Are there any risks to introducing complementary foods after 6 months of age?

Updated on: Jan 8, 2021

Complementary foods should be introduced into the diet around the age of 6 months. A late introduction (after 6 months of age) can negatively affect the baby’s growth and the development of their eating behaviors.  

Meeting nutritional needs with solid foods

Breastmilk and commercial infant formula no longer meet the needs of a full-term baby older than 6 months. Several nutrients may be missing: 

  • Protein 
  • Iron 
  • Zinc  
  • Vitamins D and E 
  • Several B vitamins  

At birth, an infant has sufficient iron stores for the first 6 months of life. After this period, the baby must meet its needs through the diet. If not, an iron deficiency can occur, which can lead to anemia. Anemia can have adverse effects on a baby’s health and development. This condition weakens the immune system can cause an irreversible decline in the development of an infant’s cognitive functions.  

Therefore, the first foods to introduce into a baby’s diet are those rich in iron.  

A timely introduction of solid foods supports the development of the baby 

Chewing involves complex movements that are possible once the neuromuscular system has matured. The introduction of complementary foods helps the child develop chewing abilities. Health Canada recommends offering a variety of textures and finger foods from 6 months of age. Foods that can be offered include those that are: 

  • Lumpy 
  • Cooked until tender and finely chopped 
  • Pureed 
  • Crushed or ground 
  • Soft pieces   

From the age of six months, babies should begin to explore different textures and flavors. At 8 months, the child should be able to eat foods that are not pureed, or they will be reluctant to eat different textured foods by the age of one.   

The first year of life is a critical time for the development of taste and texture preferences. By one year of age, babies should be able to eat the same foods as the rest of the family; only with textures adapted to the baby’s needs (foods that are soft ground, crushed or cut into pieces).  

All in all, if complementary foods are introduced too late, not only are children more prone to nutritional deficiencies, yet it may also be challenging for them to accept different foods. As a result, they can become very selective with regards to their diet.  

Références

Organisation mondiale de la Santé. (2003). Stratégie mondiale pour l'alimentation du nourrisson et du jeune enfant. Repéré à :

https://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/gs_infant_feeding_text_fre.pdf

PEN. (2019). Infant Nutrition – Complementary Feeding – Summary of recommendations and evidence. PEN: practice-based evidence in nutrition



Santé Canada. (2015). Nutrition du nourrisson né à terme et en santé : Recommandation de la naissance à six mois. Repéré à :

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/infant-nourisson/recom/index-fra.php

Société canadienne de pédiatrie. (2018). Le sevrage de l’allaitement. Repéré à :

http://www.cps.ca/fr/documents/position/sevrage-de-allaitement#ref15

 
Ressources

Doré, N., et Le Henaff, D. (2021). Mieux vivre avec notre enfant de la grossesse à deux ans.



Société canadienne de pédiatrie. (2014). L'alimentation de votre enfant jusqu'à un an.



 

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