Short-sleeved sweaters and sleeveless tops are appropriate. Bibs protect the clothes, but they should be large and thick enough not to restrict the baby`s movement.

1. Your baby`s basic food is breast milk, don`t forget that! Do not delay breastfeeding.

1. You should never leave your baby alone. Something may get stuck in its throat, it may be afraid, etc.

1. Your baby will eat with its hand at first, and then it will start to feed with a fork and spoon. At this stage, it is necessary to be patient; because it takes a little more time to learn to feed with fork and spoon.

IS THERE A DISADVANTAGE FOR THE BLW METHOD?

Yes, the BLW method has a disadvantage: Mess!

Because the baby will take the food in its hand, pinch it, bring it to its mouth, drop it, take it out of its mouth, throw it on the ground, etc. All of these will undoubtedly lead to mess. However, do not be sad. Your baby will get better and better at feeding on its own.

Sample nutrition list:

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NUTRITIONAL TIPS

1. Do not force-feed your baby. Different babies have different appetites and taste preferences. Look at the number of wet and dirty diapers (ideally, 5 or more per day) to determine if they are getting enough nutrition. To meet its nutritional requirements, support solid foods with plenty of breast or formula milk.

1. We recommend that you try the BLW method. Your baby will enjoy eating by feeding itself with this method.

1. Always wait three days before introducing a new food. This gives time for the body to react to the food and show signs of an allergic reaction. In cases where the baby is allergic to a certain food, leave that food for a few months and try again.

1. Specify a special place to eat to establish proper eating habits. This habit creates a link between food and place in the baby`s mind and makes feeding sessions less tiring for parents.

1. Encourage them to explore different foods by giving them finger foods. At this age, babies tend to have a strong urge to bite and finger foods greatly help them relax their gums. This also gives them a first-hand experience of the texture and taste of their food.

1. Avoid distracted feeding. (Do not eat it in front of screens such as TV or phone!) This takes away the fun of enjoying meals.

1. Gagging or choking is a serious hazard for babies, especially when they eat lumpy food or chew a large piece of finger food. Follow the baby when it eats and act immediately if there is a danger of choking.

1. Thoroughly clean fruits and vegetables. Fruit and vegetable purees can be used as a snack option instead of a meal.

1. As babies tend to get infections easily, sterilize containers used for making baby food well.

Seven-month-old babies need a healthy and nutritious diet to nourish their developing bodies and brains. Introducing them to as many vegetables and fruits as possible will go a long way in establishing good eating habits.

CAUTION

1. Every baby is different, so you can use the meal plans here as a reliable basic guide and revise them according to your own choices.

1. You should continue to breastfeed your baby. When breast milk is not enough, you should not use goat and cow milk. You can support its nutrition with follow-on milk by consulting your doctor.

1. Never force-feed a baby.

1. When preparing the formula, follow the instructions on the box and use the measuring spoon supplied.

1. Increase the consistency and roughness of your meals a little more every month. Because each month your baby`s swallowing and chewing skills will develop.

1. Some babyren may eat less on certain days and this is absolutely okay. However, if a baby eats less for more than 3-4 days, please see a doctor for guidance.

1. A baby may eat less if it is teething or not feeling well. On those days, you can increase the amount of breast milk / formula.

1. Do not stop feeding if your baby has diarrhea.

1. If your baby is allergic to nuts, gluten or eggs, please consult your doctor before giving it foods containing them.