Dr. Mangesh Pate

Lybrate - Dr. Gorika Bansal talks About Complementary Feeding

Hello everyone. My name is Dr. Gorika Bansal and I am pediatrician practicing in green park. Today I will be talking about complementary feeding. Complementary feeding means introduction of new food into your baby’s diet. When he turns 6 months in age. So now the question that may pop in your head is why only at 6 months? Why not earlier this is? because baby’s demand is completely met by the breast milk that you give to the baby until 6 months of age. But, as the baby grows older his requirement his nutrient requirements grow exponentially as its gaining weight, height and brain development is happening at a very faster rate so the nutrients requirement also really increase and that is why we have we have to introduce all these new foods apart from milk to take care of all these additional nutrient requirements.

Now next question would be what all can we give to the baby? when he turns 6 months so for example, we can start with porridge that is kheer you can give chawal ka kheer or sooji ka kheer or may be a halva make sure that the consistency of the kheer is liquid or may be a thick liquid not as thin as a milk but yes but not as solid not like semi-solid food. It should be in between the semi-solid and the liquid consistency. So it can provide the right amount of the nutrient value. So porridge is one, second you can give mashed fruit to the baby which may include mashed papaya, banana, apple, oranges and mango of course other option would be daal and chawal so daal chawal, khichdi can be made into the grovel form and can be served to the baby. To improve the taste of the khichdi we can also add salt for pat ability. Other things that we can give to the baby would include maybe a fruit custard or a fruit yogurt curd can also be the other good option or maybe a lassi which may be namkeen or sweetened also we can give different kind of soup like a vegetable soup, chicken soup, palak soup etc. Even boiled steamed vegetables are every good option which can be mashed and give it to the baby. Mashed potatoes is something that babies really love, even mashed sweet potatoes, so all these are good option and if you are a south Indian may be upma could work really well may be at least sambar can be really well in that case. At least sambar is something that you can put idli into it and then again comes a grovel form you can server to the baby.

Now let’s come to the next question. How many time you should serve this to the baby? So as I said we do not have to cut down the milk. Milk has to be continued the way it used to be apart from the milk feed we give new foods 2-3 times in a day to a 6-8 months old baby. Why if the baby is 9-12 months old we give these food 3-4 times a day. How much quantity to give now? So the quantity of course baby is going to decide how much he want to eat. To begin with, you have to be very gradual. So start with the teaspoon of the meal and gradually build it up so the requirement for the baby at the age of 6-8 months would be around 3 tablespoon per meal. While for 9-12 months old baby, requirement may be up to half a cup of the meal. But as I said, It is not a thumb rule that your baby decides how much he want to eat. When you are preparing these foods make sure the hygiene of the food. Make sure your hands are washed. Your baby’s hands are washed because he is going to put his fingers into the food start liking on it. So make sure all of that is in place. Also the utensils are nicely cleaned. Other thing is that you can start for you baby is of course water. What am I usually asked by the parents. Because in summer months kids may be dehydrated.

Water is something you can start now. But water should be given only after the food not before the food because it is going to kill the hunger after because it is going to take care of the oral hygiene as well. Salt and sugar as I said can also be used for palatability but in very minimal amounts. Another thing I would like to add is the commercial products that they usually sell for babies like celeriac should only be a fall back option it should be given once in a while and shouldn’t be given regularly because these products has preservatives. Preferable would be giving homemade food to the baby. Unless and until you are traveling that is a different case in which you can use celeriac. So some babies would really love eating what you are giving them some may puke out the food that you are giving. In case they vomit out the food, do not get dishearten, do not stop giving them food you are giving. But of course do a bit of variation as sweet food is definitely a win situation at the babies. You can probably start with fruit purees to begin with if he is not liking something you are giving. The food that he vomited you can re-introduce that food after a week time. So having said that all these little things, you need to keep giving to the baby and ensure that you maintain the nutrient value and of course the taste for the baby as well. And of course the colorful foods are really cherished by them. Colorful sweet and liquid consisting food.

That’s all from me and all the very best and in case you have any queries any questions, you can contact me on the Lybrate home page or you could visit my clinic in green park, for any question or queries you can always leave a message on my number
Thank you so much.




 

Your baby's skin is soft and sensitive. Being cautious can reduce the chances of skin infections, but it doesn't in any way refute the possibility altogether. Hence, you must be overly careful. Your baby could face intense discomfort if you happen to neglect the appearance of diaper rashes. Persistent rashes on your baby's bottom can make him or her irritable. Look into the causes and remedies of diaper rash in children to keep your baby cheerful.

Causes of Diaper Rash in Babies:

1. Friction and lack of air circulation between the skin and the diaper can make your baby suffer from rashes. Make sure the baby doesn't rub against a diaper for too long; existing rashes can go worse in that case.
2. You should never let your child remain in a dirty diaper for more than a while. A dirty diaper increases the risk of bacterial infections on your baby's bottom.
3. Skin chafing could also be the reason behind diaper rashes.
4. Yeast infections could surface in the form of rashes on a baby's bottom. Yeast or fungus is present in small amounts in every person's body. It can be easily developed in the moist yet warm atmosphere of a child's diaper. Being the mother, if you are on medications, your child's chances of contracting skin rashes is likely to be more. The side effects show in children as they are breastfed.

Ways to Treat Diaper Rash in Babies:

1. Each time a diaper is changed; the area must be washed with lukewarm water and cleaned with a soft piece of cloth. The area should then be dried completely. It is best to avoid soaps as they can be harsh on sensitive skin.
2. Applying ointments or petroleum jelly can soothe diaper rash. Powder can keep the area dry; it can also remedy itching.
3. Feed your child liquids like cranberry juice; it makes his or her urine less concentrated. Concentrated urine can cause severe bacterial infection.

Related Tip: "Diaper Rash: 8 Questions Answered by Dermatologist"

Has your child been coughing frequently? Is the cough chronic in nature, making your child breathe rapidly and does he/she complain about a tightened chest? These symptoms signify that your child is having asthma. Asthma is a medical condition characterized by paroxysmal wheezing respiration dyspnoea. It is common in children and an affected child experiences difficulty in breathing, and a whizzing sound is produced, especially during expiration. Asthma may lead to severe health complications and needs immediate diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosis: The diagnosis of asthma is based on the symptoms, medical history and a physical examination of the child.

The different modes of asthma diagnosis are as follows:

1. Medical history and symptoms: You must tell the doctor about any history of breathing trouble with your child or whether there are chances of other inherited health conditions. You must explain your child's symptoms properly, which may include coughing, wheezing, chest pain or tightness and others if observed.
2. Physical examination: A physical exam will be carried out in your child where the doctor will listen to his heart and lungs, and look for eye or nose allergies.
3. Medical tests: A chest X-ray of the child has to be carried out, along with a simple lung function test known as spirometry. This test measures the amount of air present in the lungs and determines how fast it can be exhaled. Spirometry enables a doctor to determine the severity of the asthma. Some other tests are also carried out for the identification of asthma triggers. They include allergy skin testing, blood tests and X-rays to know if sinus infections are affecting the asthma. An asthma test determines the amount of nitric oxide in your child's breath.

Treatment: Based on your child's severity of asthma symptoms and his medical history, the doctor will provide you with an action plan to treat the same. This action plan explains all the medications your child requires, the dosage and schedule of the medicines. The plan also includes points on what to do when the asthma worsens and when an emergency treatment is required. Anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to children who require bronchodilator medication. All asthma medicines used by adults can be used in case of children but in lower dosages.

You should give the asthma medications to your child using a home nebulizer or a breathing machine. A nebulizer delivers asthma drugs by transforming them from liquid to a mist. The child gets the drug by breathing it via a face mask.

In order to control and manage asthma in children, they must avoid the triggers and should keep away from any source of smoke. A doctor must be consulted to know about the best diagnosis and treatment methods.

Asthma is a respiratory disorder, which is characterized by the narrowing down and inflammation of the inner lining of the airways of the lung, resulting in excessive secretion of mucous. The airways are responsible for the passage of air from and to the lungs. Asthma can affect any person of any age group; however, the symptoms of the condition can vary. The symptoms of asthma include severe pain in the chest, coughing and problems in breathing, interruption in sleep due to breathing problems and a croaking sound during exhalation. Asthma, in most cases, tends to be chronic and can exist throughout your life with eventual changes in the nature of attack.

The most common causes of asthma are:

1. Common cold and allergies from dust particles, smoke and minute insects might be catalysts for asthma.
2. Suffering from severe anxiety might also cause asthma.
3. Asthma might occur as a result of physical exercise and as a side effect of some medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin.

As of now, asthma is incurable. But medications can control the symptoms. Homeopathic preparations can also be useful for the treatment of asthma. Some common homeopathic remedies are as follows:
1. Arsenic album: If the symptoms include severe episodes of stress and nervousness, immense thirst but the inability to drink much water, severe attacks at night and intense pain in the upper right portion of the chest, Arsenic Album might be very useful to cure the problem.
2. Nux Vomica: If the attack is primarily caused because of gastric disorders or sudden outbursts of anger along with symptoms of dry cough, headaches and stomach aches, Nux Vomica might be used as a remedial medicine.
3. Carbo Veg: Carbo veg can be recommended if the symptoms include a pale face at the time of attack along with cold feet and hands and an itchy sensation in the larynx.
4. Kali bichromicum and Moschus: If the attacks become worse in the morning accompanied by yellow mucus discharge, the above mentioned homeopathic preparations are recommended. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a homeopath and ask a free question.

Iron is an essential nutrient and mineral that is required by adults and children alike. Iron helps move oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and helps muscles store and use oxygen. It is especially important for children because it aids development and prevents anaemia. Untreated iron deficiency in children can cause physical and mental delays. It can lead to less healthy red blood cells in the child's blood stream which will cause a delay in the growth of physical and mental faculties.

Risk factors for iron deficiency in children

Infants and children at highest risk of iron deficiency include:

1. Babies who are born prematurely or have a low birth weight
2. Babies who drink cow's milk before age 1
3. Breast-fed babies who aren't given complementary foods containing iron after age 6 months
4. Babies who drink formula that isn't fortified with iron
5. Children ages 1 to 5 who drink more than 24 ounces (710 milliliters) of cow's milk, goat's milk or soy milk a day
6. Children who have certain health conditions, such as chronic infections or restricted diets
7. Children ages 1 to 5 who have been exposed to lead
8. Adolescent girls also are at higher risk of iron deficiency because their bodies lose iron during menstruation.

Symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia

The signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia in children may include:

1. Pale skin
2. Fatigue or weakness
3. Slow cognitive and social development
4. Inflammation of the tongue
5. Difficulty maintaining body temperature
6. Increased likelihood of infections
7. Unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances, such as ice, dirt or pure starch

Prevent iron deficiency in children

Take steps to prevent iron deficiency in your child by paying attention to his or her diet. For example:

1. Breast-feed or use iron-fortified formula. Breast-feeding until your child is age 1 is recommended. If you don't breast-feed, use iron-fortified infant formula.
2. Encourage a balanced diet. When you begin serving your baby solids, typically between ages 4 months and 6 months, feed him or her foods with added iron, such as iron-fortified baby cereal. For older children, good sources of iron include red meat, chicken, fish, beans and dark green leafy vegetables. Between ages 1 and 5, don't allow your child to drink more than 24 ounces (710 milliliters) of milk a day.
3. Enhance absorption. Vitamin C helps promote the absorption of dietary iron. You can help your child absorb iron by offering foods rich in vitamin C, such as melon, strawberries, kiwi, broccoli, tomatoes and potatoes.
4. Consider iron supplements. If your baby was born prematurely or with a low birth weight or you're breast-feeding a baby older than 4 months and he or she isn't eating two or more servings a day of iron-rich foods, talk to your child's doctor about oral iron supplements.

Make sure that you watch out for the tell tale signs of iron deficiency and take the necessary precautions to avoid the same. If you wish to discuss about any specific child related problem, you can consult a specilized pediatrician and ask a free question.