Guiding Principles for Complementary Feeding of the Breastfed

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FEEDING DURING AND AFTER ILLNESS
A. Guideline: Increase fluid intake during illness, including more frequent breastfeeding, and
encourage the child to eat soft, varied, appetizing, favorite foods. After illness, give food more
often than usual and encourage the child to eat more.
B. Scientific rationale: During illness, the need for fluids is often higher than normal. Sick
children appear to prefer breast milk to other foods (Brown et al., 1990), so continued, frequent
breastfeeding during illness is advisable. Even though appetite may be reduced, continued
consumption of complementary foods is recommended to maintain nutrient intake and
enhance recovery (Brown, 2001). After illness, the child needs greater nutrient intake to make
up for nutrient losses during the illness and allow for catch-up growth. Extra food is needed
until the child has regained any weight lost and is growing well again.
Continued, frequent breastfeeding
during illness is advisable.
26 Food and Nutrition
Photo courtesy of UNICEF /HQ97-1377/ Giacomo Pirozzi: Nigerian mother feeding her child during illness