Introduction of complementary solid food is usually a gradual
process over several weeks or months, starting at about 6 months of age. The
exact timing is determined by the individual infant and mother, and reflects
the fact that breast milk will suffice in those first months but will no longer
be able to provide adequate nutrition by itself as the baby grows. The
introduction of complementary foods by about 6 months is important to ensure
normal chewing and speech development The quality, number and variety of solid
feeds can be increased gradually at a pace that will be generally dictated by
the child. Cereals are generally the first foods that are introduced into the
infant's diet (mixed with a little breast milk or formula), with purées of
vegetables and fruits and meats to follow. By exclusive breast feeding up to 4
to 6 months of age, the likelihood of allergies is lessened. Foods that are
more likely to cause allergic reactions in sensitive children, such as egg
whites and fish, are generally introduced after 12 months of age.
With present changes in lifestyle, commercially available baby
food plays a growing role in the diet of children and should therefore meet
strict standards of quality and safety. The convenience and variety
of foods available make them a good option to use to complement home-prepared
foods. Commercial baby foods are prepared from fresh fruits, vegetables and
meat with no added preservatives and must meet very strict standards.
An important consideration in the first year of life is the amount of iron supplied in the diet and iron deficiency anaemia is routinely screened for during infancy. The use of an iron-fortified formula or cereal, and the provision of iron-rich foods such as pureed meats can help to prevent this.
