How to balance breastfeeding and breastfeeding for babies

Optimizing the growth and development of babies must be supported by various things, including the intake of breast milk and solids. The provision of complementary foods and milk including breast milk and infant formula should be balanced according to the daily nutritional needs of the baby.

So, what is the way to balance the intake of solid foods or complementary foods and milk such as breast milk and formula milk for babies?

When did breastfeeding and complementary foods start to be given together?

The baby is ideally fully exclusively breastfed from birth to six months of age.

As the name implies, during the exclusive breastfeeding period, babies should only receive breast milk without additional drinks or other foods.

This is because at the age of less than six months, breast milk is still able to meet the baby's daily nutritional needs.

However, when the baby reaches six months of age, his daily nutritional needs have increased so that he is no longer able to be fulfilled only from breast milk.

That is why from the age of six months, babies are introduced to solid foods or complementary foods with breast milk (MPASI).

In some cases, babies can also be introduced to complementary foods at the age of four months, but preferably not less than this age.

The provision of complementary foods or solid foods does not necessarily stop the baby's breast milk intake. If the baby is still receiving breast milk, complementary foods and breast milk can still be given together according to the baby's MPASI schedule.

Meanwhile, for babies who are no longer breastfed, giving solid food and formula milk can be done simultaneously.

The purpose of breastfeeding and complementary feeding or formula milk and solid foods is to complete the nutritional needs of the baby.

Introducing babies to start learning to eat solid foods at the right time also helps support their growth and development.

Conversely, when giving complementary foods to babies is late or after the age of six months, the baby is at risk of experiencing a series of problems.

Launching from the Mayo Clinic, the delay in giving complementary foods has the risk of causing babies to experience growth slowdown, iron deficiency, and motor function problems.

What is the first solid food that should be given with ASI?

According to Pregnancy Birth and Baby, complementary foods that are given for the first time to babies should contain iron.

The reason iron should be in a baby's first solid food is because most of a baby's iron supply begins to decrease from the age of six months.

So, it's a good idea to choose baby food sources that are rich in iron, such as red meat, chicken and fish.

Apart from being a good source of protein, red meat, chicken, and fish are also rich in iron and zinc in them.

In fact, the iron content in these animal protein sources tends to be greater than the iron in vegetables and fruits.

Another option you can provide additional sources of fiber from vegetables and vegetable protein sources from tofu, tempeh, and nuts. But keep in mind always adjust the food texture according to the baby's age

How do you balance breastfeeding and complementary feeding?

Breastfeeding and complementary foods as well as formula milk and solid food for babies must be balanced.

This means that the amount of breastfeeding and complementary feeding should be adjusted to the needs and feeding schedule of the baby every day.

Indirectly, this also helps babies to get used to recognizing when to eat main meals, eat baby snacks or snacks, to drink milk.

So, so you don't get confused, here's how you can balance breastfeeding and baby solids:

1. Know the schedule for breastfeeding and giving complementary foods for babies

Just like older children and adults, babies should also have an early feeding schedule.

This method can help babies adapt from breastfeeding only to learning to eat solids.

In order for breastfeeding and complementary foods to be more optimal and balanced, pay attention to the baby's MPASI schedule according to their age.

Usually, breastfeeding is given in the morning and then after some time complementary foods are given.

The next MPASI schedule provides snacks for babies, lunch, breast milk, afternoon snacks, breast milk, and dinner.

Finally, how to balance breastfeeding and complementary foods for babies who are just starting to learn to eat solid food while still breastfeeding at night.

You can give breast milk at night around 22.00, 24.00, and 03.00 according to the baby's desire to breastfeed.

However, this is not a necessity, but a choice depending on whether the baby wants breastfeeding again or not.

If the baby is fast asleep and does not seem fussy or hungry at night, breastfeeding at that time may not be done.

The schedule for giving formula milk for babies who are no longer breastfeeding can be adjusted to the schedule for breastfeeding.

2. Provide complementary foods according to the baby's needs

The amount or portion of a baby's food can vary depending on the development of his age.

At the beginning of the introduction period from breast milk to complementary foods or at the age of six months, babies are usually only able to eat small and limited amounts of food.

During the early days of getting to know complementary foods, the amount of breast milk that babies drink may still be quite a lot because they adjust to their solid food intake.

Based on the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI), babies generally eat approximately three tablespoons at the beginning of complementary feeding.

At the age range of 6-8 months, the portion of solid foods that babies can consume is about 3 tablespoons to ½ cup 250 milliliter (ml) size.

If the baby previously learned to eat solid food about 1 time a day, over time the baby's frequency of eating increases to 2-3 large meals a day until the age of eight months.

Furthermore, at the age of 9-11 months, the portion of baby food in one meal has increased to about ½ cup 250 ml size.

The difference is, if previously at the age of 6-8 months the baby's frequency of eating was only 2-3 times a day, at the age of 9-11 months, your little one can eat about 3-4 times per day.

However, this frequency only applies to the main meal so there are still 1-2 times more to eat snacks (snacks) according to the baby's wishes.

Don't forget, balance the provision of solids and breast milk as the baby gets older.

3. Note the sequence of breastfeeding and complementary foods

From the age of six months, solid foods or complementary foods for babies are given in the morning, afternoon, and evening, while breast milk is given in between these main meals.

Usually, the rules for breastfeeding and complementary foods are started with breastfeeding first then continued with complementary foods.

This is because if complementary foods are given earlier, it is feared that the baby will no longer want to breastfeed because they are full.

Likewise, if the baby is no longer getting breast milk but is replaced with formula milk. That is, formula milk is given before solid food.

Then when the baby is almost a year old, the sequence of breastfeeding and solids can be reversed.

So, you give solid food first and then breastfeed. This aims to familiarize and prepare the baby to switch from breast milk or formula milk to solid foods completely.

Pay attention to this in breastfeeding with complementary foods

Actually, giving breast milk together with solids for babies is not difficult.

However, there are still a number of things that you need to pay attention to in balancing breastfeeding and baby solids, namely:

1. It takes time to introduce new foods to babies

During the process of feeding solid foods or baby solids, of course there are many sources of food that you will introduce to your little one.

Babies' acquaintance with these various food sources does not always go smoothly. Sometimes, he can easily accept new foods, but other times refuse certain foods.

Providing food to try this first time can be done by feeding your little one (spoon feeding).

If your little one refuses when given a new food, don't give up immediately and conclude that he doesn't like it.

Usually, it takes about 10-15 attempts to really know whether a baby likes the food or not.

If you have given the food up to 15 times but your baby has difficulty eating or even melts it, chances are that he doesn't like it.

2. Avoid forcing babies to eat

If after drinking breast milk or infant formula, the baby feels full, avoid forcing your little one to finish his food at mealtimes after feeding.

Let babies learn to recognize hunger and fullness on their own from childhood. This method can help you to balance your breastmilk intake and baby solids while preventing nutritional problems in babies.