Babies and infants: When milk alone is no longer enough

The most important things in brief

• Even if many parents don't really notice it, especially in the first few months: the baby is developing day by day.
• One day mum and dad realize that their little darling is no longer just interested in milk or breast milk.
• Once infants start looking for other foods, it's okay to let them try.
• But milk, porridge and milk porridge should still form the basis.

One moment your little one is just a baby and the next moment it could be gone. Parents are often completely blown away when their baby suddenly starts to take an interest in the food that you are eating right in front of their offspring. If only breast milk was the focus of interest, the baby suddenly craves the hash browns you are about to eat. Time for the first experiments with food - but with a sense of proportion.

Don't say no out of reflex

As soon as your baby shows that he actually finds your food very exciting, no matter what you are eating, don't say no out of reflex. Try to give the baby something from your plate that is easy to digest, not greasy and definitely not spicy, of course. Conversely, if you're defensive, you may be subconsciously signaling that the child's interest isn't right.

Yes, that's exactly what it is. Children - and even babies - can and should be able to discover the world of taste for themselves, you just have to steer this inclination in the right direction. And on this adventurous journey avoid experiments that go wrong, see intolerable food. In this early imprinting phase it would be desirable, for example, if your infant begins to be interested in cereals and fruit. This could be the basis for later desire for fresh bread and many different types of fruit.

Milk and porridge should continue to be the basics

With the right bottle supplement, you can steer initial interest in follow-on formula in a beneficial direction. Whether millet, corn, many fruits, rice, spelt, oats: all of this is healthy and your baby will also have exciting experiences with new flavors. In any case, you should make sure that the bottle additive does not contain any sugar, ideally no gluten either and is also easy to digest.

It is important for the infant, despite the burgeoning interest in other foods, that breast milk remains the focus of nutrition. The change should only be made bit by bit, after all, the mother's breast not only offers the usual plentiful nourishment, but also security, comfort, closeness and warmth. Therefore, consider the bottle supplement only as a supplementary meal that will only be gradually expanded.

Weaning from the breast very gently

Because breast milk is at the heart of a baby's life, your child needs that familiarity, and not just from a nutritional perspective. Give your baby the time it needs and, if in doubt, a little more time. This keeps your baby's little world in balance and contributes to a loving and supportive development.