Timely
At around 6 months old, an infant’s energy and nutritional needs begin to exceed those provided solely by breast milk alone, prompting developmentally appropriate introduction to other foods such as complementary feeding (CF). Global recommendations advise starting CF at this age while continuing frequent on-demand breastfeeding up until 2 years of age for both breastfed and nonbreastfed infants; this review synthesizes new evidence in support of implementation of such guidelines.
Responsive
Over the past two decades, an increasing number of nutrition programs in low and middle income countries have implemented responsive feeding recommendations into their counseling tools and nutrition programs (Figure 1). Beyond breastfeeding on demand, responsive feeding includes messages on complementary foods, mealtime distraction removal, encouraging parents to monitor and support children as they eat, as well as encouraging monitoring parents monitor and support children as they eat. CARE’s nutrition counseling card contains such recommendations grouped by child age along with advice for safely storing, cooking and preparing foods (11). 1
*The nutritional density score for these food groups does not compare favorably to that recommended by NIH for infants under three months old.
