Complementary Feeding

After 6 months, breastfeeding alone is not sufficient enough to meet the nutrient requirements of the developing child. At this point, the inception of alternative feeding is recommended. And that’s when complementary feeding is introduced- starting at 6 months up to about 24 months. It is a key part in child development because it serves as a prospect for averting malnutrition, either as stunting, wasting, overweight, or obesity and even for long-term health. With appropriate complementary feeding malnutrition cases are reduced and issues to do with poor growth, poor metabolism, organ under-development etc are prevented.

Usually, it is advisable to introduce complementary feeding timely as its early or late introduction causes negative consequences.

Risks Of Early Introduction Of Complementary Feeding

  • Foods are not easily digested -The child may have difficulties digesting the foods introduced. The digestive may not be fully developed.
  • Breastmilk production is reduced-Usually breast milk production is reliant on demand and when breastfeeding ceases, milk supply decreases.
  • Increased risk of infections-Breastmilk is safe as there is reduced risk of poor hygiene and sanitation. But when food is introduced early, these risks present and cases such as rotavirus, diarrhoea become likely especially due to poor hygiene and sanitation when handling the food.
  • Malnutrition-There is incased risk of under-nutrition if the child is fed poorly and increased risk of obesity if the chilis over-fed. 

Risks Of Late Introduction Of Complementary Feeding

Malnutrition- There are increased nutrient demands for energy and protein once the child is 6 months. When you introduce complementary feeding later, your child may fail to obtain the necessary nutrients adequately since breastmilk alone then is not sufficient to meet increased nutrient demands. Consequently, the child becomes predisposed to the likelihood of under-nutrition, which may be difficult to rectify later on.

Importantly, the introduction of complementary feeding should be timely. This is to avoid risks of malnutrition, infections and poor digestion.

In our following post, we will look at the principles of complementary feeding.  

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *