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Suggest A Diet Plan For An 8-month-old Infant
Question: Hi doctor, I have a 8 months old daughter and I have some queries on her food and what consistency should it be in. 1. How many times should I breast feed her and how many solid feeds? 2.Can I give curd and normal milk to her? 3.Can we give all fruits and vegetables or any restrictions? 4.She is eating ragi XXXXXXX but not much rice so I am blending it and giving from when can I give rice the way we eat? 5. We are vegetarian so can I give her paneer 6. How to introduce a sipper to her as she is stuck in good water but spilling it all out without drinking
Brief Answer:
Questions answered in sequence.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
When weaning is done, we insist on starting with thick liquids like dal water or fruit juices, gradually move over to semi-solids or mashed foods, and subsequently start with pounded food. In case of your daughter, you would have to assess how comfortable she is with semi-solid food and you need to proceed with it accordingly.
Now let me try to guide you with your questions.
1. Try to bring down the breast feeding to a couple of times a day or may be you restrict it to her sleep hours. Giving breast feeds between feeds would simply take up her belly space and will prevent her from taking full feeds. Give feeds (semi-solid) every three hours or as demanded by her. Avoid giving anything in between. Consider your ABCs - applesauce, bananas, and cereal (rice, biscuits dipped in milk, or roti, or ragi softened with milk/water). Boil rice and dal with vegetables and give in mashed form. Gradually increase the amount and frequency. Introduce one new food item per week and stick to it at least for the week. Continue to give what you are already giving.
2. Yes, you can give curd. Milk can also be given.
3. Definitely give fruits and vegetables. No specific restrictions. Just give what she likes and tolerates.
4. Try avoiding blender. Hand-mashing would be better. Feel free to give rice.
5. Feel free to give paneer and all sorts of things that you yourself take but ensure that it is low on spices and can be taken easily by the child. No specific restrictions.
6. I did not understand why you wish to introduce sipper. You can also give water from a glass as you hold on to it. Talk her into taking the water (small amounts) and she will gradually get used to it.
Feel free to write back.
Regards
Questions answered in sequence.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
When weaning is done, we insist on starting with thick liquids like dal water or fruit juices, gradually move over to semi-solids or mashed foods, and subsequently start with pounded food. In case of your daughter, you would have to assess how comfortable she is with semi-solid food and you need to proceed with it accordingly.
Now let me try to guide you with your questions.
1. Try to bring down the breast feeding to a couple of times a day or may be you restrict it to her sleep hours. Giving breast feeds between feeds would simply take up her belly space and will prevent her from taking full feeds. Give feeds (semi-solid) every three hours or as demanded by her. Avoid giving anything in between. Consider your ABCs - applesauce, bananas, and cereal (rice, biscuits dipped in milk, or roti, or ragi softened with milk/water). Boil rice and dal with vegetables and give in mashed form. Gradually increase the amount and frequency. Introduce one new food item per week and stick to it at least for the week. Continue to give what you are already giving.
2. Yes, you can give curd. Milk can also be given.
3. Definitely give fruits and vegetables. No specific restrictions. Just give what she likes and tolerates.
4. Try avoiding blender. Hand-mashing would be better. Feel free to give rice.
5. Feel free to give paneer and all sorts of things that you yourself take but ensure that it is low on spices and can be taken easily by the child. No specific restrictions.
6. I did not understand why you wish to introduce sipper. You can also give water from a glass as you hold on to it. Talk her into taking the water (small amounts) and she will gradually get used to it.
Feel free to write back.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
She is not drinking water with spoon so I thought of sipper and what is the quantity of water to give in a day?
Brief Answer:
Give water after feeds and she will accept it
Detailed Answer:
I would not insist on the use of a sipper since it can act as a potential source of contamination/infection. Give water in small amounts after feeds. Unless the stool is hard you need not increase the water intake.
Regards
Give water after feeds and she will accept it
Detailed Answer:
I would not insist on the use of a sipper since it can act as a potential source of contamination/infection. Give water in small amounts after feeds. Unless the stool is hard you need not increase the water intake.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Yes her stools are hard so my doctor asked me to give 30ml water after each feed
Brief Answer:
Thanks for the update
Detailed Answer:
In case she does not take plain water you may try giving some fruit juice as well. The amount need not be more than 30 ml per day. Give them between feeds, if not immediately after. Also include leafy vegetables and other fiber containing foods in the diet.
Regards
Thanks for the update
Detailed Answer:
In case she does not take plain water you may try giving some fruit juice as well. The amount need not be more than 30 ml per day. Give them between feeds, if not immediately after. Also include leafy vegetables and other fiber containing foods in the diet.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
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