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Hello Dr,

Meri beti ko 5 Months complete ho gaye he to usko khane me kya de sakte he?

Question

#AskTheExpert 
Hello Dr,

Meri beti ko 5 Months complete ho gaye he to usko khane me kya de sakte he?

Accepted Answer

if your baby has completed six months then you can start with semi solid foods. Start thinking about solids when baby can sit upright with support and is interested in the foods you’re eating. The health of the digestive system is fragile at this stage and you should be careful in starting with age appropriate food.

Your babys tummy is only as big as the fist. The amount of food that goes into it is only about a teaspoon or a little more. Never expect the baby to finish the whole meal at this age. Do not get if your baby does not like solids in the beginning.

Begin with single ingredient pureed foods.
Give your baby ragi or rice porridge.  Make it a bit watery in the beginning and then gradually harden. Give dal water, rice water, fruit puree, rice and carrot finely mashed, carrot puree, apple puree, banana, mashed avocado. Give a few teaspoons of this in the beginning. Even 2-3 teaspoons in the beginning is good.

Fruit purees are a good weaning food due to their texture and sweetness. And also they are nutritious.

Once baby tolerates single ingredient foods move on to mixed puree meals.

Start with one semi solid meal at a time.  This means that you will be eliminating only one breast feed at a time as BM is still the chief source of nutrition to the baby. Start and end the day with breastmilk.

Pick a time that's good for both of you. If you've heated the food, stir, cool and test it on the inside of your wrist before giving it to your baby.

It may take your baby a while to get used to these new flavours. Don't be surprised if he rejects the food or spits it out. Just try again later, or the next day.

At first, your baby may seem to eat very little. Be patient and remember it may take time for him to learn how to eat.

Restrict the use of salt and sugar. you can use just a pinch wherever required.  You can use jaggery instead of sugar. Much healthier for babies. It releases energy slower than sugar does and retains energy for longer. It even induces hunger and it is itching iron.

Give a few sips of water after every meal. Just about 2-3 teaspoons to start off with. Make sure the water is boiled and cooled completely.

Feed once a day in the beginning. Then gradually increase the quantity and frequency.   Try different foods and see what suits your baby the best.

Gradually add more flavor with herbs, spices. Do not add any initially for a few months.

Graduate to chunkier purees if baby is swallowing easily. Mash food with a fork instead of a blender.

Offer as many flavors as possible.

Your baby's appetite will vary from one feed to the next. Watch out for cues that he's full. If he keeps his mouth shut, turns away, or starts playing with his food, he's probably had enough.

Don’t worry if he hasn’t eaten much in a meal or even in a day. It is the quantity and quality of the food he eats over a whole week that is more important.

Wait 3-5 days between introducing new foods, to monitor for an allergic reaction.

You can even give soft idli, dosa, upma with veggies and suji halwa also.  Use jaggery instead of sugar in this.

Also rice cerelac is easy to digest and there is no fear of any allergies.Better to start wirh this option if you are giving cerelac. Introduce all new foods at day time in the morning. Its safer to know how the body reacts.

Still continue on breast milk a few times a day as it is still the best and safest form of nutrition for your baby.

Introduce only one new food at a time so that if any allergy you know what caused it.

Ensure nutrients are not lost in preparation of food ....steaming is better than boiling.

At 9 months plus 50% of the nutrition must be from solids and the remaining 50% from breast milk.

Give cow's milk only after completion of 1 year.Cow's milk contains proteins that your baby is unable to digest in the first year.

At 12 months plus baby must have 4-5 solids meals and the rest should be breast milk.

Don't give honey to child less than 1 year.

If your baby doesn't like a particular type of food dont force too much. Try feeding the same after a few weeks or in a different manner.

#AskTheExpert Hello Dr, Meri beti ko 5 Months complete ho gaye he to usko khane me kya de sakte he?