Super Healthy Weight Gain Foods for babies & kids

Do you worry that your baby is not gaining weight properly? Welcome to the club! A study says that 85 % of Moms fret over their baby’s weight and are always searching for healthy weight gain foods for their babies.

So what is a worried Mom to do? Simple, the solution for it is:

” Look at the Baby, Not the scales “

It sounds very simple, but very difficult to follow!

I have seen Moms whose babies look healthy, feed well and reach all their milestones properly but who still worry about their baby not gaining weight. They forget that the weight of the baby also depends on the genetic constitution of the parents.

1. Milk

If you are breastfeeding then breast milk is the best choice up to 1 year and after 1 year 3 servings of cow’s milk can be given.

2. High calorie energy dense nutritious foods

Instead of fatty foods, high calorie energy dense foods increases weight without increasing the bad fat in the baby. If high calorie non nutritious fat foods (like ice cream, chocolates, processed food) are given, then it will create poor eating habits which will be difficult to change later.

3. Banana

Banana can be given to infants after 6 months of age. Banana is rich in dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin C and very good source of Vitamin B6, and is a energy dense nutritious food.

Banana can be introduced as Banana Puree then after 8 months it can be given as pancakes, can be mixed in porridge and after a year as banana muffins.

If you are worried about giving banana during cold , then our Raw Kerala Banana Powder is a life saver, it is both nutritious and weight gaining food for babies.

4. Peach

Peaches can be given after 6 months of age. Peaches are rich in dietary fiber, niacin, Vitamin A and particularly a good source of Vitamin C.

Peach can be given as purees after 6 months and after 1 year as smoothies and milkshakes.

5. Pear

Pear can be given as one of the first solid foods of baby and helps in weight gain. Pear is one of the fruit that is very rich in Iron and is also a good source of dietary fiber, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C.

Pear can be given as Pear Puree, Apple Pear Puree with cinnamon twist, and after 8 months pear can be added in pancakes.

6. Peas

Peas can also be given after 6 months. Peas are among the most nutritious vegetables that can be introduced as baby’s first solid food. It is very high in dietary fiber, thiamine, vitamin C and high in magnesium, niacin, phosphorous and Vitamins A, B6.

Peas can be given as Peas Puree, Peas Khichdi and as Vegetable soup.

7. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes are an excellent first food for the baby. It can be given from 6 months of age.

Sweet Potatoes are very low in saturated fat, high in dietary fiber, magnesium and potassium, vitamin B6 and very high in Vitamin A and C. They can be given as purees, sweet potato khichdi, pancake and as soups.

8. Plain meats

Chicken can be introduced after 8 months of age. Chicken is rich in niacin, phosphorous, magnesium, Vitamin B6 and B12, also it is rich in cholesterol too, so the chicken can be given once a week to babies.

Chicken flesh pieces can be either boiled or given as chicken puree, chicken stew, chicken soup, chicken rice. You can also make chicken stock and use it in baby’s dishes.

9. Ghee

Our Desi Ghee is one of the best weight gaining food source. Ghee can be added in almost all the food that the baby takes after 7 months, with around 1 tsp of ghee per meal. Start with few drops of ghee at first and slowly increase the quantity. Ghee can sometimes be very heavy for the baby, so please be moderate in its usage. For best results, make your own homemade ghee that is free of preservatives and chemicals.

10. Cheese

Cheese can be given after 8 months. Cheese is rich in phosphorous, calcium and selenium.

Cheese cut as slices make a perfect finger food; you can also try serving fruit salad with cheese to your baby.

11. Dry fruits

Dry fruits include almond, pistachio, fig, cashew are energy dense and non-fattening.

The dry fruits can be powdered and mixed in almost all the foods, other forms by which it can be given are almond milk, dry fruit snack bar, dry fruit laddu.

You can either make the dry fruits powder at home with this recipe or order homemade dry fruits powder online.
Please note, dry fruits may cause allergy in some babies, follow the 3 Day Rule while introducing any new food.

12. Whole Wheat

Mostly wheat is not considered as a weight gaining food by many, but using whole wheat in baby foods has shown a steady weight gain in babies. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber with low fat.

Whole wheat can be given as Wheat Cereal, Wheat Soya Porridge, Wheat Kheer, Whole Wheat pancakes, Wheat porridge, Wheat Almond Porridge, Wheat Green gram Porridge.

Another way to get the benefits of whole wheat is through broken wheat, also called ‘dalia’.

You can also whip up an entire baby meal in a jiffy with Instant Dalia Mixes. A boon for days when you don’t have the time or energy to cook. You can make these at home or easily order homemade Instant Wheat Dalia Elaichi Mix and Instant Wheat Dalia Moong dal Mix online.

13. Oats

Another food that indirectly causes weight gain in babies is Oats. Oats is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in manganese, magnesium, thiamine and phosphorus. Oats is the only cereal containing legume like protein.

Oats can be given as Oats Porridge, Oats Kheer, Apple Oats Porridge, Oats pancake, Oats fruit Dosa.

Get 100% Organic oats for your Baby delivered at your doorstep.

14. Avocado

Avocado can be given after 6 months. Avocado is rich in dietary fiber and low in saturated fat.

Avocado can be given as puree, and after 1 year as milk shakes and smoothies.

15. Ragi

Ragi or Finger Millet is one of the best weight gaining foods. It is rich in dietary fiber, protein, Vitamin B1, B2, B6.

Ragi can be given to your baby in any of these forms:

• Ragi Porridge
• Apple Ragi Porridge
• Ragi Cake
• Ragi Dosa
• Ragi Idli
• Ragi Ladoo
• Ragi Kheer
• Ragi Roti
• Ragi Cookies

16. Homemade Cerelac or Sathumaavu Health Mix

Home made cerelac is another excellent weight gaining food. It combines the goodness of cereals, nuts and pulses to form a wholesome healthy food.

17. Olive Oil

Olive oil has high monosaturated fat than other oils and is healthy option over other vegetable oils. The baby’s food can be prepared with  virgin olive oil..

18. Potatoes

Potato makes an excellent first food for babies. It has a soft consistency, is easily mashable and is also the least allergenic food.Start with a small quantity as some babies may develop tummy upset due to gas.

The potato is rich in minerals, vitamins and also an assortment of phytochemicals such as carotenoids and natural phenols. Potatoes are best known for their carbohydrate content, with a medium sized potato containing about 26 gms.

Potato can be given as puree, in khichdi or in soup.

19. Eggs

Eggs can be given after 8 months of age. Start with the yellow first, and introduce the white later as the proteins in the white yolk tend to cause allergies in children.

20. Virgin Coconut oil

Coconut oil helps in weight gain and easy digestion in babies. It can be added while cooking baby food.

21. Multigrain Health Drink Powder

No, we’re not talking about the store bought health drinks, but a health drink powder that is made with whole grains and lentils and are completely free of harmful additives and preservatives. This is also a good option for fussy toddlers.

Make Your Baby Healthy

( Poonam Sharma`s Baby
from Delhi)







If you're like most moms, you want your child to develop helpful habits like putting away her toys and clothes.

It's just as important that she cultivate habits that'll help her stay healthy  -- physically and emotionally. "Healthy practices really do begin at home, where there are teachable moments in everyday life," says Donald Shifrin, M.D., clinical professor of pediatrics at the of  University Washington School of Medicine, in Seattle.

An easy way to start: teach  by example. Young kids love to copy Mom and Dad. But role modeling can take you only so far. If no amount of broccoli chomping on your part seems to inspire your child to eat her veggies, for instance, you'll want to get a little creative. Here, some important health practices to encourage, and easy ways to get your child started:

1. Get moving
The whys are convincing: Being active can slash your child's chances of becoming overweight, lower her risks for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes down the road, and help her mood stay on an even keel. Yet fewer than one in four kids gets even 30 minutes of physical activity a day. The key to making it a habit? Stop stressing "exercise." Have fun! Play with hula hoops. Go hiking. Race around the park to catch falling leaves.

Every morning, my husband makes a game out of getting on the floor with our sons for a round of sit-ups and push-ups. Nate, 8, decides how many Dad should do, and the deal is that Nate has to do half as many. Nicky, 3, loves to join in the contest.

If nothing motivates your child to move, try a system that limits couch time. "My son gets three plastic tokens  -- each representing thirty minutes in front of the TV or computer  -- to use during the day," says Dena Dyer of Granbury, Texas. "He can earn an extra token for playing outside."

Ways to chill, and stay safe

2. Chill out!
Your child needs downtime, just as you do. Art classes and soccer games are fun, but too many activities can take a toll, and kids often can't articulate feeling stressed. Consider how much time your child has to do absolutely nothing. If it's less than an hour a day, you may want to increase her leisure time, when she's not involved in any structured activity, says Jack Wetter, associate clinical professor of family medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.

If you notice your child starting to feel overwhelmed, distract her with a quiet activity like reading or coloring, or do deep-breathing exercises. Diane Umansky of New York City calms her 5-year-old by doing "balloon breaths" with him. "I have him breathe in, make his belly big like a balloon, and slowly let the air out." You could also blow bubbles or on a pinwheel.

3. Put safety first
They may not have been de rigueur when we were kids, but using car seats, seat belts, and bike helmets are essential now. One eye-opening statistic: Safe Kids Worldwide estimates that 75 percent of fatal head injuries among kids on bikes could be prevented with a bike helmet. Wearing your own seat belt and bike helmet goes a long way toward making kids less likely to balk at being made to wear their own. It also helps to point out to your child when people are being unsafe (by skateboarding or scootering sans helmet, for example).

Another trick: Deputize your child by making it his job to let you know that it's safe to start the car or a family bike ride after everyone's buckled up or helmeted. The responsibility becomes a badge of honor.

 4. Pamper those pearly whites
Your child may brush his teeth, but he's probably not doing it long enough. You should brush for two minutes twice a day, says Amy DeYoung, a pediatric dentist, in Grand Rapids. "Most kids brush for thirty seconds, if we're lucky."

Help your child go the duration by encouraging him to brush for the length of a favorite song. Angie Koenig of Lincoln, Nebraska, started humming the chicken-dance song for Ryan, 1, during teeth-brushing time. "Once the song's over, he can stop. Now every time he brushes, he hums the song to himself." She also lets him brush while he's still sitting in the tub, so it's a part of his bathtime routine, rather than an extra step afterward. You can even put a CD player in the bathroom (but not near any water, of course).

To make sure Lucas, 4, hits all of his teeth, Maura Rhodes, a Parenting staffer, lets him brush first, and then tells him she needs to make sure he got all the "sugar bugs" out of his mouth. "I pretend with the toothbrush that I'm chasing them around all over his teeth. He lets me do this for as long as it takes to make sure we get every nook and cranny," says Rhodes. "Plus, he's usually laughing, so his mouth's open." If you want to boost the novelty quotient and effectiveness, consider buying an electric toothbrush for kids over 3. It's been shown to do a considerably better job of removing plaque than a manual one does. Just be sure to limit your child's use of toothpaste to no more than one pea-size drop twice a day until you're sure he won't swallow it.

Go overboard... on produce, soap, and self-esteem

5. Pig out on produce
If you and your husband eat fruits and veggies, your child has the best chance of eating them too, say studies, And if your child isn't a copycat? Make it fun for him. Nichole Bernier Ahern of Chevy Chase, Maryland, put a "vegetable high five" chart on the fridge for Connor, 5. When he's reluctant to eat veggies at dinner but does it anyway, he gets a smiley-face sticker on the chart.

You might also take your child shopping and have him pick out a fruit or vegetable of the week  -- a new food for the family to explore. Together, you can figure out ways to prepare, say, mango: cutting up pieces and putting them on a skewer one day, making smoothies with them the next. Or challenge him to eat five different colors of the rainbow in a day.

Jayne Drew, a mom of two from Doylestown, Pennsylvania, discovered a good approach one night when she was late getting dinner ready. "I quickly microwaved some frozen peas for my two-year-old to tide him over, and for the first time, he ate every last one." Since then, she's served such appetizers as baby carrots or a bowl of corn every night, and her kids eat them up.

6. Lather up
Regular hand washing can dramatically reduce your child's chances of getting sick. The right technique: At least 20 seconds of hand rubbing with soap and warm water (don't scrub under running water), followed by thorough rinsing. To make it less of a chore, you might have your child sing the "ABC" song while he's scrubbing up. My kids are better washers now that I let them pick out cool liquid soaps  -- super-foamy varieties and ones in kid-friendly fruity aromas  -- when they come grocery shopping with me.

"We introduced a little competition to get our three-year-old to the sink," says Seattle mom Laurie Almoslino. "Before dinner or after coming home from the park, my husband will say, 'I'm going to wash my hands first,' and my son races him to the bathroom."

7. Boost body image
A study from the Harvard Eating Disorders Center found that half of girls and one-third of boys ages 8 to 10 don't like their size. Girls typically want to be thinner; boys, heavier or more muscular. Get your child off to a confident start by laying the foundation for a positive body image.

"Kids develop feelings about the way they look by identifying with their parents, so it's important not to criticize your own body," says Ann Kearney-Cooke, Ph.D.

But go a step further and actually say what you like about your own body and others'  -- by commenting on how good you feel since you started going for walks, for instance, or how much stronger your arms are since you started lifting weights.

You can also help your child focus on what her body can do rather than how it looks. You might point out how much energy she has during family hikes. Or say, "You seemed strong and flexible when you were climbing the monkey bars today." Rebecca Brooks's 6-year-old son wants to be good at soccer, so "we talk about how exercising makes you strong and agile," says the South Orange, New Jersey, mom. Scoring goals or hitting home runs may be a bonus, but feeling good is the best feat of all.

Healthy Foods For Teething Babies

Teething time is one of the most painful phases in your baby's life. The average age for a baby to get their first tooth is six months, although this varies from child to child. The first teeth to appear are usually the two bottom middle teeth, followed by the two top middle teeth. The last set of teeth to make an appearance is usually the second, back molars in the upper and lower back of the mouth.

Parents of teething babies have to go through the pain babies face when they are teething. During this period, babies become fussy and cranky and some parents have no idea on what to feed them to help ease their pain. Here are some of the best foods you can give your baby who is teething to help soothe the terrible pain in his gums.

For a few mums who have undergone this experience know the turmoil they and their children have faced. If your baby is teething you are bound to see your child showing irritability, swollen and sensitive gums and not to forget a whole lot of drool.

For every parent, it is hard to see your baby in pain so we have listed eight best healthy foods you can give your baby during this period. These healthy foods for teething babies will also provide a whole lot of nutrients and vitamins which is good for your child's growth.

Bananas

 The ripe yellow fruit is an attraction for the baby. Let your baby chew on a ripe banana when he is teething. It is also a healthy fruit for your child as it contains contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. It is also a good energy food for your child.

Avocado 

Let your baby chew on an avocado slice to relieve from the pain of teething. Chewing on avocado is healthy for your baby as he gets to consume a whole lot of Vitamin A and calcium.

Peaches 

If you give your child a slice of peach to chew on at the time of teething, the tangy taste will leave your baby to make en number of funny faces. This seasonal fruit is healthy for your little one as it contains good amounts of calcium.

Chicken

Children love the taste of chicken. Shredded chicken is the best food for babies when they are teething. The joy of chewing on the shredded chicken will help ease the pain from the gums giving them a sense of relief.

Lentils 

The best food you can give your baby when he/she is teething is that of cooked lentils. This cooked lentils help to cut the gums gently for the teeth to soon appear.

Carrot 

Chewing on a chilled carrot can help to do wonders for your baby when he is teething. Babies also love the taste of carrots as it is sweet and chewy as well.

Cheese

 Cut a few pieces of cubed cheese and let your baby chew on it. The gumming nature of cheese can help soothe the pain in the gums.

Refer: 

• Newborn Baby Care
• Top 10 Baby Care Tips
• Breastfeeding Getting Started
• Bathing Your Baby
• Baby`s Daily Massage
• Teething Sign And Symptoms
• Safe Homemade Baby Food