Although breast-feeding is the best start for the healthy and nutritional growth of a baby, after six months its requirements for vitamins, minerals, proteins and carbohydrates drastically increase and cannot be fulfilled by breast milk alone. The timely introduction of complementary feeding plays a decisive role in this transitional phase. What is equally important for parents to understand is that six-month-olds have a limited stomach capacity, which can accommodate only a small amount of food. Nutritionists therefore emphasise the importance of providing nutrition rich meals at frequent intervals. “There should be age-appropriate feeding - in terms of how many times to feed a baby and how much,” says Dr. Vaneet Parmaar, Senior Consultant Paediatrician, Privat Hospital and Offspring Clinics, Gurgaon. The child’s diet should contain adequate amounts of immune-nutrients, such as zinc, iron, calcium, and Vitamins A, C & D, to strengthen the child’s immunity, and provide the required energy and growth. According to the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in February 2013, inadequate nutrition is a contributory factor in one-third to half of all deaths of children under the age of five. 4 out of 10 children do not get complementary foods at all until they reach the age of 8 months. Nutrients such as essential fatty acids, iron and iodine assist in a child’s cognitive development and parents must ensure that their infant is provided with this nutrition preferably in a single meal in an appropriate quantity.
However, introduction of complementary feeding at too early an age (before 6 months) can result in indigestion, as well as increase the chances of allergies and obesity along with some long-term health implications such as diabetes and celiac disease. At the age of six months a baby witnesses a transition in its digestive system, which becomes mature enough to absorb a range of solid and semi-solid foods. As per UNICEF, without supplementary foods the gap (after 6 months) in a child’s energy requirements could be as high as 25%, of Iron (98%), Zinc (86%) and Calcium (72%). According to Dr. Parmaar, “Babies should start receiving complementary foods 2-3 times a day between the age of 6-8 months, increasing to 3-4 times daily between the age of 9-11 months and 12-24 months, with fortified food being offered 1-2 times per day.” Dr. Parmaar adds, “The use of traditional methods, like adding ghee, sugar or jiggery, is an appropriate way to make the child's feed nutrition-dense. It is advisable to introduce cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables one at a time, as this helps the child to familiarise with these family foods. Fortifying the food is another effective way to provide the baby adequate calories from a variety of food groups like carbohydrates, proteins and essential micronutrients (along with breast milk). Meanwhile, Dr. Parmaar States that the first two years of a baby’s life is very crucial in term of both growth and development, and any nutritional deficiencies at this stage can lead to complications. Parents should seek advice from a medical practitioner on the most suitable nutritional basket for their baby.
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