FIRST FOODS FOR THE BABY

Foods started at six months should complement breast milk.

Always focus on Iron,Vitamin A and Zinc rich foods that are necessary for growth and development. Breastmilk does not contain adequate amounts of these nutrients.

Here is our list of preferred First foods

1. Plain boiled rice overcooked like khichdi and mashed with spoon or hand.Ghee can also be added to it.

2. Boiled pumpkin or carrot or hand mashed

3. Boiled yellow moong dal mash

4. Scrambled eggs

5. Sprouted ragi porridge

6. Thick chicken puree

7. Green vegetables mixed with dal / sprouted millet flour

FEW IMPORTANT GUIDELINES

1 . You can start with one tablespoon two times a day. Gradually increase quantity each day

2. By 8th month, the frequency can be increased to 3 meals and quantity can be upto 4Tbsp at each meal

3. We need to offer balanced nutritious meals of right textire, But allow baby to choose the quantity.

4. It is usual for a child to have a few bites at one meal and more spoons at another meal.As long as child is increasing the number of bites or spoons daily,you are on the right track.

5. It is also essential to understand that it is normal for the child to reject new foods,it may require as much as 21 times of offering the food before a child accepts it.Hence,always continue the accepted foods while introducing new foods as well.

6. You can start a new ingredient daily if your child doesn’t get overwhelmed easily and is happy to explore but continue combining or offering the already tried ingredient as well.