Israel’s Health Ministry has released new guidelines addressing feeding for infants.

Public Health Director Dr. Itamar Gruto released new advisory guidelines calling to supplement nursing with solid foods after 4 months.

Babies should receive supplemental solid foods in small quantities, 1-2 small spoons once or twice daily. The list includes meat, poultry, turkey, fish, eggs, legumes, Tehina, infant cereal fortified with iron, fruits and vegetables. He stresses the nursing should remain the primary food given an infant or alternatively, formula.

Beginning in the seventh month, one should gradually increase the solid foods in addition to nursing or formula. Regarding dairy products, milk and cheese, they should only be introduced into the baby’s diet from 9-10 months since they are a low source of iron.

According to Dr. Irit Poraz, chief of dietary services of the Clalit HMO and responsible for nutritional services in Schneider Children’s Hospital adds “we are talking about a limited window of opportunity which will assist in limiting the development of food allergies. It must be remembered we are speaking about introducing foods, not a meal. Only at 7 months should solid foods begin being introduced as a meal, in greater quantities”.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)