As per Ayurveda, whatever food the pregnant mother takes, it is divided into three parts- one part is for the mother’s nutrition, one part is for developing nutrients in breast milk and the remaining part is for nourishment of the fetus.

After birth, child should be breastfed within an hour and exclusive breastfeeding should be carried out up to 6 months of age. During this phase, additional food or fluid is not required as breast milk is nutritionally complete for child’s growth and development and it protects from infections and strengthens immune system.
Ayurveda has well emphasised benefits of breastfeeding and has stated that breast milk alone is needed for growth and development of the child.
After six months of age, breast milk alone is not enough to meet the requirements of growing child. The gap between nutritional requirement and amount obtained from breast milk increases with age. So complementary feeding has to be initiated during this period to meet up with the extra energy requirements.
Complementary feeding refers to food which complements breast milk and ensures that the child continues to have enough energy, protein and other nutrients to grow normally.

Ayurveda has also greatly emphasized complementary feeding practices and its initiation is considered as an important milestone in the life of the child. Breast feeding should be continued along with complimentary feeding up to 2 years of age.
Ayurvedic classics have mentioned gradual withdrawal of breast feeding and introduction of fruits or semisolid food as “Phalaprasana- Annaprasana”. It is considered as an important milestone in the growth and development of the child.
Ayurveda instructs introduction of fruits during 6th month of life, which indicates feeding the child with fruits and fruit juices. This has a very scientific backing on the lines that breastmilk is deficient in vitamin C, which is complemented with fruit purees and juices.
Introduction of cereals as semisolids ie, Annaprasana has been explained by Ayurveda after eruption of teeth which is around 8-10th month.

CONSISTENCY OF FOOD

Infants can eat pureed, mashed and semisolid foods beginning at six months.
various fruits in the 6th month (Phalaprasana) which can be given as puree or in mashed form. By 8 months,most infants can also eat finger foods. And by 12 months, most children can eat the same types of foods as consumed by the rest of the family or let’s say from “the family pot”.

PRECAUTION

Foods that can cause choking such as nuts, grapes, raw carrots should be avoided. For small children, the food should not contain particulate matter that may trigger gag reflex or vomiting. Thin gruels do not provide enough energy. A young infant, particularly during 6-9 months, requires thick but smooth mixtures. Food that sticks on to spoon is the right consistency. After eruption of teeth or in 10th month, feeding of cereals (annaprasana) should be done after making food soft in consistency by mashing and can add bit of ghee also.

Why add GHEE ?

Ghee not only add calorific value to the food but ayurvedically it has multifactorial benefits. Energy density of the food is increased by adding Ghee. On one hand it improves digestion, improves vision, nourishes skin and also builds up the intellect. Caution is to add ghee from 2 drops to quarter spoon and bit by bit increase the quantity.
Too much of ghee may cause stomach irritation or digestion difficulties but food without any unctuousness may cause constipation. Look for baby’s digestion and decide with your instincts.

WHY SHOULD WE ADD PINCH OF SALT ?

Adding salt to food improves palatability, kindles digestive fire and increases bioavailability. Himalayan salt is a good choice.

QUANTITY

At 6 months of age, feed should be started with small amount as much as 1-2 teaspoons and the quantity is increased gradually as the child gets older and starts to accept food better. Quantity of food to be given to the child should be equal to size of thumb in the beginning and should be fortified effectively. Child should be given time to adapt gradually from smaller quantity to larger quantity.

FREQUENCY

An average healthy breastfed infant needs complementary foods 2-3 times per day at 6-8 months of age and 3-4 times per day at 9-24 months. For children of 12-24 months of age, additional nutritious snacks such as a piece of fruit should also be offered 1-2 times per day. If energy density or amount of food per meal is low, or the child is no longer breastfed, more frequent meals should be provided. When semisolid foods are being introduced one must feed the infant 3 to 5 times daily.

HYGIENE

Good hygiene and proper food handling should be practiced, to prevent children from infections and malnutrition. Hygienic practices should be followed during food preparation, storage and feeding. It is advised to have trimmed nails while preparing baby food. Feeding the infants and children should be an active, engaging and interactive affair.

THE CONCEPT OF MONO DIET

The concept that Agni or baby’s digestive fire needs time to understand and adapt to each food in order to digest it. Therefore, it is advised that we should introduce one food at a time. Keep this food for some time until you are sure the child can digest it and there is no colic, skin reaction and then introduce the next food.
If we give bunch of different foods at the same meal even if they are mixed and made into a puree it becomes heavy altogether. This is because the Agni (or digestive enzymes) need to sort out the different foods in order to digest them fully.

AYURVEDIC COMPLIMENTARY FOODS

Weaning foods should be acceptable culturally, available locally, inexpensive, may be home made, clean and hygienic. The foods should be suitable to child, rich in energy and nutrients, prepared easily and easily digestible.

RECEIPES

1. Around 9-12th month, child should be fed with gruels prepared with husk free rice, mixed with oleaginous substances like ghee and pinch of Himalayan salt.
Rice (Oryza sativa) is rich in carbohydrate and also contains vitamins and minerals like Iron, Zinc, Calcium etc. It is a good promoter of nourishment and is easily digestible. Wheat and Barley can be cooked and given to the child according to congeniality. Wheat ( Triticum aestivum) contains carbohydrates, proteins, fatty acids, minerals etc and has body nourishing and immunomodulatory actions. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) contains starch, sugars, fats, proteins and glycosides. It imparts strength and stoutness to body. Gruels prepared out of these cereals can be given to the child with proper fortification of nutrients.

2. Embelia ribes (false black pepper) cooked with salt and oleaginous substances is also beneficial to the child especially in the one having diarrhoea. It is beneficial in treating helminthic and other gastrointestinal disorders.

3. Kodrava (Paspalum scrobiculatum Linn.)
(Kodo millet) is a good substitute for wheat or rice and is rich in fibre content. It has good antioxidant activity which helps in managing persistent gastrointestinal disturbances.

4. One can start with Moong dal water also. Moong lentils are most easily digested lentils and are good source of proteins for the baby.

5. Vegetable purees can be of:
• Sweet Pumpkin
• Bottle gourd
• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Spinach
• Sweet potatoes

6. Yogurt is also a rich source of probiotic but should not be served to a baby in the night meal, or on a rainy day. Yogurt is avoided if baby has cough, cold or fever.

7. Sweet balls to cope up with the nutritional deficiencies and other gastrointestinal related disorders arising during weaning period. These are preparations specially developed to meet the nutritional needs of the infant.
PRIYALA MAJJADI MODAKA – This weaning food can be used for improving infant’s nutritional status and is prepared by using powders of priyala majja (Buchanania lanzan), yasthimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), laja(rice pops), sitopala (sugarcandy) and madhu (honey). It is easily palatable and is rich in nutrients. Both Priyala and Yashti are sweet in taste and pacify vata-pitta. They have nourishing properties of all tissues and promotes strength.

DHATKYADI MODAKA- It is prepared with Dhatakipushpa (Woodfordia fruticosa), Sharkara (sugar candy) and Laja (rice pop) and is good for children who suffer from repeated attacks of diarrhoeal disorders as it is having antihelminthic, constipating, antibacterial properties.

BALA BILVADI MODAKA – It is indicated in infants with weak digestive capacity. It is prepared with Bala Bilva (Unripe fruit of Aegle marmelos) Ela (cardamom), sharkara (sugar candy), laja saktu (rice pops). Bala Bilva is having hot potency and it kindles digestive fire. Ela improves digestion and taste. In all the three nutritional supplements, the ingredients have good nutritional value in addition to their medicinal properties. Adding ghrita (Ghee) and jaggery will again increase the caloric value making them energy dense food.

Above are pure receipes taken from Ayurvedic classics where they just mention the ingredients and nothing more. We can assume to use equal parts of all proportions and mix together and use.

GENERAL TIPS

1. Start new food in the morning only as it will be easy for day-long digestion and never in the evening or night.
2. Prefer fresh homemade food which has high bioavailability.
3. Do not be in a hurry to feed the baby.
4. Always check for baby’s tongue. If it is coated white it means baby’s digestion is bit sluggish.
5. Massage the baby for better digestion.
6. Avoid introducing raw veggies to baby in first year of life. It might be pretty hard to digest for them.

It is my personal conviction that mother’s instincts are the best guide. One can read and attain knowledge from books, videos, blogs but it is the mother who knows best in child’s interest. Just remember children are your mini genetic pool, what you like is what they also desire. Respect their needs and make a balance in their food just as you balance a cycle. Try to make the meal time interesting by adding varieties of food especially in the texture and colours to their plate.

Have a happy mealtime!

 

 

Dr Radha Jindal is a gold medalist in Ayurvedic Pediatrics and a Nadi Consultant. Guides to an Ayurvedic life by means of diet-lifestyle changes. Highly associated with The Art of Living International Foundation since year 2002. Member of Sri Sri Global Meditating Doctors Assosiation (SSGMDA). Member of International Academy of Ayurveda &Panchkarma, Jamnagar.

 

 

 

festiwal wibracje 2021