In our last issue, we touched on the three pillars of complementary feeding, which are nutritional needs (foods should have the equivalent nutritional value of breast milk), timeliness (the stages when baby should receive complementary foods) and adequacy (which depends on the variety of food at home and the feeding practices of the parents or caregivers).
Apart from these three pillars, you should also ensure your baby is fed according to these guiding principles:
Safe preparation and storage
Complementary foods should be prepared and served in a safe manner to avoid contamination. Practice good hygiene and proper handling. Always wash your hands before preparing food. Use clean utensils to prepare and serve, store foods safely and serve foods immediately after preparation. Expressed breast milk can be stored in a clean container and refrigerated for 24-48 hours; in our climate, it can also be stored for up to 4 – 8 hours without refrigeration.
Baby’s Menu
Here’s a good mix of complementary foods to feed your baby to make certain that he gets enough energy, protein and micronutrients for healthy growth and development. This mix of complementary foods to breast milk can make a complete diet for baby.
Morning: Cereal porridge
Midday: Rice porridge + beans + papaya
Evening: Rice + fish + green leafy veggies
Snacks (2): Banana; bread
Amounts
Start complementary feeding with small amounts of food and increase the quantity as baby grows. You can start off by giving 1 or 2 teaspoons twice a day, and gradually increase the amount and variety. By 9 months, your baby can eat several spoonfuls (or about half a cup) of a mixture of family foods at each meal. Breastfeeding should also be continued until two years of age or beyond.
Food Types
Rice porridge and ready-to-eat infant cereals (rice) are usually baby’s first foods. Include meat, poultry, fish or eggs as well as vitamin A and C-rich fruits and vegetables daily.
Baby can eat sieved, pureed or mashed semi-solid foods at 6 months of age. By 8 months, he can eat finger foods (snacks that can be eaten by kids alone) and by 12 months, most children can eat the same types of food as you (but remember that they need nutrientdense food).
Don’t add sugar or salt to baby’s foods, use onion and vegetables to add flavor, keep it simple and not spicy. Keep in mind that food prepared at home is always best for baby (and you!).
Does baby need supplements or fortified products?
If you think your baby needs fortified complementary foods or vitamin-mineral supplements, consult your paediatrician first. Some breastfeeding mothers may require supplements or fortified products for their own health and to ensure sufficient amounts of certain nutrients in their breast milk.
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