DrSoonu: Megcool; I think that at 3yrs he should be eating whatever the family eats. mealtimes are also breakfats lunch and dinner with a snack in the evening depending on the dinner time. NO forcing and no special diet. one or two small cups of milk if he likes it but do not force him. Milk can be given in many forms like curd, cheese, with cereal.

megcool: Should I give him multivitamin syrups for proper growth daily ?if yes what type..i used to give him Homeopathic fivephors syrup but stopped that as I heard that it should not be given for long?

DrSoonu: If he is growing well and has a balanced diet then he really doesnt need any supplements. Homeopathic syps wont actually give vitamins. Any multi vitamin brand ill supply that. half a spoon is generally enough.

Kira: hi dr. is 9 months an ok age to start feeding a child solid food? my boy does not seem to like it and we don't know how to get him off breast milk

DrSoonu: At 9 months he knows what he wants. he should be trained to eat by now as he will give you a tough fight. Feed him the semisolid preperation and if he doesnt eat DO NOT feel sorry for him and substitute it with breast milk. let himbe for that meal. Try again after 2 hours. he will learn out of lack of choice and even start enjoying the experience if you do not make it a tension filled one by force feeding and tamasha creation for every feed. continue breast milk not more than 3 times a day. or he will not eat.

megcool: Can u suggest some good Indian parenting books?

DrSoonu: Ask yourself do you really need them? common sense is the best parenting book. be friends with your child but dont be afraid to spell out th rule. firmness and consistency in dealing with the child along with plenty of love and affection is the best way to go.

megcool: I notice little boil like something in my son’s eyelash,v small, i ask him if it hurts he said no, my friend told me its may be due to heat(summer) and ask me to give him dried black Raisins.don’t kn what  to do?

DrSoonu: show it to the doctor on the next visit. it may be nothing of importance if its been there a long time. I see no connection with raisins and if he is 3 and doesnt chew them properly, they may go down the wrong way.

Kira: are formula foods any good or should we stick to home-made food and mashed fruits?

DrSoonu: home made is best.

megcool: can pista be given in summer as its only dry fruit my son likes to eat?

DrSoonu: not at the age of 3. these things are notorious for going down the wrong way and getting stuck in the windpipe. we say thaat small things like channa, peanuts, pista, etc should only begiven after 4 or 41/2 years of age when the child chews properly.

shilpy: my son is 5 months can i start with water and solid foods

DrSoonu: Yes you can start with rice based meals. add dal first as a thin paste and then Khichdi consistency. water only after he has eaten. if he is on nreast milk he may not need too much extra water.

Kira: what's the best way to deal with a child when he throws a tantrum? it's very embarrasing when a kid throws a tantrum in the middle of a store or starts crying out loud when he doesn't get what he wants?

DrSoonu: be firm. All kids throw tantrums so dont be embarrased. If you give into every tantrum it just reinforces the utility of the tantrum to the child. if you turn away or ignore it and reuse to give him what he wants at that time then he will soon learn that it does not help to throw a tantrum. also when he is quiet or at home, explain what happened and why you did not give him what he wanted and why others were looking at both of you.gradually the behaviour will stop.

megcool: i am planning for another baby after 2-3 mths pls advice about proper food or medi as i recently had miscarraige

DrSoonu: this is something you must ask your OBGYN but I will tell you that its always a good idea to start Folate tablets Folvite 5 mg immediately. also if you smoke- stop and stop any alcohol also, even ocial drinking so that during conception, there is no alcohol level in the lood. Its best to discuss details with your OBGYN

shilpy: i was giving mixed feed(breastmilk and formula) to my child since he was 1.5 month ;now he is not taking breast milk at all .how can i encourage giving.he cries before sucking

DrSoonu: This is what we always fear when mixed feeds are given and therefore avoid anything but breast milk. You havent said how you are feeding him. If you are using the bottle then there will be nipple confusion as well as taste confusion. Now he is 5 months old so its best to wean him onto semisolids and off any bottle. Now that he has been on formula for so long he can go to regular milk easily.

Aryan: Is it okay to feed a 9 month baby with mashed rice/chapatti?

DrSoonu: yes start with rice and then move on to wheat products.