When your baby starts solids (usually around 6 months), the world of food opens up. While packaged baby cereals are convenient, nothing beats homemade food made from ingredients you trust. Atta, besan, sooji, and daliya are staples in Indian homes that can be turned into nutritious, easy-to-digest baby food. Here is how.
Important: Always consult your paediatrician before introducing new foods. Start with single ingredients, wait 3 days before introducing another, and watch for allergic reactions. This guide is for general information only.
When to Introduce Wheat-Based Foods
Most paediatricians recommend introducing wheat (atta) and gluten-containing grains after 7-8 months, once the baby has successfully tolerated simpler foods like rice, dal water, and vegetable purees. Start with thin porridge and gradually increase thickness as the baby gets used to the texture.
5 Simple Recipes
1. Sooji Porridge (7+ months)
Sooji is one of the easiest grains for babies to digest. Dry roast 1 tbsp Nandi Sooji in a drop of ghee till light golden. Add 1 cup water, stir continuously to avoid lumps. Cook for 5 minutes on low heat. Add a pinch of jaggery or mashed banana for sweetness. The consistency should be thin and smooth.
2. Daliya Khichdi (8+ months)
Cook 1 tbsp Nandi Daliya with 1/2 tbsp moong dal in excess water in a pressure cooker for 3-4 whistles. Mash well. Add a drop of ghee and a tiny pinch of turmeric. This is a complete meal with carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats.
3. Atta Halwa (8+ months)
Roast 1 tbsp Nandi Atta in 1 tsp ghee on low heat for 3-4 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water gradually, stirring to avoid lumps. Cook till thick. Sweeten with date syrup or mashed banana. Rich in energy and gentle on tiny tummies.
4. Besan Porridge (9+ months)
Roast 1 tbsp Nandi Besan in a drop of ghee till fragrant. Add water and cook to a smooth consistency. Besan is high in protein (22g per 100g) and a good alternative for babies who need more protein in their diet. Start with a small quantity and observe.
5. Sattu Drink (10+ months)
Mix 1 tsp Nandi Sattu in lukewarm water or thin buttermilk. A natural source of protein and energy. Many UP and Bihar families have been giving sattu water to toddlers for generations.
Tips for Parents
- Always cook grains thoroughly for babies. Undercooked grains are hard to digest.
- Start thin, make thicker gradually. Week 1: watery. Week 2: slightly thick. Week 3: porridge consistency.
- One new ingredient at a time. If you are introducing atta, do not add besan in the same week.
- Use good quality, FSSAI-certified ingredients. Nandi products are FSSAI and FSSC 22000 certified with no preservatives.
- Avoid sugar and salt for babies under 12 months. Use natural sweeteners like banana, date, or jaggery (after 8 months, in tiny amounts).
The best baby food is made at home with ingredients you can see and trust. Nandi Sooji, Nandi Daliya, and Nandi Atta are hygienic, pure, and certified. Give your little one the nutrition they deserve, made with your own hands.