Complementary  feeding/weaning:

It means giving other foods in addition to breast milk after completion of 6 months of age.

These other foods are called complementary foods.

Appropriate CF means provision of –

• right foods
• at right time
• in right amount
• prepared and delivered hygienically along with breast milk to sustain growth of the baby.

During the period of complementary feeding, a baby gradually becomes accustomed to eating family foods. By the end of 2 years, breast milk is entirely replaced by family foods, although a child may suckle sometimes for comport.

Importance of complementary weaning/feeding:

As babies grow and become more active, an age is reached when breast milk alone is inadequate to meet the child’s nutritional needs. To meet that extra need or to fill the gap, between the total nutritional needs of the child and the amount provided by breast milk, complementary foods are added in the daily feeding schedule.

Time to  introduce complementary weaning/ feeding: 

Should be started after completion of 6 months of baby’s age

Properties of good complementary foods :

Food should be balanced one and should incorporate ingredients from the 3 main food groups

• Energy rich foods eg. Rice, Ruti, Oil, Patato
• Body building foods eg. Fish, Meat, Egg. Pulse
• Disease creventive foods eg. Vagetables, Fruits, Micronutrients.
• In addition, It should be rich in iron.

Principal of complementary weaning / feeding :

1. Practice exclusive breast feeding from birth to 6 months of age.
2. Introduce complementary foods (CF) beginning at 7 th months of age while continuing to breastfeed.
3. Continue breastfeeding on demand until 2 years of age or beyond.
4. Practice responsive feeding, applying the principles of psychosocial development.
5.  Practice good hygiene and proper food handling by washing caregiver and children’s hand.
6. Starting at 7 months, increase the quantity of solid and semisolid gradually.
7. Change the consiatncy or texture of foods as the child gets older.
8. Increase the number of times that the child is fed as child gets older.
9. Feed a variety of nutrient-rich foods to ensure that all mutimet needs are met.
10. Use vitamin-mineral supplement for the infacnt as needed.
11. During illness, increase fluid intake through more frequent breastfeeding, and encourage the child to ea soft, varied and child’s favourite foods.

What is responsive Weaning / feeding?

Responsive weaning /  feeding :

Paying attention to the baby while offering foods, watching their reaction, learning cues and responding promptly and supportively to their needs.

Technique of responsive weaning / feeding:

1. Respond positively to the child with smiles, eye contact and encouraging words.
2. Feed the child slowly and patiently with good humour.
3. Try different food combinations, tastes and textures to encourage eating.
4. Wait when the child stops eating and then offer again.
5. Give finger foods that the child can feed him/herself.
6. Minimise distraction if the child loses interest easily.
7. Stay with the child through the meal and be attentive.