Hello All,

I am Subashini and I am new on this site. Also a new mom too! I live with my in-laws and am working. I have 6.5 months old son and I leave him with my in-laws.

I returned to work when my son was 4 months old. Since then, he has been on a cobination feed of formula and breast milk.
I did not give him anything else other than milk till 6 months. Now he has turned 6+.


I started him on a cereal powder called Vitality in the mornings (porridge) or at times alternate it with Ragi Porridge. I give him this around 8.30 AM. At 11. 30 AM he has a formula feed of 120 ml. Then at 1 PM, he has a feed of Nestum and thereafter he is on nothing but formula, the rest of the day and consumes between 400-500 ml only. I tried to give him musambi juice.But , he doesn't seem to like it. Occassionally, I give him a biscuit. Otherwise, there isnt much that I give him. With this kind of a diet he developed some kind of infection in his stomach. He is passing motion for about 4-5 times in a day. The doc diagonised it as a viral infection and that it will take about a week for him to cure. He has becomes spo much visibly thin and light. I cant introduce him to anything, till he is a little better. However, I would want to know What else should I give him. Can anyone help me with a food chart that will ensure that he has all his feeds complete.I feel so guilty that I am not able to take care of him in person and I cannot give up working for certain reasons. I wouldn't want my son to miss out on any of the nutrients that he should have. Let me know whether I can refregerate food prepared for the baby. If its not harmful, then I can prepare and put it in the refrigerator so than my MIL can just heat it and give it to him.

Please some one help with a good diet sketch. Reading the exchanges between you all, I have a mixed feeling. I feel that you need to be lucky if you have to spend time with your baby and take care of his every step. And at the same time, though I cant, I want to ensure, I give my child all that he requires as nutrients though I am not physically close to him all the time. I do breast feed him in the mornings and at night.

If anyone else is working mom too, please share your experiences.

Thanks to all of you,
Suba Ams replied. Hi

I have 5 mths old twins....i too have started working fm this month.. I started solids when they completed 5 mths and i have prepared a chart for feeding the babies for my MIL when I am away at work. Since I have started weaning I BF only in the nights and early mornings. I have given the schedule below and hope it helps you.

7am Milk 90 ml
9.30 am Ragi Porridge OR sooji porridge 1/2 katori
11.30 - Milk 90 ml
2pm Dal-Chawal (whipped in a mixie)3/4 katori
4.30-5 - Milk 75-90ml
7-7.30 - Dal-Chawal 3/4 katori OR Cerelac
9.30 - Milk 75-90ml
11.30pm - Milk 90ml
4am Milk 100-120ml

I have put up this chart in the kitchen and my MIL has to just refer to it and feed the babies accordingly. I also prepare formula bottles and store in the fridge for babies when I am away.


Hope it helps you in planning your chart.

bye
ams
subashini replied. Dear Mother and Mother123,

I already feel a lot better. Thanks for your tips and time. I'll try and give him some soups and lot of liquids.

regards,
Subashini Mommy replied. Hi Ashini,

Don't worry about the viral infection. It'll take some time to clear on its own. My baby had it when we were vacationing india. Try to give enough water to ur baby. Don't give him citrus fruits for the week. Try to BF uor baby as much as possible. Try washing his hands often. You can try tomato soup, mushroom soup ...the more you give liquid diet to ur baby, the sooner will the infection clear on its own.
As mother123 mentioned, be happy you have someone to look after your baby.
You are doing a wonderful job for your baby. mother123 replied. I also started solids for my daughter after she turned 6 months old. Remember that babies will only take small amounts (1-2tsp) initially. Till 1 year milk will be the main food.
1. if possible, try expressing your milk in the mornings. After a solid food meal (how much ever he eats), give him as much milk as he wants to satisfy his hunger. Expressed milk can be refrigerated. But, it means extra care to sterilize the container, and also 1/2 hour time in the morning. Slowly, you can change to full solid feed per meal.
2. Be patient. It will take time for him to start eating new foods in considerable quantity. Meanwhile, keep trying new things - ragi porridge, dal paani, mashed fruit, cerelac, boiled veg...
3. Till his recovery time, stick to milk (BM and formula). He will definitely get required nutrients.
4. Stop feeling guilty about working. You are lucky that you have relatives to look after your baby. Some of us have to depend on maids and creches. Spend as much time at home talking and playing with your baby. That is most important. Regarding feeding, gently explain to your in-laws about what to give and how to give. They may have some old fashioned ideas that may not be ok for todays world.