Detailed WHO recommendations for introducing complementary feeding to children 6-12 months old

Today, there are two systems for introducing first complementary foods to babies. These systems have their own characteristics, so parents should distinguish between them.

— The essence of pediatric complementary feeding is to introduce the required nutrients into the child’s body through the consumption of a number of foods. Pediatricians believe that already from 4-6 months the baby does not have enough calorie content from breast milk or formula.

— With pedagogical complementary feeding, the consumption of foods is associated with familiarization with food as such. Complementary feeding does not affect breastfeeding and is not associated with replenishing calorie intake. The baby gradually eats with his parents from the common table. When teaching complementary feeding, food is not pureed.

The World Health Organization remains neutral in recommending the concept of first feeding.

Pediatric complementary feeding is aimed at consuming foods to replenish the diet with nutritional components, since breast milk or formula is no longer enough for the baby.

In what order should foods be introduced into the diet?

(for a breastfed baby without any allergic manifestations)

4-5 months (vegetables for lunch, porridge for breakfast)

1 week – zucchini

Week 2 – cauliflower

Week 3 – broccoli

Week 4 – a mixture of three already familiar vegetables + vegetable oil

Week 5 – buckwheat dairy-free porridge

Week 6 – dairy-free rice porridge

Week 7 – dairy-free corn porridge + teaspoon butter

Week 8 – pumpkin, fruit puree – apple, pear, prune

6 months (a new product can be introduced every three days)

Meat – rabbit, turkey, veal puree

Children's cookies

This was the base. Now the baby has a full breakfast and lunch and you can introduce other foods in approximately this order, gradually replacing evening feeding with dinner.

7 months

egg yolk

8-9 months

cottage cheese, kefir, potatoes, carrots, beets, white bread, fish puree (2 times a week instead of meat), juice

12 months

berry puree

Norms for introducing complementary foods in the table

The table contains practical standards, according to WHO, for the introduction of first complementary foods for young children. Recommendations are for 90 days:

Day		New Product	Gram	Tea spoon	Product introduced	Gram	Tea spoon
Introduce zucchini in the morning. Then finish breakfast as usual (breast milk, formula) until the baby is satisfied.
1	Zucchini puree		2-3	0,5
2	Zucchini puree		6-8	1
3	Zucchini puree		18-21	2-3
4	Zucchini puree		35-42	6-8

5	Zucchini puree	65-72	11-13
6	Zucchini puree, 1 tsp. oils	115-122	19-21
7	Zucchini puree, 1 tsp. oils	165-167	26-28
Feeding with cauliflower. Prepare 2 purees. First introduce cauliflower, then zucchini. At lunch breast milk/formula
8	Cauliflower puree	2-3	0,5	Zucchini puree, 1 tsp. oils	165-167	26-28
9	Cauliflower puree	6-8	1	Zucchini puree, 1 tsp. oils	161-163	25-27
10	Cauliflower puree	18-21	2-3	Zucchini puree, 1 tsp. oils	148-150	23-25
11	Cauliflower puree	35-42	6-8	Zucchini puree, 1 tsp. oils	128-131	20-22
12	Cauliflower puree	65-72	11-13	Zucchini puree, 1 tsp. oils	98-101	15-17
13	Cauliflower puree, 1 tsp. oils	115-122	19-21	Zucchini puree, 1 tsp. oils	48-52	7,0-8,1
14	Cauliflower puree, 1 tsp. oils	165-167	26-28
Enter broccoli. Prepare 2 purees. First add broccoli puree, then cauliflower or zucchini puree. At lunch breast milk/formula.
15	Broccoli puree	2-3	0,5	Cauliflower puree, 1 tsp. oils	165-167	26-28
16	Broccoli puree	6-8	1	Zucchini puree, 1 tsp. oils	161-163	25-27
17	Broccoli puree	18-21	2-3	Cauliflower puree, 1 tsp. oils	148-150	23-25
18	Broccoli puree	35-42	6-8	Zucchini puree, 1 tsp. oils	128-131	20-22
19	Broccoli puree	65-72	11-13	Cauliflower puree, 1 tsp. oils	98-101	15-17
20	Broccoli puree, 1 tsp. oils	115-122	19-21	Zucchini puree	48-52	7,0-8,1
21	Broccoli puree, 1 tsp. oils	165-167	26-28	165-167	26-28
Feed buckwheat porridge for breakfast. Then finish breakfast as usual (breast milk, formula) until the baby is satisfied. Give already tested vegetables for lunch - serving 165-167 g
22	Buckwheat	2-3	0,5
23	Buckwheat	6-8	1
24	Buckwheat	18-21	2-3
25	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	35-42	6-8
26	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	65-72	11-13
27	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	115-122	19-21
28	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
Feeding rice porridge for breakfast. Prepare 2 porridges. First add rice porridge, then buckwheat. Give already tested vegetables for lunch - serving 165-167 g
29	Rice porrige	2-3	0,5	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
30	Rice porrige	6-8	1	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	161-163	25-27
31	Rice porrige	18-21	2-3	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	148-150	23-25
32	Rice porrige	35-42	6-8	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	128-131	20-22
33	Rice porrige	65-72	11-13	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	98-101	15-17
34	Rice porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	115-122	19-21	Buckwheat	48-52	7,0-8,1
35	Rice porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
Feeding corn porridge for breakfast. Prepare 2 porridges. First add corn porridge, then buckwheat or rice. Give already tested vegetables for lunch - serving 165-167 g
36	Corn porridge	2-3	0,5	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
37	Corn porridge	6-8	1	Rice porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	161-163	25-27
38	Corn porridge	18-21	2-3	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	148-150	23-25
39	Corn porridge	35-42	6-8	Rice porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	128-131	20-22
40	Corn porridge	65-72	11-13	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	98-101	15-17
41	Corn porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	115-122	19-21	Rice porrige	48-52	7,0-8,1
42	Corn porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
Feeding with pumpkin. You give already tested porridges for breakfast - serving 165-167 g
43	Pumpkin puree	2-3	0,5	Cauliflower puree, 1 tsp. oils	165-167	26-28
44	Pumpkin puree	6-8	1	Zucchini puree, 1 tsp. oils	161-163	25-27
45	Pumpkin puree	18-21	2-3	Broccoli puree, 1 tsp. oils	148-150	23-25
46	Pumpkin puree	35-42	6-8	Cauliflower puree, 1 tsp. oils	128-131	20-22
47	Pumpkin puree	65-72	11-13	Zucchini puree, 1 tsp. oils	98-101	15-17
48	Pumpkin puree, 1 tsp. drain oils	115-122	19-21	Broccoli puree, 1 tsp. oils	48-52	7,0-8,1
49	Pumpkin puree, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
Feeding with an apple for breakfast. Give already tested vegetables for lunch - serving 165-167 g
50	Applesauce	2-3	0,5	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
51	Applesauce	6-8	1	Rice porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
52	Applesauce	14-18	2-4	Corn porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
53	Applesauce	24-26	3-5	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
54	Applesauce	33-36	5-7	Rice porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
55	Applesauce	44-50	7-9	Corn porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
56	Applesauce	55-65	9-11	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
Feeding millet porridge for breakfast. Give already tested vegetables for lunch - serving 165-167 g
57	Millet porridge	2-3	0,5	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
58	Millet porridge	6-8	1	Rice porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	161-163	25-27
59	Millet porridge	18-21	2-3	Corn porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	148-150	23-25
60	Millet porridge	35-42	6-8	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	128-131	20-22
61	Millet porridge	65-72	11-13	Rice porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	98-101	15-17
62	Millet porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	115-122	19-21	Corn porridge	48-52	7,0-8,1
63	Millet porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
Complementary feeding with meat (rabbit), porridge. Give already tested vegetables for lunch - a portion of 165-167 g, applesauce 55-65 g
64	Rabbit meat	2-4	0,5	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
65	Rabbit meat	7-9	0,5-1,5	Rice porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
66	Rabbit meat	15-17	2-4	Corn porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
67	Rabbit meat	21-23	3-5	Millet porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
68	Rabbit meat	27-33	4-6	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
69	Rabbit meat	36-42	6-8	Rice porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
70	Rabbit meat	45-53	7-9	Corn porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
Feeding prunes for breakfast, porridge. Give already tested vegetables for lunch - a portion of 165-167 g, applesauce 55-65 g
71	Fruit puree with prunes	2-3	0,5	Millet porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
72	Fruit puree with prunes	6-8	1	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
73	Fruit puree with prunes	14-18	2-4	Rice porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
74	Fruit puree with prunes	24-26	3-5	Corn porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
75	Fruit puree with prunes	33-36	5-7	Millet porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
76	Fruit puree with prunes	44-50	7-9	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
77	Fruit puree with prunes	55-65	9-11	Rice porridge, 1 tsp. drain	165-167	26-28
Complementary feeding with meat (turkey), porridge. Give already tested vegetables for lunch - a portion of 165-167 g, apple or prune puree 55-65 g
78	Turkey meat	2-4	0,5	Corn porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
79	Turkey meat	7-9	0,5-1,5	Millet porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
80	Turkey meat	15-17	2-4	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
81	Turkey meat	21-23	3-5	Rice porridge, 1 tsp. drain	165-167	26-28
82	Turkey meat	27-33	4-6	Corn porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
83	Turkey meat	36-42	6-8	Millet porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
84	Turkey meat	45-53	7-9	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
Feeding pears for breakfast. Give already tested vegetables for lunch - serving 165-167 g
85	Pear puree	2-3	0,5	Rice porridge, 1 tsp. drain	165-167	26-28
86	Pear puree	6-8	1	Corn porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
87	Pear puree	14-18	2-4	Millet porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
88	Pear puree	24-26	3-5	Buckwheat porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
89	Pear puree	33-36	5-7	Rice porridge, 1 tsp. drain	165-167	26-28
90	Pear puree	44-50	7-9	Corn porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28
91	Pear puree	55-65	9-11	Millet porridge, 1 tsp. drain oils	165-167	26-28

When introducing the first complementary foods, it is optimal for mothers to maintain lactation. Formula-fed babies can be given cow's milk up to 2 cups per day starting at 8 months. Ask your pediatrician for detailed nutritional plans.

WHO notes the essential points in the nutrition of young children:

— It is not so easy for a baby’s body to cope with the digestion and assimilation of new foods. Also, the food itself may have little nutritional value. From the beginning of complementary feeding, nutritional balance should be maintained. WHO representatives indicate that a large number of children under five years of age do not receive the required amount of nutrients. A balanced, comprehensive diet will provide the child with all the nutrients.

— The food is safe for the baby. Follow food preparation standards to minimize the occurrence of infectious diseases.

— Encourage the baby’s desire for unusual food. When your baby is interested in trying new foods, be sure to encourage his aspirations.

Treat him to a new product outside the scheme if the baby really wants it, except for those that are prohibited for objective reasons.

How to start complementary feeding?

WHO sequential algorithm for mothers:

- Calm. You should not rush, be attentive to the developmental features of the baby. Perhaps the baby will not like everything that his mother has prepared for him. Do not swear, scream or force-feed your baby. When feeding, speak patiently and gently to your baby, and make eye contact. Feed your baby in a comfortable and calm environment.

- Cleanliness. Make sure cutlery and plates are clean. Wash all vegetables and fruits. Immediately remove any leftover food from the table and wash the baby.

— Consistency in complementary feeding. It is necessary to introduce the baby to new food with small portions. If no reaction occurs, increase the amount of serving.

- Suitable food. Food should be adapted to the baby's age. As the child grows up, he will receive a variety of foods.

- Meals according to age. Feed your baby according to his age. The first complementary foods are given 1-3 times a day for a six-month-old baby. Then increase up to 4 times as the child grows. If a child has an appetite in addition to main meals, it is recommended to introduce 1-2 snacks.

- Cook according to your baby's tastes. Consider the foods your baby likes. If you have no desire for a certain food, then try to combine and change the recipe and cooking process.

- Drink enough fluids. Already from 12 months, mother’s milk is not enough, so do not forget to give the baby something to drink. Water, compote, weak tea, juice (without sugar) will do.

Love and patience are the basis of appetite

Under no circumstances should you force your baby to eat. It is worth starting complementary feeding if the baby himself is drawn to new food. Any violent actions can cause psychological trauma, followed by refusal to eat. Create a comfortable and friendly environment that encourages your baby to eat.

Parents must understand that the first feeding is a new stage in the baby's development. Remember to provide appropriate motivation for your child. Follow WHO expert recommendations for safe and proper complementary feeding. This way the baby will receive a balanced and healthy diet.

Another approach

In the UK, by the way, there is a completely different attitude towards first feeding. While we diligently grind vegetables and fruits into a liquid pulp, they prefer to start right away with pieces. Yes, yes, right at six months. And without any nibblers with mesh. Of course, these should not immediately be slices of apples, carrots and other hard vegetables. But the principle itself is this: you put small pieces of food on the child’s plate and allow him to eat on his own, actually sitting at a common table. Yes, it will be long and most likely not very clean. But local pediatricians are confident that in this way the baby will immediately develop correct eating behavior. He will be able to stop eating when he is already full, and also - this is a developmental issue - thus improving fine motor skills.

WHO recommendations

The World Health Organization gives general recommendations for introducing complementary foods, regardless of the baby's nutritional type.

Follow the safety rules for your first food experiments so as not to harm your baby’s health:

Do not introduce a new product into your child’s diet if the baby is sick.
For a baby who is not gaining weight well, the first complementary food will be porridge, for a healthy toddler - vegetable puree.
Don't experiment with multi-ingredient dishes. To begin with, the baby should try all one-component purees.
Start feeding with a new dish, and then supplement your baby with formula or breast milk.
The baby must sit while eating.
Offer your baby only homogenized foods. Even small pieces can cause a child to suffocate.
As the first pedagogical complementary food, you can use diluted apple juice. If the baby’s body reacts normally, introduce the first vegetable or cereal product.
To get rid of constipation, add a few drops of oil to vegetable puree, and prune puree to porridge.
The new menu requires additional water consumption.
a new food product into your baby’s menu only if you are completely sure that the child’s body has accepted the previous dish well.

Do not insist on complementary feeding if the child refuses to eat. Try again in a few days, change the product. The key to successful introduction of complementary foods is the baby’s good mood.

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Complementary feeding for breastfeeding

Everyone knows that mother's milk is the best food for a baby during the first months of life. The World Health Organization recommends prescribing complementary foods to breastfeeding babies no earlier than 180 days after birth, that is, approximately half a year.

For a six-month-old baby, mother’s milk is no longer enough for development and growth. He needs additional nutrition to improve the functioning of the muscular, renal and nervous systems.