Guidelines for Complementary feeding of breastfeeding babies

Guidelines for Complementary feeding of breastfeeding babies

Approximately, 6 months after the baby is born, well into the practice of breastfeeding and experiencing sufficient growth spurts, human milk becomes insufficient to provide complete nourishment to the baby required at the time. Although, breastfeeding is continued even at this point, adequate nutrition is important for the growth and development of the infant. To fill this nutritive gap, other healthy foods and liquids are introduced to the baby’s diet; this process of requiring food other than breast milk is called complementary feeding and can play a crucial part in the successful mental and physical development of the infant.

Complementary feeding should occur at the proper time, not too soon when the baby is not ready to feed solids, nor too late when the baby might start suffering from malnutrition. It is at this time that malnutrition, infant illnesses such as diarrhea and nutrient deficiencies can occur if complementary feeding is not started on time and successfully. In extreme cases, if complimentary feeding is delayed to more than a year, the baby may refuse to eat solid foods at all. This malnutrition can have a long term effect on the life of the infant as a growing up child and adult, vulnerable to diseases.

Complementary feeding is a crucial time for the baby when the most important thing is the balance between breastfeeding and complementary food, the quality and appropriateness of food for an infant and the combinations of food best for growth. Maintain breastfeeding and practices such as pumping milk that encourage the continual flow of milk production can be carried out to ensure that breast milk is produced even when the baby’s intake has reduced. Manual or electric breast pumps like Medela Breast Pump can be used by mothers for this purpose. The frequency of breastfeeding should remain more or less the same since the infant is still largely dependent on mother’s milk. Breast milk continues to nourish the child providing numerous benefits that cannot be compensated for by any other way.

Babies at this time are learning how to eat solid food so they should be offered soft and healthy foods that enhance the effect of breastfeeding rather than replace it; the variety of this food can be changed after time. At 6 months, mostly mashed food softened with breast milk is best for the baby, from the 6th till 11th month, energy concentrated food important for growth should be given and after 12 months the baby can be started on the family diet. The mixtures or combinations of food are also important, and include fruits, vegetables and dairy products in the proper proportion.

The quantity of food given and its quality must be checked with the doctor or health expert. Usually it is recommended that 6 to 8 months old babies should be given 200 kcal worth of energy everyday by complementary food, 9 to 11 month olds should be given 300kcal worth of energy everyday from complementary foods and 12 to 24 month olds should be given 550 kcal worth of energy from complementary foods. Increasing the frequency of feeding complementary foods gradually with age can positively effect development as well; 6 to 8 months old should be fed complementary foods 2 to 3 times a day, 9 to 11 month olds should be fed complementary foods 3 to 4 times a day and 12 to 24 month olds should be fed complementary foods 3 to 4 times a day as well.

Sufficient gap must be given between meals and healthy snacks should be incorporated in the diet as well. Food items like meat, poultry and fish should be given frequently, however, the amount of fish should be limited since it contains levels of mercury. Fruits rich in vitamins and vegetables are important to be fed frequently; also use iodized salt, vitamin A enriched sugar, iron enriched flour etc. to prepare food for the baby. Avoid giving low-nutrient drinks such as beverages, tea or coffee etc. These products can interfere with the baby’s normal diet routine.

Feeding the baby actively and responsively is a responsibility on the part of the parents or caregiver; feed infants directly and assist older children in eating. If your children seem uninterested in eating, offer them their favourite foods, experiment with varying combinations of food if child refuses to eat, encourage children to eat but don’t force them, feed them slowly and patiently and minimize distractions during feeding. A vital part of complementary feeding is taking care of hygiene during food preparation and feeding; wash hands before and after preparation and feeding, use clean utensils to prepare food and to serve it to the baby and store food in a clean and dry place. It is also incumbent upon health care experts to educate and advise families and parents on complementary feeding, practices, problems and techniques to make it a successfully nutritious experience for the child.