1. Baby puts finger into mouth

It is absolutely fine if your baby puts finger into the mouth, it’s a way in which your baby finds comfort by himself/herself. This practice would fade with time. When a baby is continuously sucking finger even after they turn 3-4 years only then there would be issues in gums/teeth alignment.

2. How long can breastmilk be extracted and kept?

In room temperature they can be stored for 6-8 hours of duration.

If refrigerated then they can last for xyz hours.

3. Can babies be shown TV or mobile screens?

It is recommended to show them physical objects which they can touch, feel and enjoy. Babies may not be able to match the speed of TV screen movements and it is not good for their eyes.

4. Is it suggested to use feeding bottle?

No, a feeding bottle is not recommended. It may lead the baby to stop feeding from the breasts. The bottle and rubber nozzle needs to be sterilized periodically too.

5. When to start solids?

Babies can start on solids after they complete 6 full months of exclusive breast feeding.

Any solids should be started with a minimal quantity and then we need to watch how the baby’s digestive system reacts to it. When we introduce a new food (one food at a time), we should give it for a week’s time to make the baby’s body get familiarized with the new food.

6. Can Cerelac/ Nestum/ External Milk be given?

It is suggested to go for homemade food rather than going for processed food products. External milk can be given as a supplement after when baby turns one.

7. What solid foods can be given?

To start with we can make porridges with the following ingredients:

Mix 3 parts of puzungal arsi (sun dried, roasted and finely grinded) with 1 part of sprouted green gram (payir) (sun dried, roasted and finely grinded)

Mix 3 parts of raagi with 1 part of potu kadalei

Potato, beetroot, carrot, beans and green leafy vegetables can also be considered

8. Can sugar or salt be added in baby food?

It is suggested not to add salt/sugar till baby turns one. Research proves that babies who dint have salt/sugar intake till they turned one were lesser succumbing to have BP/Sugar early in their life

9. Is a baby walker helpful?

Baby walker is not recommended as the chances of accidents are more in a walker and it also doesn’t facilitate walking. A walker does not strengthen the limb bones either.

10. Can teethers be given to soothe gums of the baby?

Teethers can be given, however please ensure to wash them after every use and to throw them if they get damaged. You can do the following to soothe baby’s gums – cut a band aid into small portions and sterilize it by pressure cooking to 3 whistles. Then place the band aid on baby’s gums which can provide some relief.

11. Why do babies get dysentery when they are teething?

Baby may nor may not get dysentery while teething. The cause of dysentery is due to infection which a baby gets when they put everything into their mouth.

12. What is best time for potty training?

Only when your baby is able to gather words and start speaking a little it is suggested. That can in 1.5 years to 2.5 years’ timeline.