Complementary Feeding

A 6-month-old male infant from rural Maharashtra is brought to the pediatric clinic by his mother. The child was exclusively breastfed until 5 months of age. He now weighs 6.2 kg (birth weight 3.2 kg). On examination, he appears alert and playful with no signs of acute illness. His mother reports that she has started giving him dilute rice porridge once daily for the past 2 weeks. On dietary assessment, the infant is receiving approximately 400 kcal/day from breast milk and 50 kcal/day from the porridge. The mother is concerned about the child's growth and asks when she should introduce other foods. What is the most appropriate next step regarding complementary feeding in this infant?

Which of the following foods should be AVOIDED or introduced LAST when starting complementary feeding in a 6-month-old infant?

According to WHO guidelines, at what age should complementary feeding be introduced in a healthy breastfed infant?

An 8-month-old female infant from Delhi is brought to the pediatric outpatient department with a 3-week history of loose stools and poor weight gain. The mother reports that the child was exclusively breastfed until 6 months, and complementary feeding was started with rice porridge. At 7 months, the mother introduced whole cow's milk (500 mL/day), boiled eggs twice weekly, and mashed vegetables. The infant's weight has plateaued at 7.8 kg (expected ~8.5 kg for age). On examination, the child appears mildly irritable with mild abdominal distension. Stool examination shows no blood, mucus, or parasites. What is the most likely cause of this infant's poor weight gain and diarrhea?