Meta: Wondering when to start solid food for your baby? Check out this guide for everything you need...

Dt. Mansi Goyal

Meta: Wondering when to start solid food for your baby? Check out this guide for everything you need to know about baby food safety, and recommended items.

An important developmental milestone in your baby&#39;s journey is to start with solid foods. A very positive effect of this milestone is that your baby gets introduced to many more feeding options, opening up more avenues for the healthy growth of your baby. Certain things should be considered important regarding starting with solids. 

Let&#39;s take a look:

<h2 style="text-align:justify">When is the right time to start solid food for babies? </h2>

Normally around 6 months is considered the right age to start with solids. However, each baby is different and you must look for the following telltale signs of your baby&rsquo;s readiness for solids foods:

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify">
	Baby can hold his head up.
	</li>
	<li style="text-align:justify">
	He looks interested while you are eating.
	</li>
	<li style="text-align:justify">
	Looking at the food coming towards him, he opens his mouth in excitement.
	</li>
	<li style="text-align:justify">
	He/she can move food from the tongue to the throat and is able to swallow.
	</li>
</ul>

<h2 style="text-align:justify">How to introduce solid food to babies? </h2>

Maximum nutrition at 6 months comes from milk, yet you can still start solids without getting much worried if the baby doesn&rsquo;t take a liking to solids right away. Few pointers on how to go about it are mentioned below:

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify">
	Feed with a small spoon.
	</li>
	<li style="text-align:justify">
	Start with very small portions.
	</li>
	<li style="text-align:justify">
	Most babies take time to develop the taste for food, so keep feeding the same food for a few days.
	</li>
	<li style="text-align:justify">
	Be prepared to clean up as the first few feeding sessions will most likely end up with most food spread on the baby&rsquo;s face, clothes, and hands.
	</li>
</ul>

<h2 style="text-align:justify">What are the best options? </h2>

There are no scientifically proven foods that are better to start off with, but here are a few points that you must keep in mind:

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify">
	Don&rsquo;t feed anything that could lead to choking.
	</li>
	<li style="text-align:justify">
	Cereals like rice and oatmeal are the easiest, to begin with.
	</li>
	<li style="text-align:justify">
	A few good and light options are Fruits and vegetables like bananas, apples, potatoes, and beans.
	</li>
	<li style="text-align:justify">
	Make sure to check with your pediatrician about starting poultry, meat, and fish.
	</li>
	<li style="text-align:justify">
	The first foods should be soft and mashed or cut into very small pieces.
	</li>
	<li style="text-align:justify">
	If you notice any kind of allergy to your baby&#39;s skin, watch out for any food that&rsquo;s making the baby uncomfortable.
	</li>
</ul>

<h3 style="text-align:justify">What changes to expect after baby starts consuming solids?</h3>

You can expect the following changes once you start giving solid foods to your baby:

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify">
	His potty will become more solid and also have a stronger smell.
	</li>
	<li style="text-align:justify">
	Finding chunks of undigested food in the potty is normal as the baby&rsquo;s digestive system is still underdeveloped and will take time to fully process the food.
	</li>
	<li style="text-align:justify">
	Reduce the quantity of solid food if the stools are extremely loose.
	</li>
</ul>

So, go ahead and begin this exciting phase which is the building block of healthy eating habits for your munchkin for life. 

References

<ul>
	<li>American Academy of Pediatrics: &quot;Parenting Corner Q&amp;A: Starting Solid Foods,&quot; &quot;How Do I Know if My Child is Eating Enough?&quot; &quot;Vitamin D Deficiency Clinical Report: Patient FAQs.&quot; </li>
</ul>

Solid Food for Your Baby: How to Introduce Them | MyloFamily

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You can prepare a meal plan or chart for your baby&rsquo;s meals and follow it as much as possible. The chart below can help you design your own 6-month-old baby food schedule according to your baby&rsquo;s preferences.

<img alt="" src="https://ik.imagekit.io/l3zzzksiuty/gcp/webP_images/article_1653546813_424541811.webp" style="width:100%" />

<div class="BCX0 Ltr OutlineElement SCXW8814622" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px; padding:0px; text-align:start; text-indent:0px">
Well, we&#39;re pretty sure that you&#39;d do anything that it takes to keep your baby healthy and to grow! Mothers always only want to feed their children, almost all the time. If your baby is underweight, it becomes incredibly stressful for you to handle it because you start feeling guilty about whether you are doing your job the right way or not. But before diving into such conclusions, you must be sure whether your baby is actually underweight or not. 
</div>

<div class="BCX0 Ltr OutlineElement SCXW8814622" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px; padding:0px; text-align:start; text-indent:0px">
When is your child qualified as Underweight? 
</div>

<div class="BCX0 Ltr OutlineElement SCXW8814622" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px; padding:0px; text-align:start; text-indent:0px">
The doctor will consider your baby&#39;s growth pattern and height and weight since your baby was born. All these numbers are then put on a growth chart, and your pediatrician will now tell you whether your baby is growing well or not. 
</div>

<div class="BCX0 SCXW8814622" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px; padding:0px; text-align:start; text-indent:0px">
<div class="BCX0 Ltr OutlineElement SCXW8814622" style="padding:0px">
Ways to help your toddler gain weight the healthy way: 
</div>

<div class="BCX0 Ltr OutlineElement SCXW8814622" style="padding:0px">
Here is a list of some elementary solutions that you can follow to ensure that your toddler gains weight! 
</div>

<div class="BCX0 ListContainerWrapper SCXW8814622" style="padding:0px">
<ol start="1" style="list-style-type:decimal">
	<li>
	Increase the calorie count in the meal 
	</li>
</ol>
</div>

<div class="BCX0 Ltr OutlineElement SCXW8814622" style="padding:0px">
Getting your baby to eat more food when he&#39;s already ignoring food isn&#39;t ideally the best option. However, what can be done is that you introduce a high-calorie diet that is nutritious as well. This way, your baby gets the proper nutrition and puts on weight as well. Full-fat dairy products like cream cheese, paneer, milk puddings are a few options. 
</div>
</div>

<div class="BCX0 SCXW8814622" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px; padding:0px; text-align:start; text-indent:0px">
<div class="BCX0 ListContainerWrapper SCXW8814622" style="padding:0px">
<ol start="2" style="list-style-type:decimal">
	<li>
	Set a routine for your toddler&#39;s mealtime. 
	It is best to set a routine for your baby as early in life as possible. This will help you monitor your baby&#39;s eating habits and fix a proper timetable for your baby. A routine will also ensure that hunger strikes your child at the right time, and hence, he&#39;d be able to eat correctly at every meal. 
	</li>
</ol>
</div>

<div class="BCX0 ListContainerWrapper SCXW8814622" style="padding:0px">
<ol start="3" style="list-style-type:decimal">
	<li>
	Make sure that a relaxed atmosphere is created for your baby. 
	</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>

<div class="BCX0 SCXW8814622" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px; padding:0px; text-align:start; text-indent:0px">
<div class="BCX0 Ltr OutlineElement SCXW8814622" style="padding:0px">
Today&#39;s life has become so hectic that we can&#39;t focus on one thing at one point, no matter how much we want. Kids are easily distracted if they find something attractive, like screens. Anything that could divert your child from eating should be kept away. Similarly, if you keep all your work and distractions aside too, it creates a peaceful environment for your baby to concentrate on his food. 
</div>

<div class="BCX0 ListContainerWrapper SCXW8814622" style="padding:0px">
<ol start="4" style="list-style-type:decimal">
	<li>
	Try some weight gain supplements. 
	</li>
</ol>
</div>

<div class="BCX0 Ltr OutlineElement SCXW8814622" style="padding:0px">
On the pediatrician&rsquo;s advice, some weight gain supplements for your toddler can be a good idea. Vitamin A, C, and D are the most crucial vitamin supplements that your child should be getting at this age. 
</div>

<div class="BCX0 ListContainerWrapper SCXW8814622" style="padding:0px">
<ol start="5" style="list-style-type:decimal">
	<li>
	Healthy Snacks 
	</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>

<div class="BCX0 Ltr OutlineElement SCXW8814622" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px; padding:0px; text-align:start; text-indent:0px">
Don&#39;t ban snacks completely. Junk can be prohibited, but instead of junk snacks, healthy options such as granola bars, peanut crackers, etc., can be given to ensure that your child gets attracted to food! 
</div>

<div class="BCX0 Ltr OutlineElement SCXW8814622" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px; padding:0px; text-align:start; text-indent:0px">
If done the right way, there is nothing in this world that a mother can&#39;t do! Making sure that your baby gains weight is just another thing if you&#39;d let it be! 
</div>

Following a food schedule helps immensely in planning and preparing baby meals. It also helps in incorporating a variety of recipes that balance the nutritional requirements of the baby. Here is a sample 7-month-old baby food schedule that you can follow, to design your own chart.

<img alt="" src="https://ik.imagekit.io/l3zzzksiuty/gcp/webP_images/article_1653554667_1451726428.webp" style="width:100%" />

Following a food schedule helps immensely in planning and preparing baby meals. It also helps in incorporating a variety of recipes that balance the nutritional requirements of the baby. Here is a sample 7-month-old baby food schedule that you can follow, to design your own chart.

<img alt="" src="https://ik.imagekit.io/l3zzzksiuty/gcp/webP_images/article_1653549641_1814658341.webp" style="width:100%" />

Here is a sample chart that you can use as a guideline for your eight-month-old baby.

<img alt="" src="https://ik.imagekit.io/l3zzzksiuty/gcp/webP_images/article_1653554404_1406359760.webp" style="width:100%" />

You are having trouble getting your toddler or how to make toddler eat? Without turning dinner into an epic fight, this 4-step technique works wonders.

That being said, here are some tips on how to keep your child calm and motionless while they eat without it degenerating into an all-out war:

<h3>But, first, the booster should be brought back!</h3>

Children younger than 3 should be strapped into a booster seat or high chair as long as they still fit. This one is my fave. If you&#39;re searching for a more portable solution, this one is a great choice. Your best bet is to begin the meal while your child is strapped down since most toddlers lack the attention span or desire to stay still while eating for lengthy periods. You should always try to bring back booster seats even if you have to buy a new one if you have already left them behind. You may refer to it as a &quot;big child chair&quot; or remark, &quot;You get to wear a seatbelt!&quot; to make them thrilled. 

<h3>To keep their feet safe, ensure that there is a solid surface.</h3>

Having hanging feet might make your toddler feel imbalanced, which means they&#39;ll spend more time attempting to hold their body in an upright position and less time eating. A stool or chair may be placed under their feet if there isn&#39;t already a ledge on the seat. The wiggles will be much reduced due to this, as they will feel much more secure and in control. Having a smooth platform for your kid to lay their feet on while eating is one of the reasons I love this highchair and this one so much!

<h3>Make them sit in the best possible position. </h3>

There&#39;s a good chance your toddler may not eat food at a proper height at your table. Children under the age of ten (or even older) seldom sit and eat meals at the correct height (most kids aged 3 to 9 need a booster seat and a stool under their feet). As a result, their chair starts to move, and eventually, they fall out of it. Imagine what it would be like to sit at an enormous table on a chair that left your feet hanging. It would be extremely uncomfortable! 

<h3>Give them a chance: </h3>

Ask yourself whether you&#39;ve followed the previous advice and are still battling a child who won&#39;t sit still for meals. 

Exactly how long are you expecting them to sit at the table? Only around 10 to 20 minutes, four to six times a day is appropriate for toddlers (meals and scheduled snacks). For visual aid, I&#39;ve included several sand timers below. 

Is there enough time for physical exercise and active play? You might expect your toddler to be restless after a lengthy vehicle journey or a long session in front of the television. Make sure they&#39;ve had a chance to &quot;get their sillies out&quot; before inviting them to the table.

Is this a way for them to be noticed? It&#39;s important to keep in mind that if your child refuses to eat or has difficulty sitting still at the table, they may be doing it to get your attention. To find out what&#39;s wrong, give them more attention to other aspects of their lives.

Resources

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify">American Academy of Pediatrics. Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, Tanya Remer Altmann, David L. Hill, 2019</li>
	<li style="text-align:justify">American Academy of Family Physicians: &quot;Feeding Problems in Infants and Children.&quot; Kathleen C. Borowitz, (MS, CCC-SLPa,*, (Stephen M. Borowitz,( MD)</li>
	<li style="text-align:justify">Children&#39;s Hospital Boston: &quot;Newborn Gastrointestinal Problems.&quot; </li>
</ul>

It can be distressing if your child&#39;s mealtimes are a source of concern for you and a source of stress for your child. 
 
Teaching your child good eating habits is easiest if you start right from the beginning, as soon as you introduce your baby to solid foods. But if you feel that mealtimes are a struggle and that your baby is not eating as much or as well as he should be, it isn&#39;t too late to change his eating habits. 
 
Forcing food on your toddler is likely to make matters worse and create poor eating habits. It may turn mealtimes into a negative experience full of power struggles. And your toddler is likely to become more resistant to eating and less open to trying new foods in the future. 
 
To begin with, have a chat with your family members and anyone else who cares and feeds your toddler. Accept the fact that everyone wants the best for your child. Then, try to identify problem areas and look for solutions together. Discussing this with all those who care for or feed your baby will ensure that you are all on the same page and stay consistent in your instructions to your child. 
 
What is upsetting about the way your toddler eats, is it that:

<ul>
	<li>He doesn&#39;t eat enough? No child will let themselves go hungry. So look into your child&#39;s day to see if there is anything that is affecting his appetite. If your toddler keeps snacking through the day, he won&#39;t eat a proper meal. Instead of compensating for poor meals with snacks, try a few days of no snacks and see if that makes your child eat better during meal times. As a rule of thumb, your toddler should have three main meals, and no more than two snacks a day. Leave a gap of four hours between meals so that he has time to digest the previous meal and work up an appetite. 
	 
	Sometimes, toddlers temporarily lose their appetite with an illness or just after one, or when the weather gets hot.This will pass on its own. If it is the heat that is troubling your child, offer cooling and nutritious drinks or cold meals. These might go down better.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>He is fussy about what he eats? Toddlers do tend to be fussy. Forcing foods he doesn&#39;t like on him will not make him a better eater though. But nor will giving him only what you know he likes to eat. When you introduce a new food or something he doesn&#39;t like, always give it with something you know will go down easily. Ask him to have one spoonful of the food he doesn&#39;t like. And then continue to give him little of that food but often. It can take up to 20 times of giving a new food to a child till he starts developing a taste for it. So try again with the disliked dish after a gap of a few days and keep persisting.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>He starts off eating well but then stops after a few bites? If he eats well to begin with and then stops after a while, this is an indication that he has had enough. If allowed to do so, your toddler will take in just enough calories for his own needs. So you should accept that he has had enough if he tells you so or shows signs of being full. A toddler cannot be made to finish his plate. You can adjust how much you serve on his plate when you are more familiar with his quantities. But it is important to listen to your baby&#39;s cues of being full. Children who are not allowed to decide when they&#39;re full are at a greater risk for developing eating disorders or becoming obese later in life. As a rule of thumb, serve your toddler a portion of food the size of his fist.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>He is too distracted during meals to eat well? Make sure that mealtimes are about eating and just that. If your child has a toy at the table or runs around the house playing while someone follows him around with food, he will never develop good eating habits. While distractions may help to get a spoon of food in his mouth, he might be too distracted to chew well and swallow resulting in very long mealtimes. Try to keep mealtimes within half an hour. 
	 
	If your baby is distracted, he will also not pick up on signs that he has had enough. Your child needs to learn to sit for meals. If he is too excited about exploring and moving around to sit for long enough, let him go after a few bites. Put the food away and offer it to him again when he is really hungry. Make sure he sits to eat though. Eventually, your child will learn that he only gets food at the table and it is worth his while filling up his tummy in one go.</li>
</ul>

 
Praise your toddler when he eats well. Eating well doesn&#39;t necessarily mean finishing his plate. It means that he sits well for long enough to fill his tummy and show signs of being full. Toddlers respond positively to praise. You can even offer a prize of something he likes if he eats well. Do not offer toffees or other sweets as a prize. This will encourage a sweet tooth and get your child used to eating too many sweets. Instead you can offer healthy options like fruit, or deserts like kheer, mishti doi or fruit yoghurt. 
 
A very important part of teaching your child good eating habits is showing the right example. If you are conscious about healthy foods and less healthy options, your child will learn from you. So as much as in the food you cook to the desserts and snacks that you have at home, showing your child that what you eat matters and that not all food is good for you. 
 
Keep in mind that your child&#39;s appetite will vary, depending on things like his activity level and whether he&#39;s having a growth spurt. And know that you will experience bad days, when your toddler refuses foods he usually likes. 
 
Don&#39;t worry too much about a single meal or day. Rather see how your toddler eats over a week. Often, toddlers will compensate for a day of poor eating with a day of eating more. 
 
One way of knowing whether your child is eating and progressing well is to see if he is growing according to his percentile of height and weight. Do not try to increase his percentile, just aim to keep him along the curve over a period of time. 
 
Check in with your doctor if you&#39;re concerned about your toddler&#39;s appetite or if you feel that he is losing weight. He&#39;ll probably check your child&#39;s weight and height and usually reassure you that there is no problem, or give you advice if he does suspect something is wrong. If your toddler is losing weight or not putting on weight over time, he could have worms.

You can prepare a meal plan or chart for your baby&rsquo;s meals and follow it as much as possible. The chart below can help you design your own 6-month-old baby food schedule according to your baby&rsquo;s preferences. 

<img alt="" src="https://ik.imagekit.io/l3zzzksiuty/gcp/webP_images/article_1653548079_1593903058.webp" style="width:100%" />

It is practically not possible to keep a count on the amount of breast milk that the baby consumes and that makes every new mom curious about the supply of breast milk. According to the lactation experts, here&rsquo;s a list of the top 25 foods to eat while breastfeeding to increase milk supply:

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Holy Basil (Tulsi)- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

A hot cup of Tulsi tea in the morning will help you relax because it contains various nutrients like Thiamine, Iron, Vitamin-K and is a great source of antioxidants. It promotes healthy bowel movements, helps to increase breast milk supply, and improves appetite.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Fenugreek seeds (Methi)- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

They are a great source of Omega-3 fats and are highly important for the brain development of your baby. They are rich in various nutrients like Calcium, Iron, Beta-carotene, and Vitamin-B.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Lentils/Pulses (Dal)- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

Almost all lentils are a great source of Iron, Fiber, and Protein but Red Lentils (Masoor Dal) are believed to increase milk supply.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Garlic- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

The lactating mother can consume garlic cloves in moderation as those help in boosting the immune system, prevents cardiovascular diseases, and helps in boosting milk supply. One must not consume garlic in excess because that can affect the smell and taste of breast milk.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Fennel Seeds (Saunf)- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

Saunf is considered to be an integral part of the diet for breastfeeding mothers to increase milk. It is one of the traditional remedies for increasing milk supply because it helps in preventing colic and gas in their baby. Fennel tea and fennel water are also known as post-delivery confinement drinks as they help to improvise your digestive system also.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Green Leafy Vegetables- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

The list of foods to increase breast milk supply also includes green leafy vegetables. They have plenty of vitamins and minerals such as Folate, Calcium, Riboflavin, and Iron. To enhance the production of breast milk you can consume spinach (palak), mustard greens (Sarson ka saag), lamb&rsquo;s quarter (Bathua), and fenugreek leaves (methi).

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Oatmeal- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

One of the foods to increase milk supply, recommended by nutritionists is oatmeal because it increases the production of breast milk and controls post-delivery diabetes.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Sesame Seeds (Til)- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

​​​​​​​This is one of the important nutrients for lactating mothers because it is a non-dairy source of calcium. It is an age-old ingredient that helps in recovering fully from the entire childbirth process.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Carrots- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

​​​​​​​They help in improving the quality of breast milk because they are rich in Vitamin-A and provide a great boost to lactation.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Brown Rice- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

​​​​​​​They hold an important place in your postpartum diet because they help in stimulating the hormones that are responsible for the production of breast milk.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Cumin Seeds (Jeera)- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

They have a lot of vitamins and minerals that help in increasing the supply of breast milk. It improvises the digestive system and provides relief from bloating, constipation, acidity, and gas.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Nuts and Dried Fruits (Meva)- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

​​​​​​​Foods to increase breast milk also include almonds, foxnuts (makhana), cashews, dates, and pistachios are a great source of Calcium, Iron, and Omega-3. Snacking on nuts and dried fruits helps to increase the production of breast milk and heals your stretch marks fast.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Poppy Seeds (KhusKhus)- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

​​​​​​​They have sedative properties and also increase milk supply.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Barley- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

​​​​​​​It boosts lactation and helps you stay hydrated all day long. You can either soak them overnight or simply incorporate them into your diet.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Dill Seeds (Suwa)- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

It should be consumed in moderation as they are mild diuretic. They are a great source of Calcium, Magnesium, and Iron. It improves the production of breast milk, eases digestion, and improves sleep.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Gourd Vegetables- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

​​​​​​​Sponge Gourd (Tori), Apple Gourd (Tinda), Bottle Gourd (Lauki), and Bitter Gourd (Karela) are highly nutritious and low in calories. They help improve lactation.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Porridge (Daliya)- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

​​​​​​​It can be made up of rice, lentils, or oats and is quite popular with nursing mothers because they can easily digest it.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Water- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

​​​​​​​One must not overlook drinking water because staying hydrated is essential to produce enough breast milk.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Chickpea- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

Are a great source of Vitamin-B complex, Calcium, Protein, and Fiber that help to increase breast milk supply.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Milk- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

​​​​​​​If you&rsquo;re consuming 2 glasses of milk in a day it will help you with the production of milk because it is naturally filled with calcium, folic acid, and healthy fats.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Green Tea- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

It helps increase breast milk supply, purifies your system, and helps in blood circulation.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Curry Leaves- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

Improves the production of breast milk, boosts melanin, and improves blood circulation.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Watermelon- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

It is rich in fiber, fructose, and water which helps you stay hydrated all day and that helps to increase breast milk supply.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Tofu- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

It is rich in protein, vitamins, calcium, and minerals which helps you to increase milk supply.

<ul>
	<li>
	<h3 style="text-align:justify">Sweet Potato- </h3>
	</li>
</ul>

A great source of carbohydrates that provides great energy to the mother. It is also rich in Magnesium, B-complex, and Vitamin-C. 

Pediatricians recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life since this is tailormade for the baby, contains all the nutrients &amp; is easy to digest! Moreover, breastfeeding helps strengthen the mother-child bond.

Here is a sample meal plan for an 11-month-old baby:<img alt="" src="https://ik.imagekit.io/l3zzzksiuty/gcp/webP_images/article_1653660462_955474627.webp" style="width:100%" />

Your 6-months-old baby has a small delicate stomach and will soon learn to chew solids foods when offered. When you introduce a solid food diet to your infant make sure it&rsquo;s soft, easy to chew and swallow, nutritious and home-cooked. You can offer small meals to your baby or when your baby puts his/her hands in the mouth as it&rsquo;s the sign that your baby is hungry. Your baby can be colicky, may have some allergies or digestive problems after consuming certain foods. There is no need to worry as you can always rush to the doctor if you notice such signs. You must allow your baby to relish the food and do not force your baby to finish the meal. 

In addition to the breastmilk/formula milk feeds, solid foods can be introduced for breakfast and lunch. Try avoiding salt and sugar in your recipes as that can give unwanted stress on your child&rsquo;s kidneys. Some healthy food options for your baby are as follows: 

<ul>
	<li>
	Fruit puree- Seasonal fruits should be washed properly then steamed and mashed before offering to your baby. Fruits like bananas, papaya, apple, pear, peaches, and sapodilla (chikoo) can be given to your little one. 
	</li>
	<li>
	Vegetable puree- You can offer soft/chewy vegetables in a puree form or as a portion of finger food. Steamed /saut&eacute;ed vegetables like carrots, sweet pumpkin, potatoes, French beans, and sweet potatoes can be offered. 
	</li>
	<li>
	Pulses soup- A variety of pulses can be boiled with water and the stock/soup can be given to your infant. 
	</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>
	Rice/Suji porridge- Broken rice made with formula milk or breast milk can be offered to your baby as rice is a good source of carbohydrates. 
	</li>
	<li>
	Cereal porridge- Single grain cereals like oats, barley, wheat, millet can be dried and powdered. You can make porridge of one cereal at a time and can offer it to your little one. 
	</li>
	<li>
	Vegetable soup- You can boil fresh seasonal vegetables in water and can offer the soup to your baby. 
	</li>
	<li>
	Yogurt- Although you can&rsquo;t offer cow&rsquo;s milk to your baby until h/she turns one. But unsweetened yogurt can be offered in moderation. 
	</li>
</ul>

You can get a diet plan from a certified nutritionist also. For a start, you can add a stewed apple to the breakfast for the first two days of the week. Then you can add lentil soup in the lunch along with the stewed apple in the breakfast for the next two days. If you didn&#39;t notice any allergy then you can change the fruit and soup for the next week and you can offer a variety of foods so on and so forth. You can look out for some amazing recipes on the internet and don&rsquo;t be disappointed if your child disapproves of your culinary skills. You must not force your child to eat everything you cook for them. For your baby&rsquo;s stress-free mealtime, you must follow these tips: 

<ul>
	<li>
	Begin with just one or two spoons 
	</li>
	<li>
	Introduce one new fruit/vegetable at a time 
	</li>
	<li>
	Make sure the food is not lumpy or undercooked as that leads to choking 
	</li>
	<li>
	Avoid distraction and make sure your child is sitting on a high chair while having food 
	</li>
	<li>
	Avoid feeding your baby in plastic bowls as they can be harmful to your baby&rsquo;s health. You can prefer to use stainless steel or glass bowls. 
	</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>
	Prefer home-cooked nutritious food as much as you can.
	</li>
</ul>

Here is a sample chart that you can use as a guideline for your eight-month-old baby.

<img alt="" src="https://ik.imagekit.io/l3zzzksiuty/gcp/webP_images/article_1653555673_1615661781.webp" style="width:100%" />

When planning your 12 month baby food schedule you do not have to go out of the way from your usual foods. If your weekly eating pattern has turned monotonous, this may be a good time to add a bit of colour to it, as your baby and you, both, need a well rounded, balanced diet. Here is a sample baby food chart:

<img alt="" src="https://ik.imagekit.io/l3zzzksiuty/gcp/webP_images/article_1653659431_562939611.webp" style="width:100%" />

You can prepare a meal plan or chart for your baby&rsquo;s meals and follow it as much as possible. The chart below can help you design your own 6-month-old baby food schedule according to your baby&rsquo;s preferences.

<img alt="" src="https://ik.imagekit.io/l3zzzksiuty/gcp/webP_images/article_1653547082_1830724366.webp" style="width:100%" />

Following a food schedule helps immensely in planning and preparing baby meals. It also helps in incorporating a variety of of recipes that balance the nutritional requirements of the baby. Here is a sample 7-month-old baby food schedule that you can follow, to design your own chart.

<img alt="" src="https://ik.imagekit.io/l3zzzksiuty/gcp/webP_images/article_1653554545_358712270.webp" style="width:100%" />

When planning your 12 month baby food schedule you do not have to go out of the way from your usual foods. If your weekly eating pattern has turned monotonous, this may be a good time to add a bit of colour to it, as your baby and you, both, need a well rounded, balanced diet. Here is a sample baby food chart:

<img alt="" src="https://ik.imagekit.io/l3zzzksiuty/gcp/webP_images/article_1653658749_440919242.webp" style="width:100%" />

Here is a sample chart that you can follow for making a healthy meal plan for your ten-month-old baby. However, it is recommended that you introduce each new food item one at a time. Wait for three days before you introduce another food item as it is the perfect window to observe if your baby has any allergies. This will also let him get used to the flavour. You can make some changes in this plan and create a meal plan that suits your 10-month-old baby.

<img alt="" src="https://ik.imagekit.io/l3zzzksiuty/gcp/webP_images/article_1653564482_219539433.webp" style="width:100%" />

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