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Wise ways to wean your baby

An infant may love the taste of honey, but it can cause botulism

PHOTO: M. BALAJI

NOT VERY NUTRITIOUS Cow's milk is not a satisfactory weaning food from breast milk

Weaning is one of the most important stages in a child's life, and most infants get their first taste of solid food at around six months of age.

Before an infant is ready for solid food, he or she must be able to support his or her head and sit up.

Compared to a few decades ago, most parents have it easy when it comes to weaning. Parents can buy ready-made weaning foods off the shelf that paediatricians would approve of, whereas their grandparents had to make weaning foods from scratch. But weaning can be a perilous time even in this age, and parents need to get some basics right.

First, continue breastfeeding. In the initial stages of weaning, solid food acts as a supplement to breast milk and not the other way round.

Do not be in a rush to introduce certain foods. For example, an infant may love the taste of honey, but it can cause botulism in that age group. Egg whites can cause allergy, and cow's milk is not a satisfactory weaning food from breast milk as it is not nutritious enough. Citrus juices can cause a nasty diaper rash on the way out. Do not introduce these foods before a child's first birthday.

Fish, peanuts and other nuts are best left off a child's diet until the age of two or three, especially if there is a family history of allergy to these foods.

Pureed vegetables and fruits and boiled rice are great for a child at this age. Use steaming or baking methods to cook food, and avoid adding extra sugar. Softer textures are best at 6 months age, while coarser textures of food are acceptable and even desirable as the infant nears his first birthday.

Sweet vegetables such as sweet potatoes, and fruit, are easy enough to introduce, but your child also needs bland and healthful foods at this age. Be patient and introduce foods like boiled potatoes and boiled lentils at regular intervals. Do not be disheartened if your infant spits out your first attempts. You too probably did that at that age.

Fruit juice and sugary foods are easy refuges for stressed out parents, but they are not the right foods for a growing baby. High calorie foods like ghee and butter that provide little else by way of nutrition are not right either.

RAJIV. M

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