Introducing new foods and the grains debate

[eastern11]

Re: Introducing new foods and the grains debate

@LucyMay

Hi Reha! I started giving my daughter home made rice cereal when she was 6 months old. I don’t know what the debate is around grains, but I did introduce them to her and she loves eating different types. If anything, I avoided the store bought rice cereal partly because I had heard it is not very nutritious, and partly because my LO never quite liked the taste!

Here’s when I introduced different grains:

1. 6 mos - rice with moong dal (I had ground rice and dal in a 2:1 ratio. Mixed some water to form a paste and then cooked it in boiling water. Added a pinch of cumin powder and ghee. Salt is optional.. I added a tiny bit - this is like khichri in a very basic form)
2. 7 months - ragi kheer (ragi is supposed to be exteremely nutrient-rich, I used pureed dates instead of sugar), oat porridge
3. 8+ months - introduced other desi grains like jowar, bajra, amaranth. My mom sent me a mix from India - I used it to make porridge, pancakes etc
4. 10 months - she now eats soft pieces of (wheat) roti with veggies and ghee

You’ll also find lots of recipes for muffins, bread, cakes etc using various grains online. I’ve been meaning to try ragi muffins for the longest time!

Re. nuts - my ped told us to avoid peanuts till 18 months, especially if there are allergies in the family. Not sure about other nuts.

Where do you get the Ragi?