By Dr Tazkia Tarannum
The birth of a baby brings immense joy along with new challenges. One common challenge parents face is transitioning from exclusive breastfeeding to complementary feeding after six months. It is recommended that, following 6 months of birth, a child’s diet needs to be complemented by a diverse group of foods to meet his or her dietary requirements, along with breastfeeding.
Then vs now
Khichuri was once considered the ultimate nutritious meal for children, and it remains an ideal option. It provides a balanced mix of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. However, children are unlikely to accept the same food at every meal.
Modern guidelines for nutrition recommend a specific amount of food directed at a specific age range. The diversification of meals is given a lot of emphasis as well, to ensure adequate nutrition for the well-being of the child.
Recent guidelines classified children from the age of 6 months into 4 groups. The groups are as follows: 6-8 months, 9-12 months, 12-18 months and 18-24 months. Using a standard 250 ml cup or bowl ensures consistent portion sizes and helps parents monitor the baby’s intake precisely.
Complementary feeding according to age
6-8 months
At the age of 6 months, the child can be encouraged to taste a variety of foods. Initially, well-mashed food, seasonal fruits and vegetables could be offered. It is better to start with vegetables before introducing fruits, so the child accepts vegetables easily. Sometimes starting with fruits might avert children from accepting vegetables.
The goal here is to introduce the food first, followed by ensuring the correct amount. The introduction needs to be in small quantities, starting from a spoon to a few spoons. Track each new food you introduce, as this helps identify any allergic reactions early. Paediatricians often recommend introducing one new food group per day.
Once the introductory phase ends, the child could eat up to 120-125 ml of food per meal which would be 1/4 of the reference bowl until the age of 8 months. The consistency of the food could gradually be changed from completely mashed to semi-mashed forms depending on the ability of the child to swallow it comfortably.
9-12 months
By now, parents usually know their child’s preferences and any allergies. At this stage, three meals and two healthy snacks per day with half a bowl (about 125 ml) per meal are recommended.
Finger foods like homemade chips, boiled carrots cut into shapes the child can hold, could be a fun way to slowly teach the child to explore food textures and start to eat little pieces on their own.
12-18 months
At this stage, children can eat small bite-sized pieces and chew soft chunks comfortably. The amount of food offered per meal should be 1/3 of a cup to 1 full cup (reference 250 ml cup), depending on the child’s ability to adapt. At this stage, the child can have 2 snacks per day consisting of fruits, homemade snacks.
18-24 months
As the child grows, the dietary requirement changes accordingly too. 3 meals per day, consisting of one bowl (reference 250 ml cup/bowl) of food is recommended. The food should be adapted to the child’s ability to chew and swallow. Be patient when adjusting food textures. Offer smaller pieces or lightly mash chunky foods to help your child adapt. 2 snacks per day are recommended along with 3 full meals.
Remember, each child is unique, and it takes time, patience and effort to introduce and continue complementary feeding. Make mealtimes a bonding experience. Avoid using devices to distract your child; instead, talk, play and let them enjoy the process of exploring food.
Do not lose hope if you require more time to accustom your child to new ways of feeding. Enjoy exploring local and seasonal ingredients to prepare dishes that your child loves and cherish mealtimes with your precious little one.
The writer holds an MBBS (Dhaka) and an MRes (Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry). She is a former District Nutrition Trainer with UNICEF’s CCTN program at NIPSOM and specialises in child nutrition and public health.
