Proteins: their role in dietary diversification

Did you know?

You can introduce proteins right from the start of Baby's weaning. Yes, really — whether Baby is 4, 5 or 6 months old, it's a great way to begin exploring flavours.

Not very comfortable with the topic of weaning?

Read our article "Weaning — what is it? The 5 key steps"

What are proteins?

Proteins are macro-nutrients, like carbohydrates and lipids. Among these three, there's no need to favour one over the others — they are all useful for the proper functioning of the machine (yes, the body).

For Baby, proteins are essential for growth: they are involved in muscle and skin renewal, and in bone mass. They make up antibodies, hormones, and enzymes. In short, the right balance is key — and we're here to help.

According to ANSES (the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety):

"In the body, proteins play essential roles:

a structural role, contributing to the renewal of muscle tissue, appendages (hair, nails, body hair), bone matrix, skin, etc.
they are involved in many physiological processes, for example in the form of digestive enzymes, hormones, receptors or immunoglobulins (antibodies)."

Animal proteins

These are the richest in essential amino acids. Aptly named: meat, egg, fish. And let's not overlook oily fish and their superb contribution of DHA*.

Another source: dairy products, often overlooked — poor things! We're talking about milk and milk derivatives.

*DHA (or docosahexaenoic acid) is one of the polyunsaturated fatty acids belonging to the Omega-3 family. These fatty acids are not produced by the human body, so it is important to provide sufficient quantities through diet.

Plant-based proteins

Cereals and legumes, without going into too much detail, are packed with amino acids. However, there is always ONE missing amino acid that limits the protein intake for the body, which is why we need to combine both protein sources: cereals and legumes.

For example, vegetarian couscous is great for protein intake. Same goes for dhal, that Indian speciality. Or the combination of rice and soya! Pairing them together gives a truly complete protein.

Oilseeds, walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts… are very rich in protein (and healthy fats).

Tree nuts (never whole before 3 years old, as there is a choking risk) can be offered to Baby from 4 months. They can be introduced in powder or purée form, for example, but in very small quantities (half a teaspoon).

When do we start?

You can start introducing animal and plant proteins from 4 months, right at the beginning of weaning. It's all about discovery before 6 months!

It's easier to start with white meats: chicken, turkey,
veal, plain cooked ham (without fat and without salt).
Fish can also be given twice a week: Alaska pollock, cod and at least one oily fish: salmon, mackerel… As well as mashed hard-boiled egg (well cooked). For plant-based proteins, once Baby has tasted them separately and taken to this new flavour, give them consistently alongside vegetables (approximately ¼ plant-based proteins blended with ¾ vegetables).
Wholegrain starchy foods are also introduced, if Baby digests them well, along with gluten.

How do I know if my baby is ready?

Proteins are provided solely by breast milk (or infant formula). This is more than enough for Baby.

We introduce plant-based proteins by adding cereals and sometimes a little potato to purées: ¼ cereals or pulses to ¾ vegetables.

That's 5g per day for meat, fish, and hard-boiled egg — about one teaspoon.

We add 10g of protein (meat, fish, egg) to the vegetable purée once a day — in Popote language, that's 1/3 of a pouch. You can also add a petit suisse or 50g of fromage blanc.

On the plant-based protein side, we go half and half with the vegetables.

Popote advantage: offer Baby fish or meat to taste separately so they get used to the flavour of chicken, turkey, veal, Alaska pollock…

We move to a minced texture to help Baby learn to use those little canines that were so painful to come through.

We stay at 10g of protein.

We also introduce more cereals: cooked pasta, rice, vermicelli and a few skinless pulses such as split peas. Per day, you can add 50 to 150g of pasta or rice, depending on Baby's age and appetite. Always keep it half and half with vegetables.

Note: no processed meats at this age, even if the temptation strikes.

We move on to small pieces — Baby gradually learns to chew. We move up to 20g of meat, fish, egg or plant-based proteins. And we offer 2–3 dairy products per day.

If you want to know everything (and impress at dinner parties) — 6 tips!

1. Replace the fat with a nut butter such as almond butter from an organic shop — it makes a nice change and it's delicious!

2. Top of the protein podium, it's the egg that takes first place — it's "the perfect protein". Give it with both yolk and white, always very well cooked (well-cooked, sorry). As for cooking proteins for babies: everything must be served well cooked for little ones! No steak tartare for Baby.

3. Choose dairy products made with pasteurised milk, except for hard cooked-curd cheeses such as Gruyère or Beaufort, and with whole milk (no raw milk, no 0%, avoid semi-skimmed or skimmed milk before the age of 3).

4. Please note, do not exceed 800ml of infant formula after 1 year, as this would provide too much protein. If you are breastfeeding, feed on demand (as well as being the best option for Baby, it's convenient — no need to count). Keep the breastfeed (or follow-on formula) until 3 years.

5. You don't have to eat them every day! And increasing protein intake won't necessarily cause a small eater to gain weight.

6. Don't forget, oily fish twice a week (the same quantities as for meat). Also excellent for healthy fats!

Popote's tips: replace the fat with a nut butter such as almond butter from your organic shop — it makes a nice change and tastes wonderful!

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Proteins for babies from 6 months

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