Complementary Feeding: Key to Optimal Child Growth

Complementary feeding is done when breast milk alone cannot provide sufficient nutrition to infants. Therefore, other liquids and foods need to be given to infants, along with breast milk, to keep up with their nutritional needs. Any non-breast milk fluids or foods given to babies after birth are known as complementary foods.

What Foods can Infants Eat?

The first foods given to babies must be rich in iron. It includes cereals with iron, poultry, cooked meat, tofu, fish, and legumes. After this, you can begin adding a variety of vegetables, fruits, grains, and dairy foods (e.g. cheese, yogurt, and custard) to your baby’s diet.

It is also suggested that the first complementary feeding is done in the form of pureed foods. Plus, include more water in the diet to keep the baby hydrated. Breast milk or formula is the main food source of infants. So, you need to provide your baby with nutritious fruits and vegetables to improve their overall health.

Essentials of Complementary Feeding

Feeding infants and young children must be done as per the given steps:

Timely:

You need to add complementary food to your baby’s diet when he/she turns six months. Here are some signs that your baby is ready for food changes:

• Making munching movements
• Better control of tongue and neck movements
• Showing interest in what you eat
• Sitting up with less support
• Putting things in the mouth to eat

Adequate:

You have to ensure that complementary feeding is sufficient by increasing your baby’s portion size as per his/her age. You need to feed your baby frequently with growing age.

• 6–8 months old baby needs food 2–3 times/day, along with 1 to 2 nutritious snacks
• 9–11 months old baby needs food around 3–4 times/day, along with 1 to 2 nutritious snacks
• 1–3 years old baby needs food 4–5 times/day, along with 1 to 2 nutritious snacks

Appropriate:

The appropriate amount of food needed for infants is determined as per their neuromuscular development. You also need to ensure that food texture is appropriate as per the baby’s age to avoid choking.

• 6–8 months old baby needs mashed, pureed, and semi-solid foods
• 9–11 months babies need soft chopped foods like soft biscuits, fruits, etc.
• 12 months onwards babies can eat what they like, as their biting skills develop

Variety:

When growing, your baby needs essential nutrients like iron, protein, carbohydrate, fat, zinc, vitamin A, calcium, folate, and vitamin C for his/her development. It’s the time when you need to feed a variety of food to your baby, such as:

• Legumes (beans and lentils)
• Cereals, tubers, and cereal products
• Meat, fish, and poultry
• Milk and milk products (cheese and yogurt)
• Fruits and vegetables

Foods that are Not Good for Infants

It is also important to know what foods are not needed by infants, as some foods can increase the risk of illness and choking in babies.

• There is no need to add salt or sugar to foods, as these may lead to tooth decay.
• Hard, small foods like nuts, corn chips, seeds, raw carrots, lollies, apple chunks, etc. can cause choking.
• Cow’s milk must not be given unless your baby is 12 months old. However, you can use cow milk for making puree.
• Cordials, carbonated drinks, tea, fruit juice, and coffee are also not suitable for infants. Only water and breast milk are good for babies.
• Even honey is not required as a sweetener, as it can make babies ill.

Conclusion

Apart from the nutritional guide provided by a pediatrician, complementary feed is important for the development of babies. You even need to apply responsive feeding to respond quickly on demand as per your baby’s indication of fullness or hunger. If you follow the aforementioned complementary feeding practices, you can assure the optimal growth of your baby.