Complementary Feeding
Complementary feeding is the introduction of other foods and liquids to a baby’s diet to provide the energy and nutrients needed for growth. Personally, i advice parents to start complimentary feedings at 6 months old.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) usually recommends complementary feedings at 4-6 months of age on the basis of developmental readiness and nutritional needs; and, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends to start complementary feeding at 6 months of age.
The following parameters will help us determine if it is good to start complementary feedings on our babies. These are:
– can raise their head independently
– can sit down with assistance
– have signs of chewing and swallowing capacity
– able to gain weight rapidly by 6 months
– has interest in food ( looks at food, tries to reach for food and puts them into their mouth).
Specialists recommend the following for the 6-8 months old infants:
– start with 2-3 tablespoons each feeding sessions gradually increasing to 1/2 cup
– feeding may be given 2-3 x /day
– introduce new foods every 2-3 days
– consistency may be from pureed to mashed and semi- solids
-For the 8month old, may have finger foods already
– the aim is to give 200kcal/ day
For the 9-11 months old infants:
– may have 3-4x a day of feeding
– may have finger foods
– aim to give 300kcal/ day
– it is also very important for baby’s to experience variety of flavors and foods
For the 12-23 months old baby’s:
– they are the independent toddlers
– foods must be well-cooked
– may offer 3-4x a day
– may give a healthy snacks of 1-2x/ day
– aim to give a total of 550kcal/ day
Complementary feeding is there to complement the milk and not to substitute the milk. They should work together for a healthy child. The aim is for the minimum acceptable diet.