Starting Baby On Solid Foods: 7 to 12 Months

Slowly your baby is learning to chew and tooth eruption may have also started. You can start experimenting a little more with their food. Add a spoonful of butter/ghee/oil to your little one’s meal. Rice is less likely to cause allergies compared to other cereals. In pulses, moong dal or green gram dal is best tolerated among infants. There are certain foods like soybean, egg white, and cow's milk, which can cause allergies in your little one. Be careful before offering these to your child.

7-8 months

What To Give?

Now you can start with vegetables and pulses. You may add well-cooked vegetables to mashed potato or to thin khichri. Other options are dalia, dal, curds, etc. You can also introduce fortified infant cereals as they contain the necessary nutrients that your growing baby needs.

How Much To Give?

Starting from 2-3 spoons it can be gradually increased to one katori. Along with 2-3 feeds of milk, 2-3 katories of solid food can be given in a day.

Consistency

The consistency should be semi-solid only. Thickness can be increased depending on the infant's tolerance.

10-12 months

What To Give?

You can give eggs (including egg white), meat, all vegetables (excluding vegetables like peas and corn, which can cause choking), and fruits. Now you may give scrambled egg, soft-boiled egg, or custard. Age appropriate infant cereals with the right nutrition and texture can also be a suitable partner to encourage chewing. Well-cooked shredded meat can be added, after consultation with your paediatrician. Chopped fruits and vegetables can be given raw or cooked.

How Much To Give?

One whole egg can be given. Fruits and vegetables can be started with small amounts and you can increase the amount gradually.

Consistency

The infant is able to bite and chew now. Consistency can now be semi-solid and solid for soft fruits and vegetables.

By the age of one, infants should be introduced to family food and given the concept of eating with everyone. Ideally, the baby should take 1-2 meals with family.

Do’s Of Starting Solid Foods 

1. Introduce only one food at a time. Let the child develop a taste for it in a few days. 

2. Give small quantities of food and then gradually increase the amount. Consistency would start from liquid, semi-solid, and then come to solid.

3. Introduce variety in a child's diet, as they may get bored of the same food. The more variety a child is exposed to, the less fuss they will have towards food in the future. More variety also means a mix of nutrition.

4. Gradually children appreciate different colours, shapes, and textures. This can be introduced to a child's diet to make it attractive.

Don’ts Of Starting Solid Foods 

1. Do not force-feed the child. If the child dislikes a particular food, avoid it and re-introduce it later.

2. If the child still dislikes that particular food, don’t force feed. No food is indispensable and you can always look for a better substitute.

3. Do not give very spicy food to the infant and avoid fried foods too.

4. Do not show your personal dislike for a particular food as children tend to follow their parents’ likes and dislikes.

Disclaimer: Exclusive Breastfeeding is best for babies for the first 6 months. Breast milk provides the ideal balanced nutrition and protection. However, there may be individual instances where introducing first foods may be required depending on the child's needs and issues related to the mother's milk supply. Please consult a paediatrician to make a more informed choice.