The First Six Months Matter
The first six months of a baby’s life are an important period of growth and development. During this time, the baby experiences rapid changes in brain development, body growth, immunity and digestion. Nutrition plays a major role in supporting these changes, which is why exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for most babies during the first six months.
Exclusive breastfeeding means feeding a baby breast milk only, without giving other foods or drinks, including water. Exceptions include oral rehydration solution, vitamin or mineral drops, and medicines when needed or recommended by a qualified health professional.
For parents, especially first time parents, feeding a newborn comes with many questions. Is breast milk enough? Does the baby need water when the weather is hot? What should a parent do when the baby cries for hours? Is gripe water necessary? When should solid foods be introduced? And what happens when the mother needs to return to work?
These questions matter because advice about infant feeding is everywhere. Some recommendations are based on medical evidence, while others come from family traditions, social media, advertising or well meaning friends who believe that what worked for one baby must work for every baby.
The goal is not to frighten parents or make them feel guilty about their circumstances. It is to help families make informed decisions that support the health and development of their children.
1. Why Exclusive Breastfeeding Is Recommended for Six Months
The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by the introduction of appropriate complementary foods while breastfeeding continues up to two years or beyond.
Breast milk is a living, changing source of nutrition. Its composition changes during a feed, throughout the day and as the baby grows. It provides energy, protein, fats, vitamins, minerals and other components that support infant development. It also contains antibodies and other immune factors that help protect babies against certain infections.
Breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of illnesses such as diarrhoeal disease and some respiratory infections, although it cannot prevent every illness.
For the baby, the benefits include:
- Nutrition: Breast milk provides the energy and nutrients needed during early infancy.
- Immune protection: Antibodies and other protective components help the baby respond to infections.
- Hydration: Breast milk supplies both nutrients and water.
- Digestion: It is generally well suited to a young baby’s developing digestive system.
- Bonding and comfort: Breastfeeding provides closeness and reassurance as well as food.
- Ongoing development: Breastfeeding supports healthy growth and is associated with several health benefits for both mother and child.
The mother can also benefit. Breastfeeding helps the uterus contract after birth and is associated with lower risks of certain health conditions, including breast and ovarian cancers. However, the experience is not identical for every mother, and breastfeeding can sometimes be physically or emotionally challenging.
One important point is that a baby should not be expected to follow a rigid feeding timetable. Newborns commonly feed frequently, sometimes with several feeds close together. Feeding on demand, responding to early hunger cues and seeking professional support when feeding is painful or ineffective can help establish breastfeeding.
2. Breast Milk Contains Water, So Should You Give a Baby Water?
In most cases, no. A healthy baby who is exclusively breastfed does not need additional water during the first six months, even in a hot climate such as Kenya’s.
Breast milk contains plenty of water to meet a young baby’s hydration needs. Giving water separately is unnecessary and can be harmful if it replaces breast milk or is given in excessive amounts.
A baby who appears thirsty, wants to feed frequently or becomes unsettled during hot weather may simply need to breastfeed more often. Mothers can offer the breast whenever the baby shows hunger cues rather than assuming the baby needs a separate drink.
During exclusive breastfeeding, avoid giving the baby:
- Plain drinking water.
- Fruit juice.
- Soda or other sugary drinks.
- Porridge or other foods before around six months, unless a qualified health professional advises otherwise for a specific medical reason.
- Gripe water or herbal mixtures as routine drinks.
There are medical exceptions, including prescribed medicines, vitamin or mineral supplements and oral rehydration solution when appropriate. These are not the same as routinely giving water to a healthy infant.
Once complementary feeding begins at around six months, safe drinking water can be offered in small amounts alongside meals, while breast milk remains an important source of nutrition and hydration.
3. What About Colic, Crying and Gas?
Few things worry new parents more than a baby who cries for long periods despite being fed, changed and held. A parent may wonder whether the baby has stomach pain, trapped wind, constipation or another problem.
One possible explanation is infantile colic. Colic generally refers to repeated, prolonged periods of crying in an otherwise healthy baby, often beginning in the first weeks of life. It commonly improves by three to four months, although every baby is different.
The exact cause is not fully understood. Gas may accompany crying, but it is not necessarily the cause of every episode. A baby who cries frequently does not automatically need medicine, gripe water or a change of milk.
What can parents try first?
- Hold the baby close and gently rock or soothe them.
- Check whether the baby is hungry, too hot, too cold or needs a nappy change.
- Keep the baby relatively upright during feeding if this is comfortable.
- Pause to burp the baby during or after feeds if they seem uncomfortable.
- If bottle feeding is used, ask a health professional to check the feeding technique if the baby swallows a lot of air.
- Give the baby a calm environment and consider gentle, supervised movement or soothing sounds.
- Ask another trusted adult to help when exhaustion becomes overwhelming.
Burping may help some babies, but not every baby needs to burp after every feed. Passing stool is also normal, but parents should not try to force a baby to poop or assume that crying always means constipation.
Is gripe water necessary?
Gripe water is marketed for gas, colic and digestive discomfort, but there is not strong, consistent evidence that it reliably treats colic. Products can contain different ingredients, and some may contain substances that are unsuitable for young infants.
For that reason, gripe water should not be treated as an essential part of caring for a newborn. Before giving any remedy, check with a qualified health professional, particularly when the baby is very young.
A baby who cries for long periods may need reassurance and time, but persistent crying can also signal a medical problem. Seek urgent medical care if the baby has a fever of 38°C or higher and is under three months old, difficulty breathing, unusual sleepiness, repeated or green vomiting, blood in the stool, a swollen abdomen, poor feeding or fewer wet nappies than usual. Do not assume that severe or unusual crying is simply colic.
4. Antibiotics and Your Baby’s Health: When Are They Necessary?
Antibiotics are important medicines that treat infections caused by bacteria. They can save lives when used appropriately, including in young babies who develop serious bacterial infections. However, they should not be given casually, without a proper medical assessment or simply because a baby is crying.
A common misunderstanding is that antibiotics clear every beneficial bacterium in the gut and inevitably cause asthma or eczema. The reality is more complicated. Antibiotics can affect the gut microbiome, which is the community of microorganisms living in the digestive system. Research has also found associations between antibiotic exposure early in life and certain later health conditions, but an association does not prove that antibiotics directly caused those conditions. The underlying illness and other factors may also contribute.
The practical lesson is to use antibiotics responsibly, not to fear them when they are medically necessary.
Parents should follow these principles:
- Never give a baby leftover antibiotics from an earlier illness.
- Do not use antibiotics prescribed for another child.
- Do not demand antibiotics for every fever, cough or cold. Many childhood infections are viral, and antibiotics do not treat viruses.
- Give antibiotics only when prescribed by an appropriately qualified health professional for a condition that warrants them.
- Follow the prescribed dose and duration, and contact the prescriber if the baby develops a reaction or cannot keep the medicine down.
- Never stop, extend or change the prescribed course without appropriate medical advice.
For newborns and young infants, a fever can indicate a serious infection. Do not delay medical assessment while trying home remedies or waiting to see whether the baby improves.
Breastfeeding supports the baby’s immune system, but it is not a substitute for necessary medical treatment. A baby can receive breast milk and antibiotics at the same time when treatment is needed.
5. Does the Mother Have to Stop Working to Breastfeed?
Ideally, mothers should have enough time, support and resources to breastfeed for as long as they wish. However, telling every mother to leave employment for one year is not realistic for every family, and it should not be presented as a medical requirement.
Many mothers need to work to pay rent, buy food, cover medical expenses and support other children. Others may be self employed or have jobs where taking an extended break is not financially possible. A mother should not have to choose between supporting her family financially and being considered a good parent.
What matters is helping her continue breastfeeding safely and practically.
Options for mothers returning to work
- Express breast milk: A mother can express milk by hand or with a breast pump for the baby to receive while she is away.
- Store milk safely: Use clean containers and follow reliable breast milk storage guidance for the relevant temperature and storage conditions.
- Plan feeding breaks: Where possible, arrange breaks and a private, hygienic place to express milk.
- Build a support system: A partner, relative or caregiver can help feed the baby expressed milk and maintain clean feeding equipment.
- Continue breastfeeding when together: Morning, evening and night feeds can help maintain breastfeeding after a return to work.
- Seek workplace support: Discuss maternity leave, flexible arrangements and breastfeeding facilities where available.
If a mother can afford to take more time away from work and wants to do so, that may help her meet her breastfeeding goals. But it is not the only way to care well for a baby.
The father and other family members also have a role. They can help with household work, cooking, cleaning, shopping, soothing the baby and protecting the mother’s rest. Supporting breastfeeding is not simply the mother’s responsibility.
6. What Should a Baby Eat From Six Months?
At around six months, breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to meet all the nutritional needs of most babies, particularly their increasing requirements for iron and other nutrients. This is when complementary feeding should begin.
The word complementary is important. The new foods complement breast milk rather than immediately replacing it. Breastfeeding should continue alongside meals for two years or longer if the mother and child wish and circumstances allow.
In Kenya, many nutritious foods are readily available in local markets and shops. Families do not need to depend on expensive imported baby foods to provide a healthy diet. What matters is offering a variety of safe, nutritious foods in forms the baby can manage.
Nutritious foods to consider
1. Millet and sorghum
Millet and sorghum can be used to prepare porridge for a baby who has started complementary feeding. Cook them thoroughly and make the consistency suitable for the child’s age and feeding ability. Avoid adding sugar.
Porridge made only from a thin cereal mixture may not provide enough energy, iron or other nutrients. Where appropriate, enrich it with nutritious ingredients such as groundnut paste, while ensuring the texture is safe and the baby has no known allergy to the ingredient.
2. Beans, green grams and other legumes
Beans provide protein, fibre and other nutrients. Cook them until soft and mash or blend them to a texture the baby can safely swallow. Green grams, lentils and other legumes can also add variety.
Whole, firm beans can be a choking hazard for young children, so prepare them appropriately.
3. Eggs
Eggs provide protein, fats and several important nutrients. Offer them thoroughly cooked and in a soft texture appropriate for the baby. Eggs are among the foods that can cause allergies, so introduce them in a safe form and watch for reactions. Seek urgent help if the baby develops breathing difficulty or swelling of the tongue or throat after eating.
4. Meat and fish
Soft, well cooked meat can provide iron, zinc and protein. Remove bones, tough pieces and gristle, then finely mince, shred or mash the meat.
Small fish such as omena can also contribute protein and minerals. Prepare it carefully, removing hard or sharp bones and ensuring the texture is safe. Do not serve salty, heavily seasoned or poorly prepared fish to an infant.
5. Sweet potatoes, pumpkins and butternuts
These foods are useful sources of energy and nutrients. Steam, boil or bake them until soft, then mash them. Their natural texture makes them useful early complementary foods, and they can be combined with other foods to increase nutritional variety.
6. Mashed green bananas
Cook green bananas until soft and mash them thoroughly. They can provide energy and be combined with beans, meat, fish or other suitable foods to make a more balanced meal.
7. Vegetables and fruits
Introduce a variety of vegetables and fruits, such as well cooked carrots, leafy greens, avocado, ripe banana and other locally available produce. Wash them properly and prepare them in a texture suitable for the baby’s developmental stage.
8. Bone broth
Bone broth may be used as part of a meal, but it should not be treated as a complete food for a growing baby. Broth alone generally does not provide enough energy, iron, protein and other nutrients to replace a balanced meal. Soft meat, mashed legumes, vegetables and other nutrient rich foods are more useful when building a complete meal.
A simple example of a Kenyan baby’s meal plan
The following is an illustration, not a rigid timetable. Appetite and readiness vary, and babies should be allowed to respond to their own hunger and fullness cues.
| Meal | Example |
|---|---|
| Morning | Breastfeed, followed by soft millet porridge enriched with a suitable nutritious ingredient |
| Mid morning | Breastfeed and, if hungry, a little mashed ripe banana or avocado |
| Lunch | Mashed beans with soft sweet potato |
| Afternoon | Breastfeed and a suitable soft fruit or vegetable |
| Evening | Mashed pumpkin with finely minced meat or well prepared fish |
| Before sleep | Breastfeed as desired |
A six month old may initially eat only small amounts. Start with small portions and gradually increase the quantity, thickness and variety as the baby becomes more comfortable eating. Never force a baby to finish a meal.
As the baby grows, offer more frequent meals and gradually introduce a wider range of textures. By six to eight months, many babies can work towards two or three complementary meals daily, with appropriate snacks as they get older. Breastfeeding continues throughout.
7. How to Introduce Solid Foods Safely
Knowing which foods are nutritious is only part of the process. Parents must also know how to prepare and serve them safely.
A baby’s ability to swallow, chew and manage different textures develops over time. Food should therefore be prepared according to the baby’s developmental stage rather than simply copied from the adult family meal.
Keep these practices in mind:
- Wash your hands before preparing food and before feeding the baby.
- Use clean utensils and safe drinking water.
- Cook foods thoroughly, particularly meat, fish, eggs and legumes.
- Mash, mince or shred foods to a suitable texture.
- Remove bones, pits and other hard pieces that could cause choking.
- Supervise the baby while eating and make sure the baby is sitting upright.
- Gradually progress from smooth mashed foods to thicker textures and soft finger foods as the baby develops the ability to manage them.
- Offer a variety of foods instead of feeding the same cereal or vegetable at every meal.
- Respond to hunger and fullness cues rather than forcing the baby to eat.
Some foods require particular care. Whole nuts, hard pieces of raw vegetables, whole grapes, hard sweets and other small, firm foods can cause choking. Groundnuts should be offered in a smooth paste mixed into food, not as whole nuts or a thick spoonful of sticky peanut butter.
Allergenic foods, including egg and peanut, do not generally need to be delayed unnecessarily once a baby is ready for complementary feeding. Introduce them in safe forms and seek professional advice if the baby has severe eczema, a known food allergy or another relevant medical concern.
8. Sugar, Juice and Soda: What Should Parents Avoid?
Babies do not need added sugar in their food. Adding sugar to porridge or offering sweet drinks can encourage a preference for very sweet flavours without improving the nutritional value of the meal.
For children under two years, it is best to avoid foods and drinks with added sugars. Soda, sweetened juices, sugary drinks and sweets are not appropriate everyday foods for infants.
Fruit juice is also unnecessary for babies under one year. Whole, soft fruit is a better choice because it provides fibre and can be prepared in a suitable texture.
Instead of sweetening a baby’s porridge, parents can focus on making meals more nutritious through variety. Depending on the baby’s age and readiness, useful additions include mashed beans, egg, soft meat, fish, avocado and suitable vegetables.
A child does not need to become accustomed to sugar before they can enjoy food. There are plenty of natural flavours to discover without adding spoonfuls of sugar to every meal.
9. Is Infant Formula Milk Always Bad?
This is an important point that deserves a balanced explanation.
Breast milk is the recommended first choice for most infants, and exclusive breastfeeding for six months is an important public health recommendation. However, infant formula is not inherently dangerous or automatically inferior in every circumstance. Commercial infant formula is designed to provide nutrition for babies when breast milk is unavailable, insufficient or cannot be used for a particular medical reason.
Some mothers cannot breastfeed, some produce insufficient milk despite support, and others face medical or practical circumstances that make exclusive breastfeeding impossible. In such situations, an appropriate infant formula can be necessary and beneficial.
The aim should be to support breastfeeding wherever possible without shaming parents who need another feeding option.
If formula is needed:
- Choose an age appropriate commercial infant formula, with guidance from a qualified health professional when necessary.
- Prepare it exactly according to the instructions on the packaging.
- Use safe water and follow recommended hygiene practices.
- Never dilute formula with extra water to make it last longer.
- Do not replace infant formula with ordinary cow’s milk, homemade formula or improvised mixtures for a young infant.
- Seek medical advice if the baby is feeding poorly, not gaining weight appropriately or showing signs of dehydration.
There is no need to assume that one particular brand, including NAN, is the best choice for every baby. Formula selection should be based on the baby’s needs and appropriate professional advice, not advertising or pressure from other parents.
The central message is simple: encourage and support breastfeeding, but make sure every baby receives adequate nutrition. A hungry baby should not be left without appropriate feeding while a family struggles to achieve exclusive breastfeeding.
10. How Parents Can Tell Whether a Baby Is Getting Enough Milk
Some parents worry that breast milk is insufficient because they cannot see how much the baby drinks. Unlike a bottle, the breast does not have measurement markings, so parents may be tempted to judge milk intake by the length of a feed or how often the baby wants to nurse.
Neither is a reliable measure on its own. Some babies feed quickly, while others take longer. Frequent feeding can be normal, particularly during growth spurts, but persistent feeding difficulties deserve attention.
Signs that breastfeeding is generally going well include:
- The baby latches and sucks effectively, with swallowing that can often be heard or seen.
- The baby appears satisfied after at least some feeds, although babies may sometimes want to feed again soon.
- The baby produces an appropriate number of wet nappies for their age.
- The baby gains weight appropriately over time.
- The baby is alert and responsive when awake.
During the first days after birth, wet nappies increase gradually. By around day five, a well hydrated newborn will typically have at least six wet nappies in 24 hours, although clinicians consider the whole picture rather than one sign alone.
If the baby has fewer wet nappies than expected, is unusually sleepy, struggles to latch, seems persistently hungry after feeds or is not gaining weight appropriately, seek help from a qualified health professional or breastfeeding counsellor. Early support can identify problems with positioning, attachment, milk transfer or other issues.
Do not assume that every crying baby needs formula, but equally, do not assume that every baby is getting enough milk simply because the mother is breastfeeding. The baby’s growth, feeding effectiveness and general condition matter.
11. The Financial Benefits of Breastfeeding and Home Prepared Foods
Raising a child is expensive, and families have to make difficult decisions about household budgets. Breastfeeding, where feasible, can reduce spending on formula and feeding equipment. Preparing nutritious meals at home using locally available foods can also help families manage the cost of complementary feeding.
In Kenya, foods such as beans, millet, sorghum, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, eggs, green grams and seasonal vegetables can contribute to a nutritious diet. The best choices depend on availability, household resources and the baby’s nutritional needs.
However, parents should not think of good infant nutrition as a guarantee against hospital bills. Breastfeeding and a balanced diet support health, but babies can still become ill and may need medical care. Vaccination, safe water, sanitation, routine health visits and prompt treatment of illness remain important.
The goal is to make practical, affordable choices that support a child’s growth without placing unnecessary financial pressure on the family.
12. Common Breastfeeding Myths Parents Should Understand
Misleading advice about babies often spreads because it is repeated by people who genuinely want to help. Understanding a few common myths can prevent unnecessary practices.
Myth: A baby needs water because the weather is hot.
Fact: A healthy exclusively breastfed baby generally gets enough water from breast milk during the first six months. Offer the breast more frequently when needed.
Myth: A crying baby must have trapped gas.
Fact: Crying has many possible causes. Gas can occur, but hunger, tiredness, overstimulation, illness and normal infant behaviour can also explain crying.
Myth: Gripe water is essential for every newborn.
Fact: There is insufficient reliable evidence that gripe water consistently treats colic. It is not a necessary routine part of newborn care.
Myth: Antibiotics should never be given to babies because they destroy gut bacteria.
Fact: Antibiotics can affect the gut microbiome, but they are sometimes essential for treating bacterial infections. They should be used appropriately under medical guidance.
Myth: Every mother must quit work to breastfeed successfully.
Fact: Time at home can help, but many mothers continue breastfeeding after returning to work by expressing milk, arranging feeding breaks and getting support.
Myth: Formula is always harmful.
Fact: Appropriate commercial infant formula can be an important source of nutrition when breastfeeding is not possible or does not provide enough milk. The baby’s nutritional needs must come first.
Myth: Bone broth alone is a complete meal for a baby.
Fact: Broth can be part of food preparation, but a baby needs a variety of nutrient rich foods, including sources of iron, protein and energy.
13. When Should Parents Seek Medical Help?
Good infant feeding practices are important, but they do not replace medical care. Parents should seek prompt assessment when a baby shows signs that something may be wrong.
Get urgent medical help if a young baby has:
- A temperature of 38°C or higher when under three months old.
- Difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, or severe difficulty waking.
- Repeated vomiting, green vomit or blood in vomit or stool.
- Signs of dehydration, such as markedly reduced urine output, a very dry mouth or unusual drowsiness.
- Refusal to feed or a major reduction in feeding.
- Poor weight gain or weight loss that concerns the health professional.
- Persistent, unusual crying accompanied by illness signs or a swollen abdomen.
For any baby who seems seriously unwell, do not wait for the next feeding session or try to manage the problem with gripe water, herbal remedies or leftover medicine.
Conclusion: Give Your Baby a Healthy Start, One Feed at a Time
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is an important recommendation because breast milk provides the nutrition, hydration and protective components that most babies need during early infancy. Where breastfeeding is possible, mothers deserve practical support, good information and the freedom to seek help when challenges arise.
At around six months, begin introducing a variety of safe, nutrient rich complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding. Local foods such as beans, millet, sorghum, eggs, fish, meat, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, green bananas and vegetables can all contribute to a healthy diet when properly prepared and combined.
Avoid unnecessary water, sugary drinks, unproven remedies and medicines that have not been prescribed for the baby. At the same time, do not withhold necessary antibiotics, appropriate formula or medical treatment because of fear or rigid advice.
Every family has different circumstances, and not every feeding journey looks the same. What matters most is that the baby is adequately fed, grows well, receives appropriate healthcare and is cared for by adults who have the support they need.
A healthy start does not come from one miracle food or one perfect parenting decision. It comes from consistent care, informed choices, affection, safe feeding practices and seeking help when it is needed.
Sources for Further Reading
- World Health Organization: Breastfeeding
- World Health Organization: Infant and young child feeding
- NHS: Colic
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Antibiotic Use
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Infant and Toddler Nutrition
