Providing the best nutrition during the first 1000 days of life gives the child the best start to a bright future. Dubbed as the golden window of opportunity, the first 1000 days is the period from pregnancy until the child’s 2nd year of life. A pregnant woman should be healthy to give birth to a healthy baby. After birth, optimal feeding during the first two (2) years of life will ensure the optimal growth and development of the child.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and introduction of nutritionally-adequate and safe complementary (solid) foods at 6 months together with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond as the appropriate infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices.

However, results of the 2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey conducted by the DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) show that the Philippines has a low adherence to the IYCF guidelines especially on complementary feeding. Results show that 74.2% or 7 out 10 children 6-23 months old received timely introduction of complementary feeding at 6 months and most of them eat commercial baby food instead of regular complementary food such as lugaw (porridge), mashed vegetables, fruits, etc.

The timely introduction of complementary food is a critical time for the child’s growth and development. Too early or late introduction of semi-solid and solid foods in addition to breastmilk may result to poor nutrition and increased risk for being stunted early in life.

Mothers/caregivers should take note of these four (4) aspects of a successful complementary feeding.

Timely Introduction. Introduction of complementary foods in addition to breastmilk at 6 months helps the child to grow well. Breastmilk alone can support the energy needs of the child during the first six (6) months of life. From 6 months onwards, there is a gap between the total energy needs of the child and the energy provided by breastmilk, and this gap increases as the child gets older. During this time, mothers/caregivers should give complementary foods or other foods and liquids to the child in addition to breastmilk. It is also during this time that the baby will show visual cues that he/she is ready to receive solid foods.

Adequacy of amount. To meet the needs for energy, protein and other nutrients for growth and development, children should consume adequate amounts of food from at least 4 food groups out of these seven food groups: 1) grains, roots, and tubers; 2) legumes and nuts; 3) dairy products; 4) meat, fish, poultry, liver/organ meats; 5) eggs; 6) vitamin A-rich vegetables and fruits; and 7) other fruits and vegetables daily.

Based on the 2019 ENNS, only 20.1% or 2 out of 10 children 6-23 months meet the minimum dietary diversity (MDD) or the proportion of children who receives foods from 4 or more food groups mentioned above. Infants and young children should eat a variety of foods every day.

Safety.  Practice good food safety and personal hygiene in preparing healthy complementary foods and in feeding children to prevent child illnesses, especially diarrhea. Use clean utensils to prepare and serve food. Select fresh and healthy food and reheat left-over food until hot and steaming.

Active Feeding. Foods should be given upon the child’s signals of appetite and satiety. The mother or caregiver should encourage the child to eat using his/her fingers, spoon, or self-feeding. They should sit with the child during mealtimes and help get the spoon into the mouth until the child can eat on his/her own. The child should also have his/her own separate plate.

Remember that consistency and thickness of foods matter in meeting the child’s energy needs. Foods that are thick enough to stay in the spoon give more energy to the child. Also, a growing child needs increasing amounts of food. At 6 months, feed the child twice a day and from 6-8 months, frequency of feeding may increase from 2-3 times per day. For 9-11 months, feed the child 3-4 times a day and 4-5 times a day for children 12-23 months. By 12 months, the child can already eat the same type of foods that the family eats so the child can eat together with the family during meals.

Should you have queries or concern regarding breastfeeding or feeding your child 6 months and above, drop us a message through our official Facebook Page, National Nutrition Council – NCR (www.facebook.com/nnc.ncr) and we will connect you with the NCR Breastfeeding Friends (NCR BFFs) for free IYCF counseling online.

Let us protect, promote and support proper infant and young child feeding with or without the pandemic. (TAR/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR)

Reference:

• 2016 Nutrition Month Talking Points, National Nutrition Council
• Expanded National Nutrition Survey: 2019 Results on the Nutritional Status of Filipino Infants and Young Children (0-23 months), DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute
• Complementary Feeding for Children Aged 6-23 Months (A Recipe Book for Mothers and Caregivers), FAO European Union Food Facility Project
• Infant and Young Child Feeding Counselling: An Integrated Course, Participant’s Manual, WHO and UNICEF