Rice porridge for babies

If you have started solids for your baby, then this porridge is a saver for you. You can prepare it in a less time. It is very healthy and free of preservatives and also very easy to prepare once the powder is ready. You can completely avoid buying readymade products from the store.

To make rice porridge

Ingredients:
Cashewnuts - 1/2 cup
Almonds -1/2 cup
Cumin seeds - 1tsp
Black pepper - 1tsp
Moong Dal - 3/4th cup
Rice - 1 cup

Procedure:
1. Firstly, soak almonds overnight and remove the skin.
2. Dry roast cashew nuts and almonds for a minute. Once the nuts are roasted, remove them to a plate.
3. Now, dry roast jeera for a minute and then add black pepper.
4. Once jeera and pepper are roasted, add moong dal and roast for a while.
5. Lastly, add rice and roast for 3-4 minutes. Turn off the flame and let it cool.
6. Once the mixture is cooled, add it to the blender along with the nuts and grind them to a powder.

7. You can store the powder in an air tight container. 

Method of preparation:
1. Boil water in a clean vessel and add a pinch of salt to the water.
2. Mix a little-prepared powder with water in a bowl to make it lump free. Now add this to the boiling water and stir it continuously for 2-3 minutes.
3. Lastly, add ghee and turn off the flame.

Note:
1. Keep the flame low while preparing so that the porridge does not have lumps and also not watery.
2. You can avoid using salt if you have not given salt to your baby. I add a pinch of salt because my baby doesn't eat otherwise.
3. You can adjust water as per your little ones taste. If you don't want the porridge to be thick, you can add some more water and make it thin.
4. Use can skip using nuts or you can use either of the nuts as per your choice.

Hospital bag checklist

Once you are over 36 weeks of pregnancy, then you are ready to deliver at any time. Infact, nobody knows when the pain will kick start and when you are in pain, you will not be able to pack your bag. So keep your hospital bag ready with all the necessary items well in advance so as to avoid last moment packing and missing out on certain things.

What should I pack in the bag?
1. Keep all the medical records which is very important.
2. A pair of comfortable footware to walk around in the hospital.
3. Comfortable nursing gowns to feed the baby.
4. Feeding bras and breast pads.
5. Necessary toiletries like toothpaste, brush, soap as some hospitals in india do not provide them.
6. Body lotion and lip balm to avoid the dryness of skin and lips.
7. Keep your comb, hair band to tie and keep your hair tidy.
8. Feeding pillow. Not every one prefers feeding pillow but i suggest it because it will give support to your back and ease back pain. Also feeding becomes easier.
9. New mom pads. There are maternity pads available which can be used after delivery as there will be excess blood flow .

What to pack for baby?
1. Clean and washed warm clothes for baby.
2. Diapers and wipes. New born diapers are available so keep them well in advance instead of buying a size extra which happened in my case.
3. Cotton balls to clean the baby if you do not want to use the wipes.
4. Warm baby blanket and sheets to use in the crib.
5. Swaddle cloth. New born baby needs to be swaddled till he gets adjusted to the outside world.
6. Cap and socks to keep your baby warm.
7. Few cotton nappies to use during the diaper free time.

Reason to start "Baby world"

As a new mom, I panicked on every other silly thing. I ran to the doctor even for the mild cold or a diaper rash. But as days passed, i gained experience and learnt to tackle things in a better way.
This blog is just my attempt to help new mommies like me through their journey of motherhood.