Not Too Soon, Not Too Late

Complementary feeding is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as giving other foods in addition to breast milk, and these other foods are called complementary foods. Examples of complementary foods include cereals, fruit puree, or vegetable broth.

Why are complementary foods needed?

Complementary foods are important for both nutritional and developmental reasons. From a nutritional perspective, breast milk alone can no longer meet the nutritional needs of an infant from about 6 months of age. Looking from a developmental perspective, infants will develop the ability to chew and start to show an interest in foods other than milk alone. Hence, it is important to ensure proper complementary feeding as it is a critical time to establish good eating habits.

When should complementary feeding be started?

It is difficult to pinpoint the ideal time to introduce complementary foods as every child’s needs are unique. However, the WHO has recommended that infants should be exclusively breastfed for six months before the introduction of complementary foods. This is also the age when their digestive system is mature enough to digest a range of foods.

Signs that a child is ready to start complementary foods include:

• Can control his tongue better. A child’s tongue thrust reflex will push solid objects out of the mouth and this usually disappears by 4 to 6 months of age.
• Can close his lips over a spoon and scrape food off as the spoon is removed from his mouth.
• Develops up-and-down munching movement (munching is the earliest form of chewing).
• Receives frequent breastfeeds but appears hungry soon after.

Reminder: A child’s development does not always match his or her chronological age. Some may be developmentally delayed in their feeding skills due to prematurity, low birth weight, neuromuscular delay or other causes. Consult your doctor if your child has feeding difficulties.

Continue to Breastfeed Your Child

Although complementary foods fill the gap between the total nutritional needs of the child and the amounts provided by breast milk, it does not mean that breastfeeding should stop. Instead, mothers are encouraged to continue breastfeeding her child up to 2 years of age and beyond so that the child can enjoy optimum nutrition, leading to optimal health in the future.

The dangers of starting complementary feeding too soon or too late
Starting Too Soon	Starting Too Late
May displace breast milk, leading to insufficient energy and nutrient intake, as well as reduced production of breast milk. The risk of diarrhoeal disease and other illnesses as complementary foods may not be as clean as breast milk. Possibility of developing food allergies increases because of intestinal immaturity.	The child may not get the extra food needed to fill the energy and nutrient gaps, leading to growth faltering, malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Optimal motor-development such as sucking and chewing, and the acceptance on new tastes and textures may not be ensured.