Skip to main content

Give animal source foods starting at 6 months

Updated Generic C-IYCF Counselling Package, 2024 (UNICEF | 2024)
Give animal source foods starting at 6 months

Key Messages

  • During pregnancy and breastfeeding, eating at least one type of animal-source food every day will help you stay strong and healthy.
  • Your baby also needs animal-source foods starting as early as 6 months of age.
  • Good examples of animal-source foods include milk and non-sugary non-flavoured milk products, eggs, meat, chicken, small fish or dried fish powder, liver or other organ meats, and edible insects.
  • After beginning complementary foods at 6 months of age, feed your baby at least one group of animal-source food (flesh foods, dairy, and eggs) every day. Make sure to cook, chop and mash these foods to make them soft enough for your baby to swallow. You can soften the mashed food with a little breastmilk or clean drinking water.
  • Consider giving your baby three or four eggs each week. Eggs are sometimes more affordable than other animal-source foods and can be easily boiled and mashed.
  • For infants between 6 and 12 months of age who drink milk products, either infant formula or animal milk can be fed. (Animal milk should be boiled before giving it to the young child).
  • For young children between 12 and 24 months of age who drink milk products, either milk or boiled animal milk should be provided. Follow-up formulas are not recommended.
  • Consider ways to raise animals that can provide animal-source foods for the family:
    • Small animals, such as guinea pigs and rabbits, can provide a source of meat. 
    • Chickens can provide both eggs and poultry for the family.
    • A pond can be built to raise fish that can be eaten fresh, dried for eating later, or dried to make into powder.
    • Caring for a cow or goat can allow you to provide fresh animal milk for the family.
       

 

Included Images