FEED THEM RIGHT TO MAKE YOUR KIDS BRIGHT PART-3 (Way to increase IQ of your child by the right food)

                                                                                                                                     Dr. Arvind Dubey

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INFANCY: BRAIN STILL HAS POTENTIAL TO GROW

Brain develops in infancy too:

Though it is true that not even a single cell is added in the brain after birth but intricate connections, which transform the virtually unrecognized brain at birth into the amazing machine, with which your child perceive the world and react to it, via talking, feeling, thinking and acting is keep on developing even later in the infancy. For this child needs fats, cholesterol, protein, natural glucose and vitamins.

Adequate breast feeding- Take off towards brightness:

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Breast milk contains all needed amino acids in right amount and proportion for your baby. It is also rich in fats. Lactose, the sugar of the milk, easily converts into glucose and serves as energy source. This sugar absorbs slowly, so remains in the intestine of a baby and nurture those bacteria, which help in fighting off the invading harmful bacteria.  Proportion of calcium to phosphate (important for absorption of calcium via intestine) is balanced in this milk. This contains immunoglobulins, which provide immunity against various diseases. Breast-feeding not only helps babies but it helps mothers too. It improves the figure, maintains breast contour and firmness (provided these are emptied by the baby regularly and supported with adequate size bra), acts a natural contraceptive, prevents breast cancer and make both mother and child dependable to each other so strengthens the bond between them.

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And after breast feedings:

Up to the age of three years total diet can be modified in such a way that constitutionally it resembles breast milk. It means that about 50% of total need of calories comes from fat, 35 to 45% from complex carbohydrates and 8-15% from protein. Whole milk, not the skimmed milk supplies these fats. So skimmed (or toned) milk is not better for children younger then two years because at two years of age the “dendrites”   essential for setting up connections between brains cells, reach to their maximum number.

In fourth and fifth month:

This is the time when diet supplementation is needed as body stores for various elements (especially iron) start exhausting in normal children and consistency of diet needs change from total liquid to semisolids.  You can start with iron containing cereals, mixed with breast milk, milk formula or animal milk.  Traditional ‘SATTU’ mixed in milk may be a good home made recipe for these kids. Commercially available starter cereal foods (obviously you all know the names of common brands) can also serve the purpose but are no way better than home made recipes (meshed rice, meshed and thoroughly cooked dal, meshed potato, meshed ripe papaya etcetera) and rather inferior to them as these home made recipes are always available fresh and does not involve extra expenditure or preparation. Start with one or two teaspoons full of these foods daily and increase it to 2.5 to 3 table spoonfuls daily along with 6 breastfeeding in 4^th month and 5-6 in 5^th month, about 10-20 minutes on each breast, each time.  Formula fed babies need 5-6 ounce daily in 4^th month and 8-10 ounce in 5^th month.  Increase the concentration of solids in the mixture so now your baby will be on a mixture having smooth and creamy texture. There is an agreement that these foods should not be seasoned with salt, sugar, honey or vinegar etc.

From sixth to eighth month:

Now your baby’s menu contains finely meshed fruits and vegetables.  At 6^th months give him meshed onion, tomatoes, asparagus and soft ripe banana but avoid cauliflower, cabbage, sweet potato, beans, honey, plain yogurt etc.  In seventh month finely minced chicken lamb, liver, pork etcetera may be a delightful experience for them.  It is a teething time, so a bit harder biscuits; toasts can be given to them to try their gums and also to reduce discomfort of teething.  Between 7^th to 8^th months give them small pieces of food that challenge their growing ability to pick up the things (babies learn to pick up the things in 7th month, first with their palms and later on in 8^th to 9^th month by thumb and fore finger.  These pieces of food also act as edible toys for your kid and these also provide stir to your child’s brain.

From eighth to tenth month:

This is the time when your child’s need of iron is at its maximum.  Feed them with iron fortified milk formula, juices, vegetables, meat, fish cheese, cooked beans, butter, and whole milk etcetera.  Egg yolk is of immense importance now, as it provides cholesterol, which a developing brain needs most. Try to avoid egg white, as your child may be allergic to it. This is the age when your child learns to drink from a cup (8^th month), so give him whole milk by a cup. Give him chopped vegetable too.

From tenth to twelfth month:

During this period gradually add articles from your family menu one by one. So by the end of first year, your child will start feeding himself on your family diet completely.

And after this?

 Continue from your family menu according to your list.  Enter the kitchen; select the adequate foods, use your cooking acumen and feed your kid to brightness.  Good luck!

The End