The first twelve months of a child's life are full of continuous changes and all kinds of aspects and details that parents must pay attention to. One of the most important is undoubtedly nutrition, that is, what the baby should eat before he turns one year old. Something that, in turn, is directly related to the introduction of complementary feeding. The Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP) defines it as the process in which the baby is offered solid or liquid foods that are different from breast milk or infant formula. However, the objective is for them to be a complement to it, not a substitute.
This will take place sometime in the first six months of the baby's life. During this period, the AEP recommends that feeding be exclusively breast milk. Once that half a year has passed, it is time to introduce complementary feeding. However, it is important to take into account a series of aspects when starting this process. One of them has to do with the so-called three-day rule.
The moment parents decide to take the step of introducing complementary feeding for their baby is when this concept arises. The three-day rule is known as the procedure that aims to prevent food allergies in children. The basis is to introduce new foods into the baby's diet and observe how she reacts to them.
Parents should keep in mind that each child is unique, so the way in which they will or will not accept different foods will also be completely individual. The main advice for parents who are approaching this process is to be very patient. And, above all, do not rush, you have to go little by little, this is what the three-day rule consists of. Basically, wait that amount of time to observe the child.
Although it is worth clarifying that this is not something based on scientific bases, it does represent a good measure to give the baby and his body time to process a new food. Any symptoms and reactions that are perceived, or not, after being exposed to said new food, will inform the parents of whether it is positive or whether it causes an allergic reaction. For example, inflammation, redness, itching, pimples, diarrhea, vomiting, or, in more serious cases, inflammation of the throat and even anaphylaxis. The three-day rule can also be extended to five if you want to take extreme precautions.
