When can I start feeding complementary food?
Introducing complementary foods. The time when you should give your child complementary foods depends on your child's development. It is important that you monitor your child's development to find the right time. Babies are usually ready for complementary foods at the age of 5-6 months. However, some babies start later. A maturity chart can help you recognise the signs of maturity and find the right food for your baby. If you are unsure, ask your paediatrician.
How safe is it if I obtain breast milk from private sources (e.g. private online portals, other social networks)?
Breastfeeding is the best thing for your child. Breast milk contains all the necessary nutrients in the right quantity and composition. It is easy to digest and adapts to the baby's needs during development.
We strongly advise against buying or exchanging breast milk via the internet or social networks such as Facebook. The milk is not normally tested for hygiene and health.
The following reasons speak against buying or exchanging breast milk via the internet or social networks:
- The milk is not tested for hygiene and health.
- There is a high risk to the child's health. It is better to speak to the donor personally and find out about the safety of the milk.
It could be that the breast milk has been handled improperly (e.g. when expressing by hand, collecting, cooling, storing and transporting). It is also possible that the mother transmits infections to the child via breast milk. In addition, nicotine breakdown products and other components of tobacco, alcohol and active ingredients of medication can enter the breast milk and be absorbed by the child.
Official collection centres collect, prepare, check and distribute breast milk from women. There are currently 2 collection centres for women's milk in Austria:
- One in the Klinik Floridsdorf.
- One in the Landes-Krankenhaus – Universitätsklinikum Graz (University Clinic for Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Graz). Women who are breastfeeding can donate their extra milk to a breast milk collection centre. You can get controlled breast milk from a milk bank if you have a doctor's prescription.
