Complementary feeding

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. This transition is referred to as complementary feeding.

If complementary foods are not introduced around the age of 6 months, or if they are given inappropriately, an infant’s growth may falter.

Ensuring that infants nutritional needs are met requires that complementary foods be:

• timely – meaning that they are introduced when the need for energy and nutrients exceeds what can be provided through exclusive breastfeeding;
• adequate – meaning that they provide sufficient energy, protein and micronutrients to meet a growing child’s nutritional needs;
• safe – meaning that they are hygienically stored and prepared, and fed with clean hands using clean utensils and not bottles and teats;
• properly fed – meaning that they are given consistent with a child’s signals of appetite and satiety, and that meal frequency and feeding are suitable for age.

Caregivers should take active care in the feeding of infants by being responsive to the child’s clues for hunger and also encouraging the child to eat.