A key milestone to babies and parents is 6 months. When babies are of this age, they are normally prepared to venture into solid foods in addition to the breastmilk or formula. First solids, or 6 Month Baby Food, is a practice that introduces your baby to new flavours, textures, and nutrients even though milk has remained the most important source of nutrition up to this point.
When you are a new parent, introducing solids may seem daunting- however, it need not be. Everything you need is in this guide: what foods to begin with, how much, nutrition requirements, recipes you can make at home, baby food, safety, and frequently asked questions.
Regardless of your preferences in homemade foods such as rice porridge or safe store bought products such as Bebe Burp porridge mixes, this guide will provide clarity, confidence and step-by-step process of a smooth transition to solids.
Key Points:
- 6 months = milestone age for starting solids
- Solids complement milk, not replace it
- Start with simple, safe first foods
- Gradual progression: purees → mashed → soft lumps
- Milk remains the main source of nutrition
-
Homemade or safe store-bought options can be used
Why 6 Months is the Right Time to Start Baby Food
WHO & Pediatric Recommendations
- Breastfeeding should continue to the age of 6 months.
- After 6 months, babies require extra nutrients that cannot be supplied by milk especially iron and zinc.
Signs Your Baby is Ready
Look for these readiness cues:
-
Good head and neck control
-
Sitting with support
-
Curiosity toward food (reaching for your plate)
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Reduced tongue-thrust reflex
Note: Weight alone does not determine readiness. Follow developmental cues.
Difference Between 4–6 Months and 6 Months Solids
- 4–6 months: Mostly purees, small tastes, just exploration.
- 6 months old: Healthy high-nutrition food, slow upsurge in volume, greater crunchy.
6 Month Baby Food Basics for Parents
How to Start Food for 6 Month Baby
- Begin with 1–2 teaspoons, once a day
- Offer semi-solid consistency
- Follow the 3-day rule: Introduce one new food at a time, wait 3 days to check for allergies
How Much Quantity of Food for 6 Month Baby
- Start small → gradually increase
- Milk remains primary source of nutrition
- Example progression: 2–3 spoons → ½ bowl → 2 small meals/day
What Foods Can a 6 Month Old Baby Eat?
- Cereals: Rice, ragi, oats, barley
- Pulses: Moong dal, lentil water
- Fruits: Banana, apple, pear
- Vegetables: Carrot, pumpkin, sweet potato
Texture Guide:
- Stage 1: Pureed → Stage 2: Mashed → Stage 3: Soft lumps
Best First Foods for 6 Month Baby
Baby First Foods 4–6 Months vs. After 6 Months
- First foods: mild one-ingred purees.
- In 6 months: iron-enriched foods, mixed purees, a little thicker textures.
Iron-Rich Foods for Babies 6 Months
- Ragi (finger millet)
- Moong dal puree
- Spinach puree
- Fortified cereals
Calcium-Rich Foods for 6 Month Baby
- Yogurt (unsweetened)
- Ragi porridge
- Suji (semolina) kheer
Brain Development Foods for 6 6-month-old Baby
- Omega-rich options: Tiny flaxseed powder, avocado puree
- Supports cognitive development and healthy brain growth
Food for 6 Month Baby to Gain Weight
- Mashed potato
- Banana puree
- Moong dal khichdi
6 Month Baby Food Chart (with Time & Quantity)
6 Month Baby Food Timetable
|
Time |
Food |
Quantity / Notes |
|
8:00 AM |
Breastmilk / Formula |
As usual, main nutrition source |
|
10:00 AM |
Fruit puree (banana, apple, pear) |
1–2 tsp initially, gradually increase |
|
1:00 PM |
Rice porridge or Moong dal water |
2–3 tbsp → ½ bowl gradually |
|
4:00 PM |
Vegetable mash (carrot, pumpkin, sweet potato) |
2–3 tbsp, soft texture |
|
7:00 PM |
Dal water or Suji (semolina) kheer |
Light and easily digestible |
Tips:
- Introduce one new food at a time (3-day rule) to monitor allergies.
- Milk remains primary nutrition; solids are complementary.
- Gradually progress purees → mashed → soft lumps.
6 to 12 Months Baby Food Chart PDF
- Parents can download a PDF version of baby food charts for easy reference.
- Daily, weekly, and monthly feeding charts
💡 Note: Food charts are largely similar across languages; regional variations like ragi in South India or suji in North India can be noted. Example:
|
Region |
Example |
|
North |
Suji kheer, dal khichdi |
|
South |
Ragi porridge, moong dal |
Homemade Food Recipes for 6 Month Baby
Baby Food Recipes 6–8 Months (Gradual Progression)
- Stage 1: Smooth purees
- Stage 2: Mashed + semi-solid
Baby Food Recipes for 6 Months
- Rice Porridge
- Moong Dal Water
- Apple Puree
- Carrot Mash
- Ragi Porridge
Indian Food for 6 Month Old Baby
- Dal Khichdi
- Suji Kheer
- Vegetable puree
Homemade Food for 6 Month Old Indian Baby
- Emphasize fresh, seasonal, safe options
- Avoid processed foods and excess sugar/salt
Best Food Products for 6 Month Baby
- Cerelac for 6 months (compare with homemade)
- Nestle baby food for 6 months
- Natural options like BebeBurp Porridges preferred by parents for ease and nutrition
Foods to Avoid at 6 Months
- Honey
- Cow’s milk (as drink)
- Salt, sugar, processed foods
- Nuts (choking hazard)
Special Food Needs for 6 Month Baby
Healthy Food for 6 Months Baby
- Nutrient-rich and easily digestible foods
Best Food After 6 Months
- Slowly increase variety
- Mix grains, vegetables, and proteins
Supplementary Food for 6 Months Baby
- Homemade porridge mixes
- Fortified cereals
Semi-Solid Food for 6 Month Baby
- Transition from purees to thicker textures gradually
Finger Foods for 6 Month Old Baby with No Teeth
- Steamed carrot sticks
- Soft banana pieces
- Always supervise to prevent choking
Night Food for 6 Month Baby
- Light, filling options: suji porridge, rice water
FAQs Parents Ask About 6 Month Baby Food
Q: What is the best food for baby at 6 months?
A: Iron-rich cereals, moong dal water, pureed fruits & veggies.
Q: Which food helps in baby’s weight gain?
A: Mashed potatoes, banana puree, khichdi.
Q: Can I give Cerelac or only homemade?
A: Both are okay; homemade is fresher, store-bought is convenient.
Q: How much quantity of food for a 6-month-old baby?
A: Start 1–2 tsp → gradually increase to ½ bowl per meal.
Q: Why not give baby food before 6 months?
A: Early solids can cause digestion issues and reduce breastmilk intake.
Q: What baby food to start with at 6 months?
A: Single-grain cereals, fruit/vegetable purees, dal water.
Q: How to give food for 6 month baby?
A: Spoon-feed small amounts slowly, once or twice a day initially.
Q: What foods should be given and avoided?
A: Give cereals, dal, fruits, veggies; avoid honey, cow’s milk, salt, sugar, nuts.
Q: Which food is given first to baby?
A: Rice cereal or ragi porridge is commonly started first.
Conclusion
Every baby is unique—start solids slowly and patiently. Keep in mind that solids are not a substitute of milk; they are the complement. Pay attention to homemade, fresh and nutritious food as a great base.
