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Reasons why 6th month is right time to introduce solid foods

Tips on how to start baby’s first solid foods

Foods to include & avoid in Indian Diet Plan for 6 months old baby

Indian Diet Plan for 6 months old baby- First Week

Indian Diet Plan for 6 months old baby- Second Week

Indian Diet Plan for 6 months old baby- Third Week

Indian Diet Plan for 6 months old baby- Fourth Week

Congratulations Mommie…! Your little bundle of joy turned 6 months old. Six months is the most exciting stage and it’s an important milestone, as the little one is ready to try his first solid food. He is reading for weaning foods (First Food for baby). Food can be exciting for a baby and can take some getting used to. Some babies will take to it right away, others it might take a few months. Mommies, don’t forget to capture when your baby will take his first food. It will be very precious as he will make different cute expressions while having his food. I know you were waiting for this moment eagerly. Now the question arises what to feed and how to feed a baby? So, in this post I have shared tips on how to start baby’s First food and Indian Diet Plan for 6 months old Baby.

Some of the activities of 6 months old baby that you can also relate with your baby:

6 months old baby starts sitting, smiling, laughing and babbling (ma-ma, pa-pa).

By the age of 6 months, the infant has enough hand- to- eye co-ordination to put food and other objects into its mouth.

he/she will be able to control his/her neck and trunk.

6 Months is the right time:

For introducing complementary foods as infants are developmentally ready.

For showing the books and sharing stories with your baby.

For potty training as it will help you in the later stages.

Before jotting down Indian Diet Plan for 6 months old Baby and tips on how to start baby’s first solid foods, let us discuss the reasons why 6th month of a baby is the right time to introduce him solid foods.

Reasons why 6th month is the right time to introduce him solid foods:

Exclusive breast feeding is recommended until your baby is six months old as the breast-milk helps in fighting infections and builds immune system, also it helps in preventing allergies at early stages of life. After six months, only breastfeeding will not provide all the nutrients to the baby but that doesn’t mean that you should stop breastfeeding the baby.

Brain cells increases most rapidly before birth and during the first 5 or 6 months after birth. To attain the maximum brain growth, the baby needs optimal nutrition.

In 6th month he/she is be able to control his/her neck and trunk, with this ability the baby can turn away when satisfied.

NOTE: Introduce the solid foods only at the age of 6 months because the digestive system is not strong enough to handle. And you must continue breastfeeding/ formula milk to your baby and it should be his/her major diet.

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Now when we know why first solids are introduced in 6th month, let us know important tips on how to feed a baby which are discussed below.





Important tips on how to start baby’s first solid foods:

New foods should be introduced one at a time. A gap of 3 days should be there in between two new foods so that if any problem develops (any food allergies in baby) it can be readily identified.

Always remember to go by “3-days wait rule” for babies. Thus, a food should be tried for minimum 3 days before the infant is permitted to reject it.

If a baby develops any food allergy then stop feeding that particular food. Also, consult your pediatrician in such case. ( Diarrhea , vomiting, constipation, rashes and too-much crying due to stomach pain are the symptoms in baby of any particular food allergy.)

Introduce the new foods only in the mornings to see how your baby adapts that food.

Never mix new foods together. Introduce them separately first to see whether the baby can digest the same or not.

When we introduce new food only a taste or two is sufficient for the first try. Even if the baby takes the food eagerly, small amounts should be given to keep the sufficient appetite for milk. Remember don’t stop breastfeeding/ giving Formula Milk to baby.

Always try to introduce vegetables than fruits because of the humans’ inborn preference for sweets.

Be careful while feeding your baby as some solid foods can cause constipation. Read more about what to do in case of constipation in babies.

constipation in babies. The parents should heat a small amount to serve the infant. The food that has been heated and not consumed should be discarded because of the possible contamination with the salivary enzymes and bacteria. Food that has been opened but not heated can be stored in the covered jar in the refrigerator.

Care must be taken to offer only food that the infant can chew and swallow safely.

Always give home-made and fresh nutritious food to your little one.

Sterilize the baby utensils that are used for cooking and feeding.

NOTE: In introducing solid food, it is important to follow the infant’s lead. To avoid later feeding problems, solid foods should be started when the baby is interested. Waiting too long to introduce solid foods may delay the infant’s acquiring the skill to manipulate the tongue appropriately. Some infants who have not started spoon- feeding by 6 months of age show considerable delay in adapting from the milking action of the mouth to the chewing and tongue-rolling action needed to handle solid foods.

Before I write down Indian Diet Plan for 6 months old baby, let us first see the list of foods that you can include and those you should avoid in your baby food chart.

Foods to include in Indian Diet Plan for 6 months old baby:

Always start with the light foods like Rice

Vegetables

Fruits

Vegetable/ fruit purees

Dal water

Sooji kheer

Khichdi

Dalia

Home made cerelac

Foods to avoid in Indian Diet Plan for 6 months old baby:

Some foods pose a choking hazard and a few aren’t good for your baby’s digestive system. Here is the list of some foods to be avoided in Indian Diet Plan for 6 months old baby.

Cow’S Milk

Soy Milk

NOTE: Your baby can’t digest proteins in cow’s milk and soy milk during the first year. They also contain minerals in amounts that can damage the kidneys. However, the products made with cow’s milk such as yogurt, cheese, custard can be given. Stick to the breast- milk or formula milk until your child turns 1.

Honey: Honey should be given the child only after he/she turns 1 because it contains the organisms that the infant cannot fight off.

Salt: Babies should not eat too much salt as it’s not good for their kidneys.

Raw Vegetables : Vegetables should be given in pureed form as raw form is difficult to swallow and it can cause choking.

Processed Foods: They are also high in preservatives and salt which is not good for their kidneys and digestive system.

Citrus Fruits and Juices : Citrus fruits can affect their throat and the juices don’t have any fiber in it.

Nuts: Nuts are also difficult to swallow and can cause choking.

You may be interested in reading- Foods unsafe for your baby (below the age of 1 year)

Now we know what food is to be included and what is to be avoided, I will now pen down Indian Diet Plan for 6 months old baby for your reference.

Indian Diet Plan for 6 months old baby:

FIRST WEEK:

Day- 1: Start with one tablespoon once a day. You can give Rice cereal mixed with formula. Rice should be offered first to avoid allergies.

Day- 2: Give 2 tablespoons of cereal twice a day.

Day- 3: Give 3 tablespoons of cereal twice a day.

Day- 4: You can offer vegetables on 4th day such as pureed peas or carrots. Try to give 1-2 tablespoons only once a day. Vegetables are less sweet than fruits, they are less likely rejected if given before fruits.

Day- 5: Increase the amount of pureed peas/ carrots to 2- 3 tablespoons twice a day.

Day- 6: Increase the amount of pureed peas/ carrots to 3-4 tablespoons twice a day.

Day- 7: Give mashed Banana in the morning and you can repeat anything from the above tried food items.

Note: Strictly follow “3-days wait rule” in first week. You should continue with the Breast milk/ Formula milk in addition to the meals (as mentioned above) as and when required by the baby or when the baby feels hungry. But one thing should be kept in mind that if the baby eats a good amount of portion of meal then you should keep a gap of 2 hours in the next feed.



SECOND WEEK:

Now from second week, you can give two different solid meals a day.

Note: You should continue with the Breast milk/ Formula milk in addition to the meals (as mentioned above) as and when required by the baby or when the baby feels hungry. But one thing should be kept in mind that if the baby eats a good amount of portion of meal then you should keep a gap of 2 hours in the next feed.



THIRD WEEK:

Note: You should continue with the Breast milk/ Formula milk in addition to the meals (as mentioned above) as and when required by the baby or when the baby feels hungry. But one thing should be kept in mind that if the baby eats a good amount of portion of meal then you should keep a gap of 2 hours in the next feed.

FOURTH WEEK:

Note: You should continue with the Breast milk/ Formula milk in addition to the meals (as mentioned above) as and when required by the baby or when the baby feels hungry. But one thing should be kept in mind that if the baby eats a good amount of portion of meal then you should keep a gap of 2 hours in the next feed.

You can note down all the Food/ Meal recipes referred in all four diet plans by clicking on the link mentioned below:

Best Indian First Foods Recipes for 6 Months Old Baby

NOTE:- This Indian Diet Plan for 6 months old Baby is framed to just give you an idea about the food items that you can include. You can make changes in timings and according to the babies taste and acceptability for that particular food item, also changes can be made on the basis of availability of the food item.

Some tips to remember:

Serve fresh food only to the baby. Don’t store the fruit and vegetable puree.

Don’t offer the food if the baby turns his/ her head away when satisfied.

Be Patient Mommies..! Don’t forcefully feed anything.

Make sure when you give solid food to your baby, he is not lying on his back. Feed him solids by make him sit on a chair or on your lap.

Remember 3-days wait rule for babies when you introduce any new food to your little one.

Do leave a comment if you have any query related to Indian Diet Plan for 6 months old Baby.

Happy Parenting!