Final answer:
Solid foods are typically introduced to an infant's diet at around 4 to 6 months of age. Breast milk composition changes from colostrum to transitional milk, and finally, to mature milk by the tenth day postpartum. Foremilk and hindmilk are produced within each feeding to quench thirst and satisfy hunger, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an infant is introduced to solid foods, it is usually around the age of 4 to 6 months. This transition depends on the infant's developmental readiness rather than a fixed timeline. During the first few postpartum days, the milk produced by a lactating mother is known as colostrum, which contains high levels of antibodies and is dense in nutrients.
This provides essential immunological protection for the newborn. Around the third day, transitional milk begins to be secreted, which bridges the gap between colostrum and mature breast milk. By about the tenth day postpartum, mature milk is produced.
The composition of breast milk changes significantly during a feed, starting with foremilk, which is thinner and satisfies the baby's thirst, proceeding to hindmilk, which is richer and helps to satiate the baby's appetite.
Additionally, the lactating mother's milk supply will adjust to the infant's growth needs, with the capacity to provide sufficient nutrients and hydration during the first 4–6 months of life without the need for additional solids or liquids. If breastfeeding is stopped for about a week, the remaining milk is reabsorbed by the body, and lactation usually ceases.