Around 6 months, an infant’s energy and nutritional needs start surpassing what can be provided through breast milk alone, necessitating complementary feeding – when new foods should be introduced properly as well as appropriate amounts of dietary supplements taken – in order to promote growth, nutrition, health and behavioral development (1).
Complementary feeding
Complementary feeding refers to supplementing breast milk with other food and liquids beginning around six months of age. It offers an important opportunity for optimal development by providing additional foods and liquids such as potatoes, posho/maize or millet, simsim paste vegetables and fish; honey contains bacteria which could potentially cause infant botulism (3, 4). Children in their complementary feeding stages are recommended to consume an array of energy- and nutrient-rich foods including matooke banana, potatoes, posho/maize or millet, simsim paste vegetables and fish; all recommended energy/nutrition sources (3, 4). It is advised that children in their complementary feeding stage consume a variety of energy- and nutrient rich foods including matooke banana, potatoes posho/maize/millet simsim paste vegetables and fish but avoid honey as this contain bacteria which may cause infant botulism (3, 4).
Studies have consistently demonstrated the positive results of providing complementary foods and nutritional counselling at the right time to result in increases in both weight and height, particularly among food insecure populations. It has been demonstrated to be highly effective intervention to increase height and weight in children (12). Furthermore, proper complementary feeding interventions may also help decrease malnutrition prevalence especially among stunted children (4, 5, 6).
Complementary foods
Complementary foods refer to liquids, semi-solids and solids other than breast milk or infant formula that provide energy and nutrition to infants and young children. The TEC has conducted systematic reviews on when complementary food introduction should occur, the types and amounts consumed, their impact on various outcomes as well as any possible safety concerns (please refer to Complementary Feeding TEC factsheet for more).
Children should remain exclusively breastfed until six months. At that point, transition to other foods should start slowly with small quantities of high quality and nutritious options that will support overall development and safety.
In many countries, unfortified complementary foods fail to meet recommended nutrient intakes for key micronutrients like iron. Consumption of animal-sourced food sources could potentially meet this need but is generally impractical for low income groups.
Supplements
Dietary supplements do not fall under the same regulation as food or pharmaceutical drugs; their manufacturers must follow certain production standards, but are not required to prove that their product works before selling it on the market. The Food and Drug Administration monitors any adverse event reports from users of dietary supplements and may take appropriate action should a potentially unsafe product appear in stores.
Search for third-party certified supplements from organizations like U.S. Pharmacopeia, ConsumerLab or NSF International that have been tested and found safe. Also be wary of products making structure or function claims that promise they’ll treat or prevent specific diseases or health conditions.
These claims have not been substantiated by the FDA and should be taken with caution. You can avoid these unsubstantiated and therefore misleading claims by looking for supplements with the “Informed Choice” label from FDA on their packaging; or speak directly with their manufacturers about what research supports their claims and production standards are used.
