Child health specialists have advised parents to avoid introducing solid or complementary foods to babies before they reach six months, warning that doing so can increase the risk of infections, choking, iron deficiency and poor growth. According to the experts, feeding infants foods such as pap, eba or fufu too early can reduce their intake of breast milk, which remains the best source of nutrition and immune protection during the first six months of life. They explained that breast milk supplies essential nutrients and antibodies that help protect babies from illnesses, while early complementary feeding may expose infants to contaminated food or water and nutritional deficiencies. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, with no food or drink—including water—unless medically necessary. After six months, nutritious complementary foods should be introduced while breastfeeding continues. Paediatrician Dr. Abdurrazzaq Alege said babies younger than six months are not developmentally ready for solid foods because they cannot properly coordinate swallowing, increasing the danger of choking. He also noted that replacing breast milk with foods that are mainly carbohydrates may deprive infants of important proteins, vitamins and minerals needed for healthy growth, raising the risk of anaemia and poor development. Alege encouraged mothers to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months and seek medical attention if babies develop symptoms such as repeated vomiting, abdominal swelling, persistent coughing during feeding or blood in the stool. Another consultant paediatrician, Dr. Ayodele Renner, said introducing complementary foods too early may affect a child's growth and brain development because babies would miss out on vital nutrients like iron and zinc. He added that foods such as eba, yam and rice are not suitable substitutes for breast milk at that age, as they mainly provide carbohydrates without the balanced nutrition infants require. Renner maintained that six months remains the safest time to begin complementary feeding, even if a baby appears ready earlier. He advised mothers who are concerned that breast milk is not enough to consult health professionals and, where necessary, use infant formula instead of introducing solid foods prematurely.