Should Parents Follow the MPASI Single Menu?

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Medical Video: Should Parents Follow the Single MPASI Menu?

For parents who are starting to plan the MPASI menu for their babies, maybe some have heard about the single MPASI. Whether from internet forums or maybe advice from fellow parents who have had the same experience when they were. Unmitigated, several sources say that this method of feeding has been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Seeing your friend or relative successfully apply this method to their baby, you might be following along without knowing what this single meal actually is.

Well, what is the only MPASI? Is it really good to give to the baby?

What is the single MPASI menu?

The single MPASI menu is a menu of complementary solid foods which only consist of one type of food, for example rice porridge, to be given to babies continuously for 1-14 days.

The single MPASI activist community claims that this method of feeding aims to see what the baby reacts to new foods. After giving food, babies experience diarrhea, constipation, or even allergies?

Is the single MPASI menu good for babies?

MPASI should ideally be given when the baby is 6 months old. This is so that the baby gets another source of nutrition other than breast milk, because the nutritional needs of the baby at that age have increased so that the intake of breast milk alone is no longer able to fulfill it.

The nutrition of MPASI given to the baby must be sufficient for the body's needs in order to help the growth process. In its website, WHO states that what is meant by "enough" is enough in the number (portion), frequency of delivery, consistency of food, and sufficient variety of food types, so that it is sufficient to meet the nutritional needs of the baby while maintaining breastfeeding.

WHO does not mention at all that the MPASI menu given to babies must be a single menu or just one type of food menu. That's because just one type of food will not be enough to meet the many nutritional needs of a baby. Single MPASI limits food choices and infant nutrition. In contrast, WHO emphasizes that MPASI is given through various types of food, and certainly contains carbohydrates, protein, fat, and vitamins and minerals needed by the baby.

If the goal is to find out if the baby has certain food allergies, you should still give the baby a variety of foods. Only then can you find out whether your child is allergic to something or not.

The best food to be used as a baby's MPASI menu

The following are various foods that must be given to the baby to fulfill their nutritional needs:

  • Food source of carbohydrates, such as rice / porridge, potatoes, corn, bread, pasta, and wheat which are the main energy sources for the body.
  • Food source of animal protein, such as meat, chicken, eggs and fish. Aside from being a source of protein, meat (especially red meat) is a source of iron and zinc which is needed by babies. Some types of fish, such as fatty fish (salmon and tuna) contain omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids to help develop the baby's brain. In addition, egg yolks also contain omega 3 and vitamin A.
  • Food sources of vegetable protein, such as tempeh, tofu, nuts, and seeds. Besides containing protein, these foods also contain fat, as well as some vitamins and minerals.
  • Food source of fat, such as fish oil, fatty fish, some nuts, and other foods that contain good fat. Fat is one of the important nutrients to support baby's growth.
  • Food source of vitamins and minerals, such as vegetables and fruits.

If you are suspicious or worried that your baby has certain food allergies, you can simply provide food that is prone to causing allergies (eg nuts, cow's milk, seafood) gradually. Try to give one by one to the baby for several days to see if certain allergic reactions appear. Wait 3-5 days before adding other foods that normally cause allergies to the baby's menu.

Should Parents Follow the MPASI Single Menu?
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