1. Practice exclusive breastfeeding from birth to 6 months of age, and introduce complementary foods at 6 months of age (180 days) while continuing to breastfeed.
2. Continue frequent, on-demand breastfeeding until 2 years of age or beyond.
3. If for any reason you are unable to breastfeed, give appropriate milk products for the infant until 6 months.
4. Practice responsive feeding.
• Feed infants directly and assist older children when they feed themselves. Feed slowly and patiently, and encourage children to eat, but do not force them.
• If children refuse many foods, experiment with different food combinations, tastes, textures and methods of encouragement.
• Minimise distractions during meals if the child loses interest easily.
• Remember that feeding times are periods of learning and love – talk to children during feeding, with eye-to-eye contact.
5. Practice good hygiene and proper food handling.
6. Start at 6 months of age with small amounts of food and increase the quantity as the child gets older, while maintaining frequent breastfeeding.
7. Gradually increase food consistency and variety as the infant grows older, adapting to the infant’s requirements and abilities.
8. Increase the number of times that the child is fed complementary foods as the child gets older.
9. Feed a variety of nutrient-rich foods to ensure that all nutrient needs are met ensuring that you give foods from all food groups i.e. healthy fats, carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins.
10. Use fortified complementary foods or vitamin-mineral supplements for the infant, as needed
11. Increase fluid intake during illness, including more frequent breastfeeding, and encourage the child to eat soft, favourite foods. After illness, give food more often than usual and encourage the child to eat more.
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