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
