Brief Answer: introduce weaning foods gradually Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Thanks for posting the query. Your baby's weight as per her age is a little on the lower side, and can easily be corrected. Mother's milk is the best food for the infants in the starting months, however as time passes the nutritional quality of mother's milk may begin to decrease or there may be lesser milk production, which may be cause of low weight of the baby. As she is already 5 months old, you should carefully start introducing new foods to her. One at a time, start feeding her with pureed fruits and vegetables. Choose from banana, avocado, mango, peach, and in cooked form use XXXXXXX carrots, pumpkin, pear, potato and sweet potato. When she completes 6 monthe you may also add diluted and precooked cow’s milk. Fresh fruit juices like the juice of pomegranate, XXXXXXX orange may also be given. light pulses such as moong and masoor may also be given as dal water or thin purees. However, be careful to notice any sign of discomfort after giving her the new foods. You may consult with her pediatrician and start an appropriate weaning formula for her. As your baby’s organs and the system are still immature therefore it’s important to keep the excessive load away from her delicate organs, and also to avoid development of allergies. Study the food allergies that run in your family and wait until your daughter is at least 1 year old before starting those foods. Since she may develop allergies easily therefore completely avoid, wheat rye, barley, nuts, honey and non-vegetarian foods, and other heavy protein foods like beans, rajmah, channa, soy etc. NEVER ADD SUGAR or SALT in her feeds. As you need to continue to breast feed the baby along with the weaning foods, make sure that you yourself eat a variety of foods, and stay sufficiently hydrated. Take proper sleep and rest and keep stress away. Regular exercises done by mothers also improves the milk quality. Stay away from junk foods. Hope this helps. Meenakhsi

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