- Select a goal. Choose a goal that is the best fit for you. It may not be the first goal you feel you should choose. But you’re much more likely to succeed if you set priorities that are compelling to you and feel attainable at present.
- Ask a big question. Do I have a big dream that pairs with my goal?
- Pick your choice for change. Select a choice that feels like a sure bet. Do you want to eat healthier, stick to exercise, diet more effectively, ease stress? It’s best to concentrate on just one choice at a time. When a certain change fits into your life comfortably, you can then focus on the next change.
- Commit yourself. Make a written or verbal promise to yourself and one or two supporters you don’t want to let down: your partner or child, a teacher, doctor, boss, or friends. That will encourage you to slog through tough spots.
- Scout out easy obstacles.
- Brainstorm ways to leap over obstacles. Now think about ways to overcome those roadblocks.
- Plan a simple reward. Is there a reward you might enjoy for a job well done?
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
SEVEN STEPS TO SHAPE YOUR PERSONAL PLAN(HARVARD HEALTH BEAT) BEAT)
Monday, September 27, 2010
DENGUE--FEVER(UPDATE)---FROM;W.H.O
Dengue and dengue haemorrhagic fever
Key facts
- Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that causes a severe flu-like illness, and sometimes a potentially lethal complication called dengue haemorrhagic fever.
- Global incidence of dengue has grown dramatically in recent decades.
- About two fifths of the world's population are now at risk.
- Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas.
- Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a leading cause of serious illness and death among children in some Asian countries.
- There is no specific treatment for dengue, but appropriate medical care frequently saves the lives of patients with the more serious dengue haemorrhagic fever.
- The only way to prevent dengue virus transmission is to combat the disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that in recent decades has become a major international public health concern. Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world, predominantly in urban and semi-urban areas.
Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), a potentially lethal complication, was first recognized in the 1950s during dengue epidemics in the Philippines and Thailand. Today DHF affects most Asian countries and has become a leading cause of hospitalization and death among children in the region.
There are four distinct, but closely related, viruses that cause dengue. Recovery from infection by one provides lifelong immunity against that virus but confers only partial and transient protection against subsequent infection by the other three viruses. There is good evidence that sequential infection increases the risk of developing DHF.
Global burden of dengue
The incidence of dengue has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades. Some 2.5 billion people – two fifths of the world's population – are now at risk from dengue. WHO currently estimates there may be 50 million dengue infections worldwide every year.
In 2007 alone, there were more than 890 000 reported cases of dengue in the Americas, of which 26 000 cases were DHF.
The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries in Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean, South-east Asia and the Western Pacific. South-east Asia and the Western Pacific are the most seriously affected. Before 1970 only nine countries had experienced DHF epidemics, a number that had increased more than four-fold by 1995.
Not only is the number of cases increasing as the disease is spreading to new areas, but explosive outbreaks are occurring. In 2007, Venezuela reported over 80 000 cases, including more than 6 000 cases of DHF.
Some other statistics:
- During epidemics of dengue, infection rates among those who have not been previously exposed to the virus are often 40% to 50%, but can reach 80% to 90%.
- An estimated 500 000 people with DHF require hospitalization each year, a very large proportion of whom are children. About 2.5% of those affected die.
- Without proper treatment, DHF fatality rates can exceed 20%. Wider access to medical care from health providers with knowledge about DHF - physicians and nurses who recognize its symptoms and know how to treat its effects - can reduce death rates to less than 1%.
The spread of dengue is attributed to expanding geographic distribution of the four dengue viruses and their mosquito vectors, the most important of which is the predominantly urban species Aedes aegypti. A rapid rise in urban mosquito populations is bringing ever greater numbers of people into contact with this vector, especially in areas that are favourable for mosquito breeding, e.g. where household water storage is common and where solid waste disposal services are inadequate.
Transmission
Dengue viruses are transmitted to humans through the bites of infective female Aedes mosquitoes. Mosquitoes generally acquire the virus while feeding on the blood of an infected person. After virus incubation for eight to 10 days, an infected mosquito is capable, during probing and blood feeding, of transmitting the virus for the rest of its life. Infected female mosquitoes may also transmit the virus to their offspring by transovarial (via the eggs) transmission, but the role of this in sustaining transmission of the virus to humans has not yet been defined.
Infected humans are the main carriers and multipliers of the virus, serving as a source of the virus for uninfected mosquitoes. The virus circulates in the blood of infected humans for two to seven days, at approximately the same time that they have a fever; Aedes mosquitoes may acquire the virus when they feed on an individual during this period. Some studies have shown that monkeys in some parts of the world play a similar role in transmission.
Characteristics
Dengue fever is a severe, flu-like illness that affects infants, young children and adults, but seldom causes death.
The clinical features of dengue fever vary according to the age of the patient. Infants and young children may have a fever with rash. Older children and adults may have either a mild fever or the classical incapacitating disease with abrupt onset and high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, and rash.
Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, often with enlargement of the liver, and in severe cases circulatory failure. The illness often begins with a sudden rise in temperature accompanied by facial flush and other flu-like symptoms. The fever usually continues for two to seven days and can be as high as 41°C, possibly with convulsions and other complications.
In moderate DHF cases, all signs and symptoms abate after the fever subsides. In severe cases, the patient's condition may suddenly deteriorate after a few days of fever; the temperature drops, followed by signs of circulatory failure, and the patient may rapidly go into a critical state of shock and die within 12 to 24 hours, or quickly recover following appropriate medical treatment (see below).
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for dengue fever.
For DHF, medical care by physicians and nurses experienced with the effects and progression of the complicating haemorrhagic fever can frequently save lives - decreasing mortality rates from more than 20% to less than 1%. Maintenance of the patient's circulating fluid volume is the central feature of DHF care.
Immunization
There is no vaccine to protect against dengue. Although progress is underway, developing a vaccine against the disease - in either its mild or severe form - is challenging.
- With four closely related viruses that can cause the disease, the vaccine must immunize against all four types to be effective.
- There is limited understanding of how the disease typically behaves and how the virus interacts with the immune system.
- There is a lack of laboratory animal models available to test immune responses to potential vaccines.
Despite these challenges, two vaccine candidates have advanced to evaluation in human subjects in countries with endemic disease, and several potential vaccines are in earlier stages of development. WHO provides technical advice and guidance to countries and private partners to support vaccine research and evaluation.
Prevention and control
At present, the only method of controlling or preventing dengue virus transmission is to combat the vector mosquitoes.
In Asia and the Americas, Aedes aegypti breeds primarily in man-made containers like earthenware jars, metal drums and concrete cisterns used for domestic water storage, as well as discarded plastic food containers, used automobile tyres and other items that collect rainwater. In Africa the mosquito also breeds extensively in natural habitats such as tree holes, and leaves that gather to form "cups" and catch water.
In recent years, Aedes albopictus, a secondary dengue vector in Asia, has become established in the United States, several Latin American and Caribbean countries, parts of Europe and Africa. The rapid geographic spread of this species is largely attributed to the international trade in used tyres, a breeding habitat.
Vector control is implemented using environmental management and chemical methods. Proper solid waste disposal and improved water storage practices, including covering containers to prevent access by egg-laying female mosquitoes are among methods that are encouraged through community-based programmes.
The application of appropriate insecticides to larval habitats, particularly those that are useful in households, e.g. water storage vessels, prevents mosquito breeding for several weeks but must be re-applied periodically. Small, mosquito-eating fish and copepods (tiny crustaceans) have also been used with some success.
During outbreaks, emergency vector control measures can also include broad application of insecticides as space sprays using portable or truck-mounted machines or even aircraft. However, the mosquito-killing effect is transient, variable in its effectiveness because the aerosol droplets may not penetrate indoors to microhabitats where adult mosquitoes are sequestered, and the procedure is costly and operationally difficult. Regular monitoring of the vectors' susceptibility to widely used insecticides is necessary to ensure the appropriate choice of chemicals. Active monitoring and surveillance of the natural mosquito population should accompany control efforts to determine programme effectiveness.
For more information contact:
Monday, September 6, 2010
WHY ARE WE LIKE THIS????(a copy of my mail)
Dear All,
Dr Padamjeet Gulia
With reference to my earlier mail regarding swine flu+viral fever vaccine.Please be informed this vaccine is already out-of-stock in the market.Our stock is limited to meeting requirement's of the second dose for those who have already taken the first dose.The company says it might release some stock again around 25th of this month,but it is doubtful since it came in the Indian market with 2-lac allocated doses.
Now,in this scenario it will be wise to start new vaccination with swine flu protection nasal vaccine.Since--- it is unlikely to fall short,
----efficiency same for swine flu,
---Only one dose required,
----Much cheaper than the injectable one(450/-)
Be advised,as soon as winter starts we will dealing with swinflu,in the same way,we are dealing with dengue fever now.But the difference is that swine flu now has a vaccine and can be prevented.It would be very foolish to suffer with swine flu and spend thousands in a hospital when you could have protected yourself for a mere 450/-.
Regards
Dr Padamjeet Gulia
Thursday, August 5, 2010
THE-ALL-IMPORTANT-QUESTION??(is my milk enough..!!)
How can I tell if my baby is getting enough milk?
During the first couple of weeks, you may wonder if your baby is getting enough milk, especially if he wants to feed all the time or is unsettled after feeds. Once the first sleepy day or two have passed, your baby should seem to be hungry often. And he probably is, since breastmilk is digested within a couple of hours of consumption.
Most newborns want to breastfeed eight to 15 times a day after the first three to four days of life, which will probably have settled down to six to eight times a day by the end of the first week. Feed your baby as often as he needs it. Routines have no place in your day while you're getting breastfeeding under way. Unfortunately, weighing the baby in the first few days will probably not reassure you, since newborns normally lose five to 10% of their birthweight in the first three days. However after three or so days, your baby should start to gain weight again and if he is weighed again at five to seven days, you should be able to see that he is starting to grow. Don’t be disheartened if your baby doesn’t show much of weight gain, some babies gain weight soon while others may take a while. If your baby had problems latching on, the weight loss in the initial days may be slightly more.
There are some ways to gauge if your baby's getting enough milk, and there are signs that he may not be receiving enough. Dehydration in newborns is rare, but it's important to know the signs of a healthy eater so you can alert your doctor if anything seems amiss. These include:
• Your baby feeding at least six to eight times a day for the first two to three weeks.
• Your breasts being emptied and feeling softer after feeds.
• Your baby having a healthy colour and firm skin -- it bounces right back if pinched.
• The number of wet nappies starting to increase by the fifth day, or producing at least six to eight wet nappies in a 24-hour period. (It's easier to tell if a non-disposable nappy is wet than a disposable.) Your baby's urine should be pale and odourless.
• Being able to see him swallow while he is feeding.
• Producing yellowy-mustard stools or frequent dark stools, or the stools beginning to lighten in colour by the fifth day after birth.
Most newborns want to breastfeed eight to 15 times a day after the first three to four days of life, which will probably have settled down to six to eight times a day by the end of the first week. Feed your baby as often as he needs it. Routines have no place in your day while you're getting breastfeeding under way. Unfortunately, weighing the baby in the first few days will probably not reassure you, since newborns normally lose five to 10% of their birthweight in the first three days. However after three or so days, your baby should start to gain weight again and if he is weighed again at five to seven days, you should be able to see that he is starting to grow. Don’t be disheartened if your baby doesn’t show much of weight gain, some babies gain weight soon while others may take a while. If your baby had problems latching on, the weight loss in the initial days may be slightly more.
There are some ways to gauge if your baby's getting enough milk, and there are signs that he may not be receiving enough. Dehydration in newborns is rare, but it's important to know the signs of a healthy eater so you can alert your doctor if anything seems amiss. These include:
• Your baby feeding at least six to eight times a day for the first two to three weeks.
• Your breasts being emptied and feeling softer after feeds.
• Your baby having a healthy colour and firm skin -- it bounces right back if pinched.
• The number of wet nappies starting to increase by the fifth day, or producing at least six to eight wet nappies in a 24-hour period. (It's easier to tell if a non-disposable nappy is wet than a disposable.) Your baby's urine should be pale and odourless.
• Being able to see him swallow while he is feeding.
• Producing yellowy-mustard stools or frequent dark stools, or the stools beginning to lighten in colour by the fifth day after birth.
What are the warning signs that my baby isn't getting enough milk?
Signs that your baby isn't getting adequate milk usually include most of the following:
• Your baby does not begin to regain his birthweight and put on weight after the first few days.
• Your breasts don't feel softer after feeds.
• Your baby is unsettled, cranky or lethargic most of the time.
• Your baby has dimples in his cheeks or makes clicking noises while breastfeeding. (This is a sign that your baby is not latched on properly and you will need to get expert help from your doctor or infant feeding specialist to make sure that your technique is right)
• Your baby is wetting fewer than six to eight nappies in a 24-hour period after the five days following birth. The colour of the urine may occasionally be darker and not a cause of worry. You may however bring it to your doctor’s notice.
• Your baby doesn't have a bowel movement at least once a day or is having small, dark stools five days or more after birth.
• He becomes more yellow, instead of less, after the first week.
• He does not develop a rounded face by about three weeks.
• Your baby's skin remains wrinkled after the first week.
If you're concerned about any of these signs, call your doctor.
You will be giving your baby enough milk if:
• Your baby is latched on well at the breast and feeds on demand
• Feeding is comfortable and painless
• Your baby changes rhythm whilst sucking and pauses during feeds, starts feeding again without prompting, and comes off the breast spontaneously when he's finished.
If your baby is showing these signs, then it is very unlikely that you are underfeeding him. One of the hardest things about beginning a breastfeeding relationship is feeling confident that you are giving your baby enough milk. No doubt you are, but you shouldn't hesitate, in the early days of breastfeeding, to get reassurance and help from your doctor and perhaps speak to a friend who has been nursing for a while.
Traditionally, fenugreek seeds or methi dana is recommended to increase breastmilk. You may want to soak about half a teaspoon in water overnight and drink the water with the seeds in the morning. It is also essential that you eat awell balanced diet and try not to worry too much about whether you are able to provide adequate milk to your baby.
• Your baby does not begin to regain his birthweight and put on weight after the first few days.
• Your breasts don't feel softer after feeds.
• Your baby is unsettled, cranky or lethargic most of the time.
• Your baby has dimples in his cheeks or makes clicking noises while breastfeeding. (This is a sign that your baby is not latched on properly and you will need to get expert help from your doctor or infant feeding specialist to make sure that your technique is right)
• Your baby is wetting fewer than six to eight nappies in a 24-hour period after the five days following birth. The colour of the urine may occasionally be darker and not a cause of worry. You may however bring it to your doctor’s notice.
• Your baby doesn't have a bowel movement at least once a day or is having small, dark stools five days or more after birth.
• He becomes more yellow, instead of less, after the first week.
• He does not develop a rounded face by about three weeks.
• Your baby's skin remains wrinkled after the first week.
If you're concerned about any of these signs, call your doctor.
You will be giving your baby enough milk if:
• Your baby is latched on well at the breast and feeds on demand
• Feeding is comfortable and painless
• Your baby changes rhythm whilst sucking and pauses during feeds, starts feeding again without prompting, and comes off the breast spontaneously when he's finished.
If your baby is showing these signs, then it is very unlikely that you are underfeeding him. One of the hardest things about beginning a breastfeeding relationship is feeling confident that you are giving your baby enough milk. No doubt you are, but you shouldn't hesitate, in the early days of breastfeeding, to get reassurance and help from your doctor and perhaps speak to a friend who has been nursing for a while.
Traditionally, fenugreek seeds or methi dana is recommended to increase breastmilk. You may want to soak about half a teaspoon in water overnight and drink the water with the seeds in the morning. It is also essential that you eat awell balanced diet and try not to worry too much about whether you are able to provide adequate milk to your baby.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
MONSOON--CARE--FOR--YOUR--LITTLE--ONES
· Clothes
· Hygiene
·
We all have fond memories of the rains from our growing up years - impromptu holidays from school, splashing about in muddy puddles, or maybe simply getting wet in a pouring shower. Like you, your little one will love the rains, the fresh new leaves on the trees, the smell of the damp wet ground, and perhaps a little scared of the thunder and lightening which accompany the rain many a time. But will all the joyous moments, the monsoon also brings with it humid weather,flooded roads, mosquitoes, diseases, and lots more. With a little care and forethought you can let your child enjoy this beautiful season and also keep him safe from illnesses.
Clothes
Rainy days bring with it sweat and heat that is different from the hot summer days, but are nevertheless as uncomfortable. Make sure your child is not wrapped in layers just because the weather has cooled down a bit after the rains. Avoid synthetic clothes and make him wear loose cotton clothes that will absorb the perspiration when he plays around allowing the skin to breathe easily. Keep his skin dry to avoid prickly heat. Pick up a few extra underclothes for him since clothes take a lot of time to dry in this weather; making him wear damp clothes or socks can lead to fungal infections.
Once he has begun to walk and prefers to move around on his own most of the time, get him well-fitting closed rain shoes or gum boots which will keep his feet dry. Don’t buy cheap plastic rain shoes as they can cause skin allergies. Look for shoes made of good quality vinyl or rubber with skid proof soles so that he doesn’t slip and fall. Some raincoats which are of inferior quality can also causeallergies, so choose his raincoat with care. Dry him off as soon as he comes home after getting wet in the rains, and change him into dry clothes while you wait for his hair to dry.
Once he has begun to walk and prefers to move around on his own most of the time, get him well-fitting closed rain shoes or gum boots which will keep his feet dry. Don’t buy cheap plastic rain shoes as they can cause skin allergies. Look for shoes made of good quality vinyl or rubber with skid proof soles so that he doesn’t slip and fall. Some raincoats which are of inferior quality can also causeallergies, so choose his raincoat with care. Dry him off as soon as he comes home after getting wet in the rains, and change him into dry clothes while you wait for his hair to dry.
Hygiene
The monsoon brings with it a host of diseases. Drains that have not been cleaned can overflow and cause flooding. The water which flows on the roads not only gets mixed with sewage and muck, but also contains rags, paper, vegetable and fruit waste, and even broken glass. Make sure your toddler wears covered shoes while walking outside and doesn’t stay bare-feet even in your own garden or balcony because they can be breeding grounds for infections. Slugs, leeches, earthworms, and other insects often come into the house during the monsoon, so make sure he doesn’t try to pick up or play with any of them.
Bathe him twice a day if possible; especially if he goes outside to play, or at least ensure he washes his hands and feet thoroughly with soap and water after he is back in the house. Wash his clothes in hot water with rinse them with water mixed with a few drops of disinfectant mixed in it. Clean his footwear, socks, umbrella, and raincoat and ensure they are dried immediately and free of all moisture, else they might become a breeding ground for germs and moulds.
Incidences of waterborne diseases increase during the monsoons. Hence, apart from other things you will need to take special care that your food is prepared hygienically. Make sure your babysitter/maid washes her hands and feet thoroughly as soon as she enters your home. If you have a cook, ensure she washes her hands before handling any food and check regularly if her nails are trimmed. Ensure that all cooked food is covered to keep away flies and other insects.
This is the time when contagious diseases are on the rise. Ensure that you and your family are not in close contact with someone who is suffering from a flu, viral infection or conjunctivitis. Children are especially vulnerable to weather changes and infections, so keep them at home for a few days if you know that their playmates are suffering from an illness. Cut their nails regularly and do not allow them to put their hands into their mouths. Make sure they wash their hands with soap before eating anything and after visiting the toilet.
Bathe him twice a day if possible; especially if he goes outside to play, or at least ensure he washes his hands and feet thoroughly with soap and water after he is back in the house. Wash his clothes in hot water with rinse them with water mixed with a few drops of disinfectant mixed in it. Clean his footwear, socks, umbrella, and raincoat and ensure they are dried immediately and free of all moisture, else they might become a breeding ground for germs and moulds.
Incidences of waterborne diseases increase during the monsoons. Hence, apart from other things you will need to take special care that your food is prepared hygienically. Make sure your babysitter/maid washes her hands and feet thoroughly as soon as she enters your home. If you have a cook, ensure she washes her hands before handling any food and check regularly if her nails are trimmed. Ensure that all cooked food is covered to keep away flies and other insects.
This is the time when contagious diseases are on the rise. Ensure that you and your family are not in close contact with someone who is suffering from a flu, viral infection or conjunctivitis. Children are especially vulnerable to weather changes and infections, so keep them at home for a few days if you know that their playmates are suffering from an illness. Cut their nails regularly and do not allow them to put their hands into their mouths. Make sure they wash their hands with soap before eating anything and after visiting the toilet.
Food and Drink
Contaminated food or water is the most common way many diseases spread in the monsoon. Make sure your toddler drinks only filtered or boiled water. Carry a bottle of water from home or rely on branded bottled water when you go out. Avoid giving him “fresh” fruit juices, drinks with ice, food and drinks from street vendors like chaat, pakodas and ice lollies (golas or chuskis). If you eat outside, choose a restaurant which is clean and hygienic and opt for dishes which are boiled and served fresh.
Use filtered water for cooking, kneading the dough and for washing vegetables,dals and meat. Clean leafy green vegetables several times over in filtered boiled water and steam them to get rid of any germs and bacteria. Soak green leafy vegetables as well as vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli in warm water containing 1 tsp of salt for about 10-15 minutes to get rid of insects. Don’t keep raw meat and fish products at room temperature for a long time, always refrigerate or freeze. Bacterial growth increases rapidly during hot and humid weather.
Frequent power cuts, a common occurrence during monsoons could spoil food in the refrigerator easily, exposing it to bacteria. As far as possible, ensure that you eat fresh food; prepare it in small quantities so that you do not need to store it in the refrigerator for very long. Food stored in the refrigerator needs to be heated thoroughly before eating. Tap water may be contaminated by overflowing ground water that gets mixed with it during the monsoons; rinse your plates and dishes with filtered water before use.
Use filtered water for cooking, kneading the dough and for washing vegetables,dals and meat. Clean leafy green vegetables several times over in filtered boiled water and steam them to get rid of any germs and bacteria. Soak green leafy vegetables as well as vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli in warm water containing 1 tsp of salt for about 10-15 minutes to get rid of insects. Don’t keep raw meat and fish products at room temperature for a long time, always refrigerate or freeze. Bacterial growth increases rapidly during hot and humid weather.
Frequent power cuts, a common occurrence during monsoons could spoil food in the refrigerator easily, exposing it to bacteria. As far as possible, ensure that you eat fresh food; prepare it in small quantities so that you do not need to store it in the refrigerator for very long. Food stored in the refrigerator needs to be heated thoroughly before eating. Tap water may be contaminated by overflowing ground water that gets mixed with it during the monsoons; rinse your plates and dishes with filtered water before use.
Keeping your home and surroundings clean
The monsoon season is marked by the outbreak of many diseases; most of which are either waterborne or are spread through mosquitoes. Your child is especially vulnerable to infections because he is still developing his immune system. One precaution to protect him would be to keep your home and surroundings clean and germ-free.
Air your home frequently and keep windows open for maximum cross ventilation. Avoid collection of stagnant water in open vessels, flower pots or coolers as these are a perfect breeding ground for mosquito larvae which cause malaria, dengueand chikungunya. Dispose garbage hygienically in garbage bags that will not open and spill out. Keep the kitchen dustbin covered at all times so that wet garbage like vegetable peels and food waste are not left exposed.
If you have indoor plants, ensure that there is no water logging and change water in the flower vases everyday. Use herbal insect repellents like citronella based oils or sprays to get rid of mosquitoes and other insects. Use mosquito nets over your child's bed or install wire meshes on the windows. Dress him up in long-sleeved shirts and trousers, especially when he goes to the park to play.
Keep your home fresh and clean and use a good disinfectant to clean the floors and bathrooms. Get pest control for your home to ward off flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, termites, and other disease carrying insects. Many choose to burn camphor or dry neem leaves which are said to purify the air. Keep a small mesh bag of cloves near your window or in your cupboard for a fresh natural scent.
Air your home frequently and keep windows open for maximum cross ventilation. Avoid collection of stagnant water in open vessels, flower pots or coolers as these are a perfect breeding ground for mosquito larvae which cause malaria, dengueand chikungunya. Dispose garbage hygienically in garbage bags that will not open and spill out. Keep the kitchen dustbin covered at all times so that wet garbage like vegetable peels and food waste are not left exposed.
If you have indoor plants, ensure that there is no water logging and change water in the flower vases everyday. Use herbal insect repellents like citronella based oils or sprays to get rid of mosquitoes and other insects. Use mosquito nets over your child's bed or install wire meshes on the windows. Dress him up in long-sleeved shirts and trousers, especially when he goes to the park to play.
Keep your home fresh and clean and use a good disinfectant to clean the floors and bathrooms. Get pest control for your home to ward off flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, termites, and other disease carrying insects. Many choose to burn camphor or dry neem leaves which are said to purify the air. Keep a small mesh bag of cloves near your window or in your cupboard for a fresh natural scent.
Pre-monsoon check
Ensure that your home is clean, germ-free and safe before the monsoons arrive. Be watchful of any seepage especially on the roof and walls and near electrical fittings, as it may cause electrocution. Carry out thorough pre-monsoon checks in your home and get an electrician to fix all faulty wiring and switches. Have your plumber fix any leaking fixtures and get your drains cleaned and de-silted well before the rains. Check and repair cracks or fissures in the house.
Child safety and other tips
• Ensure that your child is always supervised when he goes out, even to the neighbourhood park, especially while walking on roads that usually have deep potholes and many open manholes during the monsoon.
• Your toddler can get pretty bored sitting at home when it's raining outside; think up some indoor games that can keep him occupied, such as hide and seek, carom, and dancing to some fun music. Puzzles and books are also a good way to keep your toddler busy. More ideas in our Let's play! Games for toddlerssection.
• Invite children from your apartment block for a play date at your house so he can have some company. Help them make paper boats, put on their gum boots and raincoats and float the boats in the puddles outside your building. And after they run out of things to do at indoors, make some onion pakoras or hot chocolate
• Your toddler can get pretty bored sitting at home when it's raining outside; think up some indoor games that can keep him occupied, such as hide and seek, carom, and dancing to some fun music. Puzzles and books are also a good way to keep your toddler busy. More ideas in our Let's play! Games for toddlerssection.
• Invite children from your apartment block for a play date at your house so he can have some company. Help them make paper boats, put on their gum boots and raincoats and float the boats in the puddles outside your building. And after they run out of things to do at indoors, make some onion pakoras or hot chocolate
Saturday, June 26, 2010
WEANING(tips on starting food at 6months)
Once your baby has settled into a good breast feeding routine, here is no need to introduce him to any solid food till he is 6 months old. By then, his nutritional needs would have grown and you will find it difficult to sustain him on milk alone. At this stage start him off gradually on solid foods. Being fed solid food is a whole new kind of experience for the baby. It is also a major step towards eventual independence. And you will be filled with a new joy when baby takes his first tiny teaspoonful of kheer or khichdi.
Stimulate the baby’s sense of taste slowly, for his taste buds are unsullied. To him sugar is sweeter and salt is saltier. Keep it that way, for the eating habits you get him used to in early life will stay with him forever.
WHAT TO FEED
Most babies are inadequately fed due to our ignorance of nutritional requirements. All of us have certain beliefs regarding food for children. Often, many mothers feel that bananas cause phlegm, that cereals are bad for liver, that orange juice makes the child prone to coughs and colds etc. All these beliefs are baseless and wrong. No item of food is bad for the child unless he is sick or has an allergy to a particular type of food. There are a variety of foods to choose from and an appetizing meal can be made by blending different kinds of food to suit your baby’s palate.
HOW TO START
When baby starts his adventure with solids, do not introduce him to too many flavors at once. He might reject everything. Give him a small teaspoon of semolina porridge to start with or pureed fruit. Cereals and fruits are also good beginners. Whatever you serve baby at this stage, it must be soft and completely mashed.
Sometimes the baby may spit out his food. But this is not necessarily because he does not like the taste; it could be because he is rolling the food around in his mouth, savoring the flavors with his tongue.
Let him get used to these first solids. Introduce new foods once at a time. Any new food must be given to the baby for a week or so at a stretch; that is long enough to discover any allergic reactions. If the new food upsets him in any way, do not give it to him till later. Reactions in a baby are usually temporary.
BABY’S NUTRITION IN THE FIRST YEAR
Milk, either breast ore bottle, will remain baby’s major source of nutrition during his first year. This should be supplemented with solids, opening up a new world of tastes and flavors for the baby. Begin with the blandest foods and gradually introduce the spicier ones. The order of starting solids is largely a matter of personal preference. A common starter is a single grain cereal, usually rice. Other cereals may be introduced next, or you could use one of the many pre-cooked cereals available in the market. Pureed vegetables and fruits can also be given. Mashed bananas and apples are among the favorite first foods given to the babies, especially as they are easily digested and babies seem to like them. If you have a blender, you could puree most fruits and vegetables and give them to your baby as a semi-solid. Pulses can also be given in the same way.
Do not add too much salt or sugar to the food. Too much salt can cause dehydration, while sugar encourages a “sweet tooth” with all its attendant problems later in life. A baby’s palate is far sharper than yours and he does not need extra salt or sugar. Sometimes a child may refuse solids altogether. This is usually due to a change in routine. If your baby refuses a solid food, never try and force him to eat it. The texture and taste of solid food is very different from milk, and swallowing it involves a different kind of technique from sucking which he is used to. Do not worry if he does not seem keen on food; NEVER force it on him. Instead, try something else- a different cereal or a different pureed fruit. If he still refuses, leave it and try again after a few days.
Before you offer any food to the baby, make sure there are no lumps. Babies have as much difficulty with lumpy foods as they have with foods that are too sticky or watery. Also make sure that the food is neither too hot nor too cold. Let your baby sample each new food and get used to its taste and consistency. If he takes a little more, give it to him, gradually increasing the amount to suit the baby’s appetite.
Try not to give baby any food that is fattening. For instance, too much butter or ghee, cream or sweet custards will make the baby fat. And fat babies, however cuddly or bonny , often end up as chubby children and later as obese adults. Generally build up the baby’s experience of new foods. By the time he is six months old, his diet can include small amounts of meat ,fish and chicken as long as they are well cooked and soft. You can also give him yoghurt- which is good for him- and a number of household foods, such as khichdi,uppama,idlis, and dals. Blend a variety of foods including different vegetables and fruits, to make his favorite”pish-pash”.
At about the same age, you will find that baby begins to put things in his mouth on his own. You can now introduce him to foods which he can hold and chew. Everything will taste better to the child who can feed himself. It will also make him feel more adept and independent. All babies love the traditional rusks. Give him big, fat bread sticks he can hold on to or chunky pieces of fruit and vegetables such as apples, bananas and carrots.
Chewing more solid food will help him to develop healthy gums and teeth. This can be a source of great comfort to baby, especially when he is teething. Finger foods play a large part in a baby’s diet at this age, but you must watch him while he is feeding himself- he could gum a toast finger into soggy bits and then find difficulty in swallowing it. For the same reason, never give a baby nuts, melons, corn, potato chips or chocolate. Expect change in the frequency of your baby’s bowel movements at this time. This may come about due to a variation in his feeding pattern or, more likely, because of what he puts into his mouth, which, at this stage, is anything and everything that catches his eyes and fancy. When you are weaning your baby to solids, don’t get carried away with fantasies of building a 6feet 3inches he-man. Nutritional obsession will get you weighing and measuring foods and then this can drive both you and your baby crazy. Even a baby gets put off by seeing too much food on his plate.
Give him a little at first, and then, when he has finished, give him more. Do not expect baby to finish all his food in a particular time. Some babies learn to feed themselves through a meal quite quickly, others take their time. However, this is a good time to lay down some rough rules for your baby. Food is not a plaything and eating should be an efficient job, completed in a calm, pleasant atmosphere without you having to coax him to take” one more bite for mummy”. Babies are smart, and if your baby discovers he has a hold on you where food is concerned, you will be cajoling him to take” one more bite” for the rest of his childhood years. Instead, use positive discipline and congratulate him when he finishes with a hug and a “Good all gone”. When he starts fiddling with his food, it’s time to take it away.
By the time the baby is one year old, he should be eating all the food that is cooked at home-softened and without spices. He should have his own plate now- heavy enough so it won’t slip- and a cup to sip from. You could hold the cup for him; if it is too heavy with liquids and won’t tip over; he might be able to do it himself. Put a fat rubber band round it, so it won’t slip through his fingers. Baby will also make a grab for the feeding spoon. Give him one to hold, so you can feed him with yours. Make sure he sits up to eat. A baby on its back is likely to inhale and choke on food.
Once baby is happy with his solids, you can replace some of his milk intake. When you do this, you may find that he drops from 4 to 3 feeds a day. As he eats more and more solid food, he will be less hungry at milk-feeding times. If you are nursing he will suckle less. Your body will respond with less milk and the weaning process will be gradual and painless for you. Baby will triple his birth weight by the end of his first year. Continue to give him five small meals a day; a full breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, an after nap snack and dinner. Plan your baby’s menu carefully; let him widen his discovery of tastes with variety, thus making meals a happy, nutritious experience for him.
COOKING FOR BABY
All baby food, to start with, must be hand mashed, blended, ground or liquidized. Fruit and vegetables can be blended, raw or after cooking. Meats have to be cooked for easier blending. Most foods need water or some other liquid, like milk, juice or stock, added to them to get a good consistency- especially when the baby is very young. Cooking for the baby does not require the skills of a gourmet cook. All it takes is common sense, fresh and wholesome ingredients, scrupulous hygiene and love for your baby.
STARTER FOODS
CEREAL AND GRAIN
ü Infant pre-cooked dehydrated cereals: These require no cooking; just add water and stir. Very convenient, can be mixed with fruit to enhance flavor.
ü Other cereals: Semolina, ragi, oats, wheat, and rice- must be cooked and ground. Serve mixed with milk and sugar or honey.
FRUIT
ü Apples, bananas, pears, mangoes, and peaches, papayas: fresh fruit can be ground or cooked or mashed.
ü Dried fruits- for example, figs and apricots- can be soaked or cooked, then ground. They are slightly laxative and come in useful especially when the baby is constipated.
VEGETABLES
ü Carrots, green beans, peas, potatoes, spinach: Cook, then mash or grind. Can be mixed with meat for a complete meal.
MEATS
ü Chicken, liver, lamb, fish: Cook, then grind. Can be given fresh each day. Chicken stock makes a nutritious soup base. Give after removing fat (leave in refrigerator and skim the fat off the top).
DAIRY PRODUCTS AND MISC. FOODS
ü Yoghurt: An excellent instant meal for the baby- very good for lunch. Also good when traveling. Yoghurt mixed with fruit or honey makes a delicious dessert.
ü Eggs: Cook and mash. Give yolk only, around six months. Useful source of vitamins, proteins and iron.
ü Paneer: Mash or grind.
ü Puddings, custards, soft gelatin desserts, kheer and ice-cream: Give a teaspoon at first. All contain proteins.
DRINKS
ü Water: Always boiled and cooled.
ü Milk: Preferably breast milk, or infant formula, upto one year of age. Then regular milk.
ü Fruit juices: Blend apple, pineapple or orange and dilute with water.
ü Buttermilk: Blend one part fresh yoghurt with 3 parts of water. Good source of Vitamin B. Feed with a small spoon or cup. Never put sugary drinks in a bottle for the baby to suck.
FINGER FOODS
Start around 4-7 months. These foods initiate self-feeding. Make baby sit up while eating and watch for choking initially.
ü Rusks
ü Hard thick bread sticks
ü Hard biscuits
ü Bits of cheese
ü Idli
ü Banana
ü Thick chunks of carrot
ü Whole peeled apple
SOME RECIPES
v A COMPLETE BABY MEAL- This is a basic recipe for baby pish-pash. You can make your own variations.
In a covered vessel boil 1 cup water, 1 chicken breast and 1/4 cup rice for 15 minutes. Add 3 whole peeled carrots and 100 grams of green beans. Simmer for an extra 15 minutes. Grind or blend the meat and rice with enough stock to make it moist. Mash the carrots and then the beans. Serve all together. As the baby gets older and can chew better, you can grate the chicken instead of blending it.
v APPLE PUREE- Peel and core a small apple. Simmer in a little water until soft. Mash with a fork or blend. Most babies like this without any sugar.
v MANGO RICE -Mash half a mango with 2 tablespoon of cooked rice. Add milk to make it smooth and ½ teaspoon of honey, if desires.
v KHICHDI- Slightly fry 5 teaspoons of rice and 2 teaspoons of toor dal or Bengal gram dal in 1 teaspoon of ghee. Add water and cook till sloppy.
v UPMA- Roast 1 cup of suji. Heat 2 teaspoon of ghee and fry ½ teaspoon of mustard seeds and a pinch of salt. Add 3 cups of water. When the water starts boiling, add suji and cook till the water is absorbed and the suji is done.
v RICE KANJI- Wash 2 tablespoons of rice and cook in 1 cup of water till done. Mash and serve.
v VEGETABLE BROTH- Roughly chop 2 carrots, a few beans and 1 tomato. Combine with 50 grams of split masoor dal and cover water. Simmer for 40 minutes. Liquidize till smooth. Serve.
v CARROT PUREE -Peel and slice carrots, simmer in boiling water until soft. Drain and mash or blend.
v SUJI KHEER-Boil ½ liter milk with 2 teaspoons of sugar or honey. Add 4 teaspoon roasted suji and cook till smooth.
v RAGI PORRIDGE-Cook 3 teaspoons of ragi in ½ cup water and ½ cup milk on a slow fire. Stir so that no lumps form. Add sugar or powdered jaggery.
v EGG CUSTARD-Heat without boiling ¼ liter of milk. Mix slowly into one beaten egg yolk with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Strain and reheat, stirring the custard until thick. Chill.
v VANILLA CREAM- Mix 2 teaspoons corn flour with a little milk. Boil ¼ liter milk. When boiling, pour the corn flour mixture into the milk, along with 2 teaspoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of butter. Cook slowly, stirring all the time. Add ½ teaspoon of vanilla essence. Chill.
v RICE PORRIDGE- Cooked rice 5tsps, sugar 2 tsps, milk ½ liter. Boil all ingredients till rice is softened. Serve.
v DALIA PORRIDGE- Wheat dalia 5 tsps, sugar 2 tsps, water 150 ml, milk 60 ml. Roast dalia for a few minutes and cook it in water till soft. Add milk and sugar to it.
v POHA WITH CURD- Rice flakes or poha 4 tsps, curd 5 tbsps, oil ½ tsps, salt turmeric.
Wash the poha well and soak it in ½ glass of water to which 1 tbsp of curd is added. Heat the oil and add poha, salt and turmeric. Stir on low fire for 2 to 3 minutes. Mix curd and serve.
v BREAD PUDDING- Bread 1 slice, milk ½ cup, and sugar 2 tsps, a drop of vanilla essence.
Add a drop of vanilla essence to milk and sugar. Soak the bread in it. Mash the bread and serve either in semi-liquid form or somewhat thickened.
v TOMATO SOUP- Soak 2-3 tomatoes in hot water. Peel, crush and strain. Add a pinch of salt and ½ tsp of sugar. If the soup is thin, add ½ tsp of corn flour mixed in 2 tsps of water to it. Boil till the soup thickens. If the soup is sour, add a little milk to the soup.
v BANANA CURD- Mix 2 parts of curd with half a mashed banana and serve.
v CURD WITH MILK- Blend ½ cup of milk with 1/4 cup of curd and a spoonful of sugar to make a delicious drink.
v BENGAL GRAM DAL KHICHDI- Rice 50 g, green gram dal 25 g, roasted Bengal gram 50 g, green leafy vegetables 25 g, oil 1 teaspoon, salt to taste. Boil and mash rice and green gram dal. Boil mash and strain the spinach. Add this spinach, powdered Bengal gram and salt to the rice-and-dal mixture and cook for a few minutes. Season with oil.
v WHEAT DALIA KHICHDI- Wheat dalia 50 g, lentil 50 g, potato in amounts desired, green vegetables in amounts desired, oil 3 teaspoons, salt, onion 1 small, ginger 2 g, bay leaf and cardamom 1 each. Clean and wash dalia and lentils separately and cut vegetables. To boiling water add onion, ginger, bay leaf, cardamom and dalia. Cook until half cooked. Then add lentils and vegetables and cook until soft. Season with salt and oil.
v SWEET DAL- Rice 30 g, red gram dal 60 g, spinach 30 g, jaggery 60 g. Roast and powder rice and red gram dal. Mix the two and make a batter with cold water. Boil, mash and strain spinach. Mix the batter and spinach puree with jaggery syrup and cook for a few minutes.
Stimulate the baby’s sense of taste slowly, for his taste buds are unsullied. To him sugar is sweeter and salt is saltier. Keep it that way, for the eating habits you get him used to in early life will stay with him forever.
WHAT TO FEED
Most babies are inadequately fed due to our ignorance of nutritional requirements. All of us have certain beliefs regarding food for children. Often, many mothers feel that bananas cause phlegm, that cereals are bad for liver, that orange juice makes the child prone to coughs and colds etc. All these beliefs are baseless and wrong. No item of food is bad for the child unless he is sick or has an allergy to a particular type of food. There are a variety of foods to choose from and an appetizing meal can be made by blending different kinds of food to suit your baby’s palate.
HOW TO START
When baby starts his adventure with solids, do not introduce him to too many flavors at once. He might reject everything. Give him a small teaspoon of semolina porridge to start with or pureed fruit. Cereals and fruits are also good beginners. Whatever you serve baby at this stage, it must be soft and completely mashed.
Sometimes the baby may spit out his food. But this is not necessarily because he does not like the taste; it could be because he is rolling the food around in his mouth, savoring the flavors with his tongue.
Let him get used to these first solids. Introduce new foods once at a time. Any new food must be given to the baby for a week or so at a stretch; that is long enough to discover any allergic reactions. If the new food upsets him in any way, do not give it to him till later. Reactions in a baby are usually temporary.
BABY’S NUTRITION IN THE FIRST YEAR
Milk, either breast ore bottle, will remain baby’s major source of nutrition during his first year. This should be supplemented with solids, opening up a new world of tastes and flavors for the baby. Begin with the blandest foods and gradually introduce the spicier ones. The order of starting solids is largely a matter of personal preference. A common starter is a single grain cereal, usually rice. Other cereals may be introduced next, or you could use one of the many pre-cooked cereals available in the market. Pureed vegetables and fruits can also be given. Mashed bananas and apples are among the favorite first foods given to the babies, especially as they are easily digested and babies seem to like them. If you have a blender, you could puree most fruits and vegetables and give them to your baby as a semi-solid. Pulses can also be given in the same way.
Do not add too much salt or sugar to the food. Too much salt can cause dehydration, while sugar encourages a “sweet tooth” with all its attendant problems later in life. A baby’s palate is far sharper than yours and he does not need extra salt or sugar. Sometimes a child may refuse solids altogether. This is usually due to a change in routine. If your baby refuses a solid food, never try and force him to eat it. The texture and taste of solid food is very different from milk, and swallowing it involves a different kind of technique from sucking which he is used to. Do not worry if he does not seem keen on food; NEVER force it on him. Instead, try something else- a different cereal or a different pureed fruit. If he still refuses, leave it and try again after a few days.
Before you offer any food to the baby, make sure there are no lumps. Babies have as much difficulty with lumpy foods as they have with foods that are too sticky or watery. Also make sure that the food is neither too hot nor too cold. Let your baby sample each new food and get used to its taste and consistency. If he takes a little more, give it to him, gradually increasing the amount to suit the baby’s appetite.
Try not to give baby any food that is fattening. For instance, too much butter or ghee, cream or sweet custards will make the baby fat. And fat babies, however cuddly or bonny , often end up as chubby children and later as obese adults. Generally build up the baby’s experience of new foods. By the time he is six months old, his diet can include small amounts of meat ,fish and chicken as long as they are well cooked and soft. You can also give him yoghurt- which is good for him- and a number of household foods, such as khichdi,uppama,idlis, and dals. Blend a variety of foods including different vegetables and fruits, to make his favorite”pish-pash”.
At about the same age, you will find that baby begins to put things in his mouth on his own. You can now introduce him to foods which he can hold and chew. Everything will taste better to the child who can feed himself. It will also make him feel more adept and independent. All babies love the traditional rusks. Give him big, fat bread sticks he can hold on to or chunky pieces of fruit and vegetables such as apples, bananas and carrots.
Chewing more solid food will help him to develop healthy gums and teeth. This can be a source of great comfort to baby, especially when he is teething. Finger foods play a large part in a baby’s diet at this age, but you must watch him while he is feeding himself- he could gum a toast finger into soggy bits and then find difficulty in swallowing it. For the same reason, never give a baby nuts, melons, corn, potato chips or chocolate. Expect change in the frequency of your baby’s bowel movements at this time. This may come about due to a variation in his feeding pattern or, more likely, because of what he puts into his mouth, which, at this stage, is anything and everything that catches his eyes and fancy. When you are weaning your baby to solids, don’t get carried away with fantasies of building a 6feet 3inches he-man. Nutritional obsession will get you weighing and measuring foods and then this can drive both you and your baby crazy. Even a baby gets put off by seeing too much food on his plate.
Give him a little at first, and then, when he has finished, give him more. Do not expect baby to finish all his food in a particular time. Some babies learn to feed themselves through a meal quite quickly, others take their time. However, this is a good time to lay down some rough rules for your baby. Food is not a plaything and eating should be an efficient job, completed in a calm, pleasant atmosphere without you having to coax him to take” one more bite for mummy”. Babies are smart, and if your baby discovers he has a hold on you where food is concerned, you will be cajoling him to take” one more bite” for the rest of his childhood years. Instead, use positive discipline and congratulate him when he finishes with a hug and a “Good all gone”. When he starts fiddling with his food, it’s time to take it away.
By the time the baby is one year old, he should be eating all the food that is cooked at home-softened and without spices. He should have his own plate now- heavy enough so it won’t slip- and a cup to sip from. You could hold the cup for him; if it is too heavy with liquids and won’t tip over; he might be able to do it himself. Put a fat rubber band round it, so it won’t slip through his fingers. Baby will also make a grab for the feeding spoon. Give him one to hold, so you can feed him with yours. Make sure he sits up to eat. A baby on its back is likely to inhale and choke on food.
Once baby is happy with his solids, you can replace some of his milk intake. When you do this, you may find that he drops from 4 to 3 feeds a day. As he eats more and more solid food, he will be less hungry at milk-feeding times. If you are nursing he will suckle less. Your body will respond with less milk and the weaning process will be gradual and painless for you. Baby will triple his birth weight by the end of his first year. Continue to give him five small meals a day; a full breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, an after nap snack and dinner. Plan your baby’s menu carefully; let him widen his discovery of tastes with variety, thus making meals a happy, nutritious experience for him.
COOKING FOR BABY
All baby food, to start with, must be hand mashed, blended, ground or liquidized. Fruit and vegetables can be blended, raw or after cooking. Meats have to be cooked for easier blending. Most foods need water or some other liquid, like milk, juice or stock, added to them to get a good consistency- especially when the baby is very young. Cooking for the baby does not require the skills of a gourmet cook. All it takes is common sense, fresh and wholesome ingredients, scrupulous hygiene and love for your baby.
STARTER FOODS
CEREAL AND GRAIN
ü Infant pre-cooked dehydrated cereals: These require no cooking; just add water and stir. Very convenient, can be mixed with fruit to enhance flavor.
ü Other cereals: Semolina, ragi, oats, wheat, and rice- must be cooked and ground. Serve mixed with milk and sugar or honey.
FRUIT
ü Apples, bananas, pears, mangoes, and peaches, papayas: fresh fruit can be ground or cooked or mashed.
ü Dried fruits- for example, figs and apricots- can be soaked or cooked, then ground. They are slightly laxative and come in useful especially when the baby is constipated.
VEGETABLES
ü Carrots, green beans, peas, potatoes, spinach: Cook, then mash or grind. Can be mixed with meat for a complete meal.
MEATS
ü Chicken, liver, lamb, fish: Cook, then grind. Can be given fresh each day. Chicken stock makes a nutritious soup base. Give after removing fat (leave in refrigerator and skim the fat off the top).
DAIRY PRODUCTS AND MISC. FOODS
ü Yoghurt: An excellent instant meal for the baby- very good for lunch. Also good when traveling. Yoghurt mixed with fruit or honey makes a delicious dessert.
ü Eggs: Cook and mash. Give yolk only, around six months. Useful source of vitamins, proteins and iron.
ü Paneer: Mash or grind.
ü Puddings, custards, soft gelatin desserts, kheer and ice-cream: Give a teaspoon at first. All contain proteins.
DRINKS
ü Water: Always boiled and cooled.
ü Milk: Preferably breast milk, or infant formula, upto one year of age. Then regular milk.
ü Fruit juices: Blend apple, pineapple or orange and dilute with water.
ü Buttermilk: Blend one part fresh yoghurt with 3 parts of water. Good source of Vitamin B. Feed with a small spoon or cup. Never put sugary drinks in a bottle for the baby to suck.
FINGER FOODS
Start around 4-7 months. These foods initiate self-feeding. Make baby sit up while eating and watch for choking initially.
ü Rusks
ü Hard thick bread sticks
ü Hard biscuits
ü Bits of cheese
ü Idli
ü Banana
ü Thick chunks of carrot
ü Whole peeled apple
SOME RECIPES
v A COMPLETE BABY MEAL- This is a basic recipe for baby pish-pash. You can make your own variations.
In a covered vessel boil 1 cup water, 1 chicken breast and 1/4 cup rice for 15 minutes. Add 3 whole peeled carrots and 100 grams of green beans. Simmer for an extra 15 minutes. Grind or blend the meat and rice with enough stock to make it moist. Mash the carrots and then the beans. Serve all together. As the baby gets older and can chew better, you can grate the chicken instead of blending it.
v APPLE PUREE- Peel and core a small apple. Simmer in a little water until soft. Mash with a fork or blend. Most babies like this without any sugar.
v MANGO RICE -Mash half a mango with 2 tablespoon of cooked rice. Add milk to make it smooth and ½ teaspoon of honey, if desires.
v KHICHDI- Slightly fry 5 teaspoons of rice and 2 teaspoons of toor dal or Bengal gram dal in 1 teaspoon of ghee. Add water and cook till sloppy.
v UPMA- Roast 1 cup of suji. Heat 2 teaspoon of ghee and fry ½ teaspoon of mustard seeds and a pinch of salt. Add 3 cups of water. When the water starts boiling, add suji and cook till the water is absorbed and the suji is done.
v RICE KANJI- Wash 2 tablespoons of rice and cook in 1 cup of water till done. Mash and serve.
v VEGETABLE BROTH- Roughly chop 2 carrots, a few beans and 1 tomato. Combine with 50 grams of split masoor dal and cover water. Simmer for 40 minutes. Liquidize till smooth. Serve.
v CARROT PUREE -Peel and slice carrots, simmer in boiling water until soft. Drain and mash or blend.
v SUJI KHEER-Boil ½ liter milk with 2 teaspoons of sugar or honey. Add 4 teaspoon roasted suji and cook till smooth.
v RAGI PORRIDGE-Cook 3 teaspoons of ragi in ½ cup water and ½ cup milk on a slow fire. Stir so that no lumps form. Add sugar or powdered jaggery.
v EGG CUSTARD-Heat without boiling ¼ liter of milk. Mix slowly into one beaten egg yolk with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Strain and reheat, stirring the custard until thick. Chill.
v VANILLA CREAM- Mix 2 teaspoons corn flour with a little milk. Boil ¼ liter milk. When boiling, pour the corn flour mixture into the milk, along with 2 teaspoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of butter. Cook slowly, stirring all the time. Add ½ teaspoon of vanilla essence. Chill.
v RICE PORRIDGE- Cooked rice 5tsps, sugar 2 tsps, milk ½ liter. Boil all ingredients till rice is softened. Serve.
v DALIA PORRIDGE- Wheat dalia 5 tsps, sugar 2 tsps, water 150 ml, milk 60 ml. Roast dalia for a few minutes and cook it in water till soft. Add milk and sugar to it.
v POHA WITH CURD- Rice flakes or poha 4 tsps, curd 5 tbsps, oil ½ tsps, salt turmeric.
Wash the poha well and soak it in ½ glass of water to which 1 tbsp of curd is added. Heat the oil and add poha, salt and turmeric. Stir on low fire for 2 to 3 minutes. Mix curd and serve.
v BREAD PUDDING- Bread 1 slice, milk ½ cup, and sugar 2 tsps, a drop of vanilla essence.
Add a drop of vanilla essence to milk and sugar. Soak the bread in it. Mash the bread and serve either in semi-liquid form or somewhat thickened.
v TOMATO SOUP- Soak 2-3 tomatoes in hot water. Peel, crush and strain. Add a pinch of salt and ½ tsp of sugar. If the soup is thin, add ½ tsp of corn flour mixed in 2 tsps of water to it. Boil till the soup thickens. If the soup is sour, add a little milk to the soup.
v BANANA CURD- Mix 2 parts of curd with half a mashed banana and serve.
v CURD WITH MILK- Blend ½ cup of milk with 1/4 cup of curd and a spoonful of sugar to make a delicious drink.
v BENGAL GRAM DAL KHICHDI- Rice 50 g, green gram dal 25 g, roasted Bengal gram 50 g, green leafy vegetables 25 g, oil 1 teaspoon, salt to taste. Boil and mash rice and green gram dal. Boil mash and strain the spinach. Add this spinach, powdered Bengal gram and salt to the rice-and-dal mixture and cook for a few minutes. Season with oil.
v WHEAT DALIA KHICHDI- Wheat dalia 50 g, lentil 50 g, potato in amounts desired, green vegetables in amounts desired, oil 3 teaspoons, salt, onion 1 small, ginger 2 g, bay leaf and cardamom 1 each. Clean and wash dalia and lentils separately and cut vegetables. To boiling water add onion, ginger, bay leaf, cardamom and dalia. Cook until half cooked. Then add lentils and vegetables and cook until soft. Season with salt and oil.
v SWEET DAL- Rice 30 g, red gram dal 60 g, spinach 30 g, jaggery 60 g. Roast and powder rice and red gram dal. Mix the two and make a batter with cold water. Boil, mash and strain spinach. Mix the batter and spinach puree with jaggery syrup and cook for a few minutes.
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