When your baby is eight months old, it’s time to introduce a balanced diet because they need it for their growth and development processes. Indian infants are accustomed to specific cultural foods and diets; hence crafting a suitable food chart is important. Curating a menu for an infant with so many inputs from everywhere will be a confusing and concerning journey for any parent. That’s Why BuddingStar – the top parenting website in India has shared various tips on parenting and creating a nutritious food chart for the little ones in your house. This nutrition guide discusses an Indian infant’s 8 months baby food chart aimed at offering a proper and diverse diet.
Introduction to Solids:
By this time, you may find that an eight-month-old baby inquisitively explores different textures and tastes of foods. You can gradually begin introducing different solids to develop and activate taste buds, as well as learn self-feeding abilities. Start with smooth baby food but make sure it is pureed well because not all children like that at first. Then go up to chewable bites. But do not forget to continue to breastfeed or formula-feed milk to your baby as when required. You can include cereals and grains like softened rice, oatmeal, Suji and Ragi.
Essential Nutrients:
Ensure an all-round balanced nutrition with necessary minerals like iron, calcium, proteins, etc., along with vital vitamins. Add foods such as lentils, rice, vegetables, and dairy to your baby’s meal.
Breakfast Ideas:
Give a healthy breakfast to kick-start your baby’s day. By 7:30 AM give them some finger foods or boiled and chopped eggs with a glass of water. To start with you can give them a fruit or a smoothie. As the week progresses you can incorporate some mashed ripe bananas with a few scoops of ground nuts to provide proteins and good fats. Alternatively, you can also give them idlis and offer a little mellow version of coconut chutney or sambar.
Lunch Ideas:
Ensure that after a nap they have their lunch by 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. A basic Suji Upma can work as your lunch. Other options include Rasam Rice or Dalia. Start with light and a little bland options and you can slowly add the spics to it.
Dinner Delights:
Teaching them to have an early dinner by 7:00 PM right from a young age is an important tip as it helps the kid to sleep earlier and also gives them enough time to digest the food. Give mashed potatoes with little ghee/yoghurt because they are crucial to growth in the brain. Or start with Dal rice and paneer cubes and you can slowly take it to the next stage.
Fluid Intake:
Offer breast milk or breast milk substitutes as a major source of food. Add water and the thinned-out juices will help keep the baby well-hydrated. Do not introduce cow’s milk as the main beverage for your child before he or she is one year old.
The texture of the Food:
Start by introducing purees and then move gradually to finely chopped or mashed food as your child begins to explore different textures. Hence, it fosters chewing skills and helps them to eat independently.
Allergen Introduction:
Start with introducing allergenic foods such as eggs, peas, and seafood, one after another taking note of any adverse effects. It’s important to seek advice from a paediatrician if you intend to introduce common allergens.
Curate a Food Chart:
When you repeat the same dish every day or on alternate days, the baby might start to not like it. Hence including wide options and yet the appropriate ones is necessary. Hence you can prepare a food chart. For the first week give them very basic and bland options and as the week progresses explore the other options. For more information and ideas, check out BuddinStar’s food charts that are nutritious and healthy and save your time from breaking your head over your baby’s food routine!
Putting together an appropriate 8-month baby food chart for Indian babies is a balancing act that requires the consideration of tastes, textures and nutrients. Make sure you observe your baby when introducing new foods in order to know what the baby likes or dislikes. However, remember that each baby is special and ask your paediatrician for individual guidance. With this nutrition guide, you can enjoy cooking a nutritious meal for your infants and explore new options as well.