Introduction of solid foods along with breast feeding is called:

ESIC Nursing Officer -2019 (Shift -1)

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Easy

Appeared in: ESIC Nursing Officer -2019 (Shift -1)

Explanation

Complementary feeding is the correct term for the process of introducing foods and liquids other than breast milk to an infant's diet.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends starting complementary feeding at 6 months of age, as breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to meet all nutritional needs.
The purpose is to 'complement' breast milk, not to replace it. Breastfeeding should continue on demand up to two years of age or beyond.
These foods provide essential additional energy, protein, iron, and other micronutrients for continued healthy growth and development.

Option A: Scheduled feeding refers to the timing of feeds (at set intervals), not the type of food being introduced. It is a feeding philosophy, not the process of adding solids.
Option B: Conditional feeding is not a standard, recognized term in pediatric nursing or nutrition. It does not describe a specific infant feeding practice.
Option C: Demand feeding (or on-demand feeding) refers to feeding an infant whenever they show hunger cues. While breastfeeding is often done on demand, this term describes the cue for feeding, not the introduction of solid foods.

Visual 1: Chart - A timeline showing the recommended ages for introducing different types of complementary foods (e.g., pureed vegetables, fruits, cereals, and proteins).
Visual 2: Infographic - A comparison diagram illustrating Exclusive Breastfeeding (only breast milk), Complementary Feeding (breast milk + solids), and Weaning (transitioning off breast milk).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Infant Nutrition and Feeding Methods as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a vital role in educating parents on the principles of complementary feeding, including timing, appropriate food choices, and safe preparation to prevent malnutrition and infection.
It is crucial to advise parents to introduce new foods one at a time, with a few days in between, to monitor for any allergic reactions like rashes, wheezing, or diarrhea.
What if a parent introduces solids at 4 months? The nurse should explain that the infant's digestive system is still immature, and early introduction can increase the risk of allergies and digestive problems. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key concepts in the question stem: 'introduction of solid foods' and 'along with breast feeding'.
Recognize this as a definition-based (Recall) question. Your task is to match the described practice with the correct terminology.
Evaluate each option. 'Scheduled' and 'Demand' feeding relate to the timing or cues for feeding, not the type of food.
'Conditional feeding' is not a standard term, making it an unlikely answer.
'Complementary feeding' specifically describes the process of adding foods to 'complement' the ongoing breastfeeding, which directly matches the question's description.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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