STARTING SOLIDS | COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING
The Dietary Guidelines for Indian Academy of Pediatrics recommend that infants can be introduced to foods other than breast milk or infant formula when they are about 6 months old.
Introducing foods before 4 months old is not recommended. Every child is different. Around the age of 6 months, an infant’s need for energy and nutrients starts to exceed what is provided by breast milk, and complementary foods are necessary to meet those needs. An infant of this age is also developmentally ready for other foods. If complementary foods are not introduced around the age of 6 months, or if they are given inappropriately, an infant’s growth may falter.A baby needs focus to eat, so start a routine where you wash their hands, soothe them, and then sit them down to eat.
You can also establish a routine around eating by creating a feeding schedule.
Between 6 and 9 months, your baby will be learning to eat solids and you can offer baby food two to three times a day, gradually increasing the amount they are getting. By the time they’re 9 months old, they may be on a more routine feeding schedule. Between 9 and 12 months, you can offer solids three to four times a day.
There can be a plethora of questions in your mind in this journey with starting solids like..
- Is your baby ready for foods other than breast milk or infant formula?
- What kind of food groups should be introduced and when?
- What are the do’s and dont’s of feeding solids to your baby?
- What is responsive feeding?
- How to make sure your child is getting adequate nutrients?
- What is the difference between gagging vs choking
As a parent, if you wish to be educated in detail about starting solids in your baby, click below.
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The children be introduced to foods other than breast milk or infant formula when they are about 6 months old. Introducing foods before 4 months old is not recommended. Every child is different.
Solid foods may be introduced in any order. However, pureed meats, poultry, beans and iron-fortified cereals are recommended as first foods, especially if your baby has been primarily breastfed, since they provide key nutrients. Only one new single-ingredient food should be introduced at a time.
The symptoms of a picky eater can seem pretty obvious: Your baby may push away the spoon or turn their head from it. They might close their mouth as you try feeding them, spit out food, or become cranky or tired at mealtime.
From 6 months of age, you can give your baby small amounts of water, if needed, in addition to their breastmilk or formula feeds. In hot weather, it is important to offer more frequent breastfeeds or bottle-feeds if your baby is under 6 months.
Many things affect a child’s growth including their food intake and physical activity, overall health, genetics and parent’s heights. If your child is growing well, his / her weight and length / height usually track along the same growth lines over time.