Name: Baby, Child & Teen Nutrition Guide — Birth to 18 Years
Creator: Dr. Dinesh Mittal

🤱 0–6 Months

🤱 0–6 महीने

Exclusive breastfeeding
For most healthy term babies, breast milk alone is recommended for the first 6 months. अधिकांश healthy term babies में पहले 6 महीने exclusive breastfeeding की सलाह दी जाती है।

Feed according to hunger cues rather than using only a rigid clock schedule.

सिर्फ clock देखकर नहीं, baby के hunger cues भी देखें।

Hunger cues Rooting, hand-to-mouth movements, sucking movements, increasing activity.

Is milk enough? Assess feeding, swallowing, urine output and growth — not crying alone.

🤱 Breastfeeding Problems / Breastfeeding Help

Baby is not latching

Check positioning and attachment. Bring baby close with the body facing the mother and encourage a deep attachment rather than nipple-only sucking.

Positioning और latch check करें। Baby को mother के close रखें और सिर्फ nipple नहीं, deeper attachment की कोशिश करें।

Nipple pain

Persistent severe pain should not simply be accepted as normal. Poor attachment is a common reason and deserves assessment.

Persistent severe nipple pain को normal मानकर ignore न करें। Latch check कराएँ।

“I think my milk is low.”

Frequent feeding, softer breasts or crying do not by themselves prove low milk supply. Assess feeding effectiveness and growth.

Frequent feeding, soft breasts या crying अपने आप low milk साबित नहीं करते। Growth और feeding effectiveness देखें।

Breast fullness / pain

Frequent effective feeding may help. Significant redness, fever, severe pain or maternal illness needs medical assessment.

💡 Common Breastfeeding Myths

❌ “Thin milk is weak.”

❌ “Colostrum should be discarded.”

❌ “Small breasts produce less milk.”

❌ Routine water is needed in an exclusively breastfed infant under 6 months.

🚩 When to See a Pediatrician

poor feeding
marked lethargy
reduced urine
poor weight gain
repeated vomiting
significant jaundice with poor feeding
fever in a young infant

🥣 6–8 Months

🥣 6–8 महीने

Food starts. Breastfeeding continues.
खाना शुरू करें। Breastfeeding जारी रखें।

Start with small amounts of thick mashed or semi-solid food. Gradually increase quantity, variety and texture.

छोटी मात्रा में thick mashed या semi-solid food शुरू करें। धीरे-धीरे quantity, variety और texture बढ़ाएँ।

Texture Thick mash / semi-solid

Feeding frequency Usually 2–3 complementary feeding occasions per day alongside breastfeeding.

Main goal Variety + texture progression

🥬 Vegetarian Recipes

Moong Dal Khichdi

Rice + yellow moong dal. Cook very soft and mash. A little suitable oil/ghee may be added.

Ragi Porridge

Cook ragi flour well in water. Keep spoon-thick rather than watery.

Curd Rice

Soft rice + plain curd. Mash lightly.

Mashed Banana

Ripe banana mashed with fork. No sugar needed.

🌱 Vegetarian Nutrition Notes

Over time include different pulses, grains, dairy and age-safe nut/seed preparations to improve variety.

🌿 Jain Recipes

Jain practices vary between families. These examples avoid onion and garlic. Please additionally remove foods your family avoids.

Jain Moong-Rice Khichdi

Rice + moong dal. Cook very soft.

Ragi Porridge

Ragi + water. Cook properly and keep spoon-thick.

Curd Rice

Soft rice + plain curd.

Banana / Papaya Mash

Use soft ripe fruit.

🌿 Jain Nutrition Notes

Focus on adequate variety from grains, pulses, dairy and permitted foods. Restrictions differ between Jain families.

🥚 Vegetarian + Egg Recipes

Egg Khichdi

Soft moong-rice khichdi + thoroughly cooked mashed egg.

Soft Egg Mash

Thoroughly cook egg and mash into an age-appropriate texture.

Paneer Rice

Soft rice + finely crumbled paneer.

🍗 Non-Vegetarian Recipes

Chicken Rice Mash

Cook boneless chicken thoroughly with rice. Remove all bone/cartilage and mash well.

Fish Rice Mash

Use thoroughly cooked fish. Check very carefully for bones before mixing with soft rice.

Egg Khichdi

Soft khichdi + well-cooked egg.

🍽 How to Feed

Sit baby upright and supervise.
Use a spoon or appropriate self-feeding opportunities.
Do not force-feed.
Allow baby to stop when showing fullness cues.
Avoid routine screen feeding.

🚫 What to Avoid

Honey before 12 months
whole nuts
hard food pieces
excessively watery foods as the main complementary diet
added sugar
routine ghutti

🥜 Allergy & Choking Safety

Food allergy and choking are different problems. Whole nuts are a choking hazard even when the child is not allergic.

Introduce new foods in age-safe textures. High-risk infants or babies with previous allergic reactions may need individualized advice.

🚩 When to See a Pediatrician

poor weight gain
persistent vomiting
recurrent choking
severe feeding refusal
suspected food allergy
significant swallowing difficulty

👐 8–9 Months

👐 8–9 महीने

Move from smooth food toward thicker mash, soft lumps and safe finger foods.

Smooth food से thicker mash, soft lumps और safe finger foods की ओर बढ़ें।

Texture Thicker mash + soft lumps

Skill Beginning self-feeding

Goal Do not remain puree-only

🥬 Vegetarian Recipes

• Soft vegetable khichdi

• Soft idli pieces

• Paneer pieces appropriate to chewing skill

• Soft banana

🌿 Jain Recipes

• Jain vegetable khichdi

• Soft idli

• Paneer

• Soft fruit

🥚 Veg + Egg Recipes

• Soft egg pieces

• Egg khichdi

• Paneer rice

🍗 Non-Veg Recipes

• Soft chicken khichdi

• Fish-rice mash with careful bone removal

• Egg rice

🥄 Texture Progression

Thick mash → soft lumps → appropriate finger foods → modified family food.

🚩 Feeding Concerns

Discuss persistent gagging, swallowing difficulty, poor weight gain or inability to progress textures with your pediatrician.

🍚 9–12 Months

Move toward modified family foods, greater dietary variety, cup use and self-feeding.

अब modified family food, variety, cup use और self-feeding पर focus करें।

Meals Usually 3–4 meal occasions/day

Texture Soft chopped / mashed family foods

Focus Protein + iron + variety

🥬 Vegetarian Recipes

• Paneer rice

• Daliya + dal + vegetables

• Curd rice + vegetables

• Dal-soft roti bowl

🌿 Jain Recipes

• Jain daliya

• Jain moong khichdi

• Curd rice

• Paneer rice

🥚 Veg + Egg Recipes

• Egg daliya

• Egg khichdi

• Paneer rice

• Curd rice

🍗 Non-Veg Recipes

• Chicken dal rice

• Chicken daliya

• Fish rice

• Egg khichdi

🥛 Milk & Food Balance

Breastfeeding may continue, but complementary foods become increasingly important. Do not let milk remain the child's only meaningful source of nutrition.

🚩 When to Seek Help

Poor growth, recurrent vomiting, severe food refusal, swallowing difficulty or repeated choking should be assessed.

🧒 12–18 Months

Transition toward normal family meals, cup use and independent eating.

Milk is part of the diet — not the entire diet.

🥬 Vegetarian Recipes

• Paneer vegetable daliya

• Besan chilla + curd

• Dal + soft roti

• Paneer rice

🌿 Jain Recipes

• Jain moong khichdi

• Soft chapati + curd

• Jain daliya

• Paneer rice

🥚 Veg + Egg Recipes

• Egg paneer rice

• Vegetable egg chilla

• Egg daliya

🍗 Non-Veg Recipes

• Chicken daliya

• Chicken khichdi

• Fish rice

• Egg rice

🍽 Feeding Behaviour

Allow self-feeding and appetite variation. Avoid chasing the child around the house with food.

🚩 When to Seek Help

Poor growth, severe restriction, recurrent choking, swallowing difficulty or persistent vomiting should be assessed.

🧒 18–24 Months

Expect appetite variation and a growing desire for independence.

इस उम्र में appetite variation और independence common है।

🥬 Vegetarian Recipes

• Vegetable paneer poha

• Moong dal cheela

• Vegetable upma

• Rajma-rice mash

🌿 Jain Recipes

• Jain poha

• Jain moong cheela

• Jain daliya

• Paneer rice

🥚 Veg + Egg Recipes

• Egg poha

• Egg roti roll

• Egg vegetable rice

🍗 Non-Veg Recipes

• Chicken vegetable rice

• Chicken roti bowl

• Fish khichdi

📱 Screen Feeding

If the child eats only with a screen, reduce dependence gradually. Start with one screen-free meal rather than turning every meal into a battle.

“YouTube बाद में देखेंगे। अभी खाना साथ बैठकर खाएँगे।”

🥛 Too Much Milk

Milk given continuously through the day can reduce appetite for meals. Create predictable milk times rather than offering milk whenever food is refused.

🍽 2–5 Years

🍽 2–5 वर्ष

Parent decides: What • When • Where
Child increasingly decides: Whether • How much

🥬 Vegetarian Meal & Tiffin Ideas

• Paneer paratha + curd

• Vegetable poha

• Moong cheela

• Paneer roll

• Idli + curd

• Rajma rice

🌿 Jain Meal & Tiffin Ideas

• Jain paneer roll

• Jain poha

• Jain moong cheela

• Idli

• Paneer sandwich without onion/garlic

🥚 Veg + Egg Meal Ideas

• Egg roll

• Egg sandwich

• Omelette + roti

• Egg poha

🍗 Non-Veg Meal Ideas

• Chicken sandwich

• Chicken roll

• Egg roll

• Chicken rice

😣 Picky Eating

Repeated exposure is often needed, but there is no magic number. Keep one familiar food on the plate and offer a small amount of the new food without pressure.

🤍 Child Eats Only White Foods

Use gradual food chaining.

White bread → toasted bread → paneer sandwich → paneer + tiny vegetable → vegetable-paneer sandwich

📱 Screen Feeding

Start with one screen-free meal daily and gradually reduce dependence.

🚩 When to Seek Help

Seek assessment for extreme food restriction, poor growth, severe sensory concerns, recurrent gagging/choking or swallowing difficulty.

🎒 5–10 Years

Focus on balanced family meals, breakfast, school tiffin, water and healthy activity.

Grain Roti / rice / millet

Protein Dal / paneer / egg / chicken / fish

Produce Vegetables + fruit

Calcium Milk / curd / paneer or suitable alternative

🥬 Vegetarian Tiffin Ideas

• Paneer roll + fruit

• Vegetable paratha + curd

• Moong cheela

• Rajma wrap

🌿 Jain Tiffin Ideas

• Jain paneer roll

• Jain poha

• Jain moong cheela

• Paneer sandwich

🥚 Egg Tiffin Ideas

• Egg roll

• Egg sandwich

• Omelette wrap

🍗 Non-Veg Tiffin Ideas

• Chicken roll

• Chicken sandwich

• Egg/chicken wrap

⚖️ Underweight or Overweight?

Do not judge only by appearance. Review growth trajectory on an appropriate growth chart. Avoid weight shaming.

🚀 10–14 Years

Puberty increases nutritional demands. Pay attention to protein, iron, calcium, vitamin D and overall diet quality.

🥗 Key Nutrients

Protein: dal, paneer, curd, soy, egg, chicken or fish depending on diet.

Iron: pulses, legumes, leafy vegetables and animal sources where consumed.

Calcium: milk, curd, paneer or suitable alternatives.

🩸 Menstruating Adolescents

Iron deserves particular attention. Suspected iron deficiency should be assessed rather than using random supplements.

🥤 Energy Drinks

Energy drinks should not become a routine substitute for water, food or sleep.

💪 14–18 Years

Focus on nutrition independence, body image, eating out, meal skipping and sensible sports nutrition.

🏋️ Gym & Protein Powder

Most healthy adolescents do not need protein powder simply because they joined a gym. First assess actual diet, training, growth and goals.

💊 Sports Supplements

Do not start supplements simply on advice from gym friends or social-media influencers.

🚩 Eating-Disorder Warning Signs

rapid unexplained weight loss
extreme fear of weight gain
persistent meal skipping
very restrictive dieting
vomiting after meals
excessive exercise linked to guilt
marked body-image distress

More Help / और जानकारी

🥜 Food Allergy & Choking

Food allergy and choking are different.

Common choking hazards:

whole nuts
whole grapes
popcorn
hard candy
hard raw vegetable pieces
large food chunks

Breathing difficulty, inability to cry/speak, colour change or suspected severe allergic reaction requires urgent medical help.

🚫 Foods to Avoid or Limit

Honey: avoid under 12 months.

Whole nuts: avoid in young children because of choking risk.

Added sugar: keep low.

Sweet drinks and juice: limit.

Energy drinks: not appropriate as routine hydration.

Ghutti / unproven herbal feeds: avoid routine use in infants.

❤️ Responsive Feeding

Respect hunger and fullness cues. Encourage without forcing. Allow self-feeding according to age. Avoid using food as punishment or reward.

Instead of:
❌ “बस एक bite और!”

Try:
✅ “खाना यहाँ है। जितनी भूख है उतना खाओ।”

❓ Common Parent Questions

No teeth at 8 months — can baby eat solids?

Yes. Visible teeth are not required before complementary feeding. Use developmentally appropriate texture.

Can I give fruit juice?

Whole fruit is usually preferable. Do not use juice as a routine replacement for water or fruit.

Child drinks too much milk?

Create regular milk times and avoid using milk automatically whenever food is refused.

Does my child need protein powder?

Usually not simply because the child is active. Assess actual dietary needs first.

🚩 Growth & Nutrition Red Flags

poor weight gain
downward crossing of growth centiles
persistent weight loss
severe feeding refusal
swallowing difficulty
recurrent choking
persistent vomiting
chronic diarrhoea
blood in stool
suspected food allergy
significant developmental feeding difficulty

Concerned About Your Child's Nutrition?

Children with poor growth, prematurity, allergies, very restricted diets or significant feeding problems may need individualized assessment.

Poor growth, prematurity, allergy, बहुत restricted diet या significant feeding problems में individualized assessment useful हो सकता है।

Book Consultation / Appointment लें

Medical Disclaimer

This guide provides general pediatric nutrition, breastfeeding and feeding education. It does not replace individualized assessment of growth, nutritional requirements, allergies, feeding difficulties, medical conditions or developmental needs.

यह guide सामान्य pediatric nutrition, breastfeeding और feeding education के लिए है। यह growth, nutritional requirements, allergy, feeding difficulty या medical condition के individual assessment का विकल्प नहीं है।

Reviewed by:
Dr. Dinesh Mittal, MBBS, DCH
Child Specialist & Pediatrician
Delhi Medical Council Reg. No: DMC/R/00668