BABY’S SOLID START
READ THESE IDEAS REGARDING STARTING SOLIDS(WEANING) IN BABIES – They
are General guidelines(not rules) and please do formulate your own way. Do what
best suits the baby, you and the family at various times.
Respecting the fact that individual people are different. Preferences, cultures, traditions, state-wise food habits, etc are some of the variables to keep in mind!
Some basic tips are as follows:
IT IS BEST TO AVOID ADDED
SUGAR, SALT AND COW’S MILK IN THE FIRST YEAR OF LIFE.
USE YOUR OWN EXPERTISE & EXPERIENCE, TAKE HELP FROM ANY ELDER/FAMILY MEMBER. There is
NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY TO SLOWLY IMPROVE THE FEEDS (YOUR BABY IS THE
BEST GUIDE, WATCH FOR SATISFACTION, ADJUSTMENT, STOOL CHANGES – AS
APPROPRIATE)
IF IN DOUBT, STOP AND REVIEW THE SITUATION. However, CONTINUE BREAST FEEDS And / Or
FORMULA FEEDS AS ENJOYED BEFORE.
BABIES CAN FEED APPROXIMATELY EVERY 2-3 HOURS AT DAYTIME & CAN BE
OFFERED SOLIDS AND MILK FEEDS ALTERNATE OR TOGETHER (DEPENDS)!
Tips:
1. Slow but steady progress(start with once a day then twice-a-day after few days, then every three hours if the baby enjoys it and digests well…)
2. Apple – cooked puree/paste/sauce
3. Banana – ripe and mashed well – can add clean warm water to make smoother.
4. Carrot – cooked paste – can add to rice based cereal powder with
enough water.
5. Dal water – cooked dal(yellow lentil, moong first, toor dal later)
6. RICE IS EASILY DIGESTED IN BABIES AT SIX MONTHS : OFFER - Rice powdered cereal like Nestum, Cerelac, First Bites ( All FLAVORS ), Easum, etc. RAGI is
easily digested.
Wheat cereal with milk like Cerelac – just add right
amount of water to prepare a porridge like feed. Other grains –
home-made, ready packs can be tried as per cultural preference, family
experience, etc.
7. Offer water to drink – at any stage, with food items, in sips as
enjoyed/tolerated by baby.
8. Veg clear soup can be tried to drink or can be mixed with cereal powder.
9. Egg yellow can be given, give egg white after 1 year of age.
10. IMPROVE The QUANTITY, CONSISTENCY, VARIETY AND QUALITY OF FOODS WITH TIME...