Egg and Yellow

Getting us to eat egg yellow must have the toughest task our parents had, well maybe one of the toughest.  Realize this 'cos my little one is like that.. she does not like the yellow sticking on to the tongue and hence the white is over and yellow is left to be eaten for 1 hr. if left unattended or maybe even mostly untouched...

Omlette, scrambled egg is an option but when one of my cooks cousins did this... I just loveddddddd it!!

Boil some water in a bowl, after about 3 minutes break the egg empty the contents being careful not to put in any shells, slightly stir with a spoon and let it boil for 3 to 5 minutes... white and non-sticky yellow are ready... ting tong!  no more messy egg times!

Ragi Recipe

this is recipe ucan use sugar or jaggery

2 heaped tbsps raagi powd

1/2 cup milk

3/4 cup water

2 tsps badam pwd

1 1/4 tbsps jaggery syrup (adjust)

a pinch of elachi

1 Add a little cold water to the ragi pwd
and make a smooth paste and keep aside. Heat water and milk in a
stainless steel vessel and when it begins to boil, add this paste and
stir continuously to avoid any lumps.
2 Add jaggery and badam pwd. Continue stirring
on medium flame and you will find that it thickens. After 3-4 mts, add
the cardamom pwd and continue stirring for a mt and remove from heat.

Courtesy:  Lakshmi

Banana and Lentils

... and the lentils

Weaning Foods

Another set of info all the way from UK :)!!

The weaning foods table

Another table

Thanks Jr. for sending this across and a special thanks for Suresh garu to get them scanned.

Baby Food - Salt and Sugar

I love it when people do actually take time to contribute and appreciate the efforts... thanks a ton Sravanthi... here they go!!

Sugar - Salt Table

Sugar intake

Instant Food Recipes For Kids

1. Oats...

Just boil in water and finally add a little salt and butter and feed. (Not started giving milk to him. Others can add milk. Also sugar can be added instead of salt. My son doesnt like sugar) ---- Can be given from the age of 10 months

2. Banana boiled and mashed....

Cook banana in the idly vessel (like water in the vessel and in the top plate keep the banana and cover with the lid), with little scrapped jaggery for 5-10 mins. Then just mash and give this. This will help to add weight also. You can also crush and mix paapad if your baby likes that. ---- Can be given from the age of 8 or 9 months. But in my place some people used to give even from 5th month

3. Rice flour / Ragi flour / Wheat flour mix.....

Mix either one of the above said flour with water and boil for 5 mins (or until u feel it is cooked fully). Add salt or sugar as per your baby's taste along with butter / ghee / milk ------ Can be given from any time after 3 months. I started from 4th month. But mother's who have less breast milk level can start giving early.

4. Egg

In a pan, put little oil and add little onion and little frozen peas (it will get cooked in 1 min) and then add a egg, and little salt and pepper. Make a scramble.....done....tasty and healthy ------ Safe after 1 year

5.  1 cup whole wheet flour
2 tbs desi ghee
dryfruits mix(nuts)

dry roast dryfruits a little then grind them and do not roast kishmish(optional) if u want to mix.keep it aside.Then roast flour in dry kadhai on slow or medium flame for some time till it slightly changes colour and u get a nice aroma.Then add ghee to it(if home made well n gud).And keep frying.Add the dryfruit mix to it and fry till it starts giving nice smell and changes colour.Butit shd not burn.then take it off the fire and let cool down.then pack in containers.Whenever have to give add sugar little lukewarm milk and sattu and it's ready.

But if u r in india then u can add raggi, bajra,jau,roasted chana,roasted rice(no rice puffs or flakes)all roasted with a little mungphalli roasted and ground.And most importantly dryfruits whichu add should be in small quantity or else it causes loose motion.

Introducing Foods In First Year -- The Indian/AP Baby Way

I was advised to introduce solids after completion of 4 months but it was reiterated to me that milk should be the primary meal to the kid and solids is just to get the kid used to various textures gradually. Excessive drooling and those very observant glances whenever anyone ate (the Brahmi way ;)), I was told was the indication that the baby was ready for solids. However, the signs and readiness may vary from baby to baby. The pediatrician would let us know in one of the monthly or regular checkup visits.

Beginning With
Very ripe mashed banana without the seeds.
Cooked and mashed carrot.
Cooked apple without the skin.
Cooked peas, beans, beetroot.

The quantity however is really less, a spoonful or so to begin with. If the baby wants more, no problem.. but ensure that the milk intake at that point is not compromised and that milk is still to be consumed at a regular rate.

Cereals like Farex, Cerelac, Easum, First Foods or store-bought varieties based on the age-appropriate guidelines mentioned overleaf or as per the doctor.

Fruit juices
Home made juices of pomegranate, carrot, beetroot.. do not overdo on citrus juices like orange unless we get a nod from the ped.

Soups:
Homemade vegetable soups.


Rice:
Completion of 5 months, 6th month.. rice and dal fried and ground to a soft texture and cooked along with finely cut veggies.

The consistence of this rice and dal mix should be varied as per the kid's tolerance and taste preference. I used to give it in ghee (home-made). I find Durga Ghee to be tasty personally and so does the kid.

From 7th month onwards, the ped gradually asked me to try all the vegetables and I had tried a majority of them but avoided brinjal, bitter gourd.

By the end of first year, the kid should be able to eat more or less everything we as elders do, pretty much everything healthy and edible. Also, the powder texture should be made coarser gradually and by 11th month or so very softly cooked complete rice grains should be fine.

Sweet potato could be cooked and mashed but this is a little heavy on the tummy.

About giving Ragi, there are varied views but I was told to keep it until a later date so towards 8th month started on Ragi java or porridge based on kid's preference.

No added salt and sugar initially and gradually go for very very little salt. We might not like the taste without salt but for kids who are not introduced to that flavor it doesnt matter, so limit the sodium intake in first year of life.

Dairy
Rice with buttermilk was also introduced around the same age. There are again varied views as to when to go about introducing dairy products for a kid. here I was given a go ahead in the 7th month and started giving rice with curd/buttermilk.

However, introducing to whole milk or cow/buffalo milk was put off until the kid turned one year old at the best.

I started introducing porridge made of milk little by little as the kid showed no signs of allergy.

Water at this stage should be introduced with a glass or a spoon and the bottle dependence should gradually be weaned.

Egg

Again, there are varied views as to how and when to go about.. Some wait until the 10th month, but I was told to introduce it in 7th month, starting with egg yellow and not the white. White was told to be avoided up until the kid turns a year old. So, hard boiling the egg and giving the kid yellow if he/she likes it. As the time passed, introduced various forms of it like omlette in ghee, scrambled egg, bread omlette sweet/hot.

Non-Veg
After completing 9 months, I was told to try very softly cooked chicken and mutton kheema and fish gradually checking for allergies based on baby's preference. I started with fish, very little but not on a regular basis.. the number of times were few and far between. It again is a debatable issue and doc has mentioned that this or for that matter any new food should not be forced on kid and if and if they do want a little they will have it. Soups can also be given. Mooliga or the gravy in the bone is supposed to be a real healthy food and given to the food.

Whole Milk:
I was told to introduce it gradually substituting one routine feed with the whole milk, diluting at first and then switch completely from around 11 months of age or close to one year.

Sweets, ice-creams, chocolates should be avoided as much as possible but are definitely not a sin is what I was told from the age 10 months onwards... I personally feel that kid is fine enough getting the natural sugar from fruits rather than sweetening agents.

Date syrup is a good alternative for sugar in infants as it is told to avoid honey in the first year of life.

Chewing Food

Sometimes it’s really difficult make children understand the importance of chewing foods rightly, that to such a small child.

Still try some simple tips, may be that may help:
1. Explain to your child the importance of chewing their food. Let them understand, if they will not chew food enough, they are likely to produce more sounds from rear, may be an embarrassment will make him chew more.
2. Make a game of it for younger children. Have the kids chew their food 15-20 times before swallowing and taking another bite. If he follows that for a meal, his incentives are valid. May be incentives help him to learn the habit.
3. Make sure you all eat one meal together. While eating, bring up the subject of chewing and let your kids see you slowly eating the food before swallowing.
I am sure; gradually they will start eating food better. Here incentives work a lot. If they follow give incentives, if they dont, may be don’t talk him for some time, any sort of mild reproach nothing harsh, so they do understand mom is not happy with what I do.

Preparing Ragi Powder at Home

We get readymade powders available in the market but for the ones like me who want to get it done by hand or have ample of time to do it.. the procedure is

**Take Ragi/Millets.
**Soak them in water in the morning.
**By night drain all the water and put them in a cotton cloth and tie a knot.
**Early next morning when they have sprouted, dry them.. not under direct sun though.
Do not let it excess sprout, around 9 a.m. in the night to next morning around 8 should be fine.
**Since it is not sun dried, the drying procedure takes around 3 to 4 days.
**When the sprouted ragi is totally dry without any moisture.
**Make it into a powder and sieve it and store it in an airtight container.
**Do not use wet spoons to remove the contents.

Ting Tong.. Home-made Raagi powder ready

From Sree's Kitchen -- midmeal snacks

Apple

Cooked/steamed apple is easy on baby's tummy but once the baby is nearing 12 months we can go easy on cooking it and give it directly.. any fruit ingested directly is the best form is what i personally feel.

I keep giving it in various forms so that she doesnt get bored.. after months of eating it regularly she kind of got bored and when I tried this she is happy and me too 'cos An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

***Peel the apple, shred in very finely and give it with a spoon.
alternatively we can add a drop of honey or a teaspoonful of date syrup to give it a different taste.

***Peel the apple, shred it.. cook it in half cup of milk, add a little sugar or sugar chips and a little cardamom for that flavor.

***Cut the apple into thin slices and hand it to the baby, if the baby is young and there is a choking hazard, nibbler is the best option.

Soups -- Store Bought.

Maggi and Knorr now offer no added MSG soups which are tasty...
I prepare soups at home but the instant soups are good once in a while too.

I use one packet for 4 times...
a scoop of powder, a cup of water and half cup of milk... cook it to your desired consistency and can add corriander if you like.. yummy for tummy and easy to make.

Cereals -- Store Bought

***Fruit loops can be given directly or soaked in milk..
***Corn flakes soaked in milk/formula topped with date syrup or just like that.
***Oat cereals soaked in milk.

The cereals are the ones we use for our breakfast, apart from the Indian breakfast, it is good.

Curd Raita
A little curd without the top layer, a pinch of salt, grated keera, grated and cooked carrot/beetroot.

Curd and Banana
Mash the banana with a little curd, add a little sugar.

Cheese Sticks
A friend of mine got them from US and they are a great snack too, yet to find them in India though, do let me know if you happen to find.

French Fries
Fresh not frozen potato fries fried and oil taken out with tissue, good finger foods.

Bread Toast
Toast the bread with a little ghee, cut them into tiny squares, diamonds, hearts and give them to the kid. After introducing egg we can dip the bread pieces in the beaten egg mix and give them like French toast by adding a little sugar and milk or bread omlette by adding a pinch of salt and corriander.

The shredding/grating can be done with any fruit after the kid can tolerate the mashed fruit texture well without problems.. see how kid likes it and go about experimenting and do let me know a few of them too :).

From Shruthi's Kitchen -- Home made baby food

1. This is for babies who are just starting solids:-

I wash dal and rice (3/4 - 1 cup proportion)and dry them on cloth overnight - separately
When thoroughly dry, I roast them on medium -separately
Cool them.
Grind each separately. Make it granular like Sooji.
Mix both and store in container.

When u need to cook them. Take a spoonful add water. I add little Hing (asafoedita) as it helps digestion. Pressure cook. When cooked I serve it with homemade ghee.
I put vegetables any one - spinach, carrots, beans chopped as fine as possible.

My baby has this everyday for lunch. She loves it.

2. Pancakes

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional as per the stir ins)
1-1/4 cups fat-free milk
1 egg, lightly beaten (optional)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Stir-ins (optional)
· 1 medium-size ripe banana, mashed, and pinch of ground nutmeg
· 1 cup of pureed strawberries
· 3/4 cup finely chopped apple, 1/4 cup chopped nuts and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
· 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
· Or to make it uthapam style you can also add finely chopped onions tomatoes and grated carrot
· Or make it your style uthapam

Method
In large bowl, combine flour, oats, baking powder and salt; mix well. In medium bowl, combine milk, egg and oil; blend well. Add to dry ingredients all at once; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. (Do not overmix) Add one of the stir-in options, if desired; mix gently.
Heat a tava over medium-high heat. Lightly grease the tava. For each pancake, pour 1/4 cup batter into hot tava. Turn when tops are covered with bubbles and edges look cooked. Turn only once.


3. Oats Soup

oil or butter 1 tsp
oats 1 cup
finely chopped onion 1/2 cup
green chillies slit 1 (or you can avoid if your kid does not have chilli)
cilantro leaves finelychopped 1/2 tsp
veggies as per choice grated 1cup
milk 1 cup
water 1 cup
salt to taste
pepper powder to taste
corn flour 1 spoon


Method:
In a pan add oil and fry the onions and green chilies then add in the veggies cook for a min.
Then add in the oats and fry for 1-2 mins and water and cook for 3 mins. Mix the corn flour with ½ a cup of milk and add to the pan and cook till it thickens and then add the remaining milk.
Garnish with coriander leaves and salt and pepper to taste and serve.

4. Finger food for 1 year old - Cheeselings

Ingredients:
250gms maida (plain flour),
4 cheese cubes or 100gms grated cheese,
Salt and pepper to taste,
Vanaspati or oil for frying.

Method:
Melt cheese with the double boiler method (given below).
Then combine with flour, salt and pepper and knead a tight dough. Then divide it into small portions.. Roll each portion to form a thin flat round (like chapati) and cut small cubes. Heat vanaspati or oil in a kadhai (wok) and fry these cheeselings on a low flame till they turn light brown.

Double Boiler Method:
Heat water in a flat utensil. Place cheese in another small utensil which can be inserted in the utensil filled with water. When the water boils, place the container with cheese into it and then let it be till the cheese melts.

TIP:
To make this snack healthy try these:
1. Replace maida with whole wheat flour.
2. Try baking the cheeselings instead of frying them.

Recipes tried and also gathered from friends..

Shruthi Sunil.

Ragi Recipe For Infants

Boil milk on low flame. Since the quantity is small, we can go for cow's/buffaloes milk.
Mix ragi with little milk without lumps.
After the milk comes to boil, mix the raagi mixed milk in the milk and bring it to the consistency required.
Add sugar/jaggery/sugar chips (your choice).
Put some ghee.
Turn off the stove.

Feed it warm.

Courtesy: Praneetha.

It can be started early for the infants as early as 6 months after introducing solids, don't start with this only introduce it when the kid is used to eating semisolid foods.

Ragi and Whole milk is a bit too heavy on the baby's tummy so use it on your discretion and let the baby guide you.

Store-Bought Baby Food Review -- India

It is always a great idea to prepare fresh food to feed the little ones; however, we need to depend on store-brought food in the initial days.

Formula
Go with your doctor's advise and make sure you shift from stage 1 to stage 2 after the first 6 months. Try to stick to the same formula if the kid is drinking it well. Unless there is any allergy or severe adverse affect, do not ever change the formula without consulting the doctor. Formula has a base, either lactose or soy/lecithin. If the baby is allergic to lactose, the doctor would suggest soy/lecithin based formula. Alternately, the doctor may suggest lactose-free in case of extreme diarrhea to go easy on the tummy.

A few available in the market are Farex, Lactogen, Lactodex, Nan, etc. Price between 180 to 250 rs/-.

The imported formulas like Similac, Enfamil etc. too are available but by and large there is no much difference in their constitution other than maybe the new added DHA which again is available in the Indian brands. There is a huge price variance though, so think about it and go for them. I personally have not noticed much difference going through the ingredient list, would like to know a few more reviews on this though 'cos I haven't tried to switch between Local and imported stuff.


Cereals
We have a wide variety of baby cereals in the market and Cerelac dominates everything else. It has a wide variety, it comes in with milk powder, so we need not add milk to it. Farex is good too but has limited variety is not as easily available in the stores as the others. Nestle, Easum, First Foods, etc. are a few brands that I could locate in the store but mostly use Farex and Cerelac for varieties not available in Farex.

It is okay to use both brands at the same time.. just make sure you dont mix them both at the same time. Like say Farex for morning and Cerelac for evening should be fine as opposed to 1 scoop of Farex and 1 scoop of Cerelac in the morning :). Cost being anywhere from 110 to 125 rs/-.

The imported brands like Gerber are also available costing around 475 rs/- and above. Same as above.

Canned Solid Foods
Gerber/Heinz are the bottled foods available in various flavors in a few select stores, but the price is too much 110 rs/- or more for each bottle. I would say, go for the fresh food when you can. If you are based in India, then there is no point trying it out. However, for those who are used to the canned foods staying abroad and on a visit here, they can still get them here but at the price mentioned above, you need to figure out if it is worth carrying it all the way or just buy a few down here 'cos there is absolutely nothing that you get there and not here.. phew, the baby food market is huge as is the other baby product range.

Soups
It is of mention that MSG is not advised in kid's below a year and pregnant woman, so be cautious when you buy soups. Knorr and Maggi now offer no added MSG soups in wide varieties, so maybe they can be used if you are pressed for time and the kid needs a change.

Introducing Solids -- My Way 2

The main concern at the time of starting solid, semi-solid food is..

What should I feed my kid?
Check out the first post HERE.

how much should i feed my kid?
Well, to begin with just a little scoop of whatever it is.. say mashed banana, cereal, rice, etc. and go gradually go about increasing it.

Some kids might take an instant liking to what is being fed and some might be very resistant varies from kid to kid. Some might take to it with joy, bored of drinking the same milk/formula day in and day out and that is indeed a blessing. The doctor asks to start very little but if the kid is taking it well and demands for more, do not ration it out. Like start with one scoop is fine but you dont have to give just 1 scoop on day 2 and 3 also because you were told to give just a scoop, let the kid guide you with cues.. do not overfeed but do give them enough.

Some kids have a little resistance to shift from breast/bottle to spoon/finger.. gulping down liquids is easier than solids, so the change in consistency is also a major factor.

What should be the consistency of the cereal/first food??
to begin with very liquidy, semi solid consistency and then go about with the recommended quantity on the cereal pack.

How often do I introduce new foods?
Give a gap of about 3 to 4 days between introducing each new item and monitor for any signs of allergy and go about. Check out the brands available and the doctor's recommendations and go about.

Do I give the kid water?
Yes, with the solids you need to give some water; however, not very much.. just a spoonful or so.

How do I feed the kid?
Upright or semi reclined would be an apt position. However, if starting in 4th month or so, then if the kid is not able to lift up his neck then on the legs but head as much elevated as possible with support.

What if the kid is rejecting the food outright?
Try gradually do not rush, do not force feed. If the cereal you are giving right now is not appealing to their taste buds, go for different flavors available in the market. Always begin with stage-1 no matter when you are introducing them.

Stuffing Food: The biggest problem when I introduced food was how do I feed the kid, when do i give water, between the food or after the food. How should I give the food, as the kid gulps it down immediately rather than chewing how fast should I be feeding. When the kid was very small she used to eat happily because it was a change from routine milk but as time passed, feeding was a big issue. She would open her mouth only for a few times and my task was to push in as much as possible in those few open times.. phew, so I felt like I stuffed up the kid in that little time she gives me. Then came a time when I had to forcefully open her mouth and stuff the food and make her sit up right and give her some time to gulp it down and repeat the action :((... sigh!!! and then when she got sick she completely stopped food for a while which gave me panic attacks, but that is a phase, as long as the kid is in her normal behavior pattern with just the same energy levels it is not an area of concern, make sure the kid is well hydrated and fed at least small amounts every once in a while and wait for the kid to get back to normal :(.

Tips: Variety of colorful bowls, spoons, sippers, stories, funny faces, songs, etc. would be of some use during the food sessions.

But I would say, let the feeding sessions be the happy times for self and the kiddo, give the kid what she likes, how much she likes, give them variety, eat along with them, make meal sessions pleasant ones. When the kid is force fed, stuffed beyond what she would happily eat, they would gradually get averse to feeding sessions. See to it that the kid is fed enough but dont try for more. It is but natural that we want our kids to stuff in a lot of nutritious food but they just cant take beyond what they can, realize that and just take it a little light :).

Water: Do not give a sip of water after each morsel of food, a few morsels a spoon of water and after finishing the entire bowl of food or complete meal session a little bit of water.. just a little, too much of water immediately after meal makes them throw up a little at times, so a little water and then maybe after a few minutes or so, how much ever the kid wants to drink.

Activity: Another important thing is do not let the kid sleep on tummy or carry the kid so that the tummy is exerted immediately after meal. If possible let the kid play for a while or if sleeping let them sleep on their back first and then sleep as they want to.

TV/Computer: I would personally say avoid showing TV/computer while eating the food. It makes our task easier in the beginning but as they say, we need to focus on food when we eat. It is one habit I personally would like to inculcate in the kid, no TV/computer when eating period. Meal time should be happy time, family time, together time and a sacred time :) 'cos we are what we eat.

Routine: Also, it is better to have a routine from the outset and not allow the kids to have a bite from each and every one's plate at home. like a morsel from dad's plate, a morsel from mom's, brother's etc. Mealtimes are strictly mealtimes, no mid-meal meals from others. Eating from other's plates will cause eating irregularities at the time of their personal mealtimes, personal experience, so just avoid that. Eat together and feed from your plate, but do not feed your meals after she is done with her meals..

Digestion
Will my baby be able to digest the food, wont it be strong on her belly..
Do not stuff her up and go a little easy and everything should just be fine. You can give gripe water to aid in digestion. You can give Ajwain (vaamu) in her food. Like boil a few flakes of Ajwain in water and give them to drink or put some Ajwain in the rice/dal mix at the time of cooking or if the baby is a little older, fry vaamu in ghee and grind it with a pinch of salt and give it in the first two morsels to the kid.. supposedly too good for digestion.

Teaching feeding or weaning your child depends on the principle that you are trying to make her understand the taste of different things, which she was not aware of earlier. So, that can’t be done at one time, you need to give things repeatedly. Once she eats that, with time, she will understand the taste. Force-feeding is not the right thing to do. Though I understand, for some children, accepting new taste is not easy, so what I advise, while playing with her or while diverting attention and feeding, you introduce these new things. Involve more people in this. You and she both must enjoy this feeding time. Its upto you how you make this more relaxing and enjoyable. Feeding your child can’t be taken lightly; of course it’s an important part of your daily schedule. Try your own ways to do it.

Yummy For Baby Tummy by Mummy...

Hehe.. nice title naa :).. anyways jokes apart..

One simple starter soup recipe which the kid liked in spite of her fever, maybe due to a different taste or maybe it was appealing to look at :).. whatever it is, it went in and that is what makes it the best dish..

Ingredients:
Carrot - 1 large
Tomato - 1 medium size
Coriander and curry leaves - very finely chopped
Pepper Powder
A pinch of salt
A cup of milk
An uncut green chilli
1 garlic pod

Method:
Cook the carrots and tomatoes separately in the pressure cooker, without water.
Peel the tomato.
mash them well or grind them.
Take some ghee or butter, fry the garlic pod, curry leaves and add the paste.
pour some water (the water drained from the veggies) and cook it well.
Put in an uncut chilli so that the flavor goes in without the mirchi.
Add some salt and freshly ground pepper powder very little.
add about a half cup of milk
cook for a while
check out the consistency
remove the green chilli from the mix.
add some corriander

Cool it down and serve it lukewarm...

I tried it on the kiddo following Aswini's recipe giving it my touch and it did turn out well and the kid liked it a lot.. must say 'cos the one refusing to eat anything ate about 4 to 5 spoonfuls.. so try it out for the little tummies... too good and nutritious.

Introducing Solids.. My Way.

Introducing solids, when, what, how much are the vital questions for a first time mom..

To begin with
My tryst with solid feeds started at the age of 5 months or in fact the day the kid finished 4 months and entered 5th.. a pinch of mashed banana it was, and strained dal water, especially moong dal as it is easier to digest.

Reason to Start
Continuing the baby too long on just bottle/breast feed results in iron deficiency was the one sentence which got me running to solids prior to which I was a little averse to starting. Oficially in AP, we start solids on 6th month 6th day with a ceremony called Anna prasana and until then we don't give rice to the kid and from the day we initiate the kid on it, not a single day should go without at least a rice grain in the baby's mouth :).

For the Starters
So, starting with dal water along with the milk feeds, then introducing mashed ripe banana taking out the seeds, and cereal (store-brought). I personally started with Farex available in India, wheat because I am told that it is easy to digest. We get Wheat, Rice, Wheat/Apple, Ragi/Rice for Stage 1 that is starters in this particular brand. I began with wheat, 1 scoop a day only in the mornings and then continuing with normal feeding throughout the day. After 15 days of introducing the cereal, increased the quantity and went on to 2 times a day 2-3 scoops and gradually introducing one flavor after the other.

Alternating Cereal Flavors
All the while we need to look at the baby's cues on what and how much she wants to. Also, if you have started on multiple flavors, it is recommended that you alternate between the flavors so that the kid doesnt get bored, like say ragi/rice in the morning, 'cos it is a little heavy, rice in the evening or wheat apple in the morning and wheat in the evening or maybe we can go to 3 feeds of cereal also, just depends on you and the baby.

Fruits and Veggies
Then gradually introduced mashed banana, cooked apple, ripe papaya, cooked carrot, cooked beetroot, etc. for solids and fruit juices just less than an ounce to begin with like carrot juice, beetroot juice, pomegranate juice. There was resistance but we just need to keep altering between solids/liquids/milk and keep their interest that is it :(. It is advised to start veggies first and then the fruits..

First Meal
Then when the official meal is started I began with frying Toor Dal and Moong Dal in equal measures and rice like say 1 cup both toor dal and moong daal and 1 cup rice and grind it to a course consistency of rava and then cook it in a small pressure cooker 1 spoon:4 spoons ratio of mix and water, leaving for about 5 to 6 whistles, adding carrots/green leafy veggies/beets/bottle gourd etc.

Indian Breakfast
After we start the rice items in about 6th month we can give all Indian Breakfasts like Idly dipped in ghee, chapati cooked with ghee, chapati dipped in milk/formula, rava kesari, upma, etc. Also, khichdi, saggu jaava, raagi recipes. The portions they take will be small but gradually they should be introduced to all consistencies and textures of foods. It is ideal that we start with veggies first and then move on to fruits.

Avoid Maggie, etc. in the first year of life due to MSG content.

Milk and Solids
The big question is... how do we adjust between milk and solids... there will be a change in the milk intake with introduction of wide variety of foods and also a change in the color/consistency/smell/frequency of the stool which is pretty much normal. However, give some gap of a week or so before introducing new foods or new combination to figure out if the kid is allergic to anything that is started and let them get used to the new changes.

Coming to the milk part, there will be a gradual cut down in the intake but ensure that the kid is having at least 15 to 20 oz of milk throughout the entire day. Give small quantities of milk in frequent intervals if the intake has gone down drastically instead of trying to give the usual 5-7 oz per feed.

Water
Introduce water too with the solid feeds with a spoon or a bottle, very little to begin with and a little more as the kid grows up. Ensure that the kid is fed both solids and liquids in equal portions and has a well-balanced serving of fruits and veggies along with milk and water on any given day.

Cookies and Biscuits
We can also give multigrain biscuits, Threptin biscuits (in India), sugar-less cookies, bread soaked in milk/formula as mid-meal snacks once the kid is about 7 months old.

small portions in frequent intervals is the best way is what I am told.

Do not force the kid to the point of aversion on any particular feed, if the kid is totally averse or has a dislike to something give it a break for a while and begin your attempts but by and large force just works the other way round and tends to make the kids adamant.

Nibbler

Also for the beginners, like at the age of 5 months when I started the solids, I found this very useful item called a Nibbler in the baby store, a mesh with a handle where in we can cut fruits like apple or even chapati and put it in the nibbler and give it to the kid to chew on, make sure you get 2 in case one falls down.

The one I got is of brand Nuby with non-toxic BPA free plastic and costs around 400 rs/- from Brooks, Mogalraja puram, Vijayawada. Sunbaby ones cost around 135/- and are good too. Must say, it is a boon to begin with so that the kids do not choke on the solids, it also acts as a soother and satisfies the kids urge to chew on something while sending in some fruit juice/pulp into the mouth which kind of teaches the coordination of biting, sucking, chewing and gulping it down. Absolute paisa-vasool item I must say for the beginners.

Introducing Solids

Start with Moong Dal Water. Later, you can start on a combination of green leafy vegetable soups and dal water. Begin with thin soups such as carrot, pumpkin, bottle gourd etc. Begin with strained soups and dal water initially. As your baby grows older and is about 7 months old, you can start on unstrained soups and dals. Later on, you can add other green vegetables to your baby's diet. These are a good source of iron, calcium and vitamin C.

Begin with one type of vegetable or dal and gradually accustom your baby to a combination of these vegetables and dals. Try vegetable variations like Beet and Carrot Soup. A wide variety of soups and juices will help your baby savour and develop a palate for foods other than milk

Rice is the most common cereal to begin with, as it is nutritious and easiest for babies to digest. Gradually, try a combination of a cereal and pulse, such as rice with moong dal in the form of khichdi. Your baby would best accept a well mashed khichdi thinned down with warm water, which will be easier for her to swallow and digest. Serve Moong Dal Khichdi and see your baby happily gurgle it down.

Other cereals such as wheat, ragi, bulgur wheat etc can be added as baby starts accepting semi-solid foods. Cook and puree these cereals with milk to form a smooth creamy consistency that is balmy for your baby’s tongue. Add a teaspoon or two of butter or ghee to these foods, as these are a rich source of vitamin A. A great start could be made with the Jowar and Ragi Kanji, which is an unusual and yummy combination to initiate your baby to this diet. Begin with one to two teaspoons and gradually increase the quantity to about half a cup. Once your baby accepts these changes, it is time to introduce her to mashed fruits and mashed dals as well. Most babies will love the sweet taste of fruits and welcome this innovation in their regular diet. A mashed banana (diluted with a little milk) makes an excellent meal. Chickoo, papaya and ripe mango can also be great additions. Introduce stewed fruits like apples a week or two later.

Remember to begin with a single fruit or vegetable and gradually accustom your baby to combinations.

By the end of the fifth month, most babies readily accept more variety and can be served boiled and completely mashed vegetables like carrots, potatoes etc. Ensure that these vegetables are properly cooked and blended to a semi-solid consistency so that they are easy to swallow.

Courtesy: Sireesha (M&B)

Baby Food Recipes

After baby turns six months you can actually introduce lot of variety foods..

* Khichdi- Dal& Rice or Suji& Veg
* Suji-Halwa, sweet with milk or salty with veg
* Daliya- Sweet as well as salty
* upma
* Ragi
* Chila-daal,suji, besan
* Poha
* Sweet potato- Kheer or JUst boiled
* Fruits
* Milk Shakes
* Pasta
* Macaroni
* Parantha- Aloo,paneer
* Cheese
* Tikki- Aloo & Paneer
* Roasted Paneer
* Soups- Veg or if r non veg you can start with chicken & potato soup


You can recipes for most of the food in the same thread..

Dal Khichdi

Ingredients

4 tbsps of rice
4 tbsps of moong dal(Green Broken)

Preparation

Properly Wash both rice and Dal and soak them for 10-15 mins. Put both rice and dal in cooker and required water. Add pinch of haldi(Turmeric Powder) and very little salt.

Cook over medium heat till 4-5 whistle comes. After 5 minutes open the cooker and check whether rice is soft, if not add little water and boil .

Add a tbsp of ghee over the it.

We can add mashed vegetables also.

Suji & Mixed vegetable Khichdi

Ingredients

1 tsbp suji
1 tsbp Ghee
2 tsbp Yellow Moong Dal
Vegetables : Carrot, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, White Pumpkin, Cauliflower

Roast Suji in Ghee and add Washed and soaked Moong dal to it. Add all the veggies in the quantity as required. Add water , a pinch of turmeric powder and little salt.

Cook over medium heat till 4-5 whistle comes. After 5 minutes open the cooker and mash all the veggies with a spoon

Add a tbsp of ghee over the it.

Tip: Always put roasted suji otherwise it will comes out of the cooker

Mixed Vegetables
gv in all veggies u like ... carrot,beet( pre boiled nd water discarded),potato,cabbage,cauliflwr( only if baby is nt gassy),peas, beans ,pumpkin
take few pieces of onion nd tomato nd hlf or 1 pod of garlic saute a bt wth oil put in a wee amnt of roasted jeera powder nd hing ..put in rest of veggies and saute wthout putting xtra oil ... put in water add turmeric and let it simmer .. lastly add little salt ...and chk if it soft ( or else u can pressure cook it fr 5 to 10mnts)
now keep this in handy ...and add ur choice of rice..or millet ..or dal ..or chkn or egg ..yellow and a meal wl b ready ..( pls donot forget to mash all properly)
i make this suffiecient fr arnd 3 days and put in small containers ..label n freeze them nxt few days u jst hv to make the accompaniments ...i keep this fr lunch ..

Apple porridge

Taken from Babies' Recipe book

This Porridge made of oats, Apple and milk can be served as breakfast after the baby is 6 months.

3 tbsp quick cooking oats
half cup milk if baby has started taking cow milk
1tbsp jaggery(gur)grated
1/4 apple grated or finely chopped
1tsp ghee or unsalted butter
heat the butter in a pr cooker and saute the oats for 2 minutes
add milk and 1/2 cup water and pr cook for 2 whistles
add jaggery and apple while the porridge is hot and mix well using whisk.

If the baby hasn't started with cowmilk, porridge can be prepared with water & formula milk can be added later.

Sweet Potato Kheer recipe :-

Firstly clean the sweet potatoes nicely n peel it off. Cut them into small pieces, add water n pressrue cook them. Once they are cooked, mash them a bit. Take a pan and pour around 2 cups of milk (It depends upeon the consistensy required). Now add those masehd sweet potatoes with a little jaggery and cardomom. Let it tboil on medium flame for sometime and stir it at regular intervals.... Done!! Its yummy and I am sure you kids will love it ... Its quite instant recipe.... :)

Pumpkin & Sweet Potato Soup

Cut pumpkin and sweet potato in equal quantity. Wash properly and put them in a cooker with half a glass of water.Add little turmeric to it.

Let 3-4 whistle comes and open it after 5 minutes.

Boil it on low flame and mash it.

Tip: You can add litle bit of sugar or salt according to your baby taste bud.

baby's fish and vegetables

I got this recipe from one of my baby books.Its seems tasty.iam yet to try it.
Once doctor has okaed fish.a white fleshed fish is the best choice like tilapia,halibut,whitefish etc

1 small fish fillet
1/2 small zucchini
1/2 medium carrot
a few drops of lemon juice(if baby has already eben introduced to it,most of gerber baby foods whould have added it to their banan puree to retain color)
1/2 tablespoon butter
method
oven method is suggested but steaming can also be done.
preheat oven to 375 F.Wash peel carrot and zuccini and slice in thin slices.
wash fish fillet removing any bones(try to get boneless fish fillet)
prepare double layer of aluminium foil and lightly grease inside of foil
place fish and veggies on foil,dot top with butter and lemon juice then seal the packet and place on baking dish.
bake for 45 minutes or until fish is opaque and flakes easily
allow to cool,fork mash before serving.if necessary puree.baking and/or steamign gives good flavor and retains nutrients.

apple pear raisin rice

apple (1/2 slice skin removed)
pear juice 4 ounce(gerber juice can be used)
brown rice 3 tablespoon
black raisins around 1 tablespoon

method
mix above contents together and add little bit more water (around 2 cups)and cook.u can also pressure cook.once cooked, u could strain water if extra and puree.
its a sweet tasting dish.must be good for constipation due to raisins.
u can use 1/2 pear and use apple juice for a taste change.

Makhana Kheer

Makhana Kheer


*100gm Makhana
*1 kg Milk
*1 cup sugar/Jaggery
*1 cup finely chopped(Cashew,almonds & raisins)
*3-4 elaichi

Preparation
Cut makhana into small pieces and then wash them .Boil milk in a pan.Later add makhana and let it simmer on slow flame.Add elaichi to it

Once makhanas are done, add dry fruits and let it simmer till milk thickens.Approx 15-20 mins

When it's almost done add sugar to it.

Sabudana Khichdi

Ingredients
*250gm Sabudana
*100gm roasted and well crushed peanuts(don't add if baby is allergic to it)
*1 tsp crushed black pepper
*1 tsbp sugar
*1 tsbp ghee
* salt

Preparation
Wash & soak sabudana in water for 30-40mins..Once soft & fluffy drain out water in a sieve and cover it.Leave for 15mins

In a bowl take sabudana,peanuts,black pepper,sugar & salt.
Heat ghee in kadai and sabudana mix.Stir well,leave it for 10 mins on low flame.

Makhane ki kheer....

This is what I learnt this time during my India's trip. No idea as what is "Makhana" called in other languages...
- Fry some makhana in ghee for few minutes on simmer.
- Take a pan and add milk, add makhana, sugar/jaggery and let it boil for sometime till the makhana gets soft.
- Add some crushed almonds to make it more nutritious.
- Its a very healthy breakfast.

Chivda

1 tsp mustard seeds
1 cup poha/chivda
1 onion sliced
1 tbsp oil
1 potatoes-diced small
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves

Peanuts (optional)

Method: Put Chivda in a colander and wash, not letting it soak too long in the water. Leave in the colander to drain out completely.

Heat the oil and add mustard seeds , onion.

When seeds begin to splutter, add potatoes, and turn around till they look a bit glossy. Add the turmeric and saute over low heat till the potatoes are cooked through.

Increase the heat, add salt and poha and mix well. Saute till mixed

Garnish with coriander leavs

You can add other veggies also for kids...

CHeese Pizza

1. Take Either it is Pizza base or bread.
2. Apply Tomato sauce or Pizza sauce.
3. Spread some cheese (Mozilla would be better- grate it)
4. Sprinkle chopped onion, chooped tomato
5. Sprinkle cheese as much you want.
6. Sprinke small cut pieces of Panneer/Boiled chicken/Green leaf (if u want to try different)
7. Again take a spoon of sauce and drop in a circular motion.
8. Take a sppon of olive oil and drop in a circular motion.
9. If u r using Pizza base, then apply olive oil on the corners (circumference) this gives crispy sides after cooking.
10. Sprinkle salt, pepper powder as per taste.
11. If you want more spicy then can even crush the red chilli and sprinke over.
12. Add cheese if u want more cheeesy pizza.

Keep the base or bread directly on the Mirco wave (that glass circular tray) as i dont have the pizza wodden saptula.
Keep the oven in high (90H) and time for 3-4 min.
Just monitor for the first time, whether the cheese gets melted and the base is not becoming hard too because of over heat.
If u feel that cheese has to melt..then increase the time from 1 -2 more min.

Happy Pizza making at home.

Signal Chilas (Tikkis)

For the batter:-

*2 tbsp yellow moong dal (split yellow gram)
*2 tbsp uran dal (split black gram)
*1 tbsp green moong dal (split green gram)
*1tbsp chana dal (split gram)
*Salt to taste

Other ingredients:-
*2 tbsp tomato ketchup
*1 tbsp finely crated carrots
*1 tbsp finely grated bottle gourd (doodhi)
*a pinch of haldi
*1 tbsp spinach (palak) puree
*Oil for cooking

Method:-
*Wash and soak all the dals in enough water for 4- 5 hrs, drain and blend in a mixed till smooth. Add little water while blending

*Add the salt and divide the batter into 3 equal portions.

*To make the 6 red colored chilas add tomato ketchup and carrots to one portion, mix well and keep aside.

*To make 6 yellow colored chilas,add doodhi and haldi to the second portion ,mix well and keep aside.

*To make the green colored chilas, add palak puree to the remaining portion, mix well and keep aside.

*Heat a non-stick pan ,pour a spoonful of each red, yellow and green colored batter and spread to make small thin rounds of approx 50mm (2") diameter.

*Cook using oil till they turn golden brown and crisp on both the sides.

*Repeat the same with the remaining batter to make more colored chilas .

*Arrange the red, yellow and green chilas in a row on a plate to make signals or fix them on a small stick to look like signals and serve.

SPIRAL SANDWICHES

u need;

brown bread/white bread
cheese spread
cheese slices
ham/bacon/salami(optional)
tomato slices
spinach leaves(optional)
little milk

method;
1 take two slices of bread ,cut d edges.
2 take d slices..wet one edge with little milk
place d wet edges together so that we get a long slice..press d bread so that d slices join together..
3 now apply cheese spread..
4 put tomato slices,spinach and cheese slice..
5 now tightly roll d sandwitch like a log..use milk to stick d end.
6. cut it into 3-4 slices...
spiral sandwiches r ready

Rice Balls..

Ingredients:-
1 cup cooked rice (left over or freshly made)
1/4 cup grated carrots
1/4 cup finely chopped onions
1/4 cup chopped spinach
1/2 cup rice flour(chawal ka atta)
1tsp ginger-green chili paste
1tsp sugar
salt to taste

Method:-
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl with 1/4 cup of water and mix well.
Divide the mixture into 20 balls
Heat oil in a kadhai and deep fry till golden brown in color
Drain on a absorbent paper and serve ho.

Oatmeal cookies

Oatmeal cookies for cookie lover kids. Its very yummy, healthy and easy to make.

160 gm plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
120 gm butter
120 gm ghee
150 gm castor sugar
2 tablespoons of ginger juice
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 tablespoon golden syrup (Golden syrup is kind of sugar syrup with thick texture. You can get it in NTUC, optional ingredient. )
220 gm quick cooking oats
80 gm mini choc chips
40 gm sesame seeds

Method:

- Sieve the first 3 ingredients together.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and creamy.
- Mix ginger juice, bicarbonate of soda and golden syrup in a very small bowl, add it to beaten butter and sugar and then combine it well.
- Add in the rest of ingredients and combine well to form a soft dough.
- Now preheat oven to 180 degrees.
- Shape into cherry sized balls and place on greased baking tray.
- Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool it before storing in a container

Courtesy: Mums & Babies

Milk - Calcium Requirement in Kids

SOL FOR QUERY ON MILK

Toddlers should have 500 milligrams of calcium a day. This requirement is easily met if your child gets the recommended two servings of dairy foods every day. An important part of a toddler’s diet, milk provides calcium and vitamin D to help build strong bones. Children under age 2 should have whole milk to help provide the dietary fats they need for normal growth and brain development. After age 2, most kids can switch to low-fat or non-fat milk, although you should discuss this decision with your child’s doctor.

TODDLER NUTRITION

Which foods should I offer my toddler?

Each day, offer a variety of foods from the four nutritious food groups:

1. Starchy Foods (carbohydrates)
Offer these at every meal and some snack times. They include breakfast cereals, pasta, rice, suji or semolina preparations, potatoes, sweet potatoes, colocasia (arvi), yam, plantain and any foods made from flour such as chapattis, parathas, dosas.

2. Fruits and Vegetables
Toddlers may take some time to learn to eat a wide variety of these, particularly vegetables. Keep offering them at each meal so that your toddler learns that they are always part of a normal meal. Include greens like spinach in dry curries, dals, soups and stuffed into chapattis. Apart from vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, pumpkin, beans and peas, introduce local vegetables like bottlegourd , ash gourd , ridgegourd , chayote squash,snake gourd,okra,eggplant and other beans like broad beans and cluster beans, Fruits are often more popular -- cut them into finger foods to make them easier to eat.

3. High Iron And High Protein Foods
Offer these at one or two meals each day. They include meat, fish, eggs, nuts and pulses. Pulses like kidney beans(rajma),chickpeaskabuli chana),hummus ,dals,soya bean products like tofu and nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, sesame seeds.

Vegetarians who are not eating meat should have some pulses, eggs, nuts or beans at two or three meals each day inorder to get enough iron. Introduce different kinds of like toor dal and moong dal, masoor dal, urad dal, Bengal gram ,kala chana. Parathas can also be made with stuffed dal, which has been cooked dry or use left over dal to knead flour and make delicious parathas.

4. Milk, Cheese,Paneer And Yogurt
Dairy products provide plenty of calcium for growing bones but they are extremely low in iron. Toddlers need less milk than they did during their first year of life -- Offer
about 120ml of milk in a cup as a drink rather than a full bottle and aim for about 350ml/12oz a day. Large amounts of milk will reduce your toddler's appetite for other foods, especially those higher in iron.

All toddlers should drink whole (full fat) milk until they are two years old. After two you can change to 2% or skimmed milk(but do so only after consulting a pediatrician).You can continue using formula if ur toddler is a picky or poor eater as the formula is fortified with iron.Check with your pediatrician,they may recommend iron supplements if necessary.

What should my toddler drink?

Offer a drink with each meal and snack.It can be milk,water or diluted fresh juice10 parts water to 1 part juice).Toddlers need more fluids in very hot weather or if they are very active as they can become dehydrated quite quickly.

Try to refrain from giving colas and other fizzy drinks as they cause tooth decay.Donot five milk or water just before mealtimes as they may fill up your
toddler with no appetite left for food.