Six months pass in the blink of an eye and you find yourself looking for delicious companions to accompany your breast milk. As your baby takes on the journey of expanding their taste buds it is always better to have a guide to help you lead your baby on the journey in the most healthy, fun, and delicious way possible. Trust us when we say it is not as complicated as it seems, and with this guide, we have made it even easier for you to lead the way for your baby. Let us explore together the simple steps of introducing your baby to different foods, and what they can or cannot eat.
Introduction to Solid Foods
Breast milk is liquid gold but at around 6 months babies are typically ready to be introduced to solid foods alongside breast milk or formula. The first steps are always the most important, and if you have any concerns about any health issues it is always better to consult a paediatrician before introducing any food to your baby. Better safe than sorry.
What Can They Eat?
Let’s explore what you can add to your 6-month-old baby’s menu on this new journey:
- Fruits: As they are generally low-fat foods and do contain some essentials like vitamin C, dietary fibre, and potassium, fruits are a great option to get your baby started with solids. Apples and bananas are best for this age.
- Vegetables: A 6-month-old baby’s menu can contain more than one type of vegetable each day. Like fruits, they are also low in fat and are a very great source of dietary fibre, vitamins C and A, folic acid, and potassium. Potatoes, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and carrots are great options. Keep in mind that vegetables for a 6-month-old must be free from all kinds of gas-forming foods like beans, broccoli, and cabbage to give them as little stomach issues as possible.
- Cereals and pulse: Rice is a very good food to get your baby started. It is a rich source of vitamin B, iron, and calcium with little protein. Pulses can be a great source of protein when mixed with rice, plain soft-boiled rice with or without a clear pulse soup can be given to the baby.
Single-Ingredient Purees:
Simplicity is key. Starting with simple, single-ingredient purees of soft fruits and vegetables such as mashed bananas, avocado, sweet potato, or cooked apples is a great way to introduce solids to your baby’s diet. These simple purees provide your baby with essential nutrients while allowing them to get accustomed to new flavours and textures gradually. As your baby grows older, you can gradually introduce more complex combinations of ingredients to expand their palate and encourage healthy eating habits.
Iron-Rich Foods:
Incorporating iron-rich foods into your baby’s diet and making their taste buds acquainted with sources of protein is important for their overall health and development. Pureed meats, such as chicken or beef, provide a natural source of iron, ensuring your baby receives the necessary iron for optimal growth and cognitive function.
Textures:
As your baby progresses in their solid food journey and expands their palate, gradually introducing thicker textures can help them develop their chewing and swallowing skills. Start with smooth purees, and then move on to mashed foods with a slightly thicker consistency. As you introduce different textures and different consistencies, observing how your baby reacts and their cues of readiness for more textures are keys to guaranteeing a smooth transition to solid foods and a better, easier process.
Allergenic Foods:
Allergies can be a source of distress for every parent but they are as easy to manage as they are easy to come across. Introducing allergenic foods one at a time allows you to closely monitor your baby’s responses and identify any potential negative reactions. It is better to start by introducing small amounts of each possible allergen like fish, eggs, and wheat, and watching for any symptoms such as hives, vomiting, or difficulty breathing. Consulting with a paediatrician before introducing allergenic foods can ensure an easier process for you and a safer one for your baby.
What Can’t Your Baby Eat?
At around 6 months old, babies are typically ready to start solid foods, and one by one they can be introduced to them all. Still, certain foods should be avoided due to potential choking hazards or digestive challenges. Please note that if you have any concerns, it is always better to consult a paediatrician for better guidance on risky foods. Here are some examples of ingredients that can potentially be a risk for your little one:
- Honey is best avoided until after the first year due to the possibility of infant botulism, which is a rare but serious illness.
- Cow’s milk should not be introduced as a main drink until after the first year as it contains high concentrations of protein and minerals, which can stress your baby’s kidneys when consumed in large amounts. But small amounts can be used in cooking or mixed with other foods.
- Foods such as whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, and large chunks of hard foods and chunks of meat should be avoided to reduce the risk of choking. Such foods should be prepared in ways like mashing, cutting into smaller pieces, or cooking until very soft if they will be introduced and any potential reactions while eating should be monitored for safety.
- Highly allergenic foods are usually recommended to be introduced early to help prevent allergies but some paediatricians may advise against certain high-risk allergens like nuts, shellfish, or egg whites until later in infancy, especially if there is a family history of allergies.
- Salt and sugar should be limited as your baby’s kidneys are still developing and they do not need extra sodium or sweeteners in their diets.
- Certain types of fish that contain high mercury levels, such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish should be avoided but options with lower mercury levels like salmon or light canned tuna can be introduced in small amounts.
- Water should not be offered to babies under 6 months of age as well. As they meet their daily fluid needs in other ways such as breast milk and formula, giving a baby under 6 months of age water can deter their access to all the vitamins and nutrients they need. When introducing water after 6 months, be sure to progress in small amounts and follow your child’s lead.
Baby-Led Weaning
Allowing your baby to self-feed by offering them soft, appropriate foods can promote their independence along with their fine motor skills, and giving them the freedom of action can result in a good relationship with food as well which is an important issue in everyone’s lives. Baby-led weaning encourages your little one to explore a variety of textures and flavours at their own pace under your guidance, which fosters a positive relationship with food. Letting them feed themselves also improves their grasping and chewing skills, promoting independence and fine motor development. Of course, supervision is key to ensuring their safety and your inner peace as it is a new journey both for you and them, allowing babies to self-feed can empower them to become more adventurous eaters as they grow.
Breast Milk or Formula
While introducing your babies and letting them explore is always key, your breast milk and/or formula should remain the primary source of nutrition at this age, providing the essential nutrients for their healthy development. Solid foods should be introduced gradually alongside breastfeeding as complementary rather than a total replacement for breast milk or formula at first. It is crucial to continue offering your little one milk feeds on demand or according to their weaning times to ensure they receive enough nutrition and hydration.
Feeding Schedule
Observing your baby’s needs and establishing a flexible feeding schedule tailored to them can help you lead a positive feeding experience. Initially, you can offer solids twice a day, observing your little one’s cues for hunger and satisfaction. As their interest grows along with their bodies you can gradually increase the frequency of meals, while always being mindful of their readiness and health.
