This is a traditional Sri Lankan ceremony which the infant fed with solid food for the first time of his or her life. This tradition is done in most areas of the country with slight variations of rituals & customs.

Many Sri Lankan parents offer rice and dhal porridge – or thalapa – as a first food, which is essentially well boiled rice and dhal, mashed with breastmilk. If you choose rice as your baby’s first solid meal, try to select an organic type. This is because some commercially grown rice varieties may contain small quantities of inorganic arsenic.

Baby should be eating nutritious family foods now. Main meals - A variety of nutritious family food 3 times a day, a bit more than a tea cup at each meal. Try to feed 5 different items of vegetables and fruits per day. Try to let baby sit with family members at meal times and have meals.

After you get to know that your baby is ready for solid food the best food for your baby are fruits and certain vegetables such as sweet potato, banana, avocado and green beans. At the start it is important to mash these foods to make it easy for baby to swallow.