Q: I am a working mother and am away from home from 8 am to 6 pm every day. My nine-month-old son is left alone in the care of our maid during this time. Kindly suggest the ideal diet for my son. Also, how do I start toilet training him?

A:By nine months your child should be having solid food three times a day and milk feeds 2-3 times a day. Food should include all fruits and vegetables, a variety of dals and paneer and dahi. If you wish, eggs or chicken/fish can also be added. Please do not try to toilet train the child as nine months is too early an age for a baby to achieve bladder and bowel control.