When should I give cerelac to my child?
Every new mother has a question as she begins her journey of parenthood: when and how to introduce solid food to her baby. The answer depends on the baby’s development and doctor’s guidance. WHO recommends breastfeeding for six months and considering the baby’s health while introducing meals.
Cerelac is a popular choice for mothers as it includes nutritious cereals and no added chemicals or preservatives. This article will explain how to introduce Cerelac to your baby.
Yummy, Delicious, & Nutritious Cerelac
Cerelac is a popular choice for infant food due to its tasty flavors and easy preparation.
The American Paediatric Society and all pediatricians recommend introducing it at 6 months, but consult with your pediatrician before starting solid foods.
Homemade food is also acceptable. Cerelac is a nutritious meal with added iron and essential minerals. It’s convenient for travel and outings.
Simple Homemade Cerelac Recipe
Ingredients
- Rice – 1 cup of rice
- Moong dal – 2 teaspoons
- Toor dal – 2 teaspoons
- a handful of almonds – 8
To make the powder, follow these steps:
- Clean and combine all of the items listed above in a bowl.
- The ingredients should be allowed to dry after being drained of the water.
- In a pan, heat the oil and toast the dry ingredients for a few minutes. Be careful not to burn the ingredients by overcooking them.
- After roasting, remove the food from the oven and place it in a clean dish or bowl to cool.
- Blend all of the ingredients listed above until well-combined.
Note – Cerelac powder should be stored in an airtight container.
Alternative use of ingredients to make cerelac
Once your baby eats solids, you can add other ingredients like ragi, chickpea dal, cornmeal, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, moong, etc.
When preparing homemade cerelac, use only clean, dry tools to avoid spoiling the powder.
Preparation of Cerelac
To make a baby’s cereal, follow these instructions-
- One tablespoon of the powder should be added to a cup of water.
- Stir it thoroughly to prevent lumps.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and season with a pinch of salt.
- Stir it until it forms a fine paste. If necessary, add a little more water.
- Allow it to cool down for a while before attempting to eat it. Please take a look at the temperature before feeding it to your child.
Facts About Introducing Solid Food To Infant
- WHO recommends feeding 6-month-olds solid meals two to three times a day alongside formula or breastmilk. Cerelac or purees can be given three times a day.
- Nighttime is not ideal for introducing solid foods to infants.
- Introduce solids gradually during the day when you can care for your baby. Only introduce one food at a time.
- Experts suggest waiting until six months to start feeding solids. Starting cereal at five months may cause health problems like weakened immunity and obesity.
- Giving your baby a few Cerelac meals a week is safe and can expose them to different flavors and textures.
Cerelac mix prepared at home can be used in many ways. Cerelac can also be sweetened with sugar and milk. Take a shot at it and make sure your baby is eating nutritious foods.