How does the process of feeding a baby during pregnancy work?

Children get acquainted with the process of nutrition long before birth. The baby's own digestive system begins to develop very early - already at the end of the 3rd week of intrauterine development. Gradually improving, by the time of birth, she is already ready to perform her main function - to digest and assimilate food.

The fetus receives from the mother the substances necessary for its growth and development, including oxygen, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, trace elements, biologically active substances. At the same time, the baby, with the help of the mother's body, gets rid of unnecessary substances - carbon dioxide, waste products of vital activity.

All this exchange between the body of the mother and the fetus occurs through a special organ that functions only during pregnancy - the placenta. In the placenta, the blood vessels of the mother and the fetus are located close to each other and in such a way that metabolism occurs between them.

Features of the digestive system of a newborn

But then the child was born, and everything changed. Now the baby's feeding processes are not associated with the mother's placenta, and the newborn needs to adapt to new, unusual conditions for him.

The digestive system of a newborn differs from the digestive system of an adult in immaturity and the ability to digest and assimilate only one product so far - breast milk (or milk mixtures close to it in composition). Whether the child has enough nutrition, how adequate the feeding regimen is, whether the mother has mastered breastfeeding techniques correctly - all this should be assessed by the doctor who is observing the baby. A nursing mother should talk to her doctor about the specifics of her diet, as improper nutrition of a nursing woman can harm the baby.

Immaturity of the newborn's digestive system manifests itself in increased permeability of the intestinal mucosa, digestive enzymes for children insufficiency, lack of coordination of intestinal motor activity, as well as the absence of teeth and imperfect swallowing (solid food) and chewing processes.

Digestive problems in a newborn baby

Parents are often worried when faced with the so-called functional - that is, temporary, not associated with any pathology - digestive disorders in babies. These include colic, regurgitation, constipation, and bloating. In children of the first months of life, these disorders arise precisely in connection with the immaturity of the digestive and nervous systems and their adaptation to extrauterine life. The baby's digestive system, as it were, "learns" to accept, digest and assimilate food. Usually, all these problems go away by themselves by the age of 3-4 months - as the baby's gastrointestinal tract matures and adapts.

However, even if the baby's digestive disorders are similar to functional ones, when they appear, it is imperative to show the child to the doctor. Situations are not uncommon when colic, regurgitation or constipation not only does not go away, but also intensifies, and additional symptoms are added to them. Most often this happens when a child has a food allergy, which can only be diagnosed by a doctor.

How do you know if your baby is ready for complementary foods?

The scheme and timing of the introduction of complementary foods should be discussed with the doctor who observes the child and knows his individual characteristics of development and health. The timing of the beginning of the introduction of complementary foods varies from the age of 4 months to the age of 6 months - it is during this time period that the child's digestive system matures. The doctor determines the signs of the child's readiness for the introduction of complementary foods.

What does the concept of "common table" mean?

When does a child's digestive system become similar to that of an adult - and what does the concept of “transferring to a common table” mean?

The concept of "adult" food or "common table" for a young child implies only a gradual decrease in the degree of fineness of complementary foods and some expansion of the menu.

But we are by no means talking about the fact that now potentially allergenic or difficult to digest foods need to be introduced into the child's menu. Fried potatoes, fast food, fried borscht, shrimp and exotic fruits not typical for our strip are not suitable for young children. If you want to add any new foods to your baby's diet, be sure to talk to your baby's doctor about it.