Weaning foods and commercially prepared baby foods - weaning practices in community
and foods developed by different organizations.
Breast milk sufficient for the growth of the baby only till 6 months of age.Breast milk output
starts to decline thereafter but baby’s physical + mental development continues at a very fast pace till the
end of 2 years. It is the time when malnutrition starts in many infants, contributing significantly to the
high prevalence of malnutrition in children under five years of age world-wide. When breast milk is no
longer enough to meet the nutritional needs of the infant, supplementary foods should be added to the
diet of the child.
Weaning is the process of introducing semi-liquid to semi-solid foods other than breast milk.The
transition from exclusive breastfeeding to family foods, referred to as weaning, typically covers the
period from 6 to 18-24 months of age, and is a very vulnerable period. The transition of food pattern has
to keep pace with the child’s growth who triples his birth weight and 1½timeshis birth length by the end
of one year.
Commercially prepared baby foods
Nutrient content: similar to the best homemade foods.
Appropriate texture: foods are formulated to contain recommended textures based on age or stage of
development.
Cost: More than 40% of prepared baby food costs, goes into packaging, labor, advertising, and
overhead. Making baby food at home is significantly less expensive than purchasing it at the store.
Freshness: While babies raised on commercial baby food do thrive, homemade foods are fresher and
do not have the additives required to make packaged food last longer.
Additives: Some additives, such as salt and sugar, enhance the taste of packaged baby foods and help
them to keep longer. Babies do not need either of these things, because they have much more sensitive
taste buds than adults. Many parents taste their baby’s food to see if it is palatable. However, what
tastes appealing to an adult differs from what appeals to a baby.
Variety: Variety may be limited when purchasing prepared baby foods.
Safety: Commercial baby foods are very safe, because they are sterilized and generally vacuum-
sealed.
Storage and preparation: Commercial baby foods do not require refrigeration until after they are
opened. Commercial baby foods are portable and extremely easy to prepare.
, Food combinations in recommended proportions: foods are carefully combined and formulated to
be acceptable to infants and provide the right proportion of ingredients.
Less pesticide contamination: baby foods are made from produce that is lower in pesticide residues
and other chemicals than are fruits and vegetables purchased at markets for adult use.
Convenience for home use: commercial baby foods are ready to use right out of the containers.
Convenience for travel: containers of baby foods are safe, easy to store and convenient for travel.
Stability of ingredients: commercial baby foods are guaranteed to contain what is listed on the label
and will remain unspoiled for the stated time.
Hygiene: manufacturers follow strict quality control standards and monitor the cleanliness of
preparation and cooking areas, the storage conditions of the suppliers and ingredients, and the clean-
up procedures after cooking.
Time of introduction of food type.
Weaning should be timely, meaning that all infants should start receiving foods in addition to
breast milk from 6 months onwards. Weaning foods should be given in amounts, frequency, consistency
and using a variety of foods to cover the nutritional needs of the growing child while maintaining
breastfeeding.
WHO recommends that infants start receiving supplementary foods at 6 months of age in
addition to breast milk, initially 2-3 times a day between 6-8 months, increasing to 3-4 times daily
between 9-11 months and 12-24 months with additional nutritious snacks offered 1-2 times per day, as
desired.
How to initiate weaning and progress
Consistency: Introduction of right consistency of food at the right age is important to develop good food
behaviors.
Breast feeds (0-6 months)
Semi-liquid (after 5-6 months)Easy to digest, smooth and gentle on baby’s stomach.
Semi-solid (after 8-9 months)Baby now needs food with taste and texture.
and foods developed by different organizations.
Breast milk sufficient for the growth of the baby only till 6 months of age.Breast milk output
starts to decline thereafter but baby’s physical + mental development continues at a very fast pace till the
end of 2 years. It is the time when malnutrition starts in many infants, contributing significantly to the
high prevalence of malnutrition in children under five years of age world-wide. When breast milk is no
longer enough to meet the nutritional needs of the infant, supplementary foods should be added to the
diet of the child.
Weaning is the process of introducing semi-liquid to semi-solid foods other than breast milk.The
transition from exclusive breastfeeding to family foods, referred to as weaning, typically covers the
period from 6 to 18-24 months of age, and is a very vulnerable period. The transition of food pattern has
to keep pace with the child’s growth who triples his birth weight and 1½timeshis birth length by the end
of one year.
Commercially prepared baby foods
Nutrient content: similar to the best homemade foods.
Appropriate texture: foods are formulated to contain recommended textures based on age or stage of
development.
Cost: More than 40% of prepared baby food costs, goes into packaging, labor, advertising, and
overhead. Making baby food at home is significantly less expensive than purchasing it at the store.
Freshness: While babies raised on commercial baby food do thrive, homemade foods are fresher and
do not have the additives required to make packaged food last longer.
Additives: Some additives, such as salt and sugar, enhance the taste of packaged baby foods and help
them to keep longer. Babies do not need either of these things, because they have much more sensitive
taste buds than adults. Many parents taste their baby’s food to see if it is palatable. However, what
tastes appealing to an adult differs from what appeals to a baby.
Variety: Variety may be limited when purchasing prepared baby foods.
Safety: Commercial baby foods are very safe, because they are sterilized and generally vacuum-
sealed.
Storage and preparation: Commercial baby foods do not require refrigeration until after they are
opened. Commercial baby foods are portable and extremely easy to prepare.
, Food combinations in recommended proportions: foods are carefully combined and formulated to
be acceptable to infants and provide the right proportion of ingredients.
Less pesticide contamination: baby foods are made from produce that is lower in pesticide residues
and other chemicals than are fruits and vegetables purchased at markets for adult use.
Convenience for home use: commercial baby foods are ready to use right out of the containers.
Convenience for travel: containers of baby foods are safe, easy to store and convenient for travel.
Stability of ingredients: commercial baby foods are guaranteed to contain what is listed on the label
and will remain unspoiled for the stated time.
Hygiene: manufacturers follow strict quality control standards and monitor the cleanliness of
preparation and cooking areas, the storage conditions of the suppliers and ingredients, and the clean-
up procedures after cooking.
Time of introduction of food type.
Weaning should be timely, meaning that all infants should start receiving foods in addition to
breast milk from 6 months onwards. Weaning foods should be given in amounts, frequency, consistency
and using a variety of foods to cover the nutritional needs of the growing child while maintaining
breastfeeding.
WHO recommends that infants start receiving supplementary foods at 6 months of age in
addition to breast milk, initially 2-3 times a day between 6-8 months, increasing to 3-4 times daily
between 9-11 months and 12-24 months with additional nutritious snacks offered 1-2 times per day, as
desired.
How to initiate weaning and progress
Consistency: Introduction of right consistency of food at the right age is important to develop good food
behaviors.
Breast feeds (0-6 months)
Semi-liquid (after 5-6 months)Easy to digest, smooth and gentle on baby’s stomach.
Semi-solid (after 8-9 months)Baby now needs food with taste and texture.
