Written by Debjani Arora |Updated : September 26, 2014 10:57 AM IST
When a baby is born all that he needs from a mother is support, security and food. Breastfeeding in a way ensures all the three. But as the child grows the needs change and so do the pattern of feeding. Slowly and steadily you have to help your child take to other liquids, move to semi solids and then develop a taste for solid foods. Sure, all this doesn't happen overnight.
Weaning a process where the baby moves from breastfeeding to semi solids to solids is a slow and continuous one.
Weaning is an important milestone for both the mother and the baby. But often mums are baffled with questions like - 'When to start?' 'How to go about it?,' 'What foods to give?'. But doctors' advice not to rush your babies into semi solids or other liquids too soon. 'Follow the norm of breastfeeding your baby exclusively for the first six months. There is no need for water or any other liquid to be introduced in the diet of an infant this early,' says Dr Santanu Sen, consultant paediatrician Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai. Breastfeeding helps your baby to build immunity, lessens chances of allergy, helps prepare the digestive system to develop well to tolerate other foods when its time. Know about more benefits of breastfeeding.
Once your baby has crossed the age of six months, you can start to wean your baby keeping the following points in mind:
Start with clear liquids: Try fruit juices. Preferably clear apple juice, a few spoons at a time. Since it is sweet chances are your baby would adapt to this transition without much fuss. Alternatively daal ka pani, yellow moong dal soaked overnight, boiled and strained make a good start for weaning. You can also do the same with rice preparation. Your baby might be averse to them in the beginning but will gradually accept the transition. Give only a few spoonfuls in the beginning and do not force feed. Once you have started on liquids, maintain the routine everyday to help your baby come to terms with the change of taste and feed. After a week try and increase the amount. Once your baby starts to gulp down juices and other clear liquids gleefully it's time to move on to the next step. It can take your baby anywhere between 15 days to a month to get acquainted with the new feeds.
Increase consistency gradually: When clear juices and other liquids becomes a part of the diet plan, start on pureed and mashed foods. 'Do not try to give a thick pureed fruit or vegetable soon after liquids. Instead just increase the consistency of the juice making it a little thicker,' says Dr Sen. You can do the same with the vegetable soup or dal ka pani that you had been offering. Once your baby is comfortable with thicker juices and soups keep increasing the consistency by each day.
Offer pureed and mashed foods: Move to boiled pureed fruits or boiled and mashed veggies when you notice that your baby can sit up and swallow the food or when your baby is around seven months old. Steamed and pureed apple, mashed potato or a ripe banana are great picks to start with pureed, mashed foods. You can also try boiled and pureed dark green veggies, carrots, pumpkins, beans, peas, bottle gourd and also beet. Remember your baby might not take in more than two or three spoonfuls don't get disappointed. Gradually try and increase the consistency and number of feeds.
Next give your baby a preparation of dal-khichdi at lunch or dinner preferably soft and mashed, use a blender to get the right consistency. Do not offer raw vegetables as they might cause choking.
Keep away from seasonings: 'Refrain from using sugar, salt, honey or any kind of milk while preparing baby food. Using formula in the preparation is still permissible,' says Dr Sen.
Try one food at a time: While trying different foods always ensure that you introduce one food at a time and wait for a week before you try a new one. 'In this way you would know if your baby is allergic to any food and also if your baby is able to digest the food well,' says Dr Sen.
Introduce a proper diet by the seventh or eighth month: Do not just keep experimenting with new food for too long. 'By eight months of age your baby should be having a proper diet of breakfast, lunch and dinner with breastfeeds in between. Always make freshly prepared food for the baby,' advises Dr Sen.
Keep up with your baby's tolerance levels: If your baby is averse to any food item or a new dish don't force feed. Take it off the menu for a while and try it after a week. Also do not try to feed your baby all that is there on the plate. This would only make meal times stressful for the little ones. Instead respect your baby's pace and appetite and adjust with the same.
Give the blender a miss after the ninth month: It's a good practice to dilute the food for the baby when you introduce them, but after the ninth month give the blender a miss. This will help the baby to swallow food better and to start tolerating solids soon.
Avoid processed or packaged foods: As a rule, do not give your baby packaged or processed foods. 'If you want to add milk products like cheese to your baby's diet instead of the processed one try homemade paneer. It's healthy and safe,' says Dr Sen. If you wish to introduce non vegetarian food you can do it after eight months. 'Remember to boil the eggs well before you offer it to your child. Start with chicken and fish in small amounts. Chicken stew or boiled mashed chicken can make a good scrumptious meal,' says Dr Sen.
Stay away from foods that can cause irritation: Many babies develop allergies to citrus fruits and hard vegetables like yam or broccoli. It is better to start on them after the age of one. Also avoid giving your baby red meat as it is hard on the baby's stomach.
Remember to supplement your baby's diet with breast milk as and when required.
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