Good to know that you have started solids with Santosh. You could try a high chair to feed him. After putting Diya in that quite regularly, she starte sitting without flopping in it. Or put a waterprrof mat and sit Santosh inside a boppy pillow on the mat so that there won't be any messes and he will have support. also a bouncy or a swing is a good idea. I have the fisher price booster seat which you could attach to your regular chair.
Regarding nitrates, carrots, beets, turnips, beans, broccoli, spinach , potatoes and peas have them I believe. The food companies screen for them. So I am using gerber for these vegetables only and the rest I am making it at home.
There is a good website called whoseomebabyfooddotcom for recipe suggestions and serving size etc. It tells you what you could give your babies and when you could give it. According to that website, you can start giving proteins after 8 months. But back home, haven't we all started with dhal at 6 months. So it should be ok I think to just pressure cook it rice. I have read that you have to introduce one veg/fruit at a time for 3-4 days to check for allergies and then once you finish all the stage1, you can go to stage 2 foods and then start stage 3 and then mix and give everything. You could also give what you eat after that(just make sure it is a little mashed).
Avoid nuts, milk, fish, shellfish, egg whites, citrus and berries for the first 1 year.
Honey causes botulism. I don't know about sugar and jaggery. Why don't you wait till you ask your ped about that? Diya doesn't like any new food for the first day. After I give it to her for a couple of times, she takes it later. Also, make it a little warm and give it one hour after he takes BM/formula.
Once you start on oatmeal, you can give any other cereal I believe. Ragi flour should be ok from the store.
All the best
Love to Johnny
Vidya Tweetie replied. Dear Vidya,
Thanks for ur suggestions...I will take a look at high chairs and booster seats...hey, will booster seats go on for a long time...ie until toddlerhood? or will we eventually have to buy a high chair? I have been so lazy that I haven't yet started my research on high chairs...that's why all these Q's...
Yesterday I tried carrots (home made) but wasn't able to mash it well, so gave just the little liq. that it had...how do you puree the food? Do you use a baby precessor or blender? I use a food processor, but doesn't blend it well.
How does Diya enjoy her food? I will take ur advise on plastic sheets...otherwise I end up ruining the carpet. Do u try and make Diya open her mouth once she starts showing disinterest to eat?
OK I guess I have asked u quite a fews...please do reply when u get a chance.
Love to Diya chweetie
Ruby