Introducing Solid foods in your child’s diet is a very exciting milestone. As the baby grows, so does their nutritional needs. During the first two years at least seventy five percent of the food directly contributes to baby’s brain development. Getting the timing right to introduce solid food in your baby’s life is very important.
Before your baby is six months old, all they need is nutrition from your milk and that alone is the best. Unlike what the elders would say the baby does not even need other substances like water, juice, etc.
Some Myths one must not believe in
- Babies need solid foods before six months (In fact doing this can increase the baby’s risk of getting ill)
- If the baby is showing more hunger signs, that must mean the baby wants solid food sooner than six months.
- Boys need more than breast milk
Once the baby reaches the six months mark, your milk alone cannot provide all the nutrients one needs and that’s the perfect time to introduce some semi solid food in your baby’s life. A baby needs a little more than just mother’s feed to keep up with it’s growing needs.
Some Myths one must not believe in
- My baby is not breast fed, I need to introduce solid food before six months
- Breast milk has been working fine, my baby’s nutrient needs are best known to me solid food needs to start much later than six months
- My baby is showing no sign that they need solid food, I should continue just with breastfeed
How to prepare solid food for your baby?
The most important thing that one must not forget is that it’s easier on the baby if the solid food we feed them is mashed, pureed or strained and is very smooth in texture. This is often referred to as semi solid food as well. It can take time for the toddler to adjust to this semi solid food, initially they can spit up, cough or gag as well, however slowly they shall adjust. Some foods can also convert into potential choking hazards and hence it’s important to feed solid foods which mix with the saliva very easily. Also small portions should be fed, otherwise the babies can tend to gobble which can lead to further choking.
Tips for preparing solid food!
- Mashed banana or mashed potato are the best semi solid food you can give your child, they are readily available, easy to do and can really work your baby’s appetite.
- Cereals can also be mixed with breast milk or formula and are easily swallowed by the baby.
- A lighter version of Dal khichdi can really help, it’s smooth, easy to make and really liked by toddlers. Another advantage is that it keeps baby’s stomach real clean
- Fruits and vegetables like Apples, carrots need to be cooked and mashed properly before they are given to children.
- Hard parts and seeds need to be removed from the baby’s food completely.
- All food needs to be cut into soft and small pieces before feeding the baby.
- Foods like grapes, cherries, etc, also need to be cut into tiny pieces before the child eats them.
Once you’ve started feeding your baby solid food, doesn’t mean you’ve to stop breast feeding, both can go hand in hand, infact technically both should be served parallely. Enjoy your baby’s sloppy tray, gooey hands and sticky face. You’re building the foundation of healthy eating, be at it.
