My baby was introduced to solid foods when she was 6 months old. I still remember her reaction when she was offered her cereal for the first time. Dont forget to record this milestone. Its something you will always cherish.
I am not specifying the quantity of food because each child has a varying appetite and mom is the best to determine the amount the baby eats. I used to mix infant formula with most of her foods as Cow’s milk is not recommended for children below 12 months. She was a fussy eater so in this way I made sure her nutritional needs were met.
Always take a small quantity of the food you are going to serve your baby and put a small quantity on your lips or tongue to check if the temperature is appropriate for the baby.
Offer the same food 3-4 times before you conclude that your baby doesnt like a particular food
NEVER give the baby honey until she is 12 months old.
Always make small quantity of food to avoid wastage and try to give fresh each time.
Babies dont require sugar or salt in the food so I never used to add these.
Baby Food Ideas
Here are a list of foods that I used to offer my little darling.
I am not specifying the quantity of food because each child has a varying appetite and mom is the best to determine the amount the baby eats. I used to mix infant formula with most of her foods as Cow’s milk is not recommended for children below 12 months. She was a fussy eater so in this way I made sure her nutritional needs were met.
Always take a small quantity of the food you are going to serve your baby and put a small quantity on your lips or tongue to check if the temperature is appropriate for the baby.
Offer the same food 3-4 times before you conclude that your baby doesnt like a particular food
NEVER give the baby honey until she is 12 months old.
Always make small quantity of food to avoid wastage and try to give fresh each time.
Babies dont require sugar or salt in the food so I never used to add these.
Baby Food Ideas
Here are a list of foods that I used to offer my little darling.
- Ragi Porridge: You will get Ragi powder at Indian Stores
Directions : Mix Ragi powder with cold water until all lumps are dissolved. Then heat this mixture on medium heat until the mixture is thick, dark in color and starts bubbling (about 3- 5mins). Keep stirring otherwise there will be lumps. Mix 2 scoops of infant formula to this mixture. To sweeten you can add brown sugar or jaggery but this is optional. - Raw Plantain Powder Porridge: In case you dont get Plaintain powder you can make your own at home. Skin the plantains and thinly slice raw plantains and bake them in the oven at 325. You should keep a close eye on these to avoid burning. Once all the moisture is drawn out allow them to cool and powder them in a food processor.
Directions : Mix Raw Plantain powder with cold water until all lumps are dissolved. Then heat this mixture on medium heat until the mixture is thick and starts bubbling (about 3- 5mins). Keep stirring otherwise there will be lumps. Mix 2 scoops of infant formula to this mixture.To sweeten you can add brown sugar or jaggery but this is optional. - Fresh fruit smoothie: Using a hand blender take 2-3 pieces of any fruit of your choice (apple /mango /banana /blueberry /pears) and add 1-2 scoops of infant formula to this.
- Dry Fruit Puree: You can also offer your baby a varriety of dried fruits like raisins, dried apricots,figs and prunes (good for constipation). Just cook these in water and using a hand blender puree the fruit mixture.Reduce the mixture until you get the desired consistency.
- Vegetable soups: Cook vegetables of your chioce like carrot /sqash /spinach/potato/sweet potato,peas and blend the mixture to a smooth paste with a hand blender. You can add any pulses like moong dal, green gram dal cooker in pressure cooker with the vegetable mixture. Add a dab of butter for a rich flavor. .
- Apple cinnamon oatmeal: Cook old fashioned oatmeal with finely diced skinned apples with a pinch of cinnamon. Blend the mixture using a hand blender and add 1-2 scoops of infant formula.
- Health Mix Porridge: Purchased this powder at Varkeys Supermarket in Kerala, India.Directions:Mix Health Mix powder with cold water until all lumps are dissolved. Then heat this mixture on medium heat until the mixture is thick, and starts bubbling (about 3- 5mins). Keep stirring otherwise there will be lumps. Mix 2 scoops of infant formula to this mixture. To sweeten you can add brown sugar or jaggery but this is optional.