Introducing solid foods to an infant’s diet is a significant transition in their development. It is a step towards building healthy eating habits and providing the necessary nutrients to support their growth and development.
While breast milk or formula is recommended for the first six months of life, the introduction of complementary foods is necessary to provide additional nutrients and calories to meet an infant’s growing needs. Let’s look at a list of complementary foods for infants that you can try.
Complementary foods are foods that supplement breast milk or formula and provide additional nutrients necessary for an infant’s development.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends introducing complementary foods to infants starting at six months of age. At this age, infants are developmentally ready to sit up with support, control their head and neck, and coordinate their hand-to-mouth movements.
They are also more likely to have an interest in food and are more receptive to new tastes and textures. It is essential to note that introducing solid foods before six months of age may lead to an increased risk of infections, allergies, and choking.
In this post we will address the following:
- List of complementary foods for infants
- Types of complementary foods
- Types of complementary foods for infants in Kenya
- Order of introduction
List of Complementary Foods for Infants
As a parent or caregiver, it can be overwhelming to know what foods to introduce and when. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting with iron-fortified rice cereal mixed with breast milk or formula, followed by pureed vegetables and fruits, and then introducing pureed meats.
This order provides infants with the necessary iron, zinc, and protein they need to support their growth and development.
While iron-fortified rice cereal is a common first food, it is not the only option. Iron-rich first foods include pureed meats, poultry, fish, and tofu. It is essential to include iron-rich foods in an infant’s diet as iron is necessary for brain development and the production of red blood cells.
Additionally, infants also require a range of nutrients, including carbohydrates, fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Introducing a variety of complementary foods can help ensure that infants receive these nutrients.
Fruits and vegetables provide a range of vitamins and minerals, while foods like grains and cereals provide carbohydrates and fiber. Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs provide protein, iron, and zinc, while dairy products provide calcium and vitamin D.
When introducing new foods to infants, it is essential to do so gradually and one at a time. Introducing new foods one at a time allows parents and caregivers to monitor for any signs of an allergic reaction or intolerance.
Signs of allergic reactions may include hives, facial swelling, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. If any signs of an allergic reaction occur, stop feeding the food and contact a healthcare provider immediately.
It is also important to introduce new foods in a safe manner. Foods should be pureed or mashed to a smooth consistency to prevent choking.
As infants become more comfortable with solid foods, parents and caregivers can gradually increase the texture and size of the food. Infants should always be supervised while eating to prevent choking.
7 Types of Complementary Foods
Complementary foods can be categorized into various groups, including fruits and vegetables, meats, cereals and grains, dairy products, and legumes. Each food group provides a unique set of nutrients necessary for an infant’s growth and development.
- Fruits and vegetables: These are essential sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Introducing a variety of fruits and vegetables can help infants develop a taste for different flavors and textures.
- Fruits and vegetables can be pureed or mashed to a smooth consistency for infants starting with solid foods.
- Meats: Meats are an excellent source of protein, iron, and zinc. Introducing pureed meats after introducing iron-fortified rice cereal is recommended to ensure infants receive adequate iron intake. Pureed meats can be mixed with breast milk or formula for added flavor.
- Cereals and grains: Cereals and grains, such as oatmeal and barley, are excellent sources of carbohydrates and fiber. They can be mixed with breast milk or formula to create a smooth consistency for infants starting with solid foods. Iron-fortified cereals are also an excellent source of iron.
- Dairy products: Dairy products, such as cheese and yoghurt, are an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D. It is recommended to introduce plain, whole-milk yoghurt to infants starting at six months of age. Cheese can be introduced as finger food when infants can chew and swallow.
- Legumes: Legumes, such as beans and lentils, are an excellent source of protein, fiber, and iron. Pureed legumes can be mixed with breast milk or formula for added flavour and nutrition.
- Check out the food processor below, if you are looking for hygienic equipment that you can use to quickly prepare pureed feeds for your child.
Types of Complementary Foods for Infants in Kenya
Complementary foods vary based on cultural practices, local availability, and affordability. Some common complementary foods in Kenya include:
- Ugali: Ugali is a staple food in Kenya made from maize flour. It is a carbohydrate-rich food that is often served with vegetables, meat, or beans.
- Uji: Uji is a traditional porridge made from maize, millet, or sorghum and is a popular complementary food for infants in Kenya.
- Traditional soup: It is made from locally available foods such as vegetables, meats, or bones, and it is served with starchy foods such as ugali or rice or it can be consumed independently.
- Matoke: Matoke is a dish made from mashed bananas that are steamed in banana leaves. It is a popular food in western Kenya and is often served with meat, beans, and different types of vegetables.
- Meat, fish, and poultry: These are common complementary foods in Kenya. These foods are a good source of protein and iron. However, access to meat, fish, and poultry can be limited in some regions, making it challenging to introduce these foods as complementary foods.
- Mukimo: Mukimo is a dish made from mashed potatoes, corn, and green peas or beans. It is a popular food in central Kenya and is often served with vegetables or meat. As a complementary feed, you can skip the soft corn and opt to only use mashed potatoes and green peas and soften the food with some soup from a beef stew to make it easy to feed it to your child.
Order of Introduction
The order of introduction for complementary foods refers to the gradual introduction of solid foods to an infant’s diet, in addition to breast milk or formula.
It is recommended to exclusively breastfeed your baby for the first six months of life, followed by the introduction of complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed until at least two years of age.
When introducing complementary foods, it is important to start with small amounts of a single food, and gradually increase the variety and quantity of foods offered. The order of introduction for complementary foods is as follows:
- Iron-fortified infant cereals: These are typically the first solid foods introduced to an infant as they are rich in iron, which is important for growth and development. They can be mixed with breast milk or formula for a smooth consistency.
- Fruits and vegetables: These can be introduced one at a time, starting with mashed or pureed options such as sweet potato, avocado, banana, or carrots.
- Protein foods: These can be introduced around 7-8 months and may include mashed or pureed meats, fish, poultry, or beans.
- Finger foods: These are typically introduced around 8-10 months and include soft, bite-sized pieces of food that an infant can pick up and feed themselves, such as small pieces of cooked vegetables, soft fruits, or cheese.
Recommended Article: Why You Should Start Weaning at 6 months
Final Thoughts
Introducing complementary foods is a critical milestone in an infant’s life. The types of complementary foods that can be introduced to infants include cereals, vegetables, fruits, meats, and legumes.
In Kenya, the commonly used complementary foods include uji (porridge), vegetables, fruits, and traditional soups.
It is important to introduce these foods in a specific order to minimize the risk of allergies and promote optimal nutrition. The recommended order of introduction of complementary foods is iron-fortified cereals, followed by vegetables, fruits, meats, and finally legumes.
With the proper introduction and incorporation of complementary foods into an infant’s diet, they can receive the necessary nutrients to promote healthy growth and development.