WHAT SHOULD BE THE FIRST DROP ON THE PALATE OF THE NEWBORN, HONEY OR WHAT ELSE?
For centuries, people have been putting a drop or two of honey on the tongues of the newborns. Someone may prefer using a holy water or some blessed fluid instead! This first food of the baby is called a GUDTI in this part of India where I exist, it must have different names elsewhere. The practice have different modalities among different community settings. It's justifications may also differ. But the fact remains: It is an altogether useless and potentially harmful practice. We don't know anything about it's origin and we are not bothered about! NOTHING and I repeat, NOTHING should be given to the newborns as a 'first taste', other than the breast milk. So, all the babies should be put to the mothers' breast as they demand feed, soon after birth. That brings me to another crucial question very commonly put up by the family of the baby. Many a times, it is felt that the mother will not be able to produce enough milk during the first few days and babies shou...