PRANA was created by Palo Alto Medical Foundation’s South Asian Wellness Task Force, a committee of physicians, nutritionists and researchers, to help South Asians improve their health and reduce their risk of disease. PRANA and AmaraMoms have partnered to bring to their members valuable information on South Asian health, for adults and children. In this article, PRANA provides nutritional guidelines for the first year of a South Asian baby.
The table below provides nutritional choices for the first year of life. Breastmilk is better than formula for many reasons. It is easier for the baby to digest; mom’s antibodies are passed to the baby through breastmilk, which protects baby from many infections; and it may protect against allergies, asthma, obesity and sudden infant death syndrome. You should not give your baby whole cow’s milk before 12 months of age.
You do not need to start your child on solid foods until 6 months of age. Be sure to introduce one food at a time by giving a new food for four to five days before offering another new food. Try each food at least eight to 10 times over a long period of time before determining that your child does not like it. If you have a family history of food allergies, please discuss with your pediatrician when and how to start your child on solid foods.
Hardening of the Arteries Starts Early
Studies have shown that fat starts depositing in the walls of the arteries during childhood and adolescence. Because South Asians develop heart disease an average of five to 10 years earlier than other ethnic groups, this dangerous process may begin very soon after birth.
Parents: Role Models for Good Health
As a parent, if you already have risk factors such as diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity or existing heart disease, there is a good chance that you may pass these same high-risk genes onto your children. It is important that you encourage healthy eating habits and emphasize regular exercise as early as possible to prevent these risk factors from developing. If you smoke, eat a less than ideal diet and/or don’t exercise, it is likely that your children will pick up at least one of these harmful habits.
Overcoming Cultural Myths
When a South Asian child is born, parents are immediately bombarded by family members and friends with advice about nutrition and proper feeding habits. Should you breastfeed or give your child formula? When should you start your child on solid foods? Should you feed cold foods to your child if he or she has a cold? The list of questions is endless. We have created this section to help parents understand basic nutritional principles for their children and to encourage healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. However, all individuals involved in your child’s care (parents, grandparents, caretakers, etc.) need to be properly educated.
Nutrition for the First Year of Life
The table below provides nutritional choices for the first year of life. Breastmilk is better than formula for many reasons. It is easier for the baby to digest; mom’s antibodies are passed to the baby through breastmilk, which protects baby from many infections; and it may protect against allergies, asthma, obesity and sudden infant death syndrome. You should not give your baby whole cow’s milk before 12 months of age.
You do not need to start your child on solid foods until 6 months of age. Be sure to introduce one food at a time by giving a new food for four to five days before offering another new food. Try each food at least eight to 10 times over a long period of time before determining that your child does not like it. If you have a family history of food allergies, please discuss with your pediatrician when and how to start your child on solid foods.
Feeding Guidelines for the First Year of Life
| Breast Milk or Formula | Dry Infant Cereal with Iron | Fruits and Vegetables | Meats and Protein Foods | Snacks | |
| Birth to 6 months | As often as your baby desires. At least 8 times in 24 hours.Do not give baby water. | None | None | None | |
| 6 to 9 months | As often as your baby desires.Most babies will have between 3-5 nursings or formula feeds/day. | Start with *single grain, iron fortified cereal, 1-2 tbsp/day mixed with formula or milk. Then gradually increase to 5 to 8 tbsp and start mixed-grain, iron fortified cereal. | *Offer vegetables and fruits one at a time. Puree and strain them or use baby food from jars. Start with 1-2 tbsp one to two times a day and increase to 2 to 4 tbsp two times a day as needed to satisfy baby. | Start pureed daal (lentils). At 7 to 8 months, start 1-2 tbsp/day of pureed meat, fish, cheese, tofu or other protein food. | |
| 9 to 12 month | As often as your baby desires. Most babies will have between three to four nursings or 24 to 32 oz. of formula per day. | Whole grains, such as breads, and unsweetened cereals; ¼ to ½ cup/day mashed potatoes, upmaa, bread or chapati two times per day. | 3-4 tbsp mashed, soft, bite-sized pieces of fruit and vegetables each day. Introduce more texture in table foods or use stage three jar foods. | 1-3 tbsp/day of meat, fish, cheese, tofu or other protein food. | Low in sugar O-shaped cereals such as cheerios, toast and crackers. Later can add cottage cheese and pieces of cooked green beans to above. |
