Final answer:
For a 6-month-old breastfed baby, introduction of solid foods should begin with cereal, which is gentle on the stomach and iron-fortified. Colostrum boosts the newborn's immune system and provides critical nutrition, and the composition of breast milk evolves from foremilk to hindmilk during feedings.
Step-by-step explanation:
When introducing solid foods to a 6-month-old breastfed baby, the first food often recommended is cereal. This is typically iron-fortified rice or oatmeal cereal, which is easy to digest and provides additional iron that breast milk alone may not supply sufficiently at this age. It's important to start with single-grain cereals and introduce one new food at a time to monitor for any allergic reactions or sensitivities.
As for colostrum, it's crucial because it helps boost the newborn's immune system and provides much needed fat for the infant's development. The body prepares for lactation during pregnancy, with colostrum being produced in the first days after childbirth. This early milk is rich in immunoglobulins and helps in the newborn's digestive system for expelling meconium and clearing bilirubin.
Breast milk's composition changes from foremilk to hindmilk during a single feeding, where foremilk quenches thirst and the creamier hindmilk serves to satisfy the infant's appetite. Knowledge of the changing composition of breast milk is essential for understanding the nutritional development of the breastfed baby.