Introduction
The survival, nutritional status and proper growth and development of infants depend mainly on feeding practises. The feeding habits vary considerably across the world though certain guidelines have been put forward for effective feeding.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by the introduction of adequate and safe complementary foods with continued breastfeeding up to two years and beyond.
This notion has been supported by other organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.1– 3
Advantages of Breastfeeding
Advantages of breast feeding
The mother’s milk provides all the nutrients that are necessary for the infant during the first six months of life. Additionally, it also protects the infant from infections and other disorders by providing the essential
Introduction of Solid Food
The solid foods can be introduced along with breast milk when the infant is older than six months. This is required to provide all the nutrients and minerals that are necessary for the infant at this stage of life. By the fifth month, infants are able to take soft food from the spoon and swallow, and as they reach the sixth month, their ability to use the lip and tongue during feeding increases.6
Written by: healthplus24 team
Date last updated: July 13, 2011