Understand! DON'T misunderstand a one year old's eating cues.



Babyb's birthday and Eid day was on the same day. She had been a fair eater since we started solids but ever since that day, She has been on an eating strike- reason- her cold and cough, followed by fever and all the exertion due to festivities. I as a mom was fretting so much over her not eating and I still get panicky at times. But after reading several articles and asking for suggestions on parenting platforms, following are the points I would summarize what helped me improve my parenting ways:



1. The journey has just begun and there will be times when the baby would do absolutely the opposite of what you expect and want. Relax! And easy mommy!! Your toddler is a baby and not a computer that would work a certain way on processing a certain fixed instructions from you. So don't expect, just explore.;


2.Feed home-cooked and not ready-to-eat packed cereals. You cook meals at home for everyone, then why not the baby? Why the expensive store bought cereals for them and the natural rice and wheat and pulses and vegetables for yourself?



3.Follow their cues, don't expect them to follow yours. After all, you are the parent and they are the kids.



4.Go back and ask yourself to stop exaggerating or undermining. When you say the kid is on a hunger strike-does that mean the baby just did not eat anything or ate a spoon or two.( because for a year old, sometimes even a spoonful may be enough).


5.Don't expect them to become an expert eater just because they turned 1. There will be days when they would hang on to your breast as if exclusively feeding breast milk only. And thats fine. Breasts are for feeding and let them enjoy their supper for thats what gave them comfort and warmth when they first entered the world.


6.Keep offering food. Different colour, different taste. They will definately eat atleast a spoon of 3 things out of the 5 that you offer. Or atleast 2 or 1 or breastmilk. (Isn't breastmilk, their food too)


7.Don't give the same food. Can you eat the same daal-rice combo straight, for even a single day?? Then why expect the baby to keep eating the same porridge/cereal day in and day out- just because it promises more nutrition than the home cooked food. Add variety.;


8.Offer what you eat and eat with them. Ever went back to thinking if it were you, wouldn't you be more excited and interested in eating what's in other's plate than yours unless, of course if it were the same thing. So! Yes! Keep it simple and keep it same (less spicy)


9.Let them eat on their own.(preferably without spoon) exploring with hand helps them connect with their food, just how our Indian culture teaches us always to feel and relish the food with bare hands. And if you value and realize enough-hand-fed is best fed.;


10. Last and the most important- do not force feed your child. Imagine that well intending aunt at the wedding starts pushing food in your mouth because she felt you haven't had enough. Aah! You would hit back with a lash or a vomit for least.Isn't it! So reflect, and don't force your idea of enough on their small growing tummies.



And before I sign out with my lessons on feeding my baby- girl! Did I mention enough to feed them home-cooked and natural foods over store-bought one.! Do that! If not already.


Hugs and love,;;

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