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The objective of complementary feeding for 4 to 23 month-old infants.

​Complementary feeding is defined as extra food offering in addition to breast milk to help babies meet their nutrition requirement. Giving non-staple food can train babies to masticate and swallow food. Therefore; it promote them to adapt into adult diet pattern.

Principles of complementary feeding

• RESPONSIVE FEEDING

1. Feeds infants directly and assist older children when they feed themselves, noticing their hunger and satiety clue.
2. Feeds infants slowly and patiently. Do not force them if they refuse food.
3. If infants refuse many foods, experiment with different foods combination, taste, texture and encourage methods.
4. Keep eye contact during feeding, because it is the time to increase intimacy with your baby.

• SAFE PREPARATION AND STORAGE OF COMPLEMENTARY FOODS.

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before, during and after food preparation.
2. Use clean utensils to store foods safely and serve foods immediately after preparation.
3. Use clean cups and bowls when feeding children. Do not use feeding bottles too difficult to clean-up.

• NUTRIENT CONTENT OF COMPLEMENTARY FOODS.

1. Feeds a variety of foods to ensure nutrition requirement are met. Meat, poultry, fish or egg should be provided daily, or as often as possible.
2. Vegetarian diet is inappropriate for infants at this age.
3.  Provide Vitamin D-rich foods such as vitamin D fortification rice cereal, fish, egg and mushrooms.
4.  Choose iron-rich foods such as pork, liver and dark green vegetables. Moreover, provide vitamin C rich fruits to facilitate iron absorption.
5. Avoid food that is too hard to chew and swallow such as popcorn, cornbread and nuts.
6. Avoid honey offering because of the concern of Clostridium botulinum contained.
7. To cultivate a good dietary habit; provide food with light taste.