WHO recommends that infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months, when they can be fed without water, food or drink, except for some nutritional supplements. However, if breast milk is not sufficient or the mother is not suitable for breastfeeding, formula should be added promptly to avoid malnutrition of the baby.
When the baby reaches the age of 6 months and above, complementary foods should be added to breast milk. As the baby gets older, the frequency, quantity and variety of foods fed should also be increased accordingly to meet the nutritional needs of the baby’s daily activities, growth and development.
Parents are also advised to take their children for regular medical check-ups at paediatric institutions during their growth and development to record and track their growth and development for early detection of lagging growth or malnutrition.