What foods should I include in my child’s diet to ensure balanced nutrition?

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By the time they reach 12 months, toddlers need about 1,000 calories. It is recommended to include the following in the diet of your little toddler:

Vegetables: green leafy vegetables, carrots, salads, cabbage, sweet potatoes, broccoli, beans, lettuce, pumpkin.

Millets: finger millet (ragi), sorghum (jowar), pearl millet (bajra) and oats.

Pulses and legumes: kidney beans, red gram, green gram, green gram dal.

Melon seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, roasted flax seeds, almonds and cashews.

Dried fruits: raisins, dates, gooseberries, and makhanas.

All kinds of fresh fruits.

Probiotics: curd, mustard seeds, kanji.

Fats and oils: clarified butter (ghee), unsalted butter, coconut oil and unfiltered oil.

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When should you not proceed with baby-led weaning?

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In Baby Led Weaning, most solid foods are acceptable as long as they are steamed/cooked/baked and sliced or cut into bite-sized pieces. However, some foods are still considered choking hazards until your baby’s molar teeth appear. These foods must strictly be kept away from your baby until 12 months. The foods that are considered choking […]

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What are the advantages of Baby-led weaning?

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How to start Baby-led weaning with 6-8 month old babies?

The biggest fear of parents regarding baby-led weaning is ‘choking’. Most parents think that giving solid foods directly to their babies is not safe. However, several studies have proven that this is not true. Regardless of the feeding method, babies have the same risk of choking. That said, it is extremely important to go through […]

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Can you combine Baby-led weaning and Traditional Weaning?

Combining Baby-led weaning and traditional weaning aka purees is a great idea. Especially for parents who are nervous about starting solids directly. One way to combine traditional weaning and Baby-led weaning is to offer solid foods once a day in the beginning and feeding purees the other times. Another way is to feed purees when […]

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What are the great first foods for Baby-led weaning?

The whole point of baby led weaning is to introduce your baby to the foods from your family pot as soon as possible – from 6 months typically. However, there are some exceptional foods that make great first foods for your baby as they are rich in nutrients and beneficial for your rapidly growing baby. […]

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What to feed a sick toddler?

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How to introduce green beans to babies?

Green beans are a powerhouse of nutrition and offer your baby a wide range of benefits in the form of vitamins A, K, and C and protein. It is safe to offer your baby green beans only after they turn 6 months old. For a 6-month-old baby starting with solids, offer well-cooked or boiled green […]

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Are almonds good for your baby?

Monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, fiber, phytonutrients, biotin, minerals, and trace minerals – almonds have them all. They aid in the healthy development of your baby and adding almonds to your baby’s diet as part of a balanced diet is a good choice. Avoid giving whole almonds to babies under the age of 5 as they […]

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Easy to digest and full of nutrients that aid a baby’s development, oats are an excellent choice as baby food. You can give oats to your baby from as early as 6 months of age. For a 6-9-month-old baby, go for rolled oats as they cook quickly and are softer than steel-cut oats. Mix fresh […]

How to give fruits to your infant?

The best way to give your baby the benefits of fruits is to give them fresh, well-washed, and bite-sized or mashed fruits after 6 months of age. Bananas, papayas, and apples should be mashed and then given to your baby from 6 months. Whereas ripe fruits like chikoo, mangoes, strawberries, and cherries should be cut […]

Why should you include raisins in your baby’s diet and how to do so?

Raisins are a powerhouse of nutrition. In addition to being a natural laxative and low in fats, raisins are rich in iron, vitamins, and minerals. You can give your baby raisins starting from 6 months onwards. No matter how nutritious raisins are, never give your baby whole raisins as they are a choking hazard. The […]

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Why might I give my baby formula?

– Not all mothers can breastfeed: some will be unable to make enough milk for their baby’s needs, whereas others have a health problem or be taking medication that prohibits them from doing so. – Infant formula is a healthful alternative for mothers who are unable or unable to breastfeed. The formula offers the nutrition […]

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Delicious Indian recipes for 9-12 month olds.

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When to introduce pumpkin in your baby’s diet and how to do so?

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What foods to give your baby during fever?

Soup with veggies and lentils, chicken broth or other nutritious broths, moong dal khichdi, apple, oatmeal porridge, boiled and mashed veggies, and mashed curd rice. Remember your baby is coping with their health both physically and mentally. They need nourishment along with some extra love and care. Freshly prepared homemade foods that are both easy […]

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These common foods are bad for your baby’s development.

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Why should you never force-feed your baby?

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Fresh fruits such as bananas, steamed apples, strawberries, and chicks are good for your baby during diarrhea. Offer foods made of white rice, oatmeal, Dalia, and moong dal khichdi alongside yogurt and plenty of water. Chapati mashed in the yellow dal is also a good option. So are chicken broth and well-cooked or boiled eggs. […]

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When are sugar and salt good for your baby? How to introduce sugar and salt in your baby’s diet?

Babies don’t need too much salt or sugar before 1 year. The amount of salt and sugar present in breast milk or formula is sufficient to fulfill their requirements before the age of 1. Too much salt before this age may affect your baby’s kidneys. Whereas, higher amounts of sugar lead to tooth decay and […]

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How to offer a baby a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, etc?

When you start feeding your baby solid foods, it can be difficult to make sure your child is getting all of the vitamins and minerals that they need for development. Try to balance their nutrition over a week. Offer your baby a variety of foods from all food groups including whole grains, veggies, fruits, nuts, […]

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How many meals do babies have at 10 – 12 months?

Every day, your baby needs 3 meals and 1-2 healthy snacks, as well as on-demand breastfeeding. If they do not breastfeed, then formula should be given 2-3 times a day (100-120 ml each) is sufficient.Providing too much milk will decrease the consumption of solid foods Expect your child to miss meals on occasion. Many parents […]

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What are the top finger foods for 6-9 month olds?

The following are excellent choices as finger foods for 6-9-month-old babies. Sliced banana, sliced strawberry, sliced chikoo, sliced mangoes or melons, breadsticks with smooth peanut butter or nut butter, sliced chapati with smooth nut/peanut butter, pitta bread or naan bread sliced, soft cooked cauliflower, broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, turnip, green beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, […]

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How should I start feeding my baby solid food?

– When your child shows signs of hunger, such as placing their hands in their mouth, feed them. – Start by giving 2-3 spoonfuls of soft food twice a day. – Start with one food (dal water or rice kanji), then add a second food after 4-5 days to get the infant acquainted with the […]

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How to start early good eating habits?

– It’s important for your baby to become accustomed to the feeding process, which includes sitting up, eating from a spoon, pausing between bites, and stopping when full. These early experiences will aid your child in developing healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. – From the first feeding, encourage family meals. When you […]

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How do you hydrate a sick toddler?

Have an oral rehydration solution on hand at all times. These are available in liquids, popsicles, and powders. While using powders to make an oral rehydration solution, follow the instructions to prepare the packet carefully and correctly. You can also make a homemade oral rehydration solution, by adding 1 spoon of sugar and a pinch […]

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Benefits of Infant massage to the Parents

– It encourages parental bonding with the baby from the beginning. – It increases the parent’s attachment to the baby. It helps in understanding the baby’s cues for various needs like hunger, etc. – It is a good medium to enhance communication and emotional bond between the baby and the parent. It is a good […]

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What are the Dos of infant massaging?

– Either of the parents can do the massage for the baby. Any other family member can also do it. Avoid appointing an outside person for Massaging, as one is not aware of the hygiene of the appointed person. – Wash hands with soap before the massage. Use a clean washed cotton cloth and spread […]

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What are the Don’ts of infant massaging?

– Do not tap on the anterior fontanelle of the baby. The anterior fontanelle is that part of the head, where the baby doesn’t have bone cover and hence the brain is directly exposed. In such a situation, tapping the area with oil can be harmful to the baby’s brain. – Do not put oil […]

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What are the different types of baby formula?

Cow’s milk is used in milk-based formulations, along with vegetable oils, iron, vitamins, and minerals. Soy-based products have added vegetable oils and minerals and are manufactured from soybeans. There are also a variety of hypoallergenic formulas available, which are manufactured from cow’s milk that has been ‘predigested’ and the protein removed or decreased. Formula may […]

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Can curd increase mucus?

No, it’s not true. Dairy products don’t cause the body to produce more mucus. Some people say that after a drink of milk, their throat feels coated with milk and they want to cough. However, research suggests that it’s the consistency of milk that gives the sensation of it coating the throat, and it is […]

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Steps for Infant Massage

Steps for infant massage: – Gently stroke the baby’s head, and smoothly massage the baby’s forehead in the horizontal direction with two fingers, starting at the center.– Make tiny circles on the cheek with two fingers. Make small circles around the baby’s jaw, and massage around the lips. – Using your hands, gently stroke the […]

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Benefits of Massage to the baby

– Infant massage provides tactile stimulation (stimulation with touch) which is part of multisensory stimulation promoting a baby’s development and well-being. – It also benefits the blood circulation and respiration of the baby. – It improves the tone of muscles and strengthens the muscles and thus stimulates motor development of the baby. – It stimulates […]

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What are other Hunger Cues of the baby?

Scheduled feedings, as indicated by your pediatrician, are best for children born prematurely or with medical issues. Check your baby for hunger cues (instead of the clock) if the baby is a healthy and full-term infant. This type of feeding is called “feeding on demand” or “responsive feeding”. When a newborn is hungry, he or […]

What are the symptoms of a Food Allergy?

When the body reacts to non-toxic proteins contained in meals, it is called a food allergy. These reactions usually occur quickly after a meal has been consumed. Food allergies can be minor or severe. Since there are so many things that might be mistaken for food allergies, parents must understand the differences. Here are some […]

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How should I feed my baby with solid food?

.When your child shows signs of hunger, such as placing their hands in their mouth, feed them. Start by giving 2-3 spoonfuls of soft food twice a day. Start with one food (dal water or rice kanji), then add a second food after 4-5 days to get the infant acquainted with the flavor. Because their […]

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Should I still give my baby breast milk or first infant formula, if my is 10 Months?

That’s right! Breast milk or formula milk is the best source of energy and nourishment during the first year, and it should be your baby’s major food until they are 12 months old. If the infant is exclusively breastfed for the first six months, continue this after weaning food; there is no need for formula. […]