Starting Solids- Part2

Feeding accessories

High Chair

It was extremely difficult to feed V while he was playing with his toys. Making him sit on my lap created more of a mess with most of the food ending up on my clothes!! I have seen too many friends run behind their kids for hours while trying to feed them. Also its best to develop the habit of sitting at one place while eating food from now itself. After comparing different brands, we decided to buy the Chicco High Chair. Its very comfortable and can be used upto 3 yrs. Its also easy to install and clean. V loved it instantly!!

Spoons and Bowls:

You can either go with the regular steel bowl and spoons that we use, or buy the colourful variety which is now available for kids. Just make sure that they are sterilisation and microwave safe. I have tried a variety of spoons and my favourite is the pigeon weaning spoon (the red one in the pic above). The design makes it easier to feed. 

Bibs:

V is quite a messy eater!! Sometimes he decides he has had enough to eat but still takes food in his mouth and then sprays it all over me/ highchair/clothes. So bibs are an absolute necessity for me. I prefer plastic bibs with crumb catchers because they are easier to clean and leave no stains.   

Though its been two months since I started introducing solids to Vihaan, I have not stopped breastfeeding because right now, the portions are quite small. Also, since he has no teeth yet, I am giving him mushy food as he cant chew.

I am trying to inculcate healthy eating habits from the start by introducing steamed veges and fruits and also by avoiding sugar in meals. So far, its been good!! :)

Starting Solids - Part I

I started introducing solids to Vihaan after he completed 6 month, though some people start solids as early as 3 months. The first month was pure eyewash!! He refused to try out anything.. or eat more than a couple spoonfuls at a time. But than gradually started accepting and sometimes even enjoying the new tastes and textures.

Here are some of the foods that we started with:
Pureed fruits/ Vegetables
I started by giving steamed and mashed apple/carrot. V has developed quite a taste for it. I do not add extra sugar to either carrot or apple as they are sweet enough naturally. Peel, core and cube apple/ carrot. Give it a couple of whistles in the pressure cooker. Or steam it. Serve it. Easy Peasy. I cook an entire apple at a time and then divide it into 3-4 portions. Then I freeze the portions in separate containers. Defrost them whenever you want to serve them and viola!! instant baby chow :) You can do the same with other vegetables/ fruits too. This is also a good way to teach the baby the different fruit and veg flavours without the distraction of spices.

Home-made cerelac
V doesn't really like this, though I try to make him eat at least a little cos its healthier!!
Take one part split moong Dal and one part rice. Wash and dry them. Roast in a pan. Grind and store in an airtight container. At the time of serving you can add water and cook the mixture and serve. Adding Salt/ sugar is optional.

Store Cerelac
Though most people frown upon giving kids the store bought variety, it is definitely an easy to prepare food. Its pretty useful especially when you might have to go on a trip with the baby because all one has to do is add warm water. V lapped it up the first few days, but now refuses to eat more than a few spoonfuls.

Chapati/ Bread butter
I feed V chapati while I have food. This ways I hope he will get used to the idea of having lunch and dinner.
Chapati is harder to chew, Brown bread with butter is better to swallow. However I give V sips of water between spoonfuls because otherwise its too dry. Some people mash the chapati with milk and then serve it to the baby. 

Dal
Cooked split moong Dal with a pinch of salt. The other day, I added spinach to the dal and fed it to Vihaan. Tricked him into eating spinach... muahahahaha!!

As I am still in the introduction phase, would love to know your favourite baby recipes.

Seventh Month Milestones

V completed 7 months on the 11th of this month. Wow, time sure is flying by. Thought that I will jot down the milestones he achieved in the past month. So here goes:

Turns over and raises a bit of his stomach with his hands.

Sits unsupported, though I still keep him surrounded by pillows.

Tries to stand up with support (slow down buddy, u have to start sitting up on your own yet :P )

Says bababababababa

Turns when someone calls him

Does not like it when I take a toy aways from him

Likes playing peek-a-boo

Passes an object from one hand to another.

He is developing a personality of his own with his own likes and dislikes :P He selects the toys he wants to play with. its fun watching this cuddly little bundle you got home from the hospital turn into a little person :)

I have also started feeding him with solids (he was breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months) But that's a topic for a different blog.

Leaving you guys with his seventh month pic :)

Vaccination Schedule

I just dread the days when I have to take Vihaan for his Vaccination :( But then vaccines are important in our country where you can easily catch an infection before you can say "Achoo" :-/ So I have uploaded Vihaan's vaccination schedule. The Doctor gave me this file on his birth and it has a list of all vaccines required till Vihaan turns 15!! Also listed are some optional vaccines which you may or may not give the child.

Painless Vaccines:

Now a days, a painless vaccine is available for DPT (Diphtheria+Pertussis+Tetanus). It is called Dtap. Although it is not totally painless, it reduces the pain and swelling at the point of injection and also reduces the chances of developing a fever. However, some children show the usual fever and swelling symptoms even after taking this vaccine. It is best if you apply a little ice at the point of injection to prevent swelling.

Optional Vaccines:
The Doctor till date has recommended Rota virus and Vaxigrip. Check out the links below for more info:

General Info about Vaccines: http://www.allforkidsindia.com/allforkids/Resources/VaccineOptions.aspx
Rota virus: http://www.rotavirusvaccine.org/
Vaxigrip: http://www.prajishsankar.com/blog/health-and-fitness/vaxigrip-get-influenza-vaccine-to-protect-yourself-from-flu-influenza-a-and-influenza-b-virus/

New Baby Essentials

Mental preparations aside, here are a few tips on how to be prepared for your new arrival :)

In India, it is customary not to shop for you unborn child. The clothes for the newborn child would be provided mostly by other relatives who would have preserved the clothes of when their children were new born. But now there are a wide variety of choices available. So its better to make your own choices and be prepared with the things you need for the baby. These are a few things that you can decide on before your baby arrives.

Crib/ Baby Cot

Will the baby sleep in your bed or in a separate cot. If you are planning to keep the baby in the cot, then it is better to get the baby habituated to sleeping in the cot from day 1. So its good to have the crib ready. If you are planning to have the baby sleep in your bed, then there are some baby cushions available for that too. Don't forget your mosquito nets too.   

 

Disposable Diapers/ Cloth Diapers

A large variety of diapers are now available, whether they are cloth diapers or disposable. If you are cloth diapering with langots, then you need at least 12-18 in a day, and that's if you plan to use disposables in the night. I always keep a pack of disposable diapers ready in case of emergencies :P I use Pampers Active baby.

Clothes

Some basics that you'll need:
3 Cotton shirts for daytime wear
Leggings in case of cold climates
Onesies which cover the whole body for night time.
Socks/ mittens for daytime.
Swaddling Clothes (If you plan to swaddle the baby)

Bath Time Accessories

You can buy a proper baby bath tub if you are planning to bathe the baby yourself. If you have a dai coming in for massaging and bathing the baby, then all you will need is

Towel

Baby Soap

Baby powder

New Born Toys

Thought the baby is going to spend most of its time sleeping over the next few months, its good to have some bright colourful musical toys to entertain the baby with when he is awake.