Parenthood is a wonderful phase of life as it is associated with lovely situations where you can see your sweet little baby grow everyday; physically, mentally and in many different ways. Everyday little changes and newly learnt activities are seen.
Observing your child's developmental progress vanishes all the stress that comes from the tough situations that are faced by the parents bringing up their child.
The period of 'growth and development' is very important when the children should be properly taken care of. All their basic needs should be fulfilled at proper time to help them achieve good health, good strength, good brain.
Nutrional need of a child stands before anything else. That is because only proper nutrition can meet body's requirements of a child's growth and development and improves the immune system.
Some important points are covered following in this blog regarding the nourishment of a child.
Ways to take care of child's nutritional needs-
1) NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
This category mainly includes calcium, iron, vitamin D3 and multivitamin syrups upto the age of atleast 2 years when the growth of bones and development of teeth play a very important role.
Iron plays important role in haemoglobin synthesis. Haemoglobin carries oxygen which is supplied all over the body via blood stream. And oxygen is very essential for the growth and development of a child.
All these supplements are essential till your baby starts having whole diet ( diet that meets all the nutritional needs).
2) DRY FRUITS
'All the dry fruits are very good for our health.' Especially they are very beneficial in child's growth and development.
Almond and wallnut are known to be good for development of brain.
Both are rich in vitamin E, folate and omega-3 fatty acids. These contents help improve brain functions.
Dates are rich in iron, calcium and vitamins. Including dates in your child's diet can be very beneficial.
Raisins can also be included in a child's diet as they are also rich in vitamins and minerals.
All the dry fruits should be included in diet after the age of 6 months in different ways as possible.
3) FRUITS
Apple, banana and chickoo lies among those category of fruits which can be started right after the 6 months of the birth.
Banana and chickoo can be mashed and fed easily.
Other citrus fruits or sour fruits should be avoided for the beginning few months to prevent your baby from cough. Instead pomegranate in the form of juice can be given in a little quantity.
As the baby grows, it is best to give seasonal fruits. But always try a little quantity of the fruit first. If your baby seems okay with it, you can increase the quantity.
4) VEGETABLES
Vegetables can be fed in many ways. As all the veggies are rich in vitamins and minerals, they are essential for the growth and development of the child.
Tomatoes, carrots and potatoes are the vegetables which you can include in baby foods from 7 to 8 months onwards. Starting with a little quantity and thin consistency to increasing them as your baby accepts it.
Tomatoes rich in antioxidants and vitamin C mainly, carrots are rich in Vitamin A which is beneficial for the vision and potatoes in starch, potassium and all.
Beetroot which is fibre rich root also provides mainly iron in good quantity. It can be started when your baby starts accepting new veggies in diet; the best rule always being "test everything you introduce for the first time by feeding a little quantity first. Wait and see the response of the child. If everything seems fine, then go for more.“
Ones your child cross his 9 months of age you can even serve him with the food containing little salt or sugar in it. ' This is the best time you can include other vegetables which you have in your daily meals.
Spinach and other leafy vegetables added to the food can work great. Leafy vegetables are rich in vitamins which are important for proper growth and development of the child and for its well functioning.
All the above written are only the basic things to be considered and the information shared here is more regarding the proper time for the proper food to be introduced to the child.
Different ways of feeding certain food stuffs will be included in the next blog. So keep reading. Thank you. 😊
