Young children need enough nutritious food every day to grow healthy, strong and smart. At around 6 months old, your baby is growing quickly and needs more energy and nutrients than at any other time in their life.
After 6 months, breastmilk is still your baby’s main source of energy and nutrients, but solid foods should now be added.
Your baby has a small stomach and needs to be eating small amounts of soft nutritious food frequently throughout the day.
In addition to grains and tubers, feed your baby a variety of foods – especially animal foods (dairy, eggs, meat, fish and poultry), fruits and vegetables – every day.
Key Guidelines Before You Start
Continue Breastfeeding or Formula Feeding: Solid foods complement milk, not replace it. Aim for 4-5 milk feeds per day.
Introduce One Food at a Time: Start with single-ingredient foods to identify any allergies. Wait 3-4 days before introducing a new food.
Consistency and Texture: Begin with smooth purees and gradually increase thickness as your baby learns to swallow.
No Salt or Sugar: Avoid adding salt, sugar, or honey. Your baby’s taste buds and kidneys are still developing.
6-Month Baby Food Chart
Week 1: Single-Grain Cereals
Morning Meal: 1-2 tablespoons of rice or oatmeal cereal mixed with breast milk/formula.
Start with a runny consistency to help your baby adapt.
Week 2: Fruits (Pureed)
Morning: Continue cereal.
Afternoon: Introduce one fruit puree like mashed banana, steamed apple, or pear.
Week 3: Vegetables (Pureed)
Morning: Cereal and fruit puree.
Afternoon: Introduce steamed and pureed vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, or zucchini.
Week 4: Combine Foods
Morning: Cereal with a fruit puree (e.g., oatmeal + apple puree).
Afternoon: Vegetable puree mixed with a tiny amount of lentil water or chicken broth for variety.
Sample Daily Feeding Schedule
7:00 AM: Breastfeeding/Formula.
9:00 AM: Rice cereal + pureed fruit.
12:00 PM: Breastfeeding/Formula.
2:00 PM: Pureed vegetables (e.g., sweet potato).
5:00 PM: Breastfeeding/Formula.
7:00 PM: Small serving of single-grain cereal.
9:00 PM: Breastfeeding/Formula before bedtime.
Foods to Avoid at 6 Months
Cow’s milk (until 12 months).
Honey (risk of botulism).
Whole nuts (choking hazard).
Processed foods and junk foods.
Tips for a Smooth Transition
Be Patient: Your baby might initially reject some foods. Keep trying but avoid forcing.
Watch for Allergies: Look out for rashes, diarrhea, or vomiting after introducing new foods.
Focus on Hygiene: Sterilize utensils and ensure all foods are cooked thoroughly.
Starting solids is a gradual process. By following this food chart and observing your baby’s preferences and readiness, you’ll set the foundation for healthy eating habits. Enjoy this exciting phase of your baby’s life.
Cerelac is a popular baby food, but making it at home is a great way to ensure it’s fresh and free of preservatives. Here’s a simple recipe to make homemade Cerelac for a 6-month-old baby:
Homemade Cerelac Recipe
This recipe combines rice and lentils, which are easy to digest and rich in nutrients for a growing baby.
Ingredients:
Rice – 1 cup (you can use white rice or parboiled rice)
Moong dal (yellow lentils) – 1/2 cup
Roasted Bengal gram (chickpeas) – 1/4 cup
Almonds (optional) – 5-6 (soaked and peeled)
Cardamom (optional, for mild flavor) – 1 pod
Preparation:
Wash the rice and moong dal thoroughly.
Dry roast the rice, lentils, and roasted Bengal gram separately in a pan on low heat until they turn aromatic and light golden.
If adding almonds and cardamom, lightly roast them too.
Cool the ingredients completely, then grind them into a fine powder using a mixer or grinder.
Store the powder in an airtight container. It can be kept for up to a month in a cool, dry place.
To Prepare Cerelac Porridge for Baby:
Take 1 tablespoon of the homemade Cerelac powder.
Mix it with 1/2 cup of water, stirring to avoid lumps.
Cook the mixture on low heat for 5-7 minutes until it reaches a smooth, porridge-like consistency.
Allow it to cool to room temperature before feeding it to your baby.
Tips:
Start with small quantities (1-2 teaspoons) and gradually increase as your baby gets used to solid food.
Avoid adding sugar or salt for babies under 1 year.
You can adjust the consistency by adding more water or breast milk/formula milk after cooking.
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