Introduction
As a baby is born into this world, it begins its journey by taking its first breath and tasting its mother’s milk. For the first six months of life, breastfeeding is considered the best form of nutrition for the baby. The introduction of complementary feeding from exclusive breastfeeding is a major milestone in the growth of an infant. It is the point where the child‘s body starts requiring more nutrition than the one obtained from breast milk alone.
What Is Complimentary Feeding?
Complimentary feeding, also known as weaning, introduces semi-solid or solid food to the infant. It involves the transition from exclusive breastfeeding or formula feeding to solid foods. It is a pivotal phase in the child's development and usually occurs at six months. The idea is to increase the nutritional supply required for the growing child based on age and demands. The goal is to introduce and supply a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and calories necessary for proper growth and development. The quality, timing, and safety of these foods must be taken into account, as they will play a role in promoting lifelong healthy eating habits in the child.
What Is the Significance of Complementary Feeding?
An infant starts requiring more nutrients and reaches a stage where they are ready to explore new foods. This transition, known as complementary feeding, introduces foods with better nutritional values. Complimentary feeding is vital to a child because:
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Increasing nutritional needs that are not met by breastmilk alone.
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Infants meet the developmental stage, where they can handle and digest solid foods better.
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Until six months, complementary feeding is not introduced, keeping in mind the exposure to various microbes. At six months, they begin to explore independently and are exposed to contaminants.
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It is necessary for better development of cognitive and motor abilities.
What Are the Guiding Principles of Complimentary Feeding?
The transition to complimentary feeding is guided by ten fundamental principles, which are designed to ensure adequate nutrition and health for the infant. These principles take into account the child’s developmental stage, nutritional requirements, and environmental situations. The principles are:
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Exclusive Breastfeeding for the First Six Months: According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an infant must be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, and no other food should be consumed. This ensures the child has optimal nutrition and growth and develops a proper digestive system.
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Breastfeeding up to Two Years or Beyond: Mothers can choose to breastfeed the child until it turns two (ideally) or beyond as it has good nutrition and protective factors. This is along with complimentary feeding of solids.
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Practice Response Feeding: Responsive feeding focuses not on when but on how, what, where, and by whom the child is fed. Caregivers should feed the child when the child is hungry and at a normal pace and help to form good eating habits.
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Practice Good Hygiene and Proper Food Handling: Young children are exposed to microorganisms very often, and microbial contamination of the food is a common cause of diarrhea. Hence, the food is recommended to be prepared with utmost care and stored in clean containers.
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Start Complimentary Feeding at Six Months: When the baby is six months old and has more nutritional needs than breast milk can meet, complementary feeding should be started. The baby is developmentally ready to experiment with and eat different meals at this point.
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Gradual Introduction of Food Consistency and Variety: As the baby gets older, the consistency and texture should change in a way the baby can digest or eat. So first, food in puree form is introduced at six months, and later, small pieces slowly work their way up to finger foods.
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Increase the Frequency of Feeding as the Child Gets Older: As the child grows, the energy requirements, portion sizes, and appetite all increase. Hence, the frequency must also be increased accordingly. Nutritious snacks can also be introduced in between meals based on the child’s needs and appetite.
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Feed a Variety of Nutrient Rich Food: Introduce foods that are rich in protein, energy, and essential micronutrients like iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin C, and folate. Variety in the diet is essential for ensuring all needs are met.
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Use Fortified Complimentary Food or Vitamin-Mineral Supplements: When the child’s food does not have the required nutrition, fortified foods and vitamins can be given to meet the needs. Such foods are chosen based on the needs and lack of availability of the local foods and the child’s ability to digest them.
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Increase Fluid Intake During Illness and Recovery: When the child is sick, more fluid and soft food intake have to be encouraged. Once the child’s health is improved, appetite may also improve, and an additional portion can be introduced accordingly.
What Are the Recommended Micronutrient Supplementations?
Micronutrients are essential for proper growth development and immune system development. The specific micronutrient recommendations are as follows:
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Vitamin A: In high-risk areas, universal vitamin A supplementation is advised for children aged 6 to 59 months. Youngsters who live near youngsters who are vitamin A deficient or who have specific medical issues should also receive high-dose vitamin A.
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Iron: Iron supplements are often not chosen compared to fortified foods during the supplemental feeding stage. It is not recommended to provide iron supplementation to children in areas with prevalent malaria or infectious diseases. For the prevention and control of anemia (decreased red blood cell condition), proper screening for iron deficiency and providing treatment and drugs for anti-malaria are necessary.
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Iodine: It is advised to use universal salt iodization (USI) to guarantee an adequate intake of iodine. On the other hand, susceptible populations may require iodine supplementation in areas with severe iodine deficiency.
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Zinc: Supplementing with zinc is advised as an adjuvant treatment for diarrhea. Zinc (20 milligrams per day) should be given to children who have diarrhea for 10 to 14 days. The dosage for babies under six months old should be 10 mg per day.
What Is the Current Scenario Surrounding Complementary Feeding?
The introduction of complementary feeding is a global issue, particularly in areas where there are nutritional difficulties. It is essential for children's healthy growth and development throughout this stage to make sure they obtain enough nutrients. Nonetheless, the state of affairs now differs among nations and societies.
Challenges:
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Access to Foods High in Nutrients: Getting access to foods high in nutrients can be difficult in many places, especially in low-income areas. A balanced diet can be difficult to offer due to a lack of money and food availability.
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Knowledge Gaps: When it comes to the significance of complementary feeding, the kinds of foods to introduce, and appropriate feeding techniques, there may be gaps in the understanding of communities and caregivers.
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Food Safety and Hygiene: In places with inadequate infrastructure for sanitation and hygiene, it might be difficult to ensure the proper preparation and handling of supplemental foods.
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Micronutrient Deficiencies: Throughout the world, micronutrient deficiencies, such as iron deficiency anemia (decreased RBC due to reduced iron content) and vitamin A deficiency, continue to be major health problems.
Progress:
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Health Initiatives: To improve child nutrition and teach caregivers about supplemental feeding, a number of nations and organizations have launched health initiatives.
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Local Adaptation: Modifying feeding rules locally is becoming more and more typical. Nutritionists collaborate extensively with communities to customize suggestions to meet their unique requirements.
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Research and Development: Constant work in this area has produced fortified foods and supplements that can aid in the treatment of micronutrient shortages.
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Nutrition Education: Programs that teach caregivers the value of a varied diet, safe food preparation, and proper hygiene have grown in number.
Conclusion
A child's life enters a critical stage when they begin receiving complementary feedings. It is based on a set of guidelines intended to make sure the child gets the nutrition they need to grow and develop. In places where nutritional deficits are common, micronutrient supplementation is essential. To match guidelines with cultural customs and the unique nutritional environment of each place, local customization of feeding recommendations is essential.
