Weaning is the process in which an infant’s diet pattern is gradually changed from liquid foods like breast milk and substitute milk preparations to cooked solid foods. This process can be started from the age of 3 to 4 months. The time of introduction of solid foods is an individual matter, influenced by the maturity of the infant its appetite, digestion and the absence of a tendency towards food allergies.

One can start weaning with cereal foods provided the food is cooked soft and mashed to a thin consistency. Non-starch soups, creamy and smooth solid foods such as mashed vegetables and fruits may be gradually introduced during the weaning period. The introduction of fruits and vegetables will correct the deficiency of iron in breast milk and of both iron and Vitamin C in bottled milk. Only firm and fully ripe fruits should be used. Soft fruits such as papaya and oranges can also be given.

At the age of about 6 months most babies are ready to accept easily digestible, starchy foods and develop a strong liking for solid foods. The child can be given boiled and mashed potatoes, plain or with the addition of a little salt and lemon juice. Other vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin. Cauliflower and spinach are also suitable. The vegetables can also be cooked with milk or butter milk.

Sweet pota­toes, carrots and pumpkin can be boiled, mashed and then cooked with a little jiggery or sugar. Baked potatoes and sweet potatoes can be given. Gruels and puddings prepared from cereals with or without legumes can be gradually introduced. Commercially available foods such as ‘Farex’ and ‘Bal Amul’ can be given if one can afford them and if the child likes them; but they are not essential.

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Solid foods can be first introduced at lunch time and extended gradually to other meals. Weaning also helps the child to get introduced to different tastes so that by the time it is fully weaned the child is able to consume a wider variety of foods items. Children who are brought up on a variety of foods are healthier than those brought up just on milk and biscuits, fruit juice and vitamins. A mixed balanced diet will also protect the body from deficiency diseases. Eventually the diet can be brought in line with the dietary habits and taste patterns of the family.

The gastro-intestinal system of the full-term infant is able to digest protein, emulsified fats and simple carbohydrates, but starches and most fats are not easily tolerated till the digestive enzyme produc­tion is more fully developed. The kidneys reach their full functional capacity by the end of the first year.