FIRST FOODS
On 19 June 2003, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) announced their latest Australian Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents incorporating the Infant Feeding Guidelines for Health Workers.
Golden Circle, renowned for quality food and beverage products, providies premium quality infant foods and drinks across Australia and now to many other countries. As such, we work very closely with infant health professionals to ensure our products meet these guidelines to ensure we offer the best possible quality products for you and your children.
The Key Change in the New Infant Feeding Guidelines
Exclusive breastfeeding to six months of age
Health professionals in Australia now recommend exclusive breastfeeding to around six months as there is concern some carers are introducing solids too early (before four months), reducing the amount of breast milk and therefore reducing the essential nutrients and benefits associated with breastfeeding.
Golden Circle fully supports the view that breast milk offers the best nutritional start for babies and that solids should be introduced only when the infant is ready, which is usually at around six months of age.
Why then does Golden Circle have food still in the blue and yellow packaging stating from four months?
The guidelines are clear that while it is encouraged and recommended to breastfeed exclusively to around six months, all children are different and their nutritional and developmental needs can vary. It is acknowledged in the guidelines, and amongst health professionals, that some children therefore will require solid foods before six months (but not before four months of age) to meet their individual requirements. If you feel your child is in this situation, you should seek counsel from your Child Health Nurse, Doctor or Dietitian for advice on when is the best time to commence solids for your child.
The guidelines recommend you should start solids “at around six months”. They are very clear it should not be “before four months” because the infant’s digestive system is not mature enough to cope with solids at that age. However, the guidelines do acknowledge that leaving the introduction of solids much past six months will not provide enough iron for your child. So, first foods need to be introduced somewhere between four and six months – with introduction closer to six months being preferred.
The Golden Circle products in both blue and yellow packaging have been pureed to a smooth texture so they are suitable as first foods (whether you start your child at four, five or six months of age). We’ve also added the words “pureed” or “smooth” to our products in the blue, pink and green packaging to further assist you with your purchase.
We’re really proud of the Golden Circle baby food range, particularly since they’re made with Australian grown ingredients. We have an extensive range of over 50 delicious products on the shelf at the moment (including a range of new baby foods in glass jars), so we’re sure your baby will enjoy some of the many nutritious meals and drinks we have to offer.
