Context:
As infants reach the age of six months, introducing complementary feeding becomes essential to meet their growing nutritional demands. However, cultural myths and misconceptions, coupled with a lack of awareness, pose challenges to providing proper nutrition. Caregivers may be uncertain about which foods to introduce and when, leading to inadequate dietary diversity and nutrient intake.

Purpose:
The ‘Age-appropriate Nutrition Card (children older than 6 months)’ serves the purpose of educating parents about the importance of introducing complementary feeding for children older than 6 months. As breast milk alone becomes insufficient to meet the growing energy and nutrient needs of the child, the card guides parents on how to introduce complementary foods alongside breastfeeding from 6 months to 2 years. It provides essential information on the types of foods suitable for the child’s age, the appropriate quantity, feeding frequency, and food consistency.

Target Groups:
Parents and caregivers of children between 6 months to 2 years old

Key Messages:
Practising well-balanced complementary feeding, alongside breastmilk, from 6 months to 2 years aids in optimal child growth and development.

Duration: 
3 minutes

Required Resources:
Age-appropriate Nutrition Card (Children older than 6 months)

How to Use:
Facilitators use the ‘Age-appropriate Nutrition Card’ to educate parents about introducing complementary feeding from 6 months to 2 years, providing essential guidance on types of foods, quantities, feeding frequency, and food consistency to ensure optimal nutrition for the child’s healthy growth and development. They are encouraged to seek guidance from the Anganwadi worker for more information on child nutrition.