First Baby Meal

Introduction of solids is an important milestone. It is the beginning of change in the baby's diet and nutrition. It is the time when a baby learns and understands about his or her body. It is also the time when baby acquires and learns natural instincts and decision-making abilities. Hence, it is very important for parents to introduce not only the right foods, but also the right strategy of feeding. 

Certain feeding techniques which were followed by our ancestors, which aided in good physical and mental health, have almost become obsolete now. For example, eating in sitting position only. Ideally, we are supposed to sit on floor and eat. But we are not even sitting on the dining table and chair and eating. Our gut is made to assimilate and digest food; and absorb nutrients while we eat food in sitting position. Hence, eating while standing or walking, or even worse lying down on bed, is completely unhealthy. It will not only cause improper digestion of foods, it will also lead to poor absorption of nutrients. All these discrepancies lead to certain health conditions like nutritional deficiencies, mental disorders like depression, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and a range of lifestyle disorders like diabetes, hypertension, kidney disorders, liver disorders, cardiac problems and so on. This is a very short list and actually the list can go on.

We are all what we eat and we all seem to have conveniently forgotten that aspect! And we are just passing on such poor diet and nutrition strategies to our child and grandchildren. Can we stop it here please?

Another strategy of feeding which we all seem to have forgotten is eating with the family. It has such wonderful benefits! Bonding among family members increases. Bonding happens best during infancy and toddler age. Hence, even an infant must participate in family meal time. At least 2 meals a day must be eaten with the family. Family meal time also teaches the child potion control and eating all types of family foods.

Such and other discrepancies in parenting have pushed me into hosting this website which teaches new parents about various strategies to feed the baby the right way. As the baby reaches 4 months of age, parents are enthusiastic and anxious to introduce solids, but are fraught with many questions like 'how and when to introduce solid foods?'. The phase of weaning is interesting for both parents and babies. This blog is an attempt to teach new parents how and when solids must be introduced, what types of foods must be given and what precautions must be taken.