Birth to six months
Only breast milk. Nothing else, not even water, in most climates and situations. If breast milk is not possible, use a formula your paediatrician has advised.
Six months onwards: starting solids
Start soft, mashed home food at six months while continuing breastfeeding. Begin with two to three spoons once a day and build up.
- Give one new food at a time, for two to three days, so you can spot what does not suit.
- Make the food thick enough to stay on a spoon. Watery khichdi or dal fills the stomach without giving enough energy.
- Add a little ghee or oil for energy. Add egg, dal, curd, paneer, chicken or fish for protein.
- By one year, most children eat three meals and two snacks from the family pot.
Iron, calcium and vitamin D
Iron deficiency is the most common nutrition problem we see in Indian children. Green leafy vegetables, dal, egg, jaggery, ragi and meat all help. Vitamin C from citrus fruit or amla helps iron absorption.
Milk matters, but too much of it crowds out iron rich food. After one year, about 500 ml of milk a day is usually enough.
The fussy eater
Most fussy eating is a phase, not a disease. Children eat when they are hungry, and their appetite goes up and down with growth.
- Fix meal timings. Stop grazing on biscuits and juice between meals.
- Offer the food, then leave it. Forcing, chasing and screen time at meals all make it worse.
- Serve small portions. A second helping feels like a win for both of you.
- Junk food and sweet drinks kill appetite for real food. Keep them occasional.