Foods which are supplemented in place of milk are known as supplementary
foods, these can be divided in two types
(1) Liquid Supplementary Foods.
(2) Solid Supplementary Foods.
(3) Liquid Supplementary Foods
Although many types of milk is available, buffalo milk, goat milk, Powder
milk, condensed milk etc. but still cows milk is considered best by mothers,
still it is seen that majorly buffalo's milk is given in practise. In poor
socio-Economic groups children are given chance to have tea, coffee, instead
of milk.
Common Liquid/Semi Solid Supplements used in Different
regions.
Hyderabad |
New Delhi |
Poona |
Milk |
Milk |
Milk |
Toddy |
Tea |
Tea |
Tea |
Fruit Juice |
Rice, Conjee |
Curds & Lassi |
Jowar, |
Porridge. |
A majority of mothers in the regions Coimbatore and Gandhigram gave porridge prepared from cereals like rice, ragi, as supplement whereas in Hyderabad toddy is used for Supplementary.
To begin with fresh cow's milk or milk from other animals is boiled and cooled and used as the food of choice. Since the proportion of nutrition in animal milk differs from that of human milk the former is diluted with boiled and cooled water in the proportion of 2:1 for the 1st feed 8 oz, of milk per feed for two feeds is an ideal replacement. Also sugar must be added to the above - are to sweeten it before it is fed. If fresh milk is not available then reconstituted milk can be used, Ground nut milk is another nutrition and cheap source, it is milky fluid obtained by boiling suitable amounts of water with ground nut paste then straining it. This milk contains almost similar amount of body building but it is little deficient in vitamins and minerals as compared to animal and human milks. Ground nut milk can replace entirely cow's milk or buffalo's milk for all food preparations where the later is used.
Juices of fresh fruits or oranges, tomatoes, mosumi, grapes, etc. should be given even after birth starting from only few drops a day, as some protective nutrients are present in those juices. These should be diluted with boiled cooled water, after which water proportion should be decreased gradually and then quantity of juice can be increased so that in a few weeks time the baby receives about 3 oz orange juice or about 3/4 Tumbler (6 oz) fresh tomato juice. If these are not available or very costly then green leafy vegetables may be used. These can be used in shape of soup which can be given to the child.
Fish liver oil e.g. Cod liver oil or shark liver oil be given as daily supplement. It will provide vitamin A & D in good amounts which are very necessary for growth and development of the child. This can be started at 3rd-4th months.
Initially few drops mixed with a little milk can be given which may be gradually increased one tsp./day.