After the age of 6 months, the baby needs additional food along with breast milk. Because after the age of 5 months, a growing baby needs balanced food for nutrition and development. Mother's milk is not enough to meet his needs. Therefore, besides breast milk, additional food should be given to the child.
Complementary food is
the food that is given to the child in addition to mother's milk from the age of 6 months for the normal growth and development of the child.
Baby extra food
Why is it necessary?
- Physical growth and mental development of the baby during infancy depends on mother's milk intake and after full 6 months of age on mother's milk along with other complementary foods.
- In the first year of human life growth is more rapid than in later years. After 6 months of normal condition of the baby, only mother's milk does not meet the needs of the baby after the age of 6 months. So for the normal growth of the baby, he must be given extra food along with mother's milk.
Things to note in giving new food to the baby
Small children cannot eat too much at one time. So they should be given little food every now and then. But care should be taken that the food does not contain excess water. A variety of food will be well accepted by the baby and will not get boring.
If you want to give new food to the child, how many special aspects should be observed, such as:
- Child's physical condition, age, weight etc.
- Energy, non-fat and other nutrient requirements should be determined according to the age of the child.
- Foods should be selected in such a way that they are easily digestible, nutritious and readily available.
- The child should usually sit and eat with his parents, as a result he will be encouraged to eat. A child should not be forced to eat any food. If the child is hungry, you will eat.
- How well the baby has digested the new food can be determined by looking at the stool and recording weight gain (through a baby growth chart or card).
- Baby food should be pure and safe.
- It is better not to give the same food every day. Baby food should be small in quantity but rich in necessary calories.
Additional or supplementary food for the baby at the age of 6 months
Some of the foods that are applicable for the baby as a supplement along with mother's milk from the age of 6 months are mentioned:
1. Boiled potatoes and dal chatkiye
2. Bread soaked in dal or milk
3. Fruit juice and fresh fruits (local fruits such as banana, papaya, jackfruit, guava, mango, pineapple etc.)
4. Milk pies or semolina cooked with milk
5. Soft-boiled eggs
6. Rice, breadcrumbs, chira, softened with milk
7. Cook soft khichuri with vegetables, rice, pulses and oil
8. Boil tomatoes, beans, cauliflower, beans and other vegetables well and crisp them
9. Normal food in quantity. But there should be less salt and spice 10. Cooked fish can also be served with all these dishes
11. Iodized salt should be used with food
What can be the problem if you do not give complementary food on time?
- If appropriate complementary or complementary foods are started too late, the physical and mental growth of the child is disturbed.
- Children suffer from malnutrition, which affects the rest of their lives. As a result, various malnutrition symptoms appear.
Frequently Asked Questions 1. From when should the child be given extra food? Answer. After the age of 6 months, the baby should be given additional food in addition to breast milk.
Q. 2. If the child is 6 months old, which foods are applicable to the child as a supplement with mother's milk?
Answer. At this time, all the foods that are suitable for the baby as a supplement along with the mother's milk are:
1. Boiled potatoes and chopped pulses
2. Bread soaked in dal or milk
3. Fruit juice and fresh fruits (local fruits such as banana, papaya, jackfruit, guava, mango, pineapple etc.)
4. Milk pies or semolina cooked with milk
5. Soft-boiled eggs
6. Rice, breadcrumbs, chira, softened with milk
7. Cook soft khichuri with vegetables, rice, pulses and oil
8. Boil tomatoes, beans, cauliflower, beans and other vegetables well and crisp them
9. Normal food in quantity. But there should be less salt and spice
10. Cooked fish can also be served with all these dishes
11. Iodized salt should be used with food
Q. 3. What can be a problem if supplementary food is not given on time
? Answer.
- If appropriate complementary or complementary foods are started too late, the physical and mental growth of the child is disturbed.
- Children suffer from malnutrition, which affects the rest of their lives. As a result, various malnutrition symptoms appear.
