Feeding the non-breastfed child from 6 up to 24 months

• Feeding the non-breastfed child requires some additional care and planning, including extra care for hygiene and protection from illness. Remind the caregiver that the non-breastfed child does not benefit from the important protections that a breastfed child receives.

Foods

• The non-breastfed child from 6 to 24 months of age needs to eat 4-to-5 meals and 1-to-2 cups of milk each day. Offer 1-to-2 snacks during the day.

Milks other than breastmilk

• For non-breastfed infants 6 to 12 months of age, either milk formula or animal milk can be fed. (Animal milk should be boiled before giving it to young children and full fat milk should be used).
• For non-breastfed young children 12 to 24 months of age, boiled animal milk should be fed. Follow-up formulas are not needed or recommended.
• Dairy products, including animal milks, are part of a diverse diet and can contribute to nutritional adequacy. They are particularly important for non-breastfed children when other animal-source foods are not available.
• Types of animal milks that could be used include pasteurized animal milk, reconstituted evaporated (but not condensed) milk, fermented milk or yoghurt.
• Flavoured or sweetened milks should not be used.
• Safe storage and handling practices of animal milks should be followed.
• After 6 months of age, also offer 2-to-3 cups of clean (boiled and cooled or treated) water each day, especially in hot climates. See Counselling Card 15 on clean water and food safety.

Notes for the community health worker:

If a mother was breastfeeding and giving other milk feeds to her baby before 6 months of age (called mixed feeding), and plans to continue to both breastfeed and give other milk feeds after 6 months, encourage the following:

• If mainly breastfeeding, encourage the mother to follow the recommended complementary feeding practices for the breastfed child. See Counselling Cards 17, 18, 19 and 20.
• If mainly providing other milk feeds, encourage the mother to follow the recommended complementary feeding practices for the non-breastfed child. See Counselling Card 38.