The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF recommend:
Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months has various benefits for both the baby and the mother.
Breastfeeding is an important energy and nutrient source. It can meet:
At 6 months of age, the infant’s energy and nutritional needs begin to exceed the amount provided by breast milk. Therefore complementary foods are required to meet these needs.
The principles of proper complementary feeding are:
In the following table, the neurological development of infants and young children and implications for types of foods that can be consumed at different ages are summarized:
There is no evidence on the ideal order in which the food groups should be introduced to an infant which starts the consumption of solid foods. By the time of 7 to 8 months can eat a variety of foods from different food groups. The following table presents some indicative recommendations on how the solid foods should be introduced to an infant.
Daily energy intake should be:
Macronutrients:
To avoid chocking hazards:
Divide the 1 recommended serving of fruit to 2 halves though the day.
Ensure that the freshly squeezed juice is consumed in a limited timeframe, either wise the vitamin content may abate.