Impacts of the 10 Steps for Healthy Feeding in Infants: a Randomized Field Trial

Step 1 - Provide Exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 mo. Step 2- After 6 mo, gradually introduce complementary foods and continue breastfeeding up to 2 y or more. Step 3 - Complementary foods should be given 3 times a day (cereals, beans, fruits, and vegetables) if the child is breastfed, and 5 times a day if not. Step 4- Mealtimes must be adjusted to the children's cues of hunger and satiety. Step 5: Foods should gradually get thicker up to the time when the child is able to eat a family meal. Complementary foods should not be liquefied. Step 6: A large variety of healthy foods should be given daily to guarantee the intake of different nutrients. Step 7: Different fruits and vegetables should be offered daily. Step 8: Sugar, sweets, soft drinks, salty snacks, cookies, and processed and fried foods must be avoided. Step 9: Good hygiene practices in food preparation and handling. Step 10: Adequate feeding during child illness.