So let's have a quick look at how to initiate weaning at different stages of Life.
FIT 1 : First six months of Life: Exclusive Breast Feeding, Breast Milk has all the essential nutrients present in it, in-fact Breast Milk also hydrates the Baby and so no additional Water is needed to be given to the Baby. Sometimes people tend to follow the old customs of giving Honey,Water, Ghutti to Baby however, WHO discourages all such activities and suggests exclusive breastfeeding as the best way to ensure nourishment, develop a bond between Mother and Baby and to keep Baby away from infections and gastric problems like diarrhea.
FIT 2: 6-7 months: Initiate food with a semi-liquid consistency. Food that are smooth and very easy to digest, they should be easy for baby’s tummy. Rice, Potato, Fruits,Veggies should be ripe/soft/properly cooked and pureed.
FIT 3 : 7-9 months: Now is the time to have a step higher, semi-solid consistency of food. Baby should be given some taste in their food and not just taste but also slight semi solid texture. Custard can be added, khichdi,curd, eggs,rice, pulses, soup, sooji kheer,daliya. Include lumps in the diet now, not just simply purees.
FIT 4 : 9-12 months: Semi solid consistency,Mashed,Chopped,Minced. Baby now wants to chew foods and is ready for a blend of tastes and texture, in-fact finger foods are a great way to get started here.Add a serving of half boiled eggs, fried fish, tender chicken, also give paneer, yogurt or cheese.
FIT 5 : After 1 year: From semi solid we now switch to solid foods, add on variety in the diet, give Baby foods that Baby can chew with his new small tiny little teeths.
WHO recommends that infants start receiving complementary foods at 6 months of age in addition to breast milk, initially 2-3 times a day between 6-8 months, increasing to 3-4 times daily between 9-11 months and 12-24 months with additional nutritious snacks offered 1-2 times per day, as desired.
Talking about the frequency of breast milk feeding :
FIT 1 : 0-6 months: Every 2 hourly or on demand 9-10 times over a period of 24 hours.
FIT 2 : 6- 9 months: Now the child is growing, and so child can have larger volume of milk consumed at a time with thick consistency also as we add on complementary food to the diet we can reduce the frequency to 7-8 times per day of breast milk.
FIT 3 : 9- 12 months: Now Baby is enjoying food and feeding can be reduced to 5-7 times a day.
FIT 4 : 12 – 15 months: 5-6 times a day is now sufficient, Baby can now have larger meals.
FIT 5: After 15 months: Baby should now be consuming Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Do not feed during the meal hours, rest of the remaining day you can feed him 4-6 times. We need to encourage child to start having healthy snacks in between meals and gradually within 18 months of age to 24 months of age, try to reduce the breast milk to almost nil. And in no time will you realize that your baby is now already so big. Congrats for all the efforts your Baby is now healthy and ready to face the World.
P.S. Just to inform you all I had a great time working in the Labour Ward and Pediatric Ward at Choithram Hospital and Research centre and realized that having a Baby is what makes a family complete, Be it the Father or the Mother, In-laws or siblings of the Baby, everyone takes care that Mother and Baby both are comfortable and relaxed. In-fact when a Baby is born, there is an evident twinkle in every family members eyes,9 months family has taken full care of the Baby along with the Mother,now when the Baby is in this World, its time we take responsibility of the child's nourishment right from the time Baby is born. That is why at Choithram we follow the ten steps of a Baby Friendly Hospital and ensure early initiation of Breast feeding within an hour of normal delivery. The frequency of Breast feeding (every 2 hours or every time Baby cries; demand feeding) is an effective way to ensure Baby is nourished. By six months it becomes further necessary to encourage baby to eat food, we need to introduce child to new food but always ensure that introduce one food at a time and introduce next food only after 2 weeks. Do not stop breastfeeding, Baby will have a spoon or two of the newly introduced food to start with, increase the frequency of the times you offer Baby food. If the Baby just had breast milk baby will not have other foodstuff immediately after that, its a small tummy of your Baby give him some time and then offer food in next meal. Start with cereal then switch to pulses and fruits veggies. Add in some salt, sugar for taste and Ghee to add in calories and some essential fat as well. Take care to stay away from pathogens, prepare food in a clean boiled utensil. And Yes, enjoy this phase of responsibility, if you have any problems in planning the diet or Baby is not responding well to the newly introduced foods, get in touch with me.
Priyam Ahuja
Diet and Nutrition Expert