Weaning is the process of gradually introducing solid foods to a baby while reducing breastmilk as the primary source of nutrition. The document provides guidelines for introducing appropriate weaning foods at different ages from 6 months to 18 months. Weaning foods should start as liquids and progress to semisolids and solids, be nutritious, easy to digest, and prepared hygienically at home. Breastfeeding should continue to be the main source of nutrition during weaning.

1. Miss. Kalyani R. Saudagar.

2. INTRODUCTION
• • Weaning is the process of gradually introducing a baby to the
usual family diet while withdrawing the supply of mother’s
milk and nourishing and nurturing the baby in different ways.
• The infant is considered to be fully weaned when he stops
nursing and gets all his nutrition from sources other than the
breast.
• Breastfeeding is adequate and sufficient to maintain the
optimum growth and development of an infant up to the age
of 6 months.
• It is Also called complementary feeding.

3. Weaning foods should be:
• Initially liquid then semisolid and solid food
is introduced gradually.
• Fresh, clean and hygienic
• Easily prepared at home
• Easily digestible, easily acceptable and
nutritious.

4. • High in energy and low in bulk
• Have all the nutrients required by baby
• Based on cultural practices and
traditional beliefs

5. WEANING FOODS AT DIFFERENT
AGE
AT 6 MONTHS
• Start with fruit juices.
• Within 1 or 2 weeks introduce vegetable
soup, mashed banana, boiled
and mashed potato, etc.
• Not be over diluted. Should be in small
amounts (just a few pieces, or
teaspoons of food).
• Breastfeeding must be continued.
6 TO 9 MONTHS
• Soft mixture of rice and dal, khichdi,
pulses, mashed and boiled potato,
bread or roti soaked in milk. Mashed
fruits like banana, mango, papaya,
apple, etc.
• Pasteurized full-fat dairy products, such
as plain yoghurt and cheese
• Number of feed should be 5 to 6 times
• No need of sugar, salt, or cooking water

6. 9 TO 12 MONTHS • Fish, meat, chicken
• Can eat everything cooked at home but
without spices and condiments
• No need of mashed food
12 TO 18 MONTHS • Diet comprises all the food cooked for
family, half the amount of
mother’s diet
• Number of feed should be 4 to 5 times

7. PRINCIPLE OF INTRODUCTION OF
WEANING FOOD
• Provide extra requirements as per baby’s
need.
• Homemade from good quality food
• Introduction of single weaning food at a
time
• Given regularly

8. • Given when in hunger, not to be given forcibly
• Proper management of problems like
indigestion, abdominal pain, skin rash,
diarrhea, psychological upset due to withdrawal
of breast milk.
• Start at 6 months and breastfeeding to be
continued up to 2 years of age or beyond.
• Delayed weaning can cause malnutrition and
stunted growth