Introducing complementary foods

Once your baby completes six months (in some cases 4 or 5 months, if recommend by the pediatrician), along with breast milk complementary foods should be introduced. The wide variety of options available are mind boggling; right from organic to conventional, from different types of millet,  cereals, fruits, vegetables to processed cereals. It becomes the prime responsibility of a parent to inculcate healthy eating habits in children and so it is very important for a parent to choose food that is balanced, healthy, locally available and yet easy-to-cook. It is wise to choose natural food over processed food for many reasons. Natural food has ingredients that we are aware of (Unlike processed food that demands a masters in Chemistry to decipher its ingredients!!!). It has more fiber and is safe on your little one's tummy.

What do I start with?? 

Million dollar question, ain't it? Some go for cereal, some go for fruits and some vegetables. I would suggest, you go with what the pediatrician says. 

It is always a good practice to check with the pediatrician before you introduce any food to your child, especially if the child is between 4 and 8 months or if the child is prone to any allergy. 

My daughter was 6 months old when I introduced her to the first complementary food; Banana. I picked a banana that was fully ripe to an extent that its skin had black spots all over. I took a tiny piece of that banana (it's edible part of-course) and mashed it well with my fingers so that it did not have any lumps. I gave her a tiny portion of it. Her facial expressions explained it all. Her tongue and palate were exploring the new texture while her taste buds were relishing the sweetness. She was looking forward to eating some more :-)

Never expect kids to take to eating solids right away. If they balk, give them sometime and don't force. Keep trying the same food for a few days, they would like it (Should I say, they would end up liking it!). However, if they still seem to hesitate, perhaps it is time to introduce some other solid food. 

Points to remember

• Always introduce new food in small quantities
• Familiarize your baby with just one new item at a time
• Let your child take a week to get adjusted to the new item. That way if it does not go well with your kid, you can stop offering that food temporarily and try it once your child is a little older.    
• Never add sugar/ salt to your child's food until he turns one. After which it is wise to use sugar/salt super sparingly. Let him enjoy the natural flavor and taste. 

More on solid foods to continue...