Over the past few weeks i have received numerous queries and requests to guide about a proper diet chart to feed the young ones.

Once you start weaning, the initial excitement runs out quickly because in just a few days you find yourself wondering how to go about this. How much is enough for the baby, what to give, what to avoid, solid liquid ratios….and what not. A parents brain is always swarming with queries. Don’t worry….. its a roller coaster ride, full of messy mouthed munchkins, cereal on the floor and porridge in the hair that shall keep you busy now and provide entertainment later on. So hang in there!

The real magic of learning about and liking food takes place when your baby is interacting with food: touching, smelling, tasting and playing with it. So do not become an obstacle in the path of their learning.

🐒0-6months:

Exclusive breast feeding
8-10 times/24hours.

2-3 hourly from birth till 2months

3-4 hourly till 6 months

Nothing else
Not even water. No gripe water at all.

🐒6-7 Months

Introduce water.
Start semi solids.

Consistency:

Thin blended ( pureed)
Breast feeding 6-7times/24hours
3meals.

Quantity:

Start with 1tspn.
Build up to 2-3 tbsp {means roughly 1/4 pao (62grams) per meal}
Khitchri, yoghurt (when 7mnths old), potato, sweet potato.
Add Yellow fruits (apple, pears, Banana)and vegetables to diet.
Cucumber sticks (end of 7month)
Rice and oats.
Pulse(daal) soup.
-Pulse soup after boiling pulse in sufficient water.

-Rice water after boiling rice in clean and filtered water. Give your baby just strained water

Water Quantity:

1-2 ounces/ 24hours

🐒8-9 Months

Continue breast feeding
5times/24hours
3-4 meals

Consistency:

Thick blended/ mashed

Quantity:

1/3rd to 1/2 pao(83grams to 125grams = 5-8tbsp)

Introduce egg after 9mnths (first yolk then whites), chicken, meat and fish (after 9mnths).
Mango, peach, plum, prunes, carrots.

Water Intake:

2-4 ounces

🐒10-12 months

Continue breast feeding 4times/24hours
4 meals per day (3meals+ 1 snack)

Consistency:

chopped food

Quantity:

1/2 – 3/4 pao(125- 185grams=8-12tbsp) per meal.
Yellow fruits and green vegetables.
Pasta, wheat, beans, berries, dates, figs, kiwi, watermelon, cabbage, cauliflower, brinjal, mushroom (after 11 mnths)

Water Intake:

4-6 ounces

🐒1-3 years

Continue breastfeeding up to two years
Or cow/buffalo milk (6-8oz) twice/24hrs

3 proper meals 2 snacks.
Meal includes 3/4- 1 roti per meal

Consistency:

Regular table food

Quantity:

3/4 to 1pao (12-17 able spoon)

Roti, daal, fruits, green vegetables, oil 2tsp per day, 1 egg per day, meat and fish 2-3 times per week.
Whole wheat, corn, egg whites, nuts, honey.

When the weekly diet plan of a child is made we make sure that it includes 2 fish meals, 1 chicken meal (or vice versa), 1 legume meal, 1 pasta meal and 1 vegetable casserole meal and one red meat meal, per week.

Water Intake

1.3 litres/24 hours =5.5 cups (8 ounces)

🐒4-6 years

Milk/ yogurt 6-8oz twice a day.

Consistency :

Regular food.
Table food.

Quantity

3 meals 2 snacks.

Particular food introduction time:

A few food should be started at certain ages due to reason that babies might not be able to tolerate them before that particular age.

Yoghurt 6-7 months.
Eggs after 9months.
First yolk then gradually white.
Cheese around 9 months.
Butter 9-10 months.

Salt and sugar after one year

Honey after one year.

Strawberries are surprisingly a high allergen food and ideally they should be avoided until 12 months of age. If you want to introduce them reaaaal bad then let it be after 9 months. Not earlier. And that too while making sure that no specks are given to the baby. Only the inside sift part in pureed form.
Blue berries require good deal of washing as heavy pesticides are sprayed on them.

Grapes on the other hand are known to cause a choking hazard more than being allergic. One of the troubles with feeding grapes to babies is the skins of the grapes and another is their round size; these make for choking hazards. You may introduce grapes as early as 9 months of age though it is best to peel and mash them up or atleast cut them in half.

In a nut shell:👩‍⚕️

Mealtimes should be fun, calm and relaxed, and this starts with the parents behavior. If you are uptight or anxious at mealtimes, worried about if and how much your baby is eating and perhaps hovering or focusing too much on what he is doing, he may start to feel pressured and anxious himself and eat less because of it.

Remember to smile, laugh and stay positive. Take the pressure off of yourself knowing that it is 100% up to baby whether he eats his food and how much he eats. Remember that playing, smushing, and smearing food is totally normal and part of becoming familiar with the food (even if the food doesn’t actually reach his mouth–it’s ok!). If you choose to spoon-feed, follow his cues as to when to bring the spoon to his mouth and when to stop. Do not over feed. Do not force feed.

Frequently Asked Questions💁

Q. I have a certain situation and cant breastfeed my baby. Kindly guide how many ounces of formula should i give?

If due to certain unavoidable reason a formula is to given then following guidelines.
*A formula-fed baby who is 4-6 months old generally needs 4 to 6 ounces about every 3 to 4 hours.

*At 6-9 months of age typically they are expected to consume 6 to 8 ounces at breakfast, lunch, dinner and before bed. It’s very important that a mother never force feed a baby to finish his bottle. Let the baby tell you when he’s done.

* At 9-12 months of age usually 8 ounces at breakfast, lunch and before bed is more than enough along with meals.

Q. How to know my baby is getting enough?

All mommies worry about whether or not her baby has had enough to fill his tummy or not and due to this thought process they tend to force feed the baby. Baby may take it due to persistent pressure but may not be able to digest it properly. The best way to make sure your baby is eating the right amount is to pay attention to his hunger and fullness cues. If you are responsive to his cues, and he is growing well and wetting about six diapers a day this means he’s probably getting enough.

Q. My baby is spitting up all the food!! What to do??

Baby’s digestive system is under development. When you introduce something new it will take some time to adapt itself to that food. So spitting and vomiting initially is normal.

A few babies have reflux issue. For them you have to make sure you feed the baby is in upright sitting position, feed slowly and give small quantity per spoon.
If your baby is gaining the proper amount of weight and your pediatrician says he’s thriving, then you know he’s getting enough to eat. So relaxxxx.

Q. My baby doesnt like any thing!

When you feed your baby and he moves his face away or clamps his mouth shut, it doesn’t mean he doesnt like the food. He could be tired, sick, distracted or simply full. Don’t force feed the baby. If aint eating, off after a little while.

Q. My baby is a picky eater! Doesnt eat what i serve. What should i do?!?

A. Introduction of salt and sugar should be done after the baby is one year old. So that the tongue develops the taste of all other things. And doesnt turn out to be a picky eater.

Sometimes the babies tend to avoid one food or the other for some days or week….keep on offering. But offer when baby is at his best… Not colicy, not teething, has had a good sleep…then is the right time that he would want to experiment new stuff

It has also been observed that whatever food the mommies dont like to eat themselves,they offer the babies that food half heartedly and at time dont offer at all…. and the most interesting part is that they dont even realize this. Subconsciously it is being done. This is not good. Because if you skip iron-rich foods, such as beef or iron-fortified cereals, for example, may compromise you little ones growth and proper development.

Offer everything. Your baby should get a balanced diet. Do not give into the tantrums and start offering junk food….that is a big No No. Deal with the situation calmly and keep on offering healthy food with patience.

Researches show that exposing your baby to a variety of flavors early on may encourage the consumption of many different foods later, and perhaps even reduce pickiness.

Q. Shall i give food to my baby along with other kids and family?

Feeding your baby at separate times and in a separate place denies him social learning experience. When a baby sees other kids/people eating, they are motivated to eat. It may seem efficient to you but then the baby will be missing on a a great learning experience.

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