Complementary feeding is an additional food given to infants after they reach the age of about 6 months, in addition to breastfeeding or drinking breast milk (breast milk). Complementary feeding aims to fulfill the nutritional needs of infants, which are increasing as they grow and develop.
Complementary feeding is important because breast milk alone can no longer meet all of a baby's nutritional needs after 6 months of age. Solids are usually introduced gradually, starting with foods that are soft, easy to digest, and non-allergenic, such as rice cereal, fruit or vegetable puree. As the baby grows, more complex solid foods can be given, such as porridge, rice, meat, fish and dairy products.
Complementary feeding should be done carefully and adapted to the baby's digestive ability and development. It is important to avoid giving foods that are too harsh or harmful to the baby, such as foods that contain added sugar, salt, or harmful chemicals.
How to give the right complementary food
Consult a pediatrician or nutritionist before starting complementary feeding to your baby to get the right guidelines according to your baby's needs and conditions. In order to give the right complementary food for your little one, moms and dads can also follow the following guidelines for giving complementary food to children:
Age 6 months
- Breastfeeding (breast milk) remains the main food.
- Start with soft and smooth foods, such as rice cereal porridge or oat cereal mashed with breast milk or water.
- Introduce vegetable purees, such as carrot, potato, pumpkin or spinach.
- Do not add sugar, salt or other seasonings to baby food.
Age 7-8 months
- Breast milk remains the main food, but solids can be given twice a day.
- Introduce fruit purees, such as banana, apple, pear or avocado.
- You can try giving smooth chicken or fish puree.
- Start giving foods with a coarser texture, such as rice porridge with soft vegetable pieces.
Age 9-11 months
- Breast milk is still important, but solids can be given three times a day.
- Introduce foods with more texture, such as soft pieces of fruits or vegetables.
- You can try finger foods that are safe and easy to hold, such as pieces of bread, small fruits, or steamed vegetables.
- Give foods that are rich in iron, such as red meat, fish, or crushed nuts.
Age 12 months and above
- Breastfeeding may continue until 2 years of age or beyond, but solids become the main food.
- Babies can already eat family meals that are crushed or cut into small pieces.
- Introduce a variety of foods, including grains, dairy products, meat, fish and fruits.
- Limit foods that are high in sugar, salt or other additives.
Always watch for signs of baby's readiness to accept solid foods, such as the ability to sit steadily and willingness to pick up food with his/her hands. Introduce new foods one at a time and monitor for allergic reactions or digestive problems. Also, make sure to provide hygienic and safe food, and pay attention to balanced nutrition.
While giving your little one solids, the challenge for moms and dads is that their little one often eats messily. Well, moms and dads certainly need tools to clean the remaining food that is still attached to the cheeks or lips of the little one such as wipes. But make sure to choose wipes that are safe, soft and comfortable to use for your little one's skin.
MAKUKU Air Tissue is the first lotion tissue pioneer in Indonesia that contains moisturizer. MAKUKU Air Tissue does not tear easily, does not leave white powder when applied to the skin, does not leave reddish marks, and does not cause skin irritation. So, MAKUKU Air Tissue is ideal to be used by your little one, even to clean your little one's body after changing diapers.
The texture of complementary food according to the age of the child
What is no less important when giving complementary food to your little one is to pay attention to the texture of your little one's food. Because the texture of complementary food greatly affects the comfort and safety of your little one when eating. For example, a 6-month-old baby, although it can be introduced to solid food, does not mean that the child is given whole solid food. Therefore, know the texture of complementary food according to your child's age. Here are some general guidelines on the age-appropriate texture of solids:
6-8 months old
- Initially, food should be in the form of puree or smooth porridge.
- The consistency of the food should be very soft and easily licked or swallowed by babies who do not yet have teeth.
- Avoid giving foods with rough or chunky textures at this stage.
Age 9-11 months
- Start introducing a wider range of textures to baby's food.
- You can give foods with a coarser texture, such as puree with soft vegetable pieces or small fruit pieces.
- Give foods that allow baby to bite and chew, such as soft finger foods or pieces of bread that are easy to hold.
Age 12 months and above
- Babies at this age can eat foods with textures that are increasingly similar to family meals.
- Start giving foods that are crushed or cut into small pieces, such as soft pieces of vegetables, fruits or meat.
- Babies at this age can also try foods with a chewier texture, such as pasta or cereal.
Always pay attention to the baby's ability to chew and swallow food. If the baby has difficulty with a certain texture, go back to a smoother texture and slowly introduce it again later. Also make sure to monitor the baby while eating and give them enough time to learn and adapt to the new texture. (Aq/MKK)
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