Hello Mr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing to us.

Babies double their birth weight by 5 months. So your baby`s weight gain is okay.
Good that she is on exclusive breast feeds.
Till she completes 6 months of age, she should be breast fed exclusively.

After 6 months, you can start introducing semi-solids slowly.
It’s better that all weaning food items are prepared at home.

The weaning food that can be given are
- Porridge made of rice, XXXXXXX or ragi
- Vegetable soups and boiled mashed vegetables (potato, carrot etc)
- Fruit juices and mashed fruits (Apple, Banana etc)
- Dal rice
- Khichdi (with vegetables added)
- Atta Halwa
- Sooji Kheer
- Porridge made of multigrains
- Idli etc

Its better to introduce one food item a week. To start with, you may begin with few spoons. If she accepts the food and tolerates it well, you may increase the amount. Amount of feeds will be decided by baby and mother.
Breast feeding should be continued. It is better if continued till 2 yrs of age.
Water should be given in between. Make sure that it’s boiled and cooled.
Be sure all food items are prepared with good hygiene.

After semi-solids are tolerated, you may give her solids like Roti, Dosa etc. They can be made soft by soaking them in milk, curd or vegetable curry.
After 9 months of age, egg can be started.
Around 10-12 months, non vegetarian food can be started.
You may wait till 1 year to start cow`s milk.
Every week, you may try to introduce 1 new food item so that by 1 year of age your baby should be able to eat whatever an adult eats at home.
By 1 year, your baby will triple her birth weight

Hope I have answered your query.
In case you have further queries, please feel free to ask me. I will be happy to help you.

Happy Parenting.

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Hi

Thanks for getting back.

After she completes 6 months of age you can start weaning.
Its better to avoid any commercial preparations like cerelac.
Home made food is healthy and hygienic too.

To start with you may give the semisolid say once a day in afternoon. Continue the same for about 2 to 3 days, if she tolerates it well you may give it twice a day and then thrice a day.
As said before, to start with you may give few spoons, then you may increase it slowly.
You may prepare a small cup of food, if she wants more (opens her mouth to eat more or cries in hunger) then you may give her more.
Amount of food consumed will vary from baby to baby and mother is the best person to know the amount needed.
If you feel that she has not eaten enough and refuses to eat the semi-solid at some time, you may give breast milk after the semi-solid.

As soon as you start introducing semi-solids, you may start water. To start with give few sips after semi-solids, then you may increase the amount slowly.
To start with you may give it twice or thrice a day, then as per your baby`s demands and the season so that she passes adequate urine daily.

Regarding the stools, breast fed babies can pass liquid stools around 5 to 6 times in a day. Since she is gaining weight adequately you need not worry much.
Yes, addition of semi-solids and solids will improve the consistency of stools.

You may add ghee/coconut oil to the food items you prepare (according to the dish and taste).

Weaning is a slow process.
Do not worry much.
Babies will not accept the food items immediately. You can expect a lot of fuss, spitting etc. So be patient and persistent.
Make meal times enjoyable to your baby. Do not force feed her.
Just choose the food item and introduce them one by one. Once the feeding pattern in established, you may give semi-solids/ solids thrice a day, with breast milk and water in between.
As your baby eats other food items, the amount of breast milk consumed will get lesser.

But after introduction of any new food, if your baby develops loose stools, skin rash or excessive crying suggestive of a tummy ache, it might suggest allergy to that food. In such a case, you must visit your Pediatrician.

Hope I have answered your Query.
You may get back to me if you need any further help.
Will be happy to assist you.
Thanks.

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