“Pap is very good but in itself not 100 per cent adequate as the only meal. Kids will still need foods richer in proteins like egg, fish, and fats and oil e.g avocados, butter, and vitamin C from fruits.
“Of course, breastfeeding is very beneficial and recommended till two years. However, from six months, babies can gradually be introduced to the whole range of family diet as they can take; the more the variety, the better,” she said.
According to UNICEF, parents need to introduce babies to solid food from six months, in addition to breast milk, to keep up with the growing needs.
“When your baby is six months old, she is just learning to chew. Her first foods need to be soft so they’re very easy to swallow, such as porridge or well-mashed fruits and vegetables. Did you know that when the porridge is too watery, it doesn’t have as many nutrients? To make it more nutritious, cook it until it’s thick enough not to run off the spoon.
“Feed your baby when you see her give signs that she’s hungry – such as putting her hands to her mouth. After washing hands, start by giving your baby just two to three spoonfuls of soft food, twice a day. At this age, her stomach is small so she can only eat small amounts at each meal.
“The taste of a new food may surprise your baby. Give her time to get used to these new foods and flavours. Be patient and don’t force your baby to eat. Watch for signs that she is full and stop feeding her then.
“As your baby grows, her stomach also grows and she can eat more food with each meal,” UNICEF said.
On feeding non-breastfed babies, the UN agency said such babies will need to eat more often and rely on other foods, including milk products, to get all the nutrition needed.
“Start to give your baby solid foods at 6 months of age, just as a breastfed baby would need. Begin with two to three spoonfuls of soft and mashed food four times a day, which will give her the nutrients she needs without breast milk.
“From six to eight months old, she’ll need half a cup of soft food four times a day, plus a healthy snack.
“From nine to 11 months old, she’ll need half a cup of food four to five times a day, plus two healthy snacks,” it said.
Source: HealthWise
