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Kingdom of Bahrain
Ministry of Health

Complementary Foods

Nutrition Section
Public Health Directorate

What is Complementary Feeding?

Complementary feeding means giving
the infant other foods in addition to
breast milk. These foods are called
complementary because they complement
breast milk but do not replace it.
Importance of Complementary Feeding:
As infant grows and become more active, a gap
appears between infants nutritional needs and
the amount supplied by breast milk.
Complementary foods are
needed to fill this gap especially
in energy, iron, and vitamin A.
Starting Complementary Feeding:
Exclusive breastfeeding is encouraged for six
months as breast milk provides all nutrients
needed by the infant, in addition to protective
factors.
By 6 months, the infants digestive system is
mature enough to digest a range of foods, and
food sensitivity or allergy becomes less.
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Intro
d
Com uction o
plem
f
entar
y

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Complementary foods are introduced by

the end of 6 months. Babies gradually
become accustomed to eating family
foods by the end of this period usually
around the age of 2 years, when breast
milk is entirely replaced by family foods.
Complementary foods could be introduced in the 5th month if the infant
breastfeeds frequently, but:
Does not gain adequate weight.
Shows signs of hunger after feeds.

Breastfeeding frequently & on

demand is highly encouraged
even after the introduction of
complementary foods.
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g
y feedin
r
a
t
n
e
omplem
ges of C

Sta

)Stage I: (end of 6th - mid of 7th month

Food Type: start by introducing grains and
cereals such as rice and oats. Vegetables such
as potatoes, courgette, pumpkin & fruits like
banana, apple, and orange juice.
Method: introduce foods in the form of thick
soups or porridge, or liquidized in a food
processor.
Introduce one type of food every 2-3
days to make sure the infant is not
allergic to that food.
Puree fruits with a spoon, or introduce as fruit
juice (from a cup).
Feeding frequency: 2 main meals / day after
breastfeeding (noon & evening).
Amount: 2-3 Tbs in each meal.
ilities

allowing ab
eir chewing & sw
th
in
ry
va
s
nt
fa
In

)Stage II: (mid of 7th - end of 8th month

Food Type: introduce meats such as beef,
fish & poultry, and pasteurized yoghurt, well
cooked egg yolk, and legumes.
Method: Puree foods , mash well or cut into
small pieces depending on babys chewing
ability.
or spices

)ttle

(not a bo

r,
Do not add salt, suga

wl & spo
on

U se a b o

Feeding frequency: 3 main meals / day

beside breastfeeding.
Amount: increase gradually to
2/3 cup in each meal.

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)Stage III: (9th month - end of 1st year

Food Type: give varied foods to accustom
baby to family foods by the end of this stage.
Do not give honey before 1 year of age

Method: mash foods or cut into small pieces

depending on babys chewing ability.
Feeding frequency: 3 main meals + 1 snack
each day beside breastfeeding.
Amount: increase gradually to 3/4
cup in each meal.

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Important notes

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Allow baby to touch

food & hold it.
Encourage baby to fe
ed himself.
Respond to babys sig
ns while feeding.
Sit with baby & show
attention.
Follow up baby
s weight gain.

)Stage IV: (2nd year of childs life

Food Type: give all food types to help the
child depend totally on family foods by the
end of this stage.
Method: cut into suitable pieces.
Feeding frequency: 3 main meals +
2 snack each day, with breastfeeding.
Amount: increase gradually to 1 full cup in
each meal.

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nacks . . uce . . .
s
y
h
t
l
a
e
s of h
or lett
)Example rot or cucumber , orange
car
na, pear
a
n
Raw
a
b
,
e
l
ts (app
ch,
Frui
r sandwi eese,
e
t
t
u
b
t
u
f ch
Pean
a slice o cuit.
r
o
t
r
u
h
is
Yog
+ plain b
e
c
i
u
j
h
s
Fre
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s should be
d
o
fo
y
r
ta
n
Compleme
Energy dense (thick).
Rich in nutrients (cereals,
legumes, dark green leafy
vegetables, orange fruits and vegetables).
Without added salt, sugar, or spices.
Cut into small pieces to avoid chocking.
& Prepared in a safe way
served in clean utensils.
Prepared from local foods
available in the house such
as rice, potato, fish, and vegetables.
Neither too hot, nor too cold.

two hours of
consume food within
the fridge.
preparation, or store in
od more than once.
Do not reheat fo
rowave to reheat food
ic
m
e
th
g
in
us
id
vo
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Key messages
1. Breastfeeding for 2 years helps the child
develop and grow strong & healthy.
2. Starting other foods at the end of 6 months
helps child to grow well.
3. Thick foods give more energy to the child.
4. Animal foods help children grow
strong & lively.
5. Peas, beans, lentils, seeds & nuts
are full of good nutrients.
6. Dark green leafy leaves and orange
colored fruits & vegetables help child to
have healthy eyes and fewer infections.
7. A growing child needs increasing amounts
of food.
8. A child in his second year of life needs 3
main meals + 2 snacks of varied foods.
9. A young child needs to learn to eat with
encouragement, help & lots of patience.
10. Encourage the child to drink and eat during
illness and provide extra food after illness
to help them recover quickly.
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Iron Rich F
ood s
It is very important to give the child Iron
rich complementary foods such as red meat,
liver, fish, legumes, eggs, dark green leafy
vegetables and ground nuts.
Absorption of Iron from animal sources is
better than Iron from vegetable sources.
Give vitamin C rich foods (orange, lemon,
parsley, guava) with Iron rich meals to enhance absorption.
Do not give tea especially after iron rich
meals as it decreases the absorption.

Foods

Vitamin A Ric
h

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Main vitamin A rich foods are:

Meats, liver, milk and dairy products,
carrots, spinach, apricot, mango & sweet
peppers.

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Remember
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Not to give whole nuts and large pieces of

)hard food (avoid chocking

Not to serve fresh cows milk before 12

months of age.

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Babies need important nutrients such as:

& Carbohydrates from cereals, grains
starchy vegetables.
Protiens from red meats, poultry, fish,
egg, legumes and nuts.
Calcium from milk & milk products.
Vitamins from fruits & vegetables.

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Babies should not be given:

Sweets, crisps or fizzy drinks.
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