What should be the frequency and interval of meals in infants?

Dietician Hülya Çağatay gave information about the subject. Correct selection of meal frequency and interval in babies is important for babies to grow and develop in a healthy way. Babies should be fed exclusively breast milk for the first 6 months. In this 6-month period, all nutritional needs of the baby are met. However, after the sixth month, breast milk alone is not enough to meet the nutritional needs of the baby, and as the World Health Organization recommends, complementary foods should be started in addition to breast milk after the 6th month.

The frequency of meals should be sufficient for babies who start taking complementary foods. Meal intervals should not be too long or too frequent. In addition, attention should be paid to the provision of appropriate foods at meals, to the variety of foods, and to the hygiene of the foods given. Another issue to be considered is that the frequency of meals in babies should not be more than necessary. This may cause less breast milk intake.

When determining the frequency and interval of meals in babies, the energy density of the food given, the amount consumed per meal, the amount of breast milk, the size and appetite of the baby should be considered.

When transitioning to complementary foods, the meal frequency of the baby breastfed by a healthy nourished mother varies according to months.

6-8. In addition to frequent breastfeeding, the frequency of meals is 2-3 times a day, 9-11. 3-4 times, 12-24. It should be 3-4 times between months. Additional nutritious snacks should be added 12-24 times a day for 1-2 months. It should not be forgotten that babies should continue to be breastfed until the age of 2, in addition to the meals given. If the energy density of the forehead is low at meals or if they do not receive breast milk, the frequency of meals should be increased in babies. Although the meal intervals vary according to the baby, additional foods can be given every 3-4 hours. Between the ages of 6 months and 2 years, the baby should be breastfed when he / she wants.