hi frends
i would like to know the appropriate diet for my 1 year child .we are vegetarians. i am also very confused regarding the consitency of food .by that i mean how much coarse the food can be ,does it depend on the number of teeth the child is having.
i am giving him mashed apples banana,suji kheer oatmeal. khichri with lots of veges,crumbled roti with dal, dalia .
pls help
Sujita replied. Date: 2006-12-09
Name: Hetal
Subject: Re

finger foods are those foods that babies can eat with thr first finger and the thumb..they master these two in thr first 8months and onwards and so its right time from 8months onwards to 15months that if you teach them to eat with it,,they will master thr skills of eating, chewing, sucking,,finger picking and such coorrdnatn skills...its a part of development ! also like other developments it is not at all necessary that every baby starts accepting finger foods or is ready for finger foods,,from 8months onwards,,it totally depnds on how thr hand and eyes coordination is , and as to how they are able to control thr mouth muscles and thr jaws and as to how good they are in swallowng foods...it does not matter that babies need to have teeth !

so yes veera, if your baby is eating ne food by himself without your assitance or is able to pick things from ground with his fore finger and thumb or even fist,,he is ready for finger food and those foods are finger foods.....
list of finger foods :
1.pieces of roti,parathas, tiny pieces of idli,,dosa,uttappam,cut them in diff funny shapes with help of cookie cutters and your baby will love it ! garnish with some grated carrots and peas and its a colourful medley !!
also try other dishes from vairous culture like dhokla, muthia ( wheat flour and vegies rolls cooked in steam,,its dish from gujarat,,soft like idlis etccc),,raagi balls,,suji balls and such otherr alternatives...
2.pastas,,,comes in diff shapes and sizes,,,i guess now in india also, now stuffed pastas/raviolis are available,,just right for lil fingers,,lots of stuffng varieties are available in there,,namely,,3 cheese, chicken, eggs,spinach,mix vegetables,,5cheese,,sea foods and lot many more ! just look for the one that is made with single grain(6-8months) pastas,,whole grain to multigrains(9months and onwards)
3.small bit size pieces of vegies, cheeses (cheese above 8months),pieces of fruits or tiny fruits like grapes,small strawberries,pieces of banana,,ans such are allgreat egs of finger foods,,
4. it also includes,,pieces of tofu,soya chunks,paneer pieces,,cheese sticks,meat pieces(offer strained before 9months),or scrambled eggs(mostly above1 year) make big pieces and with light gravy of vegies or melted cheese...
ne pieces that baby is able to pick up and place in his mouth by himself !
5.the other that you yourself can make :
--1. rice balls,(overcook rice, add in some ghee, some salt/light salt and some vegie puree, ormake it a sweet delight with some banana in it or some sweet potato in it,,,and make tiny balls of it,,babies love to play nd pick them ans eat them,,best to start your child with !
2..simillarly,,you can make single grain cereal balls, pasta balls, paneeer balls and onwwards,,
3.i used to make upma, let it set in plate nd cut it in small pieces,,once set,,and my 9month old used to njoy playin with it,,in diff pieces i would add some funny colour like carrot puree, spinach puree for green,beets(above 8months) for red and it was fun for her...otherwise she would gag upma !!
4. i used to do the same with khichdi and cracked wheat khichadi,,and it was fun...also try placing a lil bowl of curd next to it,,and eat the pieces before your child while dipping in it,,,be ready formess but you will love to see them eating on thr own while dippng in sauces !!!
watever you make,make it very smooth that baby doesnt get frustrated with its drryness or it being hard to chew or swallow...
mix vegetable cutlets,,mash in all vegies,,and let it set on a plate for a while,,once a bit cool,cut it in tiny pieces with spoon or cookie cutters,,,and if needed saute it with lil tadka,,it will get roasted and outer later is just right and crispy,,,kids who are teethng loves these !
if you dont have ne thing,,just roast a single grain bread (6-8months),multigrain soft white bread(9months and onwards),,with some ghee or butter,,roast it on pan,instead of toaster or over,,,on pan the softest is not compromised and let your child tear it and play with it,,same goes with roti too...offer frruit and vegetable sauces orr fruit purees with these so that they dont feel dry to eat !!!
5.or else, offer without ne further cooking for vegetable cutles as vegies are cooked so you arent worried ...
other shop items includes : lil biscuits/teething biscuits,,parlae g,toddler cereal,,often like cherrious, and flakes(opt for low sugar o shaped cereal,,kids love them ! ),,,and other varieties of child biscuits,,in US, there are flavourd biscuits that melt in mouth and are just right for introducng finger foods..,no choking is caused with these,,aas they melt ! they are in names like minivegies, mini fruits,toddler foods,gerber fruit and vegie puffs,biter biscuits, wagon wheels,zwieback toasts,,and all the series in gerber graduates as well toddler section,,,look for healthy alternativs,,,
in whole foods and speciality markets you get toddler bars,,they have fruit filling,,and is a great snack with juice in noons...

finally,,your baby is ready for these finger foods or is ready to feed himself when he is :
1. able to sit supported or unsupported,,straight with a balanced neck.
2. is able to chew or churn or press the food with his tongue,mouth muscles and hard gums !
3. knows how to suck the ffood or is able to swallow it, without ne sensation of nausea, vomitng or choking,,
4. if not sittng, your child is expected to atleast lift his head and is able to hold himself up above the ground, by himself,,in a way that his stomach does not touch ground and is able to see in upward direction,,,

5. make sure your child is ready first,,then only offer,otherwise there will be risk of choking or your child may end up sufferng from refflux or stomach upset, or sore throat due to continuous choking episodes..go slow but keeep trying !
also, make sure your child does not play or run around with food in mouth,,it causes choking and a lil choking is just enough for ne nasal blockage or sore throat,,,it might be harmful for your child in near future..
let them njoy these foods while sitting or when at calm and settled moods,,overstimulation during ne feeding session not only causes stomach upsets but also causes choking hazard....
by 1 year, most kids are expected and are ready to eat family foods,,and all of it, includes finger foods..
veera, if your baby is 6montths,you can leave him with food(with assistance,dont leave him alone),,with tiny bits and pieces of boiled vegies, boiled apples and so,,so that even if he does not get an idea to pick it or eat it,,he knows how to pick them or play with them.,..

help replied. 1.pieces of roti,parathas, tiny pieces of idli,,dosa,uttappam,cut them in diff funny shapes with help of cookie cutters and your baby will love it ! garnish with some grated carrots and peas and its a colourful medley !!
also try other dishes from vairous culture like dhokla, muthia ( wheat flour and vegies rolls cooked in steam,,its dish from gujarat,,soft like idlis etccc),,raagi balls,,suji balls and such otherr alternatives...

2.pastas,,,comes in diff shapes and sizes,,,i guess now in india also, now stuffed pastas/raviolis are available,,just right for lil fingers,,lots of stuffng varieties are available in there,,namely,,3 cheese, chicken, eggs,spinach,mix vegetables,,5cheese,,sea foods and lot many more ! just look for the one that is made with single grain(6-8months) pastas,,whole grain to multigrains(9months and onwards)

3.small bit size pieces of vegies, cheeses (cheese above 8months),pieces of fruits or tiny fruits like grapes,small strawberries,pieces of banana,,ans such are allgreat egs of finger foods,,

4. it also includes,,pieces of tofu,soya chunks,paneer pieces,,cheese sticks,meat pieces(offer strained before 9months),or scrambled eggs(mostly above1 year) make big pieces and with light gravy of vegies or melted cheese...
ne pieces that baby is able to pick up and place in his mouth by himself !

5.the other that you yourself can make :

--1. rice balls,(overcook rice, add in some ghee, some salt/light salt and some vegie puree, ormake it a sweet delight with some banana in it or some sweet potato in it,,,and make tiny balls of it,,babies love to play nd pick them ans eat them,,best to start your child with !

2..simillarly,,you can make single grain cereal balls, pasta balls, paneeer balls and onwwards,,

3.i used to make upma, let it set in plate nd cut it in small pieces,,once set,,and my 9month old used to njoy playin with it,,in diff pieces i would add some funny colour like carrot puree, spinach puree for green,beets(above 8months) for red and it was fun for her...otherwise she would gag upma !!

4. i used to do the same with khichdi and cracked wheat khichadi,,and it was fun...also try placing a lil bowl of curd next to it,,and eat the pieces before your child while dipping in it,,,be ready formess but you will love to see them eating on thr own while dippng in sauces !!!
watever you make,make it very smooth that baby doesnt get frustrated with its drryness or it being hard to chew or swallow...
mix vegetable cutlets,,mash in all vegies,,and let it set on a plate for a while,,once a bit cool,cut it in tiny pieces with spoon or cookie cutters,,,and if needed saute it with lil tadka,,it will get roasted and outer later is just right and crispy,,,kids who are teethng loves these !
if you dont have ne thing,,just roast a single grain bread ,multigrain soft white bread,with some ghee or butter,,roast it on pan,instead of toaster or over,,,on pan the softest is not compromised fruit and vegetable sauces or fruit purees with these so that they dont feel dry to eat !!!

5.or else, offer without ne further cooking for vegetable cutles as vegies are cooked so you arent worried ...
other shop items includes : lil biscuits/teething biscuits,,parlae g,toddler cereal,,often like cherrious, and flakes(opt for low sugar o shaped cereal,,kids love them ! )and other varieties of child biscuits, flavourd biscuits that melt in mouth and are just right for introducng finger foods..,no choking is caused with these,,aas they melt ! they are in names like minivegies, mini fruits,toddler foods,gerber fruit and vegie puffs,biter biscuits, wagon wheels,zwieback toasts,,and all the series in gerber graduates as well toddler section,,,look for healthy alternativs,,,
in whole foods and speciality markets you get toddler bars,,they have fruit filling,,and is a great snack with juice in noons...

VEGETABLES: Pureed peas, squash, and sweet potatoes are well-tolerated first foods. Wash, cook, and puree well. Later, add potatoes, parsnips, eggplant, leafy greens, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, and other vegetables, cooking and mashing as needed.

FRUITS: Bananas, pears, peaches, and apples are well-tolerated first foods. Wash, cook (except bananas), and puree well. Later, add other fruits, cooking and/or mashing as needed. By 8-9 months, most babies are ready for chopped soft fruits like berries, bananas, prunes, cherries, pineapples, apricots, bananas, peaches, and oranges. Always remove seeds and pits before giving to baby.

GRAINS: Buy iron-fortified baby cereal to start rice, oatmeal, and mixed cereal). Mix with breast milk or formula. Later, add well-cooked whole grains (millet, tapioca, rice, quinoa, buckwheat, etc.) and serve mashed. most babies are ready for Cheerio-type cereal, which softens right away when liquid is added or when placed in the mouth. By this age, many babies can start eating bread, and bagels, broken into tiny pieces. you may want to offer whole grain fruit muffins. Avoid popcorn the first year.

PROTEIN FOODS: Plain soy yogurt try mashed tofu. most babies are ready for pureed lentils, chickpeas, and other beans. Make sure the texture is not too thick. Many babies are ready for pureed seeds by 9-12 months (like tahini blended in a fruit smoothie). If you use soy burgers and other fake meats, most babies can start these (cut into tiny pieces) by 12 months (depending on their tolerance for spices and flavors). Do not introduce nuts in the first year.

FATS: Fats are important for infants・brain development and growth do not limit fat or give reduced-fat foods. Try feeding baby a bit of mashed avocado Added oils are not necessary for infants who are thriving on plenty of breast milk or DHA- and ARA-fortified formula, but are not harmful if part of a mixed dish. Once the baby starts to wean off breast milk or formula, its a good idea to add ｼ teaspoon of flax oil to food per day or an age-appropriate dose of Essential Balance Junior.

as babies get older, try to include foods rich in iron (iron fortified cereal, leafy greens, beans and lentils) zinc (whole grains, beans and lentils, seeds), and calcium (fortified soy yogurt, beans and lentils, seeds, leafy greens, blackstrap molasses [mixed with fruit,



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