Mistakes to Avoid When Starting Semi-Solid Food (Annaprashan) for Babies

Dr. Sandip Gupta

This video covers the mistakes not to make when starting semi-solid food, i.e. annaprashan, for children. Mistake 1 — Starting biscuits. Never start biscuits for children. Biscuits are mostly made of maida and contain added sugar, which is not good for children's health. Parents often give milk with biscuits — do not give milk and biscuits. In milk you should cook suji, dalia, oats or rice and feed that to the child; that is a good diet for the child. Mistake 2 — Giving dal water or rice water. Do not give dal ka paani or chawal ka paani. Make a porridge with a slightly thick consistency. Dal or rice water is very thin and does not have enough calories, so the child's growth gets stalled. Mistake 3 — Processed and packaged food. Do not give any processed food item or packaged food item that comes ready-made from outside — things like chips and kurkure should not be fed to children under one year of age. Mistake 4 — Packaged drinks. Similarly, drinks like Frooti and Maaza should also not be given. Mistake 5 — Salt, sugar and honey. Salt, sugar and honey should not be given to children under one year of age. Relevant for: parents starting solids or annaprashan at 6 months; parents giving milk with biscuits and asking whether it is right; parents asking whether dal water or rice water is enough for a baby; parents asking about the right consistency of a baby's porridge; parents wanting to know whether chips, packaged snacks or packaged drinks are okay for babies; and parents asking when salt, sugar and honey can be added to a child's food. Disclaimer: This video is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is different — please consult your pediatrician before starting semi-solids or introducing any new food, especially if your child is under 6 months, has an allergy, or has poor weight gain.