Feeding

Breast feeding only till 6 months ( continue till 2 years if possible ).

6- 9 months -Purée (sticks to spoon) and mashed food, 2-3 meals with breast feeding, 2-3 tablespoons. Can use locally available food apple, ragi, rava (semolina), rice, carrot, beans, banana, ghee, jaggery. Few sips of water.

9 -12 month -Finger food, soft, small pieces, 2-3 meals and 2 snacks, about ½ a cup. Dal, rice, khichdi, paneer, dosa, idly in addition to above foods.

Above 12 months -Family pot diet, 2-3 meals and 2 snacks, full cup. What ever the family consumes– cereals, fruits, vegetables, diary, meat.

· Breast milk is like liquid gold! Breast milk is the best as it has innumerable benefits for mother and child.

· Avoid bottle feeding .

· In certain situations (low birth weight, preterm) your doctor might recommend substitutes.

· Home feeds are best. Packaged food and bakery items (biscuits) should be discouraged.

· Avoid extra salt and sugar.

Not eating enough , avoids meals – stressful experience. Remember that genetics , feeding experience, medical conditions can affect feeding.

· Avoid distractions (television, phones).

· Maintain regular feeding times.

· Allow the child to eat (tolerate mess).

· Avoid snacks in between meals (grazing).

· Make it an enjoyable experience, avoid power struggle, don’t force your child.

· Start from small quantities and build up.

· Offer choices (1 new food, along with 1 already tasted food). Try new food once in 2-3 days.

· Mix a a preferred food with new one, may be make the texture and taste more preferable.

· Model healthy eating habits .Have healthy food with them.

· Praise them. Motivate them.

· It is more commonly observed (than typically developing children).

· Sensory issues – smell, texture, taste can be bothering.

· Mouthing of inedible substances (pica).

· Muscle tight or weak- can affect chewing, swallowing.

1. Children with developmental concerns (Autism, cerebral palsy, delays and other concerns) might need extra assistance and individual strategies. Contact your developmental team and paediatrician for further assistance.

2. Extremely selective (eat under 10 items, not growing well, nutritionally inadequate )

3. Gagging, vomiting, choking, allergy, pain on eating.

West coast feeding and behaviour have videos on picture support (visual contingencies ) , offering choices.

Autism speaks -feeding and pica tool kit

Positioning your child -module 3 , Hambisela (Getting to know cerebral palsy )