Nutrition In Infants

Supplementary and Weaning Foods

What Is Supplementary And
Weaning Foods ?
 Supplementary And Weaning Foods
Weaning is the process of gradually introducing foods other
than breast milk in the child's feeding schedule. The foods that
are introduced in addition to breast milk are called
supplementary foods. Introducing supplementary foods not
only ensures the fulfillment of nutrient needs of the infant
(which cannot be met by breast milk alone after 6 months) but
also introduces the child gradually to the family eating
pattern.
CONT.…

The nutrient density of the weaning foods should be

0.25k.cal to 0.4k.cal/g. Hence calorie dense foods should
be given. Weaning food should provide atleast 10 percent
of energy as protein.
TYPES OF SUPPLEMENTARY
FOODS
 Liquid Supplements
 Semi Solid Supplements
 Solid Supplements
LIQUID SUPPLEMENTS
Milk

Initially milk can be given diluted with water

in the ratio of 3:1, then the amount of water
can be gradually reduced so that the infant
consumes undiluted milk within a few weeks.
Fruit Juice

Fresh juices of tomato, grapes, oranges and sweet lime can be given.
When this is introduced between 4-6 months a teaspoon of it can be
diluted with little water and given. Gradually the quantity can be
increased and undiluted juices (85ml of orange juice) can be given.
Soups

Soups of green leafy vegetables can be given. The leafy

vegetable is washed well with water and prepared in the
form of soup by boiling it with a minimal amount of water
and a little salt and onion. First the soups may be strained
and later on unstrained soups can be given.
 SEMI SOLID SUPPLEMENTS
Semi solid supplements may be given at 5 - 6
months. The first solid food commonly offered is a
cereal or a starchy vegetable like potato, well
cooked and mashed. In case of cereals small
quantities of milk and sugar are added. Calorie
dense foods can be prepared by using malted
wheat or ragi.
CONT.…
 Fruits should be mashed and steamed except for banana until one
year after which fruits can only be stewed.
 Yolk of egg can be given at 6-7 months. Half a teaspoon of yolk
can be started with and if tolerated, gradually increased to one
yolk. Yolk can also be introduced as soft custard. Egg white
because of its allergic manifestation is given only after 10 months.
Thereafter whole egg can be given as poached or soft boiled.
 Ground and cooked meat, boiled fish may be given with little
flavoring and salt.
CONT.…

Pulses well cooked along with the cereals as

kichidi or pongal can be given or can be
made into porridge. Pulse and meat
preparations can be given on alternate days,
so that the baby receives each of them 3 or 4
times a week.
SOLID SUPPLEMENTS

 When the baby starts cutting teeth solid supplements are given. Cooked
cereals, pulses and vegetables can be given.
 Solids like idli, chappathi, rice and dhal can be given after the child gets
used to semisolids. Meat may be minced fine instead of ground.
 Vegetables chopped and boiled, leafy vegetables, soft and boiled raw
carrots and fruit segments without skin and seeds can be given. When fed
with solid supplements, plenty of water should be given to the child. Small
amount of boiled, cooled water has to be given 2 to 3 times a day and more
often during hot weather.
BALANCED DIET FOR INFANTS (6-12 MONTHS)
1. Cereals and millets : 45gm
2.  Pulses : 15gm
3.  Milk (ml) : 500
4.  Roots and tubers : 50gm
5.  Green leafy vegetables : 25gm
6.  Other vegetables : 25gm
7.  Fruits : 100gm
8.  Sugar : 25gm
9.  Fats/oils (visible) : 10gm
LOW COST WEANING FOODS

Several low cost weaning foods have been developed by the

Institutes like Central Food Technology Research Institute
(CFTRI), Mysore, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN)
Hyderabad, Avinashilingam Deemed university (ADU),
Coimbatore and Gandhigram Rural Institute. Indian multi
purpose food, malt food, Balahar, Kuzhandhai Amudhu, win
feed are a few of them. They are very nutritious and can be
easily prepared at home. Table 3.5 gives a list of low cost
supplementary foods with their composition.
Any Questions ?