The primary source of nutritional intake for babies is breast milk. However, if the child is over 6 months old, then they are allowed to get additional intake from MPASI. Actually, what is MPASI?
MPASI is an abbreviation for Complementary Food for Breast Milk. MPASI is necessary to help meet the increasing nutritional needs of babies from 6 months old and above.
Providing MPASI cannot be done carelessly. You need to pay attention to the nutritional content and follow the guidelines for giving the right MPASI for your little one. Let's learn about MPASI, its benefits, and the rules outlined in the article below.
What Is MPASI?
As a parent, you may have often heard about MPASI. Yes, MPASI is complementary food for breast milk, designed to meet the nutritional needs of the child's body.
As the child grows older, they will undoubtedly need additional nutrition beyond breast milk.
This is what makes MPASI necessary, especially if your child is turning 6 months old.
Benefits of Providing MPASI
MPASI that is given appropriately also provides several benefits for the child's overall health. Some of the benefits of MPASI are as follows:
- Introducing various types and textures of food to children.
- Optimizing children's growth and development.
- Maintaining children's health, both physically and mentally.
- Teaching children to eat their food.
- Increasing appetite.
- Training gripping skills.
Rules for Giving MPASI
MPASI, when given properly and adequately, can help optimize the growth and development of your little one.
Therefore, the rules for giving MPASI are something that every parent needs to understand.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), several key principles of MPASI need to be understood, including the timing of feeding, the amount of food, safety considerations, and the method of administration. Here is the explanation.
1. Timely
For the benefits to be more optimal, MPASI should be introduced to your little one at the right time.
You may have wondered when the right time to start MPASI is or when to introduce baby food. According to WHO, the latest age for MPASI is 6 months.
The provision of MPASI below that age should be consulted with a pediatrician first, considering that each child has different conditions.
Some things that the doctor will pay attention to in determining the time of giving MPASI are as follows:
- The child looks interested in food.
- The reflex to vomit food has begun to decrease.
- The child can control head movements well and stably, and the neck is in an upright position.
2. Adequate
It is recommended that complementary foods contain nutrients that breast milk cannot provide, such as carbohydrates, iron, and protein.
Therefore, provide a varied and complementary food menu that contains a balanced mix of nutrients, including carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals.
You also need to pay attention to the amount of nutrients in complementary foods to ensure there is neither deficiency nor excess. You can ensure your little one receives the right amount of nutritional intake by consulting a doctor.
3. Safe and Hygienic
Another important rule for you to pay attention to when providing complementary foods is their safety.
Make sure the manufacturing process, ingredients, and supporting equipment for complementary foods are sterile and free from contamination. Wash your hands before feeding your little one complementary foods.
If you want to store it, ensure the cooked complementary foods are stored in a closed container and placed in the refrigerator at a temperature below 5 degrees Celsius.
Additionally, these stored complementary foods should not be used for more than one day to prevent contamination.
4. Given in a Proper Way (Properly Fed)
To avoid digestive problems, MPASI must also be given responsively, namely without coercion and adjusting to the little one's hunger and fullness signals.
However, MPASI still needs to be given regularly and according to schedule.
You can also create a comfortable atmosphere when giving MPASI to maintain your little one's appetite.
Also, avoid distractions that can cause your little one to lose focus on eating, such as watching television or playing with toys.
That is all the explanation of what MPASI is that is important for you to understand as a parent.
In addition to the MPASI, you need to also give your little one water according to their needs to meet their body's fluid intake.
For this need, you can provide AQUA Gallon 19 liters to help meet your little one's daily fluid needs.
AQUA gallon is drinking water that is also naturally maintained because it is taken from 21 selected mountain springs in Indonesia.
The AQUA gallon cap also utilizes double injection technology, which ensures it remains safe and free from contamination after undergoing the distribution process.
No need to worry, AQUA gallons meet the standards of the Minister of Health Decree Number 907 of 2002 concerning drinking water suitable for consumption, which stipulates that it must be clean, tasteless, odorless, and colorless.
AQUA Gallons is also modestly priced, as you can get it at the nearest shop or supermarket for around IDR1,000 per liter! Very affordable, right?
Therefore, always have #AQUADULU available for you and your family at home!
