|
| Wean
your baby gradually over a period of a few weeks or months. Your little one is
less likely to be distressed when weaning happens gradually. |
| During
the initial days of weaning, allow your baby to lick on some foods, preferably
liquids, so that she gets accustomed to different kinds of flavours and textures.
When you start on semi-solid foods, start with foods that are very thin in consistency
like Apple Punch. Add sterilised water or milk to thin down the consistency, if
required. As your baby gets accustomed to thinner foods, you can gradually thicken
the consistency. Along with this, most babies are ready for a mashed cereal or
fruit. Encourage your baby to wean by providing other nourishment like Dal Water
or Banana Smoothie in place of breast feeds. Your baby will need plenty of loving
attention while you both make the transition from nursing to weaning. She will
be your best guide during the initial period of weaning and she is the only person
whose opinion on this subject counts. |
| While
introducing any foods for the first time, watch out for any allergic reactions,
like cough, cold or skin rashes. If these occur, discontinue that food immediately
and consult your pediatrician. |
| Sometimes
she may dislike some foods so much that she may just throw them back at you. At
these times, avoid giving the same food a second try immediately. Wait for a few
weeks before you try again. However, if your baby continues to dislike that particular
food, try and add an accepted food to a rejected one to get your baby used to
the taste gradually. In the meantime, you can also offer her another food to accustom
her taste buds to new foods.
|
| Feed
your baby when she is in an upright position. This will make swallowing easier
and prevent her from choking on foods. |
| Try
not to show any sort of dislike towards any food while feeding your baby as she
may get influenced. It is always better to be guided by your baby's appetite than
to feel pressured into overfeeding her. |
| Do
not urge your baby to eat more than she wants. Instead, try and understand your
baby's expression towards food. Learn the pattern of your baby's feeding requirements
from her body language. Some babies show signs of hunger by waving their hands
or kicking their legs when they see food. When your baby is hungry, she may lean
forward and open her mouth or cry loudly. When she is no longer hungry, she will
reject food by turning her mouth away or falling asleep. |
| Most
doctors are of the opinion that babies do not have a discerning palate for sugar
and salt until the age of 7 months. It is wiser to avoid adding them to your baby's
meals as a sweet tooth is usually cultivated rather than inherited. If your baby
develops a taste for sugary foods at this age, this in turn may lead to dental
problems and obesity later in life. Dry fruits like dates and figs or honey can
be used as alternative sweeteners. Be sure to use fresh honey as stocked up honey
may contain micro-organisms which can be harmful to your baby. |
| Avoid
adding strong spices like pepper and garlic to your baby's feed at least till
she is 6 months old as she may find them unpleasant to taste and may outright
reject foods containing these spices. |
| Babies
generally accept lukewarm foods more readily. Avoid serving hot foods to your
baby. Always bring the temperature of the food down to lukewarm and check it by
feeling it on your palm or wrist. |
| It
may seem tough initially and you're both going to throw your share of tantrums
at meal times, but try and be patient and resourceful. A very jovial mood will
certainly help you a lot more. |
| If your
little one is sick, consult your pediatrician or nutritionist about changes in
her diet. |
