Guide to Introducing Breastmilk Complementary Foods for Babies

Providing complementary feeding or first feeding for babies should not be done carelessly. There are several things that need to be considered, starting from the readiness to eat Little, the type of food provided, to the appropriate way of providing complementary feeding.

Giving the first MPASI to the baby needs to be done correctly. The reason is, if MPASI is given with an inappropriate amount, composition, and time, the baby can actually be difficult to eat. As a result, the baby's nutritional intake is insufficient, so that health and growth and development disturbed.

Good MPASI Giving Strategy According to Doctor's Recommendation

There are 4 points to consider in giving a baby's first MPASI, which is:

1. Readiness baby

The first MPASI can be given when the baby is 6 months old. At that age, the digestive system is sufficiently developed to be able to digest solid food properly.

In addition to age, your child's readiness to receive MPASI can be seen from the following signs:

• Like to put a hand or toy in your mouth.
• Can sit and hold his head in an upright position, although he still needs a backrest to hold his body.
• Interested when seeing someone eating, for example by saying "aah" or trying to reach for a spoon or food that is Mother or Father holding.
• There is a response from Little by opening his mouth when given food or a spoon.
• Can reach for food and put it in the mouth.

2. Types of food provided

MPASI must contain balanced nutrition in order to provide all the nutrients needed by babies, namely carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The first MPASI should start with foods that have been mashed or can also be diluted foods that have been filtered.

Gradually, Mother can change the texture of food that was initially thinner or more liquid to become more dense. The following are the first MPASI steps that can be given to babies:

• Baby-specific porridge Special baby porridge or baby cereal is one type of early MPASI that is practical and easy to make. To enrich the nutritional intake of your child, Mother can mix porridge or baby cereal with breast milk or formula milk.

• MPASI vegetables and fruit
  Every now and then Mother can give Little Boiled or steamed vegetables. Some types of vegetables that are good to be given as MPASI include potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and sweet potatoes Not only vegetables, certain fruits, such as melons, apples, avocados, bananas, and papaya, are also good to be given as food for babies.

• Finger food Finger food is food that is cut small to the size of the finger of the Mother to be easily grasped and eaten by babies. You can give your little one a sliced ​​banana or avocado as finger food. However, finger food is usually only given to babies from the age of 9-12 months.>

• Advanced food
  If you are already accustomed to consuming MPASI and your child enjoys it, try giving other foods, such as rice, bread, tofu, tempeh, boiled eggs, and fish and meat. This type of food can already be given to Little One at the age of 9 months.

Mother needs to remember, these foods still need to be cooked until soft or finely chopped so that the Little One is easier to eat and not choke.

Mother is also recommended to teach Little to drink directly from a cup or glass when starting to give MPASI. This will train his ability to drink, as well as good for his teeth growth.

When giving Baby Little MPASI, Mother is advised not to add sugar, salt, or flavoring.

3. Frequency and number of MPASI

Initially, babies are fed at least 2-3 times a day, with 1 snack. However, after 8-9 months of age, babies have started to be able to eat as much as 3 times a day. At the age of 12 months and over, babies are able to eat 3-4 times a day.

Whereas the recommended initial MPASI is around 2-3 tablespoons. Furthermore, Mother can multiply the portion of MPASI gradually according to your child's appetite.

4. Not forcing to eat

Giving MPASI must be in a responsive way, meaning Mother is advised to give MPASI when your child is hungry and stop giving it when he has started to fill or refuse to eat. To make it easier, Mother is advised to give Little MPASI regularly according to her eating schedule.

Food recognition usually requires a short amount of time. Therefore, Mother must be patient and do not force Little to spend food. If this time he is not interested, try again another time.

Feeding the baby should be slow and not in a hurry, so he does not choke. If your child shows an interest in eating by himself, give him occasional opportunities to eat with his hands directly.

Also provide a variety of choices of flavors and types of healthy foods so that your little one can get to know more of the flavors and train them to not become a 'food picker'. Also make sure the food given to Little is always clean, fresh, and not too hot.

One thing that Mother needs to understand also is that this MPASI is a companion and is not to replace the intake of breast milk or formula milk as the main source of nutrition for babies everyday. Therefore, keep breastfeeding your baby until he is 2 years old.

If you want to know more about how to give the first MPASI to your child or are still confused about starting to introduce MPASI, don't hesitate to ask or consult your pediatrician.

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