Child Care - Weaning / Introduction to solid foods

Weaning / Introduction to solid foods:

Weaning describes the process by which the infant gradually becomes used to the full adult diet.

Problems during weaning:

1.     If breast-feeding is stopped, suddenly, it can have psychological and nutritional effect on the young children.

2.     Solid foods can cause diarrhoea, if prepared unhygienically or not digested properly.

3.     If weaning foods are too poor to provide adequate nutrients, the children can develop malnutrition.

For some babies the breast-feeding may be sufficient for four months while others may feel hungry even after the breast feeding and may not gain weight.

Introduction to solid foods:

To start weaning foods, the consistency of food should be gradually increased from liquid to semi-solid and then, from semi-solid to solid foods. It is advisable to start one or two spoons of the new food at first.

It should be given when a child is hungry, just before the regular feeding during the daytime. It may be continued for a few days until the child gets used to the same. Then the new food item may be started, one at a time. Always, the fresh food should be given. The amount should be increased gradually. The child should never be forced to eat.

Children may spit out initially. As children like to participate in feeding, their hands should be washed. Those who feed the child must wash their hands. Clean utensils must be used to prepare the food.

The food should be, always, covered. The solids should he fed gradually, regularly, according to children's likes. Children should be observed for an indigestion, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, or rash, because some children may be allergic to certain food. Such problems related to feeding, should be reported to the doctor.

Choosing of weaning foods:

A food chosen for the weaning should be suitable to the family. It should be easily available, low in cost, and used frequently in most households. The local methods of food preparation may be advised. Cooking methods that use minimum fuel and less time should be recommended.

Rules of food hygiene should be followed to prevent infection. By the age of one year, the infant can eat solid foods. The toddler can eat with the family. For the infants and toddlers, the volume of the, meal should not be large. The toddler can eat 200 ml. of foods at a time. If children are eating only three small meals a day, one of those must have high concentrated calories and proteins to meet their needs for 24 hours.

Weaning Foods:

Following are the examples of weaning foods that may be started according to child's ability to feed.

Liquids:

Soup of vegetables, tomato, pulses (dhals) and fruit juices.

Semi-solids food:

Potato, pulses, and root vegetables can be well cooked and mashed before feeding. A banana can be mashed and fed Soft cooked rice and soft cooked fish can be mashed before feeding.

To increase the nutritive value, preparations can be used, such as, ragi + jaggary. bengal gram( Chana) powder + jaggary + ghee + sugar will supply proteins, calories, and iron.

Solid foods:

Cooked rice, chapati, idali, bread, biscuits, groundnuts, roasted chana, banana. Solid food should can be started when the children learn to chew properly.