Appropriate Supplementary Food for Different age Groups of Children.

Appropriate Supplementary Food for Different Age Groups of Children

 Aged 6 Months -1 Years

• Sarbottam Pitho ( Super Flour )
  • The ideal option is to utilize a portion of pulses, such as soybeans, but you may also use one variety of bean, grain, or daal.
  • The component that differs or is the same in other whole grain grains, such as wheat, millet, rice, etc. For instance, 1 kilogram each of millet, wheat, and soy beans washing the aforementioned ingredients. Then it is roasted, finely ground, and stored in an airtight pot. This prepared pitho needs to be porridge-cooked in boiling water. For flavor and nutrition, ghee, sugar, or salt can be used.
• Saatu
  • Roasted maize, wheat, or barely can be used to make it. When feeding the saatu to a youngster, you can mix it with butter, milk, curd, or water. No cooking is required.
• Lito
  • Roasted rice flour, which has a moderate flavor and is simple to stomach, can be used to make it. It is fed to the youngster after being boiled in hot water.
• Jaulo
  • It is made by heating daal and rice together until they are semisolid. You can also add other soft vegetables, such saag, to it.
• Dhiro
  • Typically, millet and maize are used to make it. It has a hefty build. So a youngster receives this minimal amount while being fed. It can be enhanced with vegetables.

• Vegetables

  • By the sixth month, veggies should be mashed or pureed. The highest nutrient value is found in green leafy vegetables, which also include beta-carotene, calcium, iron, and other vital elements. Some moms would oppose to giving these to their children so young since they believe that doing so will result in a cough, cold, and diarrhea. However, it has been discovered that the mother will cook finely chopped or crushed green leafy vegetables in water while cooking porridge. This combination is very nutritious and will help to reduce anemia and disorders related to vitamin A.
• Fruits
  • At five to six months old, a baby can eat fruits with very mild flavors and soft textures, such as bananas, papayas, and orange juice. Additionally, they can be added to porridge and when making roti.

Role of Mother or Caregiver

• Find a clean, cozy spot to sit down and feed the baby.
• Hand washing
• Prepare the porridge in the required quantity.
• Hold the child in a semi-upright position on your lap.
• Put the food container as close to the baby's face as you can.
• Give the baby a tiny bit of the soft porridge with your finger.
• To help an infant become more accustomed to food, a small bit of breast milk might be pumped onto it.
• Infants should not be given solid food for the first time while they are emotionally agitated, such as when they are wailing, but rather when they are physically rested, happy, and safe.
• After consuming new food, it's extremely common for an infant to see changes in stools.
• All food must be prepared in a clean manner before being given to a baby or child.

The Toddler ( 1-3 years )

The toddler's interest in and need for eating decreases along with their rate of growth. Parents may interpret this event as a sickness or as a need for vitamin and mineral supplements in the diet. In actuality, it is a normal progression of this time. During this time, the youngster learns how to use a spoon to eat, sip via a straw, and attempt to consume an ice cream cone. The child eats on their own now that they have learned hand-to-mouth coordination. Every new object must be handled and investigated by toddlers because they are still inquisitive infants, likely using their mouths in addition to their hands. Infants and toddlers have very comparable needs, though in varying amounts. The toddler's increasing activity will result in a need for more energy. The toddler will frequently require more of each nutrient than the infant. Children don't particularly like veggies, therefore parents should experiment with new ways to provide vegetables to their kids because it's crucial for their healthy development. For instance, attempt to serve veggies in an appealing style or give them to a youngster when they are really hungry. Likewise, foods that may be utilized as finger food and need less chewing are favored for this age range when they are diced or sliced.

• Milk and Milk products

  • Despite having only modest amounts of iron and vitamin C, the milk category supplies excellent sources of the majority of nutrients. Large amounts of milk are frequently drunk at the expense of other foods. As a result, milk consumption should be limited if it exceeds 3 cups (720 ml) per day, unless all other foods are readily consumed and the child is not overweight.

Role of Caregiver

The formation of healthy eating habits is essential from infancy through the toddler stage. A child will have a limited range of eating experiences and access to the necessary nutrients if they are only provided a few carefully chosen food items. Supportive is the role of the caregiver. The little child is not necessary. The young child eats. Now is the moment to let the child develop his or her independence. Newspaper and an old shower curtain that may be cleaned or discarded can be used to cover the floor by the caregiver. The toddler's meal shouldn't be hurried through in order to get him or her down for a nap. It is best for the caregiver to eat with the toddler while having a discourse about food and eating situations, if facilities and resources allow.

The Preschooler ( 3-5 years )

The term "runabout" is frequently used to describe preschoolers. But the objective of the race for the table isn't only to practice running; it's to join pals for lunch. The youngster between the ages of 3 and 5 is typically physically active, even though a toddler moves around a lot. The advantage of this age is that the youngster is no longer challenged by having to learn how to chew, swallow, suck, use a spoon, fork, and knife. Only the proper use of a knife for cutting and spreading may require some practice if parents or other caregivers have regularly eaten with the child and the child has practiced using utensils. The caregiver and child now have their first actual opportunity to actively engage in the food and nutrition program as a team. It's crucial to arrange the table for small children. The chairs should be cozy and the table beautiful. Youngsters who are easily excited or active should sit between quiet, calm children, while finicky eaters should sit close to children who like eating. It should be enjoyable to eat. The young child should not sense any physical or time pressures to eat. To ensure that the child is eating well-balanced, healthy meals, another adult or an older, responsible child must be present if the mother is unable to be there during mealtime.

REFERENCE

Ambika Rai, Kabita Dahal. Community Health Nursing II. Kathmandu: Makalu Publication House, 2012 (reprint).

Basavan Thappa Bt, 2005, Community Health Nursing, JAYPEE BROTHERS medical Publisher (P) Ltd, New Delhi

Dr.Suwal S.N. & Tuitui R. (2063) A Textbook of Community Health Nursing, 1st edition, Vidyarthi Prakashan (P). Ltd. Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu

Endres J.B & Rockwell R.E. (1985), 2nd edition, Food, Nutrition & the Young Child, Times Mirror/ Mosby College Publishing, Toronto, USA

J.F MC Kenzie, RR Pinger & J.E. Kotecki, 2004, An introduction to community health, 5th edition, Jones & Bartlett