What's good for baby... 

List of essential things for the new born infant

• Hooded towels, bath towels, face napkins, bibs.
  
  
• Rubber sheet, plastic sheet, sleeping bags, carry bags.
  
  
• Baby pillows, baby vest, panties, jalbas, bloomers, leggings, booties, shoes, lace socks.
  
  
• Plastic panties, nappie pins, velcro nappies, square nappies, triangular nappies, ever dry nappies.
  
  
• Woolen sweaters, woolen caps, socks, cut dresses, frocks, rompers, wrapovers.
  
  
• Powder boxes, powder puffs, soft hair brushes, soft combs.
  
  
• Baby beds, baby super quilt, baby blankets, mother kit and girdle belts.
  
  

Feeding aids

• Insulated bottle carrier, feeding bottles, nipples bottle brush and bottle covers.
• Nursing brassiers, sippers, feeder warmers, milk mixers, nipple shield.
• Straw glass, rattles, teethers, soft toys, soothers.
  
  

• Baby powder, soap oil, cream, lotion shampoo, buds, olive oil and gift sets.
  

• Panties, nappies, pampers, nappies liners.
• Cotton roll, wet tissues
  
  

• Baby's bath tub, chair pottie, commode seat.
• Jhoola, cradle, pram, walker, rocking chairs.
  
  Here are some essential tips on your child's diet.
  
  
  

  Age	Food Recommeded	General guidelines
  0-3 months	Exclusive breast-feeding. (Give no other fluids including water)	Baby should be put to breast within the first hour of birth. Encourage colostrum intake as first and subsequent feeds. Discourage prelacteal feeds such as honey, sugar, jaggery and water.*Breast-feed as often as possible.
  4-6 months	Semi solids; Mashed fruits-Banana, papaya, chikoo, and mango; Cereals-Wheat flour, suji, ground rice, ragi, millet in the form of porridge.	Mash all foods. Give semi solid foods; do not over dilute.*Start with 1-2 teaspoons.*Over 3-4 weeks increase to 50-60 grams or ½ cup or 1 banana a day. Introduce one food at a time for the baby to adapt; continue breast feeding.
  6-9 months	Mashed rice with Dal or Khichri; Mashed vegetables; Chappathi softened in dal or milk; Green vegetables can be incorporated in dal, khichri or roti.	Same as 4-6 months. Gradually increase volume of food. Feed the baby 4-6 times a day as they have small appetite.*Increase variety in food items.
  9-12 months	Rice, dal, roti, khichri, idli, upma, curd rice, vegetables and seasonal fruits. Cooked egg, fish, minced meat, curd, kheer, dalia, bread.	More variety of household food can be added. Can eat almost everything cooked at home Give softened food without spices. Continue breast-feeding.
  12-18 months	Can eat all the food prepared for the family, but food should be softened and without spices. Include green leafy vegetables for adequate vitamin A and iron intake	Needs about 1000 calories or roughly about half the amount that the mother eats.*Continue breast-feeding.
  1.5-3 years	Energy requirement per day-1240 Calories; Protein requirement per day: 22 gms; to meet the above requirements the day's diet should include: 3 cups of milk, 1 egg or 1 piece of fish or chicken.1 slice bread, 3 chapattis or 60 gm rice.	Foods should be mildly flavored and not spicy.*Green leafy vegetables should be incorporated in Dal, stuffed roti or in cooked form. Meals should be colorful and attractive.*Served food should neither be too hot or cold.
  3-4 years	½ Cup dal, 2 fruits, 2 cup vegetables, 4 tablespoons oil, 4 tablespoons sugar	Handy finger foods are easy to pick and eat. Small pieces of food should be served for easy handling.
  4-6 years	Energy requirement-1690 calories; Protein requirement-30 gm. To meet the other requirements the day's diet should include: 3 cups milk, 1 egg or 1 piece of fish or chicken, 2 cups vegetables, 2 fruits, 1 potato or starchy vegetables, 3 slices bread, 4 chapatti or 80 gm rice, 5 tablespoons of oil, 5 tablespoons of sugar.	Feed the child 5 times a day.*A good breakfast is a must. There may be a dislike for vegetables, so vegetables should be incorporated in cutlets or roti or cut in different shapes as salad. Colorful food adds variety and stimulates interest.