WHAT PARENTS/CAREGIVER SHOULD KEEP IN MIND ABOUT WEANING

Weaning is crucial in the lives of every baby. It is a period where there is need for an introduction of semi-solid food to a baby along with breastfeeding. This takes place after the first 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding. This is because the nutrient derived from the breastmilk of the mother is not sufficient and adequate enough to meet the nutritional requirement of such baby after 6 months of age, due to growth change in physiological condition of such child. At this point in time, a baby is placed on complimentary diet, so as to compliment the nutrient derived from breastmilk. So, complimentary feeding should start not during the first 6 months of the baby's life, but after the first 6 months. The first 6 months should be only exclusive breastfeeding and introduction of any other food should be avoid during this period. Parents and caregivers should keep this in mind.
 Despite the fact that there are several complimentary foods in the market that you can buy for your baby, we encourage you to go for the locally produced complimentary foods. These locally produced complimentary foods such as pap, grounded soybean, grounded crayfish mashed rice, etc. are affordable and nutrient dense.
 While preparing the locally produced complimentary food, always take note of the nutrients your baby is to get from the food. Adequate amount of protein and carbohydrate is required in the infant food due to the fact that carbohydrate is needed in the supply of energy required in carrying out all metabolic activities taking place in the baby's body, as well as physical activities, while protein is needed for growth, the development of the child and to build and repair the worn-out tissues in the body. Other nutrients such as Fat and Oil, Vitamins and Minerals are also needed in moderate and required amount, so as to supplement each other and at the same time build up the immune system of such child.
So, while preparing infant formula for your baby, always strive to make use of the different locally available food in your area. Don't just be giving your child one particular meal or one particular class of food all the time. Introducing foods from all the classes of food as this will help the child to get all the essential nutrients needed in the body. For example, majority of mothers in Nigeria always give their baby pap only as complimentary food. With this practice, a child will only be getting carbohydrate into the body but little or no protein, fats, vitamins or minerals. If this continues, the child have the tendency of being undernourished which is a form of malnutrition. So, instead of giving pap only with is mainly carbohydrate, a mother can add grounded soybean or crayfish (good source of protein and vitamins) and little amount of palm oil (good source of fats, vitamins and minerals) while preparing the pap. With this, a child will be nourished adequately. Also food diversification should be encouraged so as to promote good eating habits of the child.
 These complimentary foods are readily available for us and are also affordable. Some of these foods are highlighted below;
⏺Carbohydrate-rich foods include pap, rice, millet, wheat, etc.
⏺Protein-rich foods include soybean, crayfish, fish, prawns, etc.
⏺Foods rich in Fat and Oil include groundnut, palm oil, etc.
⏺Vitamins and Minerals can be derived from Fruits and Vegetables such as orange, watermelon, cucumber, carrot, pineapple, etc. These fruits and vegetables can be blended into smoothie or juice for the baby to consume.
If these points are taken into action, a child will be able to be adequately nourished and have a good health right from their young age.