Starting solid food too early can lead to all kinds of health problems. In this article you will find information about at what age a baby needs supplementary feeding and why it is not advisable to start solid food too early.
At what age does a baby need supplementary feeding?
A baby up to 6 months old gets sufficient nutrients from breast milk. Additional feeding is not necessary until this age. From 6 months onwards, most children are ready for solid food and show an interest in it. According to the World Health Organization and other sources, breast milk is no longer sufficient from this age and, among other things, the baby’s iron stores are depleted. That is why the World Health Organization and Unicef also recommend waiting until 6 months with supplementary feeding and only breastfeeding until that age for healthy development. However, the WHO information is mainly based on mothers in developing countries.
However, in some exceptional cases, supplementary feeding is necessary for 6 months. This is possible from 4 months after medical advice. An example of this is, for example, if the mother is malnourished. Vitamin and mineral supplements may be necessary, but should only be given after obtaining medical advice.
Infants who are formula fed do need supplementary feeding from 4 months onwards because the nutrients in the formula are no longer sufficient. It is then advisable to start with light supplementary feeding. However, formula is an artificial solution and only replaces breastfeeding when it is no longer sufficient. The current generation of formula does contain many nutrients, but breastfeeding still remains the best nutrition (unless otherwise advised by experts for a specific case).
Why not start supplementary feeding too early?
- The digestive system is only ready to digest solid food from about 6 months of age. Before this age, solid food can lead to digestive problems.
- Children who have been exclusively breastfed for a long time are less likely to develop allergies.
- Infants who only drink breast milk are less likely to become ill than infants who are supplemented, thanks to the antibodies they receive through breast milk.
- Children who were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months are less likely to be overweight. They also maintain their ideal weight for longer as adults.
- The step to solid food is easier from 6 months because the child is mentally ready for it.
The first snacks
The first meal does not have to be an extensive porridge. The first time the baby has to get used to the feeling of eating.
Porridges and sauces
Most clinics recommend starting with porridges. Vegetable porridge is often recommended because fruit has a greater risk of allergic reactions. They recommend starting with lighter vegetables and pureeing the vegetables with potatoes (and a little fat) until smooth. Introducing vegetables is done in steps where the same vegetable is given for a number of days before introducing another vegetable. This way, food allergies can be noticed more quickly. The porridge is given with a spoon and all ingredients are weighed in advance.
Rapley method
The Rapley method is a method that is as old as humanity and occurs all over the world. Only now has this method been given a name. It is named after Gill Rapley who works at Unicef. She prefers the term ,baby-led feeding,.
Rapley’s principles are very simple: look at your child and give your child what he or she needs. The most natural step after breastfeeding is not to feed the baby with a spoon, but with the hands. Babies can feed themselves from about 6 months. They can bring food to their mouth and eat on their own. The mother can possibly offer snacks with her hands if the baby cannot eat well enough on her own.
Babies fed according to the Rapley method are not fed porridge, but eat chunks of fruit or vegetables. The baby eats at its own pace. Often soft fruits such as banana and soft vegetables are introduced first. The risk of choking is small because the baby learns to deal with food in his mouth and does not swallow the large chunks but spits them out.
Jar food
A lot of attention is paid to the preparation of jarred food. Although these contain many nutrients, fresh food is much better. Thanks to modern production techniques and careful selection of raw materials, fewer nutrients are lost, but fresh food always contains more nutrients than preserved food. The mother also knows exactly what is in the food when preparing it. The chance of allergic reactions is thus smaller. The mother can also adjust the diet to specific nutritional needs.