Is it true that mothers cannot give instant mpasi to babies?

Food is one of the important aspects that babies need. Vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, and fats present in food each have a role in supporting the growth and development of the baby. No wonder, many mothers start thinking about healthy foods for their babies. Many mothers even avoid their babies from foods that they think are unhealthy, such as instant foods or packaged foods, including instant solids. However, is it true that you shouldn't give instant solids for babies?

Are instant solids for babies unhealthy?

Instant foods are attached to the label of unhealthy foods. The presence of preservatives, MSG, and coloring makes instant food branded like that.

This thought also makes instant complementary foods avoided by many mothers to give to their babies. For some mothers, food for babies should be natural and homemade so that the nutrition received by the baby is maximal. However, apparently instant solids are not that bad for babies.

Instant complementary foods can actually make it easier for mothers when they have to feed their babies while traveling. Serving it is instant and doesn't take long, so the mother doesn't have to bother feeding the baby when she isn't home. Don't worry, instant solids are specially designed for babies, so they don't add preservatives, colorants, and MSG.

Then, why is instant complementary food durable and can be stored for a long time? This is because instant solids are made using a drying technique, a technique that aims to remove water content in food ingredients, so that food can be stored longer.

WHO has also set the provisions that must be met instant complementary foods on the market. Based on WHO provisions, instant complementary foods must meet food safety, hygiene and nutritional content standards.

Nutrients in instant complementary foods

Now, for nutritional problems, instant complementary foods contain enough important nutrients needed by babies. Take a look at the nutritional value information which is definitely in the package, there must be written what vitamins and minerals are contained in instant complementary foods in 1 serving.

Usually, instant complementary foods contain iron, zinc, calcium, copper minerals, and iodine. These minerals play a role in the development of the baby's brain and also strengthen the baby's immune system.

Not only that, the iron content that is high enough in instant solids also helps meet the baby's iron needs. Keep in mind, babies aged 6 months need iron minerals which are high enough, which can not only be met by breastfeeding alone. Therefore, babies aged 6 months need other foods besides breast milk.

Based on the 2013A Nutritional Adequacy Rate (RDA), SI only contains 2 mg of iron, while the baby's need for iron is 7 mg per day. This is a high enough number for babies. To meet this iron requirement, babies must eat a variety of foods high in iron, such as beef, liver and fish.

Of course, this is a difficult thing for babies if they have to eat large amounts of these foods to meet their iron needs. Now, with the presence of foods that are fortified with iron, such as instant solid foods, this can help babies meet their iron needs.