FEEDING CHILDREN AT 6 MONTHS TO 2 YEARS OLD.
Complementary feeding: Gradual introduction of soft foods with continued breastfeeding till 2 years.
At 6 months as the breast milk is no longer sufficient to attain proper growth and development. Failure to provide well-balanced nutritious meals adequate, safe and appropriately fed to the child may result in weight loss.
- Provide balanced meals and choose a variety of foods.
The child’s diet should comprise;
- Body building foods (proteins) as the largest portion on the plate or cup to meet growth requirements. These include; milk, eggs, meat, fish, mukene, beans, peas, groundnuts
- Energy foods like; irish potatoes, matooke, rice, maize, millet
- Iron rich foods like beans, liver, eggs, bugga and millet. Pairing vitamin c rich foods (orange, tomato, guava, pineapple and papaya) with iron rich foods enhances absorption of iron.
- Vegetables and fruits help to provide vitamins and minerals to boost immunity against infections and healthy eyes
- Provide thick foods as the small quantity the child eats should be rich in nutrients.
Note: children have the ability stop eating when satisfied and are not expected to eat same quantities of food as adults. There is a tendency of mothers/ care-takers to over feed children at this stage which is associated with higher rates of childhood obesity.
Baby food options;
- Liquid foods like porridges (rice millet, soy and maize), fish, bean soups, milk tea, and fruit juices except lemons as they are bitter tasting.
- Mashed foods; egg yolk, irish, pumpkin, fish, matooke, beans
- Black tea, soft drinks, cakes and biscuits are not ideal infant feeds. These satisfy the child without providing the appropriate nutrients as they are high in energy with minimal or no protein which is much required for the growing infant.
- Give small frequent meals.
Age | Meals per day | Average Amount a child can eat per meal |
6-8 months | 4-5 | 2-3 tablespoons per feed gradually increasing to ½ a 250ml cup |
9-11 months | 5-6 | ½ a 250ml cup |
12-23 months | 5-6 | ¾ to a full 250ml cup |
Sample Meal Plan for a child 6 to 23 months
Meal | Breakfast | Snack | Lunch | Snack | Supper |
Dish | Thick millet-soy-rice porridge with milk or nkejje powder | Banana/ Watermelon/ banana | Mashed irish potato Mashed beans-no husk/ fish Avocado Fruit juice | Milk tea/ Porridge | Matooke Groundnuts paste with a tea spoon powdered mukene Steamed Buga Passion fruit juice |
Frequent breastfeeding between meal times or expressed breast milk | |||||
Remember you may need more specific guidance for your child. Hire a personal Dietitian through the Lya Dietitian App: https://qrco.de/bePcVC?trackSharing=1
FEEDING CHILDREN EXPOSED TO HIV
Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should to go for HIV testing at each pregnancy.
HIV-positive mothers should see a healthcare provider for infant feeding guidelines. Mothers attending prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission clinics are taught how to strictly exclusively breastfeed their children for six months irrespective of the child’s HIV status and to introduce soft foods at 6 months an continue breastfeeding till one year of age.
The mother should be taking their ARVs effectively.
Written By
Nantege Regina
Lead Dietitian: Impact Nutrition Company
Awarding Winning Nutrition Therapist 2022
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