The right approach to feeding your child is very important in the first year of life.
For the 1st 4 months: Let your child feed exclusively on breast milk. There is no need to give water or juices in this period to your child as breast milk contains enough water. All the nutritional requirement of the child is supplied by breast milk. An only vitamin supplement is required which should be given as per doctor’s instructions.
4 months onwards: It is important to start with nutritional supplements only after the 4th month. The breast milk is sufficient to suffice for baby’s nutritional requirements. The gradual introduction of food items along with breast milk should be started. Only one item should be given at a time in small quantities. It should be bland & nutritious. The next item should be introduced after 7-15 days of the first if the child has tolerated &accepted the first item well. Once the child is accepting feeds, boiled &cooled water can be started. Give the water in a small glass. There is no need to use a bottle at all, it only increases the chances of infection if not sterilised properly.
You can feed your child freshly mashed banana,start with a quarter of a banana, initially give only 1-2 spoons gradually and you can increase the quantity once the child accepts and tolerates it. Start once a day and then gradually increase to twice a day.
Stewed apple (Recipe)
Take water in a vessel. Place another vessel with an apple in it and cover with lid. Place on fire & bring water to boil, the apple will get soft & be partially cooked in the steam. Remove apple from the vessel,remove peel when it is soft. Mash & feed, when cool.
Other seasonal fruits like chikoo, papaya, mango can also be mashed & given. Instead of readymade tinned cereals, homemade freshly made cereals should be given. Boil rice in water till well cooked and soft, add sugar, mix well, mash the rice so as to bring it to the consistency of porridge. Feed with a spoon,initially once a day, then twice. The rice can also be cooked in milk. Start with 1-2 teaspoons & then gradually increase the amount, on the 3-4th day.This can be fed morning & evening.
Boiled Moong Dal (lentils) with a little butter and salt, cooked well & mashed to a semisolid consistency can be fed once to the child, if the child is tolerating rice well.
Mashed cooked vegetables, mashed potatoes with a little butter. Meshed vegetables like carrots, white pumpkin, dark green leafy vegetables can be given.
Thin "sheera"made from rava,sugar and ghee can be given. Curds,which are fresh and not sour can be given initially a1-2 spoons & later increased.
Fresh fruit juices-orange, sweet lime can be given. More solid foods can be added and taken at 5-6 months like Khichri, rice dal-mixed with a little ghee or butter. Nonveg food are better if started after 6 months.
Soft boiled egg, start with yellow and then gradually add egg white. Soup - Chicken, meat can be started now. When you add new items do not stop the old ones. Gradually let the child eat other food like chappatis soaked in dal or milk, khichri etc.
In families with a history of allergy (asthma, eczema), avoid artificial milk, eggs, cocoa, juices & wheat preparations till completion of 6 months. In such circumstances, you can only breastfeed until 6 months. Vegetarians need not give nonveg diet.
By 8-9 months: The child should have most foods. You can start milk cow's or buffalo's milk without dilution in a glass. If the milk has too much fat you can remove it.
At one year: The child should get used to adult food made at home. Do not force the child to eat. If your child does not eat much at a time, give small frequent meals. Give a good amount of protein in the form of pulses, grain, sprouts, peanuts, eggs, fish, meat esp. liver Give fresh fruits& vegetables - green, orange, red & yellow. Encourage the child to eat on his own with a spoon or his own hand. Avoid too spicy food. Avoid chocolates, sweets, tea, coffee, cold drinks & refined flour preparation.You can give cows or buffalo's milk 2-3 times from a glass. Breastfeeding can be continued up to 2 yrs.