Complementary feeding: When breast milk is no longer enoughSupplementary feeding
What happens when breast milk is no longer enough to cover the nutritional needs of a baby? This is when parents must introduce complementary feeding into their child’s diet. A group where not only traditional papillae stand out, but also any solid or liquid ingredient that is contrary to the mother’s or artificial milk that the child already consumes.
According to the World Health Organization, this transition period goes from 6 to 24 months of age, being a stage of great vulnerability to malnutrition. However, this is not the only problem posed by complementary feeding. There are also many disadvantages related to the entry, premature or moderate, in this type of maintenance:
- Allergy to certain foods
- Risk of disorders of appetite regulation
- Excessive load of renal solutes and hyperosmolality
- Growth slowdown baby due to lack of nutrients
- Difficulty in executing certain motor actions
When and how to start complementary feeding
As we have mentioned before, experts recommend introducing the infant in complementary feeding when it reaches around six months. This diet will be complemented with breast milk and should be composed of ingredients of a suitable consistency, texture, and variety. Like the quantity of the portions, because they only have to satisfy the needs of the child, never exceed them. In addition, it is very important that the food is a response to the signs of hunger that the child manifests, thus stimulating this activity. Read more: The importance of vitamins for the human body in winter
As explained by the WHO, ” infants begin to receive complementary foods at 6 months, first two or three times a day between 6 and 8 months, and then, between 9 to 11 months and 12 to 24 months. months, some three or four times a day, adding nutritious snacks once or twice a day. ” The limits also exist in complementary feeding. If the baby has not yet reached the year, avoid giving whole cow’s milk, green leafy vegetables or raw honey. While before two years is not recommended the intake of bluefish or seafood, raw egg, and nuts.
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