to supplement the protective nutrients not present in sufficient amounts in breast milk as well as in animal milk. It is advantages to start feeding small quantities of fresh fruit juice even in the 3rd or 4th month of life. iii. Soup from green leafy vegetables In case fresh fruits are not available, green leafy vegetables may be used as an alternative.
Strained soup can be given in the beginning with unstrained soup later on b) Solid supplements Mashed food is started around the 7th or 8th month of life. Around this time, the infant is already receiving animal milk, fruit juice or vegetable soup and fish liver oil. i. Cereal and starchy gruels To meet the increasing demands of calories and protein, well-cooked mashed cereal like rice, rice flour, rice flakes and ragi flour mixed with milk and sugar can be given.
Addition of a small amount of vegetable oil to the porridge makes it less glutinous increasing the energy density. ii. Vegetables Cooked, Mashed vegetables like potato, green leafy vegetables and carrots can be introduced to get vitamins and minerals and colours in the diet iii. Fruits All fruits, with the exception of banana which is mashed, must be stewed and sieved for one year old baby.
Thereafter, it is given simply stewed, with the addition of little sugar and lime juice for favour. UNIT. - - Nutrition in pregnancy, lactation and infancy iv. Non vegetarian foods A small amount of hard boiled yolk of egg is given to start with and if the infant tolerates, the amount maybe gradually increased to a complete yolk of an egg.
Yolk is a good source of vitamin A, iron and protein. Soft custard is also a suitable way in which to introduce egg yolk. v. Pulses Well cook pulses along with cereals in the form of kichidi / pongal can be given or can be made into porridge.
Pulse and meat preparation can be given alternate days. . . Points to be considered while introducing weaning foods • Introduce only one food at a time • Allow the