Here I have shared some important tips regarding weaning which i have recollected from my parental diary.These are the tips which were shared by my child pediatrician.Hope these tips are helpful for young mothers who stay abroad and have no elders to guide them.

What is Weaning?

Weaning is a important phase of child's development.It is defined as a process of gradually introducing solid foods to babies in addition to mother's milk or formula feed.Mother's milk or formula feed is capable of providing all the necessary nutrients to baby up till the age of 6 months.So it is not advisable to start weaning before 6 months because the digestive system of the baby is not mature enough to handle those foods.

The supplements can be introduced in the form of liquids,semi solids and solids.

Liquid Supplements
It is good to feed the baby with fresh juices of oranges and grapes.Start feeding the baby with only one spoon of fresh juice and then increase the quantity of it.Also, it is better to dilute it with water during the initial days.Gradually undiluted juices can be given.Soups of vegetables like carrots,green peas,beans and green leafy vegetables can be given. It is good to feed it with a pinch of salt.

Semi solid Supplements
Cooked and mashed vegetables like potato and carrot can be given in small quantities.Potatoes is an easily digestible food for the baby.Mashed Dal's,mashed bananas,stewed apples can also be introduced.Yolk of the egg can be given at 7 months.Ensure that your baby is not allergic to eggs and wheat products.Sooji kheer and porridge made of wheat and ragi are also good semi solid supplements.

Solid Supplements
When the child starts cutting teeth solid supplements are given. Idlis,boiled rice,chappathis with mashed dal can also be given.It is good to feed babies with small pieces of fruits and chopped and cooked vegetables.Ensure the skin of the vegetables  are peeled off.The fruits should be deseeded before feeding the baby.

Points to remember

1.Always introduce one food at a time.

2.Introduce the new food only during morning times.It is because if the child is allergic to the newly introduced food then we will have ample time to take the child to the doctor.

3.No food should be forcefully fed.If so the child will start disliking the food.

4.Parents should be a role model for children in all aspects.They should not show dislike towards any food item.

5.Children has a great liking towards attractive colours,aroma,texture and taste.Try different combinations when feeding the baby.

6.The feed should neither be too hot nor be too cold.

7.Avoid giving spicy foods to babies.

8.Avoid adding more sweeteners to the weaning foods.

9.If the child dislikes the food,substitute with a new food and then try the old one after some weeks.

10.Do not feed the baby in a hurry.Allow the baby to taste the food and then swallow it.

Advantages of home made weaning foods

1.It is freshly prepared and it is wholesome.

2.It is not very expensive.

3.It is very safe and it is very nutritious when prepared with appropriate ingredients in right proportions.

A sample menu for liquid supplement

Cabbage Dal soup

Ingredients

Tomato      - 1
Toor dal    - 1 tea spoon
Cabbage  - 3 tea spoon
Jeera       -1/4 tea spoon
Salt          -1/4 tea spoon
Water       -as required

Method of Preparation

1.Wash the vegetables and Dal in running water.

2.Chop the tomatoes and cabbage in to small pieces.

3.Add the chopped vegetables,dal,jeera powder,salt along with a cup of water and pressure cook it for 5 minutes.

4.Allow it to cool.

5.Blend the mixture in a blender.

6.Strain the soup using a filter and feed the baby.

Sample menu for Semi solid supplements

Banana milky shake

Ingredients

Banana  -1
Milk        -1/2 cup
Honey   -1/2 tea spoon
Elachi powder - 1/4 tea spoon

1.Add the above mentioned ingredients in a blender.

2.Blend it for 1 minute at low speed.

3.The delicious banana milk shake is ready to fulfil the tummies of the babies.

Sample menu for Solid supplements

Vegetable Dosa

Ingredients

Dosa batter    - 1 cup
Onion             - 2 tea spoon
Tomato           - 2 tea spoon
Carrot             - 2 tea spoon
Coriander leaves-1 tea spoon
Ghee               - 1 tea spoon
Salt                  - as required

Method of Preparation

1.Chop onions,tomatoes,carrot and coriander leaves in to small pieces.

2.Add a pinch of salt to the dosa batter and start preparing dosas in a non stick pan.

3.Add a handful of chopped vegetables over the dosa and add ghee on the sides of the dosa.

4.Cook the dosa on both sides.

5.The delicious vegetable dosa is ready for tender tummies of the babies.