If you have a toddler who suddenly refuses every food item that isn’t a biscuit or a banana, congratulations—you have a “Picky Eater.” This behavior is incredibly common and usually a normal phase reflecting slower growth and a desire for independence.Here are five practical, pediatrician-approved strategies to help navigate mealtime battles and ensure your child receives the nutrition they need.

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  Strategies for Stress-Free Mealtimes

1. Rule of the Parent vs. Rule of the Child: This is the golden rule. The Parent’s Job is to decide WHAT food is offered, WHEN it is offered, and WHERE (at the table). The Child’s Job is to decide IF they eat and HOW MUCH they eat. Do not pressure, bribe, or force them to eat.
2. The Power of Repetition (The 10-15 Try Rule): A child often needs to be exposed to a new food 10 to 15 times before accepting it. Don’t stop offering broccoli just because they spat it out once. Continue to put it on their plate alongside a familiar food.
3. Reduce Juice and Milk: Toddlers can easily fill up on liquids, which are less calorie-dense than solid food. Limit milk intake to about 500-600 ml per day and switch to water for thirst to encourage an appetite for meals.
4. Involve Them in the Process: Children are more likely to eat what they’ve helped prepare. Take your child to the kitchen (safely!) to wash vegetables or stir a batter. Even giving them a choice between two healthy options (“Would you like carrot sticks or cucumber slices?”) gives them a sense of control.
5. Be a Role Model (Eat Together): Eat the same healthy food as your child. Children learn by imitation. Family mealtimes, free from screens and distractions, normalize healthy eating habits more effectively than any lecture.

If you are concerned about your child’s weight or growth curve due to persistent picky eating, please book a consultation. We can assess their dietary intake and look for any underlying issues.

Yes, absolutely! I will write the content for the four new blog posts in a continuous, written format, suitable for publishing on Dr. Shireesha website.

Here are the four complete blog articles, one for each category:

Infant & Toddler Care

Safe Sleep Habits: Debunking Myths and Creating a Peaceful Night Routine

The moments we spend preparing our baby for sleep are precious, but they can also be filled with anxiety, especially concerning Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). At Birth & Beyond Clinic, we want every parent in Kharghar to feel confident about their child’s safety through the night.

The key to reducing SIDS risk is creating a Safe Sleep Environment.

The ABCs of Safe Sleep

• A is for Alone: Your baby should sleep alone in their own dedicated sleeping space (a crib or bassinet). Sharing a bed with parents significantly increases the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation.
• B is for Back: Always place your baby to sleep completely on their back. While tummy time is crucial for development when supervised, all naps and nighttime sleep should start with the baby on their back.
• C is for Crib: The sleep surface should be firm and approved for infant use. Keep the crib bare. This means no pillows, blankets, loose sheets, soft toys, cot bumpers, or decorative padding.

Debunking Common Sleep Myths

• Myth: “Babies are less comfortable sleeping on their backs.”

1. Fact: Babies sleep just as well on their backs, and it is the safest position.

• Myth: “If my baby spits up, they will choke on their back.”

1. Fact: A healthy baby’s airway anatomy and gag reflex prevent them from choking while sleeping on their back.

By strictly following these simple guidelines, you create the safest possible environment, giving both you and your baby a restful night.

Illness & Prevention

Decoding Your Child’s Fever: When to Worry, When to Wait, and Home Care Essentials

Fever is the most common reason parents call our clinic. While a spike in temperature is understandably worrying, fever is simply the body’s natural and healthy response to fight off infection. Knowing how to manage a fever and recognizing the warning signs are essential for every parent in Navi Mumbai.

Managing Fever at Home

1. Measure Accurately: Use a digital thermometer. For infants under three months, a rectal temperature is the most accurate. For older children, oral or armpit (axillary) methods are generally acceptable.
2. Medication Use: Administer age- and weight-appropriate doses of Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) or Ibuprofen (only after 6 months of age). Never give your child aspirin. The goal of medication is comfort, not necessarily bringing the temperature back to $98.6^circtext{F}$ ($37^circtext{C}$).
3. Hydration: Offer plenty of clear fluids, water, ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution), or breast milk/formula. Fever can lead to dehydration quickly.
4. Comfort: Dress your child in light clothing and ensure the room is comfortable—not too hot, not too cold. Avoid cold baths or alcohol rubs, as these can cause shivering and actually raise the internal temperature.

Red Flags: When to Visit the Clinic Immediately

• Any fever ($100.4^circtext{F}$ or $38^circtext{C}$) in an infant under 3 months of age.
• A fever that lasts more than 72 hours (3 days) in a child over 3 months.
• The fever is accompanied by signs of severe illness: difficulty breathing, stiff neck, severe headache, confusion, or unusual purple or red spots (rashes) that do not fade when pressed.
• Signs of severe dehydration: significantly decreased urination, dry mouth, or lethargy.

 

In these situations, it is critical to call +91 93243 40480 or visit the Birth & Beyond Clinic immediately.

Nutrition & Development

The First Foods Journey: A Pediatrician’s Guide to Starting Solids (Weaning)

Starting solids, or weaning, is an exciting milestone! It marks the transition from milk being the sole source of nutrition to integrating complementary foods. Doing this correctly ensures your baby gets the critical nutrients needed for rapid development.

When to Start: Signs of Readiness

Most babies are ready to start solids around 6 months of age, but look for these physical signs of developmental readiness:

1. Head Control: Your baby can sit upright with minimal support and has good head control.
2. Loss of Tongue-Thrust Reflex: They no longer automatically push food out of their mouth with their tongue.
3. Curiosity: They show interest in the food you are eating and try to reach for it.

Best First Foods (In an Indian Context)

Start with simple, single-grain, single-ingredient foods to help identify any sensitivities:

• Ragi Porridge (Finger Millet): An excellent first food that is easily digestible and rich in calcium.
• Rice Cereal/Khichdi: Cooked with water or milk until very soft and mashed smooth.
• Mashed Fruits & Vegetables: Pureed banana, cooked sweet potato, or mashed avocado.

Introducing New Foods Safely

Introduce one new food every three to five days. This practice allows you to monitor for any allergic reactions (like rashes, swelling, vomiting, or diarrhea). Remember, solids complement breast milk or formula; they do not replace them. Milk remains the primary source of nutrition for the first year.

Immunization Updates

Beyond the Schedule: Understanding Booster Shots and Why They’re Essential

Parents often feel relief when their child completes the intensive vaccination schedule in the first year. However, protecting your child is a long-distance race, not a sprint! Booster doses are vital pit stops that reinforce immunity and are just as important as the initial shots.

Why We Need Boosters

Protection from vaccines is not always permanent. Over time, the immune system’s memory can fade, leaving the child vulnerable again—a phenomenon known as waning immunity. Booster shots are designed to:

1. Re-Alert the Immune System: They give the body a fresh reminder of the pathogen, causing the production of new, powerful antibodies.
2. Increase Longevity: They extend the duration of protection, ensuring immunity lasts through childhood and into adolescence.
3. Combat New Risks: Boosters often coincide with life changes, such as school entry (around 4 to 6 years of age), where exposure to new germs is much higher.

 

Key Booster Shots to Remember

Many parents miss the doses given to toddlers and older children. Key boosters include:

• DPT Booster: Given around 18 months and again before school entry (4-6 years) to maintain protection against Diphtheria, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), and Tetanus.
• MMR/Varicella (Measles, Mumps, Rubella/Chickenpox) Second Dose: Usually given around 15 months, the second dose ensures nearly $100%$ protection.
• Typhoid/Hepatitis A Boosters: Depending on the type of vaccine used, these require follow-up doses to remain effective, especially in a city like Navi Mumbai where environmental exposure is high.

We encourage all parents to review their child’s immunization card during every well-child visit. If you are unsure about your child’s status, please call the Birth & Beyond Clinic at +91 93243 40480 to confirm your child is fully protected.