Mother: “The doctor advised not to give sugar or salt to the child.”
Mother -in -law: “The doctor doesn’t know everything. How will the child enjoy the taste of food without them?”
Mother: “But …”

It has become a daily routine between Nisha Sharma (name changed), a new mother, and Parul Sharma (name changed), her mother-in-law, since Nishtha’s six-month-old daughter started having concrete food.

Despite the clear recommendation of the doctor to avoid salt and sugar until at least the child’s first birthday, the grandmother insists on connecting these materials, assuming that the child would remember their taste.

Nisha simply surprises: If the child has never tasted salt or sugar, how can he probably miss them?

Is it not a familiar conversation, faces many new parents, who are caught between medical advice and family practices, whose voice is to follow uncertain?

If you are facing the same dilemma, understand why doctors advise Infants to give sugar and salt,

Dr. Nandita Rathinam, advisor, pediatric and pediatric intensive care department, Manipal Hospital, Bangalore, say, “The first two years of a child’s life is like laying the foundation of a house. You want to strengthen, stable and finalize it.”

She says that whatever they eat during this time, they will feel about their development, their health and even the way they grow up.

“Infants should not have excess sugar or salt because their bodies do not handle them well,” Dr. Rajiv Chhabra, Chief Pediatrician, Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram.

The doctor tells Today India That infants’ kidneys have not yet fully developed, so they cannot get rid of excess salt very well.

He further states that eating a lot of sugary foods can make infants more likely to achieve cavities and may be less hungry for healthy foods.

“It can also encourage a lifelong preference for sweet and salty taste. Breast milk, formula, fruits, and vegetables give children all salt and sweetness,” Dr. Chhabra said.

What does sugar do for infants

Introducing sugar to infants can have an unhealthy preference for sweet taste.

Dr. According to Parimala V Thirumalesh, Senior Advisor, Neononetology and Pediatrics, Ester CMI Hospital, Bangalore, it makes it difficult for them to accept naturally less-sweet foods in life later, and because their teeth and gums are still being formed, it can also contribute to their child’s teeth.

“Additional sugar does not provide any real nutritional benefits and can cause unnecessary spikes in blood sugar levels, which increases the risk of irritability, disrupted sleep and prolonged obesity,” doctors share.

Dr. Chhabra agrees and says that in the early time of life, the child may be more likely to be overweight and later type 2 diabetes.

The beginning of a low-sugar start for the first 1,000 days reduces the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure as an adult.

What does salt to infants do

Dr. Vital Kumar Chargedi, Advisor and Incharge, Pediatrics Department, Care Hospitals, Hyderabad, reiterated that additional salt can overload their system and potentially damage their kidneys.

The doctor says, “Salt can mask the natural tastes of food, so infants may be interested in different types of tastes and textures that support healthy food.”

Very high salt can also lose calcium to infants, which can weaken their bones and throw the normal fluid balance of their body.

It is important to understand that breast milk or formula already requires all sodium – about 0.2 grams a day.

Why resistance?

“Many grandparents say,” We added sugar or salt to our children, and they grew up. ” The thing is that, we did not know much about how food habits shape long -term health.

Changing these traditions is not always easy, but it becomes easy to understand ‘Why’ behind advice.

Meanwhile, Dr. Chhabra has mentioned that because they add tasty food with strong tastes with their own cooking, many elderly carers have a difficult time without salt, no-spur.

“They can think that plain food is boring or less healthy, but it is not true for infants. Cultural traditions also matter, because adding spices to food is often seen as a way to show love and care. Likes the taste of grans. “

In addition, Dr. Thirumalesh explains that many elderly carers have difficulty adjusting the rules without salt, because in their generation, an infant food with a small sugar or salt was considered normal and even considered a sign of love or good cooking, and they could see the absence of these tastes as the child’s food or blissful.

Experts say that cultural traditions and family cuisine often include these joints, so changing deep condensed habits may make it feel like going against a long time caught by changing deep condensed habits.

However, once they understand that the modern recommendation is based on scientific knowledge updated about infant health, and that the buds of the child are prime to enjoy naturally, unmatched foods naturally, they can slowly adapt and feel confident about the choice.

It’s just more about food

The new parents should understand that the elderly grew up at a time when the food was far pure and impossible.

Subsequently, ghee, cream, and sweets were considered healthy because these foods were free from natural and harmful additives, so people were encouraged to consume them regularly.

In contrast, today’s heavy processed foods have contributed to an increase in health problems in generations.

Dr. Parathik Dave, an Ahmedabad -based psychiatrist, says, “From the perspective of the elderly, it seems unnecessary to restrict these foods, even harmful to the growth of a child. They see this almost as cruelty to deny young, innocent souls. Their role is decreasing in shaping the baby.

Correct approach

Dr. Rathinums suggest avoiding sugar or salt for the first two years. Use natural sweetness from fruits such as bananas or mangoes, and brighten vegetables, grains, and pulses with your own tastes.

After two years of age, you can introduce small amounts of sugar and salt, but keep them minimal. The goal is to raise children who enjoy a variety of tastes, not just the extreme high of processed food.

However, Dr. Thirumalesh says that after 12 months, small and gradual introduction can be made, salt is kept within safe boundaries and with sugar reserved sugar for topical behavior, ensuring that the baby’s diet is mainly nutritious and rich in nutrients.

The doctor suggests that the parents and careful children can use herbs, light spices or natural sweetness from foods to enhance the health of the child without risk or to enhance taste without generating initial dependence.

Parents and elders need to remember – they are in the same team, both want what is best for the child. Catching traditions is very good, but it is equally important that they now know from science. Today, we have more reliable information to guide how we take care of younger people. Changes may take time, but once you understand why experts advise something, it is very easy to go on the board.

Start them properly, and you are no longer protecting their health, you are installing them for better food throughout your life.