Nutritional and compositional aspects of complementary feeding

Abstract

Breastfeeding is essential during the initial years (from birth till 6 months). Complementary feeding or weaning is the shift from the mother's feed to other food when breast milk is no longer sufficient for the infant to meet its nutritional demands. As an infant grows with age, the nutritional requirement also increases. Apart from major macronutrients like carbohydrates and proteins, micronutrients like iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium are also required. At this stage, one needs readily available, easy-to-prepare homemade food which provides sufficient nutrients to fulfil the growing demand of the infant.