The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Complementary feeding as the process starting when breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements of infants, and therefore other foods and liquids are needed. It is recommended though that infants should continue breastfeeding along with complementary feeding which typically covers at 6-24 months of age. This is a critical period of growth during which nutrient deficiencies and illnesses contribute globally to higher rates of undernutrition among children under five years of age.

Some mothers may not realize the importance of complementary feeding among infants but it is very much essential to achieve optimal growth, development, health and nutrition. Hence, complementary feeding must also be timely, adequate, safe and properly fed. 

It is important to note that the introduction to solid foods will provide extra energy and nutrients among infants to sustain the needed amount of nutrients for normal growth and development. Generally, as babies grow rapidly they will also have relatively high metabolic rates, the time they require proportionate higher nutrients.   On the otherhand, this will also provide infants new opportunities in learning to appreciate different food tastes and textures.

In preparing complementary foods, primary caregivers should be extra careful as foods to be given among infants must also match their developmental stage considering as well the texture/consistency, frequency and amount of complementary food needed per age.

Above all, the role of Complementary feeding beyond nutrition should never be underestimated. Thus, it is very significant in overcoming the following conditions: Diarrhea, respiratory infections, anemia, overweight/obesity and other Non-communicable diseases, risk of zinc and other micronutrient deficiencies, stunting and acute malnutrition. Further, safe and optimal complementary feeding can lead to improved cognitive development, better psychosocial development and optimum growth which will provide an impact on child’s productivity in the later years influencing the socioeconomic status.

National Nutrition Council together with the Department of Health has been continuously stepping up efforts to improve, protect and promote the appropriate infant and young child feeding practices. Let’s not fail to meet our child’s development potential. Let’s ensure shaping our child’s future by not leaving a gap in the First 1000 days of life! (NOII Aurel/OIC-NPC Flores)

References: https://www.who.int/health-topics/complementary-feeding

                    https://www.foodandnutritionjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Vol2_No2_Impo_Ashm_Fig2.6.jpg

                    https://www.nutritionweek.co.za/20compfeeding.html

                    Counselling tools for Complementary feeding