World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of your baby's life to provide optimal nutrition and health benefits. Whether your baby is breastfed or formula fed, solid foods should be introduced only after completion of six months of age. Once solid food is introduced, a mother should focus on breastfeeding baby till one year. Post this period, you can wean off baby when both you and baby are ready. Introducing your little bundle of joy to solid food is a very exciting milestone for both of you - parents and baby. By offering solid food you are introducing your offspring to a whole new world of food and flavors, helping them to establish healthy eating pattern that will be beneficial for their rest life.
First foods
Your baby's first food can include mashed or finely cooked fruit or vegetables such as potato, sweet potato, carrot, apple or pear. Other soft fruits like melon can be offered directly. Rice cereals mixed with baby's regular milk (breast milk or formula preferably) can also be offered as first foods.
Finger food
As soon as baby starts solids, provide them with finger food like small pieces of soft ripe banana or steamed carrot or any other fruit or vegetables, steamed (where ever required) and cut into bite sized pieces. Let them touch and explore the texture of food and encourage self-feeding.
Next food
If babies are taking the above type of foods well, then you can offer other soft variants of food items like pulses and legumes. Babies can also have soft cooked meat such as chicken, mashed fish (check carefully for any bones), pieces of roti, hard-boiled eggs-given in mashed form etc. Make sure all food items are cooked properly before putting it onto baby's plate. Most parents start only with purees first but that is completely optional. At six months, babies can handle a variety of soft textures and finger food; it can be minced, mashed or shredded. In fact, if your kid is getting mostly purees, after nine months, he/ she might have trouble transitioning to eating regular food.
Points to remember
- Never leave baby alone while drinking or eating
- Solid food should not be introduced before six months
- Do not add salt to any kind of baby food
- Sugar should be fed to babies only in its natural form like in fruits or vegetables
- Introduce one food at a time so that the baby can get used to the different tastes and textures
- Refrain from force feeding
- If a particular food is refused, wait a few days and try again
Most important: all babies are different and they take time to develop liking for certain food items. So don’t fuss over if your baby is not eating any particular food. Mix and match and you’re to find something that the little munchkin likes.
FAQ's
Q. When should I start giving solid foods to my baby?
Ans.You should start solid foods only after your baby turns 6 months old, as recommended by the World Health Organization.
Q. What should I give as my baby’s first solid food?
Ans.Start with soft foods like mashed potato, sweet potato, carrot, banana, apple, or pear. You can also try baby cereal mixed with breast milk or formula.
Q. Can I give finger food right from the start?
Ans.Yes, once your baby starts solids, offer soft finger foods like steamed carrot sticks or small banana pieces. It helps them explore food and learn self-feeding.
Q. When can I introduce foods like meat or eggs?
Ans.After your baby gets used to simple solids, you can offer soft cooked chicken, mashed fish (check for bones), mashed eggs, lentils, or small pieces of roti.
Q. Is it okay to only give purees in the beginning?
Ans.Purees are fine, but mixing in soft textures early helps babies learn to chew and prevents trouble with regular food later on.
Q. Can I add salt or sugar to baby food?
Ans.No. Avoid adding salt or sugar. Natural sweetness from fruits and vegetables is enough for babies.
Q. What if my baby refuses a new food?
Ans.That’s normal. Try again after a few days. Babies need time to get used to new tastes and textures.
Q. Should I force my baby to eat if they’re not interested?
Ans.No, never force feed. Let your baby eat at their own pace. This builds healthy eating habits.
Q. Is it okay to leave my baby alone while eating?
Ans.No. Always watch your baby while they eat to prevent choking and ensure safe feeding.
