Food which complements breast milk and ensures that the child continues to have enough energy, protein and other nutrients to grow normally.
- Started at 6 months of age, while continuing breastfeeding
Food plan for children
Up to 6 months
- Exclusive breastfeeding (even when the child is sick)
6-12 mo
- Breastfeed as often as the child wants
- Complementary feedings:
- Main course (At least 1 katori serving at a time):
- Mashed roti/bread/biscuit + sweetened undiluted milk or,
- Mashed roti/bread/biscuit + thick dal + ghee/ oil or,
- Khichri + added oil/ghee
- Additives:
- Cooked vegetables, or
- Sevian, dalia, halwa, kheer prepared in milk, or
- Cereal porridge cooked in milk, or
- Mashed-boiled/fried-potatoes
- Snacks (in between the servings):
- Banana, biscuit, cheeku, mango or papaya
- Frequency:
- 3 times/day (breastfed)
- 5 times/day (not breastfed)
- Main course (At least 1 katori serving at a time):
12 mo to 2 yr
- Breastfeed as often as the child wants; offer food from the family pot
- Complementary feedings:
- Same content
- 1½ katori servings minimum
- Frequency:
- 5 times/day
- Same content
2 yr and older
- Family food as 3 meals each day
- Nutritious snacks between meals (twice daily):
- e.g. banana, biscuit, cheeku, mango, or papaya