Hi
Generally complementary feeding should be started by about 6 months, as milk alone cannot fulfill the growing needs of the infant...it's always better to start off with weaning at about 6 months..
complementary foods should provide adequate energy, protein besides other essential minerals and vitamins..
Start with strained liquid foods, then progressed to thick gruesome, followed by semi solid soft foods low in fiber, andcthese premix powders to be added with water or milk to a smooth paste and
sugar/ jaggery and fat can be added..
Fresh complementary foods can be prepared with suitable combination of cereals, dehusked pulses / milk, vegetables/ fruits, nuts, fats and sugar will provide the required energy to the baby along with protein,
vitamin and minerals..
Introduce one food at one time, start with small tiny amounts of the new food, and slowly you can increase if that suits to your baby, not to force the feed, start with bland/ smooth foods initially with a pinch of salt only at the beginning, and then later slowly introduce different types of foods, food served should be of lukewarm , and you can even introduce new food when the baby is hungry..
Hygiene and cleanliness are very critical for feeding the infant and small frequent meals about 5 to 7 feeds per day at two and half to 3 hour intervals..
For weaning, The complementary food that can be given is preparation of ARF ( Amylase Rich Flour) with wheat..
1oo gm of wheat grains soaked for 12 hours, drain water and leave them to germinate for further more hours..when you see the long sprouts sun dry them for some 6 hours again, roast them again, cool them and make them to fine powder...now your ARF is ready..store it in a air tight container and use 1 to 2 teaspoon per feed..or add it to cereal pulse premix..for your baby..
Thankyou