The capability of babies to eat solid foods is linked to the maturation of their nervous, digestive, excretory, and immune systems.
From the 6th month onwards, when their gastrointestinal and nervous systems develop the required capabilities, infants reach the developmental stage to eat stronger foods.
Reference:
- Selimoğlu, M. A. (2014). Sağlıkta ve hastalıkta çocuk beslenmesi. Akademi Yayınevi, İstanbul.
Complementary foods should not be introduced before the 4th month (<17 weeks) and their introduction should not be delayed beyond the 6th month (>26 weeks).
Reference:
- Pekcan, A. G. (2018). Tamamlayıcı Beslenme: Avrupa Pediatrik Gastroenteroloji, Hepatoloji ve Beslenme (ESPHGAN) Birliği Komitesi Görüş Raporu. Beslenme ve Diyet Dergisi, 46(1), 1-6.
Disadvantages of the Early and Late Introduction of Complimentary Food
Early introduction
An early introduction of complementary foods will reduce breast milk production and the duration of breastfeeding.
The nutritional values of complementary foods are lower than breast milk. Therefore, they cannot replace breast milk.
An early introduction of complementary foods will shorten the duration of breastfeeding, causing the baby to benefit from breast milk less.
Early introduction of complementary foods and introducing them at the same meal time with breast milk will reduce the absorption of many nutrients found in breast milk, including iron and zinc.
Late introduction
A late introduction of complementary foods will interrupt the growth and development of the baby, resulting in malnutrition and various vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Moreover, the late introduction of complementary foods will delay the development of the infant’s eating skills, such as chewing. This will further delay the infant’s adaptation to foods with new tastes and structures.
Reference:
- Köksal, G., Özel, H.G. (2012). Bebek Beslenmesi. Sağlık Bakanlığı. 2.baskı. Ankara, 726:7-29.
