6 days Ago By Chijioke Iremeka
Chijioke Iremeka Specialists in child health have warned that introducing solid foods to infants before six months may expose them to certain health risks, including malnutrition, diarrhoea, allergies, and digestion problems, among others. The paediatricians cautioned that introducing solid or semi-solid foods to babies before six months of age was counterproductive and not advisable for mothers due to malnutrition and other complications. The physicians said that the appropriate feeding pattern for a child under six months was exclusive breastfeeding until age six before the gradual introduction of semi-solid foods and solid foods in a modified or mashed manner.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Academy of Paediatrics recommend that children be introduced to foods other than breast milk or infant formula when they are about six months old. The Guidelines noted that introducing foods before four months old is not ideal, stating that for most children, one does not need to give foods in a certain order. “Your child can begin eating solid foods at about six months old.
By the time he or she is seven or eight months old, the child can eat a variety of foods from different food groups including infant cereals, meat or other proteins, fruits, vegetables, grains, yogurts, and cheeses, among others,” the American Academy of Paediatrics recommended. Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise in different interviews, the physicians warned against early introduction of solid foods in children under six, saying that such practice could pose serious health problems for the baby. A Consultant Paediatrician and Gastroenterologist at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Eki, Dr Adefunke Babatola said early introduction of solid food in infants, can lead to malnutrition and other health consequences.
The specialist emphasised that early introduction of semi-solid and solid food means the introduction of it before six months of life of an infant. She said, “The consequences of too early introduction of solid food to a baby include malnutrition, which results from the fact that those infants are deprived of the benefits that breastmilk still offers at that age. “Also, the solid foods may be difficult to digest, and swallowing some solid food may be difficult.
So it’s not too good to introduce solid food before six months of life.” Babatola maintained that every infant should be breastfed exclusively for the first six months of life, and thereafter, commencement of complementary feeding. She continued, “Appropriate feeding pattern encompasses exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, commencement of semi-solid food at six months of age, and gradual introduction of solid foods that the child could swallow as the age increases.
” The paediatrician suggested the gradual introduction of semi-solid foods such as porridge at six months, among other foods that the baby will not struggle to swallow. “It is important that a complementary feeding in the form of semi-solid is started at six months because, after six months, the nutrients and energy in breast milk are no longer sufficient for the child’s growth and development. “Also, if it is started too early before six months, it may lead to malnutrition and fewer protective factors.
It can affect the immunity of the child negatively, among other challenges. So introducing solid food too early is not advisable,” Babatola added. Corroborating her statement, a Consultant Paediatrician at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Dr Stanley Onah, said early introduction of solid food to infants can lead to several problems.
He cautioned that the early introduction of solid foods can lead to diarrhoea, allergy, and metabolic problems, among others. Onah said, “Solid foods should be introduced from six months of age. Early introduction of solid foods is not good enough for the child’s nutrition.
“This kind of food should be introduced from six months of age, and of course, in a modified or mashed form. This is because, before that age, the digestive system of the baby has not yet matured.” He noted that at this stage the baby’s digestive system has not been biologically matured enough to handle the digestion and absorption of non milk foods.
“Appropriate feeding pattern is exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and then the introduction of appropriate/quality complementary foods, modified solids, and semi-solids. “While doing this, breastfeeding should continue alongside the complementary feeding for upwards of two years. This ensures that there is no malnutrition and guarantees optimal growth and development of the baby,” Onah added.
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