Introducing solids
A few readers have asked about introducing solids, so I bounced questions off my niece,
Roxanne Smith, who has recently passed her degree in Dietetics. Roxanne’s
answers were so good, I am sharing them with you as she sent them.
First read the questions through to
find out what you know about introducing solids. Then check your answers with
Roxanne’s.
Q 1 When is the best age
to introduce solids:
A – 4 months
B – 6 months
C – when the baby is ready
Q 2 What is the best food
to start solids:
A – porridge
B – fruit
C – vegetable
Q 3 How long should babies
drink milk:
A – 1 year
B – 2 years
C – indefinitely.
Here are the answers:
Question 1: The answer is C: When your baby is ready
Reason: You should introduce solids when
your baby starts showing signs of readiness but not earlier than 4 months,
and not later than 6 months. Some signs of readiness include: the ability
to support her head and neck, being able to sit without support, taking
interest in what you’re eating, and seeming hungrier than usual.
Why not earlier than 4
months?
Before four
months, your baby’s digestive system is not mature enough to handle solid food.
Studies have shown an increased risk of allergies (particularly eczema) with
early introduction of solids. Furthermore, when solids are introduced early,
infants often gain weight too quickly. This can increase their risk of being
overweight/obese and developing diabetes and other chronic diseases as adults.
Why not later than 6
months?
Around six
months your baby’s iron stores are depleted and breast-milk (or formula) does not
contain enough iron to support your baby’s growth. After six months, infants
also need more energy and nutrients, and milk alone does not meet these needs.
Late introduction of solid foods also increases the risk of allergies.
When solids are introduced very late, babies don’t get used to the bulk
of solids, and may gag when the food is lumpy.
**Special
Consideration: HIV+ mommies who are exclusively breastfeeding:
If you are HIV+ and breastfeeding,
you should wait until 6 months to introduce solids. The risk of transmitting
the HIV virus to your baby can increase if you introduce solids earlier.
Remember that if you have been exclusively breastfeeding, you should continue
breastfeeding after introducing solids for up to 24 months (and keep taking your
ARVs).
Question 2: The answer is A: Iron-fortified porridge /
cereal
Reason: Around six months your baby’s iron
stores are depleted and breastmilk (or formula) does not contain enough iron to
support your baby’s growth. Iron fortified cereal should be given first to
supplement iron stores. Make sure the cereal/porridge is gluten free and don’t
add any sugar or salt. Give vegetables next (before fruit) as it may be
difficult to introduce vegetables after fruit because your baby will be used to
sweet tastes.
Question 3: The answer is B: About 2 years (depends on
the type of milk)
Breastmilk: Continue breastfeeding to at least 12 months, but try to
breastfeed to 24 months or beyond if possible. If you can only breastfeed until
12 months, you can give cow’s milk, or a growing-up formula (formula 3) from 12
months.
Formula feeding: Continue to formula feed (formula 2) until 12 months.
After 12 months you can give cow’s milk or a growing-up formula (formula 3).
Cow’s milk: Do not give cow’s milk before 12 months. Cow’s milk can be
started at 12 months, and continued indefinitely.
Reason: Even though solids have been introduced, until 12 months,
breastmilk (or formula) should provide about half your baby’s nutrition. From
one year on, solid food should form the base of your child’s nutrition, with
breastmilk (or formula) contributing about 1/3 nutritional needs. Continued
breastfeeding to two years or beyond is recommended as it provides continued
bonding with the mother, protection from illness, and excellent nutrition.
Remember that toddlers will stop breastfeeding as part of their natural
development.
Always use full-cream (not fat-free) pasteurised milk.
