Baby Food
“hello
gayatri garu... I
have been watching your videos since your first video.. I am a big fan
of
yours.. I have a 1 year old daughter..its very difficult to come with
new ideas
for her food... could you please show some recipes to prepare for 1-2
year old
baby food...” | |
I
am tempted to write this article after getting this request from one my
viewers. I am narrating my personal experience for the benefit of all
young mothers.
Long long ago, as
a young mother of an infant, I wanted to feed my child with best of the
food
and used to get three varieties of “NESTUM” and two varieties of
“CERELAC”. It
so happened, I needed to go Dr Nilesh Vohra for a check-up. In usual
fashion as any other mother would, I complained to the doctor that my
child
would not like to take food, instead prefers to drink milk. Very coolly
he asked me “Do you cook food at home?” Surprised at this question I
answered” Yes”. How many recipes do you prepare at home he enquired?
Quite a few, I told him. He questioned as to why I needed to prepare
so many varieties, why not restrict to one or two or a maximum of five
dishes.
I said because it’s for a variety and taste. He smiled and said – “You
need
variety, but your child doesn’t need a variety?” Surprised at this
question I
told, “Doctor, I am giving him 5 different varieties of baby food and
whether
it is not sufficient?” The answer was an emphatic “NO”. At this
point I raised the same question which I quoted above in this article.
Dr
Vohra suggested the following
- Prepare one Dal (Pulses) and
Curry (Vegetable or Green
leafy) every-day at home.
- Initially cook the cereal
separately for the child, which
should be a paste. Add more water to get this pasty texture.
- When the child is small (say 6
months), add only the top
water of the dal and one or two mashed curry pieces to the meal.
- Put cereal only into a mixie
and grind it into a coarse
paste. The coarseness depends upon the age of the child.
- Decide the total quantity of
the cereal to be given say six
spoons. Divide it into three parts. One part with Dal (water), the next
is with Dal
spiced with two mashed vegetable curry pieces and the third portion is
with curd (not sour) / yoghurt / milk (at times curd can be spiced with a
little achar/ pickle)
etc. It’s a six spoon lunch, having THREE courses!!! Similar to what
we have, but
quantity and content moderated as per the age of the child.
- Prepare the baby food fresh
for each feed. It doesn’t
matter even if the Dal, vegetable and cereal cooked in the morning are
given in
the afternoon also. But every mix should be fresh. Once we touch it with
hands
or spoon the food should be discarded after the feed.
- The cereals can be Rice,
Wheat Germ (Godhuma Rawwa), Rice
Rawwa, Rice Flakes (Atukulu), Raagi Flour (in limited quantities). Cook
them
into paste as per the child’s requirements.
- Often mothers prepare a
single course lunch for the children
and expect the children to do justice which they refuse.
- At times give the child fresh
Fruits – mashed and pulped.
- If the child gets a variety
of what you eat, he too
would enjoy his meal. Rather he gets more variety because you are
changing the
cereals too.
- However good brand image, the
food stuff may carry, avoid
frozen and canned foods because they all contain preservatives i.e.
Chemicals.
- Do not buy any more baby
foods unless you are on an outing
or travel.
I
believed the Doctor and followed his advice. But I was not satisfied,
because
my child was no more looking chubby and is looking thin (in Telugu –
Dokkuku
poinadu – sannaga peelaga). The comparison was more pinching when I saw
other
children in the same age group who were looking attractive. Out of
schedule I
visited the doctor to complain “my child has reduced and does not like
the food
too. Rather both of us feel milk is a better option to depend upon.” I
was
waiting for my turn in the hall to see the doctor. The doctor could
observe us
both through the glass partition. As soon as I entered the room he
remarked
“the child looks healthy and active”. Yet I took the opportunity to tell
what I
wanted. His next remark was “you want to have a DOLL or CHILD in your
hand?” I
could get what Doctor wanted to convey.
In
the subsequent counseling what I understood is
- Reduce the quantity of milk
gradually and increase the solid
intake with the age of the child
- Thereafter, retain the milk
intake to a reasonable quantity
- Don’t expect your child to
have his full quantities, as you imagine, consisting of milk, solids,
fruits etc. He would suffer from indigestion. Strike a
delicate balance of the quantity of diet, which only a mother can judge.
- Whenever you feel he is not
eating, look at his stomach size
and the size of your feeding glasses and bowls in which you are serving.
- Never compare your child with
others. He is a gift of God
and enjoy his company.
- While feeding keep on talking
and keep up encouraging
conversation instead of sermons and threats.
- Last but not the least – Do
not stifle him with your
affection – leave some space for his enjoyment. A single child suffers
more
because of parental undivided, focused attention. Only when the next
sibling arrives, the former gets respite and his sufferings reduce. As
the
mother has to manage two kids, she is fully occupied with the chore of
the
house, and thus they both enjoy their life and company. Thus the concept
“WE
TWO – OURS TWO”.
What
I want to convey to young mothers is, do not take tension to prepare
special
foods for your babies. Feed them with what you eat. They would enjoy and
it is good
for both of you. Be choosy while deciding the proportions of the
ingredients
depending upon the spicyness and hardness.
When
my child was 5 months old and was still on breast feed, my mother was
preparing
snake-gourd curry. She brought a boiled piece (before spicing it),
mashed it
between her fingers and gave it to him. He merrily enjoyed nibbling.
Later he tasted cooked
potato, carrot, beetroot, bottle gourd etc. That’s how he was introduced
to stewed
/ boiled vegetables.
Sometimes
our affluence / affordability becomes a bane for the children. In the
fifth
month of my delivery, I joined my husband at Bombay. Soon on reaching
there, attracted by the advertisements in the media, I purchased
"Nestum"
and "Cerelac" to feed the child . Its only after the Doctors
counselling I could understand that my MOM and Doctor are talking the
same.
Just imagine your mothers who
must be of
my age group & we did not have the privilege of having any special variety of
foods. Yet we grew up healthily and are taking care of you all,
isn't? The
calf initially feeds on its mother’s milk and later starts eating the
blades of
grass which its mother munches. Are they not healthy? Do they need to visit the often? Try to be as near to the nature as possible.
Take no tension on baby food.
Feed them with what you eat only but with
moderation.
Enjoy
and Let the Child also enjoy!!! If you have followed what is described above and find it useful, share with others by clicking here. It would help others also to go natural in the upbringing of children, so as to avoid baby foods . All baby foods contain chemicals which are added for preservation, texture, easy mixing etc
|
| Your Earlier comments on the Blog |
 ms said...-
hello gayatri garu ur site is super
it is useful moreme in US.i have a
suggestion or u canthink request to send me few recepies for newly
deliveredmother food
that she need to take
we dnt knw what she need to
take at thattime
July 27, 2011 4:06 AM
- Rohini said...
-
Hi Gayathrigau,
Baby food article was jst awesme. Iam a new mom and my DD
is 11 mnths old. so far ,I havent started her on any home made food except for
idli which she clearly hates. After reading your blog,Iam more encouraged to try
on rice and other food.
Thank you and keep posting your tips and spl.baby
food recipes(if any).
May 19, 2011 7:28 AM
- Rachana.G said...
-
Hello Gayatrigaru...naa peru Rachana, maa amayee age 3 years...she is a picky
eater...meru chinna pellaliki sambandhi-chinna kooni theene padharthalu
chapthara....maree constipation ki koni cheetikalu chapthara....mee website lo
konni vantallu nenu chesenu...ruchi chaala bagundhi...Pls reply whenever
possible.Thank You.
April 19, 2011 4:13 AM
-
Gayatri
Vantillu said...
-
Rachana Garu,
Best way is to find out what the child wants and try to
prepare them at home. All store bought items have preservatives and other stuff
which also results in constipation.
Introduce more fruits and vegetables
in the child's diet.
April 22, 2011 4:41 AM
Sunita said...
Gayathri garu,
Meeru cheppinattu vantalu cheste chala baga vastunnayi. Ma Ayanaki, Babu(3
Years vadu) ki kuda chala nachutunnayi. Ma babu ki idivaraku verega vandedanni.
Mee site lo chadivaka vadiki kuda memu tineve pettadam modalupettam. Meeru
cheppinattu chese vantalu anni vadu allari cheyakunda tenestunnadu.
meeku chala THANKS.
Sunita
July 8, 2010 6:37 PM |
| Our Earlier discussions on the Blog |
- Anonymous said...
-
hi gayatrigaru,
mee recipes anni bagunayyi ,, maaku 1year old boy ,mee
recipes ella cheyyalo video pedathara..
waiting for your reply nd
videos,,
rosy
July 16, 2011 10:20 AM
-
hara
said...
-
hi gayatri madam, I am following your posts from last 3 year's.It's really good and also helpfull.Thank's for ur recipes.
I
read ur baby food artical.it's good.With this regard, i have one
issue.Even though i am maintaining varity in baby's food some time my
baby is not taking well.Give me your valuable suggestion on this.my baby
is 1.8 month's old.
Is it good to introduce oat's,dry fruit's etc in daily food schedule.please give some some intresting baby recipes.
Regards,
malavikaharanath,
banglore.
-
March 17, 2011 12:12 AM
- Gayatri Vantillu
said...
-
Malavika Harnath Garu,
Thanks for your feedback.
If your
baby is 1.8 months old, I presume he is less than 60 days old. If so he
is too small for solids and mothers milk must be sufficient.
If
the Baby is 1.8 years old, he should be on solids. I already shared my
experience in the article. Hope your elders at home should be able to
give some solution
-
March 17, 2011 4:42 AM
- madhavi said...
gayatri garu
just now i read about baby food in ur blog. i
like it very much. what all u said is correct. we stay in kerala. my
baby is 1 n half years old. he can only take banana, apple n papaya
among fruits. can u plz suggest someother combinations or varities of
fruits.
madhavi
September 1, 2010 10:50 AM
-
-
Gayatri Vantillu said...
Mahavi Garu,
Try to give baby things which your family likes!!! It should work.
September 3, 2010 5:06 AM
Hello Madam,
I accidently happened to visit your website
today and got interested in the "Baby Food" section eager to know what
is being discussed here. I completely agree with your views and it is
actually a re-assurance to me that I worked the right way in
introducing and graduating to a variety of solid foods to my son. He is
2yrs now. I had a pack of readily available baby food only for travel
or unexpected situations, else he always ate and eats freshly home
cooked food. Even today he eats home made foods and I resist the idea
of giving anything purchased from the market. I can write down a few
nutritious baby food recipes (that I cooked for my son while he was
between 6mths to 1.5yrs) and email them to you. If you feel fine you
can include them in your "Baby food" section so many other new mothers
can benefit from them. November 7, 2009 3:33 PM - Gayatri Vantillu said...
Shri garu,
Thanks for your feedback on my "Baby Food"
article. Its a great idea to post recipes on baby food. I desire that
the credit for the originality for your work should go to you only.
Therefore, i suggest, you should open a blog on the subject and post
the recipes there, while I post your comment and the link your blog in
my "Baby Food" article.
Wish you all the best. November 9, 2009 7:32 PM
- Legend said...
HI Gayatri Garu
Mee Recipes bagunayii.mee USA lo unttam so mee
site valle chaala vantalu neerchukunanu.eppudu naaku 6 month old baby
food ela prepare cheyalo video s post cheyachu kada adhi chaala help
avuthundhii
September 14, 2010 2:46 AM
-
-
Gayatri Vantillu said...
Legend Garu,
Thanks for the feedback.
When my son is married and is blessed with a child, I would probably be able to host these recipes when I prepare!!!!!
You may find my following article useful regarding baby food
http://www.gayatrivantillu.com/articles/baby-food
September 19, 2010 8:05 PM
- Anonymous said...
Hi Gayatri garu,
I liked your recipes and your articles. And I
felt like there is somebody else with some similar views (healthy
eating) and tastes and felt like you are the one who can help me to
solve my problem which I've been facing for the past 7 years. And I felt
very good to know that you are from Vizianagaram too.
I have a 7
years old son and 5 year old daughter. I'm in US for the past 14 years. I
used to go to work until 1 and 1/2 years ago. I quit my job just not
miss my kids when they are young and mainly because they are not eating
their lunch at daycare. My main concern was their food. And it is
still... My son goes to full time school. We are vegetarians and they
don't eat any meat or even egg.
They have 5day week. He eats his
school cafe lunch 2 days a week. They provide vegetarian lunch only 2
days a week. That too pizza or mac N cheese or pasta along with some
fruit and milk.
So I pack the fresh home made lunch 3 days a week and
give it to him just before his lunch time. Even then, he does not eat
it. The reason is he talks with his friends instead of eating his lunch.
Even when he is at home if we feed him he eats good, but if we ask him to eat on his own, he eats very less and very late.
So,
can you please help me to plan a schedule for his daily meals like what
to feed him and when (not counting his lunch at school).
Here is his current routine:
He leaves home by 8:45AM and comes back by 4PM.
As of now he eats some cereal with milk in the morning.
I
usually pack idly or pongaram, a fruit or vegetable and milk for his
lunch(12:10PM). Most of the times he finishes his milk and very few
bites his main course.
I give him a fruit or nuts or a cereal bar for his snack.
I
used to give him milk and some readymade snacks like corn chips
etc..But recently, I started feeding him 1 or 2 items like pappu annam
and perugu annam, or koora annam and perugu annam as soon as reaches
home at 4 PM.
And usually he goes to some activities like Soccer or Tennis or Swimming in the evening.
And again at around 8PM I'm feeding him 1 or 2 items like pappu annam or koora annam or perugu annam.
I'm really having a hard time planning the right meals and when to squeeze them in their schedule.
As
you suggested some daily meal routine for adults in one of your
articles, can you please suggest a daily routine for growing kids too in
a clear and detailed manner??? Like how many times and how much they
have to have rice/rotis, pappu, fresh vegetables or koora, dairy
products(like milk/yogurt/paneer/cheese), fruits, sweets or readymade
snacks.
Please suggest me a practical daily routine with clear examples and choices or alternatives.
Your help in this regard will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance...
May 3, 2010 12:34 PM -
- Padmaja said...
Dear Gayatrigaru, I read the comment left by anonymous on May 03,
2010 at 12:34 pm, and will say this is my problem also. My children
(ages 3 and 4) will not eat what I send in the school tiffin box.
Please suggest any recipes. When I was growing up in US, we used to eat
peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day. (it was vegetarian, and my
classmates didn't make fun of my lunch for being "different"). Now with
peanut allergies, I am at a loss as to what to send with my children.
Many American vegetarians rely on soy based "meats" for thier children's
lunch. I am scard of using these, because we don't know the future
health consequences. Please help.
May 11, 2010 12:17 AM
-
-
Gayatri Vantillu said...
Padmaja garu,
I frankly admit that there is a generation gap. I cant advise in the matter
June 4, 2010 4:52 PM -
urmila said...
hey gayatri..i loved ur cooking recipes as wellas the way u
explained about baby food. Thanks a lot, now i have confidence that i
can feed my 15 months old daughter (who doesnt eat anything otherthan
milk)with homemade normal food. thanks a lot
August 23, 2011 10:07 PM
| Your emails to gayatri@gayatrivantillu.com
|
|
