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Appropriate feeding practices are fundamental for the
growth and development of infants
and children. However, the recent DOH changes
in weaning is proving to be confusing
and sometimes difficult for parents.
The
major changes being, exclusive breastfeeding (and breast
milk substitutes)
is recommended for the first 6 months of an infants
life and the recommended age
for the introduction of solid foods for infants is now
6 months instead of 4 months.
As
Health Visitors we are well aware that each infant/child
should be seen as an individual and some may show signs
of being ready to introduce solid foods earlier than
the recommended time. Even so, it can be difficult for
us as Health Practitioners to instigate this change
in practice and can also sometimes prove to be a challenge
in supporting parents through this change.
To
help us through this challenge the DOH has finally produced
a new ‘weaning leaflet’ ;
http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/11/70/83/04117083.pdf
which is now available for all practitioners working
with infants and children.
If
you require research to support the recent changes,
you can also email doh@prolog.uk.com
for an Infant Feeding and Child Nutrition Resource pack.
As well as this, here is a ‘weaning
quiz’ that I have developed in order
to facilitate parents and to bring about a bit of fun,
through this somewhat confusing time.This is a superb
tool to use at Post-natal groups or at weaning groups
at your clinic and it can easily be copied,
ready
to use.
Health
Visitor
