Introduction of Solid Food to the Infants

Subject: Community Health Nursing II

Overview

Traditionally, a young child's diet progressively transitions from milk to solids throughout this stage ( a diet based on what the family eats). The weaning period often refers to the time frame between 5 months and 3 years. Weaning should begin between 5 and 6 months of age because children can swallow solid foods at this age and are undergoing a rapid period of growth and development. Problems with a child's health result from both early and late weaning. Early weaning increases the likelihood of diarrhea, whereas weaning too late causes malnutrition, which increases a child's susceptibility to other diseases of childhood. Food should be introduced for the first time in a small quantity and then gradually increased. A baby is old enough to consume family food at 12 months. Various age groups have various nutritional requirements, such as infants: Up to six months, the baby's nutritional requirements are sufficiently met by its mother's milk. 0 to 3 year olds: Weaning to solid food must be introduced in order to provide the vital nutritional requirements of growth. eating practices-influencing variables: A different aspect that affects feeding practices is:

  • Mother's perception of a wholesome diet.
  • A woman's responsibility is to have the financial resources to pay for a child's meals.
  • The capacity of a mother to nourish and care for her child as well as her own health.
  • The ease of obtaining household goods, toiletries, cooking materials, etc.
  • Food production and availability.
  • Seeds, fertilizer, and farming techniques
  • Entry to the area.
  • Availability of domestic supplies, restrooms, cooking equipment, etc.
  • Production and accessibility of food.
  • Crop type, fertilizer, and seeds
  • Field accessibility
  • Food for children is hard to come by, expensive, and takes a long time to prepare.
  • Care for the child by older siblings.
  • Unawareness and inadequate nutrition

Weaning

Traditionally, a young child's diet progressively transitions from milk to solids throughout this stage ( a diet based on what the family eats). The time frame beginning when additional food is introduced and ending when breastfeeding is finished. The weaning period generally refers to the time frame between 5 months and 3 years. Ideal transition from a full breast milk diet to an appropriately modified adult mixed day should occur during this time.

Age of Weaning

Weaning is best done between the ages of 5 and 6 months. Children can now easily consume bland food without any trouble. Typically, between the ages of 5 and 6 months, a baby's growth and development move quickly, necessitating the use of nutrients in addition to breast milk. Weaning issues affect a child's health whether it occurs early or late. Early weaning increases the likelihood of diarrhea, and weaning a kid too late results in malnutrition, which increases the likelihood that the child may contract various diseases of childhood. Starting with a tiny amount and gradually increasing it is the best way to introduce food for the first time. The child should get meals for 2-4 times a day during the first few days, increasing gradually over the course of six months. A baby is old enough to eat family food at 12 months. Semi-solid bland food should be consumed first. In essence, two ingredients are combined. Porridge made from just one ingredient should be replaced with stable grains plus legume.

Different groups have different nutritional needs

  • Infants: Up to six months, the baby's nutritional requirements are sufficiently met by its mother's milk. WHO advises nursing exclusively for roughly six months. Although the amount of iron and iodine in breast milk may be insufficient, supplements are not necessary. After that, weaning to solid food must be introduced due to the growth's rising nutritional demands.
  • Children 1-3 years: Weaning to solid food must be introduced in order to provide the vital nutritional requirements of growth.
    Dietary consumption is influenced by social, physical, and biological factors.

Common Practices, Attitudes and their Influence on Infant Nutrition

Influences of culture on infant feeding: Family, community, and culture all have an impact on weaning practices. The mother is mostly in charge of feeding her child. The baby's first milk, which should be given, is typically not given. Therefore, the mother's knowledge of proper feeding practices and the constraints that keep her from using inappropriate feeding practices determine the health of the child.

Factors Influencing Feeding Practice

A different aspect that affects feeding practices is:

  • Mother's understanding of a healthy diet.
  • The ability to spend money on a child's nourishment is a female function.
  • A mother's ability to prepare and feed her child, as well as her own health.
  • Availability of household supplies, restrooms, cooking equipment, etc.

Others

  • Production and accessibility of food.
  • Crop type, fertilizer, and seeds
  • Field accessibility
  • Food for children is hard to come by, expensive, and takes a long time to prepare.
  • Care for the child by elder siblings.
  • Lack of education and poor nutrition.

Influence on Nutrition Include

  • Consumption and availability of food
  • Adequate nutrients and chemicals, which will change depending on the age, gender, population growth, and health.
  • The availability and provision of enough clean water.
  • A nutrient intake that complies with the conditions and limitations imposed by the person's genetic makeup.
  • A convenient way to dispose of urine and feces, which are metabolic breakdown products.
  • Food that is delectable and satisfies the population's cultural, social, and religious needs.

REFERENCE

Ambika Rai, Kabita Dahal. Community Health Nursing II. Kathmandu: Makalu Publication House, 2012 (reprint).

Basavan Thappa Bt, 2005, Community Health Nursing, JAYPEE BROTHERS medical Publisher (P) Ltd, New Delhi

Dr.Suwal S.N. & Tuitui R. (2063) A Textbook of Community Health Nursing, 1st edition, Vidyarthi Prakashan (P). Ltd. Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu

Endres J.B & Rockwell R.E. (1985), 2nd edition, Food, Nutrition & the Young Child, Times Mirror/ Mosby College Publishing, Toronto, USA

J.F MC Kenzie, RR Pinger & J.E. Kotecki, 2004, An introduction to community health, 5th edition, Jones & Bartlett
Things to remember
  • Traditionally, a young child's diet progressively transitions from milk to solids throughout this stage ( a diet based on what the family eats).
  • The weaning period often refers to the time between 5 months and 3 years.
  • Weaning should begin between 5 and 6 months of age because children can swallow solid foods at this age and are undergoing a rapid period of growth and development.
  • Problems with a child's health result from both early and late weaning. Early weaning increases the likelihood of diarrhea, while late weaning causes malnutrition. Food should be introduced for the first time in a small quantity and then gradually increased.
  • A baby is old enough to consume family food at 12 months.
  • A separate aspect that affects feeding
  • Mother's understanding of a healthy diet.
  • The ability to spend money on a child's food is a woman's role.  
  • A mother's ability to care for and feed her child, as well as her own health.
  • The accessibility of household supplies, toiletries, cooking utensils, etc.
  • The availability and production of food.
  • Cropping method, fertilizer, and seeds.
  • Access to the field.
  • Food for children is hard to come by, expensive, and takes a long time to prepare.
  • Older siblings looking after the child.
  • Knowledge gaps and inadequate nutrition
Questions and Answers

  The traditional stage when a young child's diet gradually changes from milk to solid ( a diet based on what the family eat).

      The period between 5 months and 3years is generally known as the weaning period. Appropriate age for weaning is from 5-6 months of age. Because at this time childrens are able to swallow solid foods, growth and development are rapid at this time.

 

    Different factor which influence in feeding practice :

  1. Knowledge of child's mother about nutritious diet.
  2. Role of women, authority to spend money foe child's food.
  3. Health of mother, in order to prepare and feed her baby.
  4. Availability of household resources, sanitary facilities cooking utensils etc.

 

Others

_ Food production and availability.

_ Type of cropping, fertilizer, seeds.

_ Field availability.

_ Scarcity, expensive and time consuming to obtain child's food which need long time in cooking.

_ Child's care by older siblings.

_ Lack of knowledge and inadequate feeding.

 

 

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