The portion of food for a 6-month-old baby needs to be considered for the nutritional content in it. This is because at that age babies have begun to be introduced to complementary foods for breast milk or complementary foods. So, what are the choices of food that can be consumed by babies and what about the portions?
When entering the age of 6 months, the baby is ready to receive complementary foods (MPASI). This is because breast milk is no longer able to meet the daily nutritional needs of babies.
Therefore, in order to maximize the growth and development of your little one, the mother should start to fulfill her nutritional needs by giving her first solid food.
Rules for Giving MPASI and Feeding Portions for 6 Months Babies
Before giving complementary foods to a 6-month-old baby, pay attention to whether he is ready. The following are the characteristics of babies who are ready to consume solid foods:
- Able to hold his own head
- Sitting without help
- An interest in food, such as reaching for food and grasping food or cutlery
- The reflex opens the mouth and sticks out the tongue when food enters the mouth
- Starts trying to bite and chew even though it's not teething yet
When your baby is ready to receive complementary foods, you should start giving fruits, vegetables, or other refined foods at least 2–3 tablespoons at a time.
When feeding your little one, make sure he sits quietly and safely in the baby seat. Mothers can give their little ones a portion of complementary foods 2-3 times a day.
However, Mothers are encouraged to continue to make breast milk as the main nutritional intake of the Little One by giving breast milk regularly 3-4 once a day.
Important Nutrients Needed in MPASI
To support the growth and development of your little one when he is 6 months old, you need to pay attention to the nutritional intake of the food given to him. The following are various important nutrients that need to be given to your little one through MPASI:
- Protein
- Carbohydrate
- Fat
- Calcium
- Iron
- Zinc
- Vitamin
These nutrients can be obtained by your little one from various foods, such as:
- Vegetables, including pumpkin, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and mashed potatoes
- Pureed fruits, such as bananas, avocados, and mangoes
- Various meats that have been mashed, such as boneless chicken and fish
- Various dairy products, such as yogurt and cheese
- Eggs, tofu and tempeh
Keep in mind, there are several types of food that should not be given to babies, such as honey, cow's milk, and undercooked eggs. In addition, Mothers also need to pay attention to the cleanliness of food ingredients and hands before processing the food that will be given to the Little One.
Complementary feeding at 6 months is the initial stage for babies to eat solid food. So, there is no need to force certain food portions on your little one when he just eats solid food. In addition to giving it mashed food, you can also give it water between meals, but don't overdo it.
As babies get older, their nutritional needs will also increase. Regulating the type and portion of food for a 6-month-old baby properly can help meet the nutrients for their growth and development.
If you are still unsure in determining the type of food and the portion your child will eat, don't hesitate to consult a pediatrician.
