Food Talk  Discussion Forum

I have a 15 month old daughter who is a pretty fussy eater and to top it all she has still not got any teeth as yet. If I give her anything dry or any of our food, she chokes after a bite or two and vomits everything out. Hence I have to cook for her separately and make sure her khichdi is cooked till soft, bread is soaked in milk first and then fed, sooji kheer is wettish etc. etc.

I was recently told to surf this site and I have read a lot about Raagi. Finally managed to pick up ragi powder from an Indian store out here. I tried out one of the recepies but my daughter passed quiet a few stools the next morning, it seemed like she had excreted the entire raagi that I fed her, hence I got afraid. So before I start preparing it again, I want to know if it is too late to start giving my baby this and have the following queries, since after reading all the different messages on ragi I am very very confused:

Is ragi powder ok or do I have to get seeds becoz seeds are not available here?

When do u feed ragi - morning/afternoon night or anytime or only during summer or winter, cause we are having winter in Sydney now?

How much do u feed a 15m old baby and is one bowlful considered to be a good meal in place of khichdi etc. or is it just a snack?

Do I have to feed it to her everyday so that she benefits from it and wont it become too repetitive?

I read Selma pinto's message on giving her kids raagi drink, how does one prepare that, could somebody please help?

Does eating raagi lead to a lot of bowels the next day, and if so, is it considered to be ok?

Lastly could anybody pls tell me how to prepare veg upama soft enough to feed my toothless daughter, I am really desperate to try diff dishes so that she starts eating and since I have nobody to ask, I am hoping some kind soul will revert back to me with any recepies they can help with.

Thanking u all in advance.
Aarthi replied. Hi Sabrina,

Ragi is considered Food for medicine and Medicine for Food. I started my son on it when he was 5 months old and have been the better for it. Its easy to prepare and you could also add some pre-soaked & powdered cashews/ almonds if your daughter is able to digest it.

I used to prepare Rava upma for my son by adding salt and water and stirring it on a low flame until it cooks and thickens. Once it cools, stir in some fresh curds. Sandy replied. hi sabrina,

i'm feeding my 18 month old with ragi 3 days a week for the last 3 months. It is very good to give ragi for kids at this age because it's easy to digest and also is filling. It is preferable to give in the morning and avoid it in the night. i live in singapore and i also buy the ragi powder available here from the indian store. i just make it into a thick paste by adding water and sugar and allowing it to boil for sometime. If required u can mix some fruit along with it as it taste good with banana or pear mixed with it.

Try giving ragi in small quantities initially because for some kids it leads to lot of bowels but that's ok. If it persists then i think u shud stop it. do not force the child to have it if it does not get digested. Ragi is also very filling and so make sure u don't feed the child anything for about 2-3 hrs after having ragi.

U can also try and give oats --it's is easier to digest.