Do I need to stop breastfeeding when I start solids?

No. Breast milk or formula should continue as the primary source of nutrition until 12 months. Solids complement milk feeds; they do not replace them. The WHO recommends continued breastfeeding alongside solid foods up to 2 years of age or beyond, based on the mother and child's preference.

Can I start solids before 6 months if my baby seems hungry?

Hunger and growth spurts are common before 6 months and do not mean the baby is ready for solids. Increasing the frequency of breast or formula feeds is the appropriate response before 6 months. Starting solids early raises the risk of allergies, digestive issues, and respiratory infections.

How do I know if my baby is allergic to a new food?

Signs of a food allergy include hives, rash around the mouth, vomiting, diarrhoea, swelling of the lips or face, or unusual fussiness within 2 hours of eating. This is why introducing one new food at a time and waiting 3 to 5 days before the next one is essential.

Baby's First Foods: When to Start and What to Give

According to the WHO and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), a baby's first foods should be introduced at around 6 months, when breast milk or formula alone no longer meets a growing baby's nutritional needs. Safe, suitable first foods include single-ingredient purees like mashed banana, ragi porridge, moong dal, and cooked carrot, all easy to digest and widely available in Indian households. Starting too early (before 4 months) raises the risk of choking and allergies; starting too late (after 7 months) can lead to iron deficiency and delayed chewing skills.

Signs Your Baby Is Ready to Start Solid Foods

Age alone is not the only indicator. Look for these signs before beginning:

Can sit up with minimal support and hold their head steady
Shows interest in food, watches you eat, reaches for your plate
Has lost the tongue-thrust reflex (no longer pushes food out automatically)
Can move food to the back of the mouth and swallow

If your baby was born prematurely, consult your paediatrician before starting, as the timeline may differ.

Best First Foods for Babies at 6 Months

Start with single-ingredient, smooth, and easily digestible foods. Introduce one new food every 3 to 5 days so you can watch for allergic reactions before moving on.

Cereals and Grains

Rice porridge
Ragi porridge
Semolina porridge
Oatmeal

Vegetables

Mashed sweet potato
Boiled and mashed carrots
Mashed pumpkin
Boiled spinach puree

Fruits

Mashed banana
Mashed ripe papaya
Cooked and mashed apple
Mashed ripe pear or chikoo

Protein Sources

Moong dal water
Well-cooked and mashed moong dal
Mashed egg yolk
Well-cooked, pureed chicken or fish

Foods to Avoid in the First Year

Some foods that are nutritious for adults are unsafe for babies under 12 months.

Honey: Can cause infant botulism, a serious bacterial illness
Cow's milk: Digestive system is not ready for it before 1 year (small amounts in cooking are fine)
Salt and sugar: Kidneys cannot process added salt; sugar promotes unhealthy taste preferences early
Whole nuts: Choking hazard; nut butters in thin, diluted form are safe from 6 months if no family history of allergy
Unpasteurised dairy, raw eggs, undercooked meat or fish: Risk of foodborne infections
Packaged baby foods with preservatives or refined flour: Avoid anything with added sugar, salt, preservatives, or refined flour listed in the ingredients

How Much Should a 6-Month-Old Eat?

At 6 months, solids are about exploration, not nutrition. Breast milk or formula remains the primary source of nutrition until 12 months.

Start with 1 to 2 teaspoons once a day
Gradually increase to 2 to 3 tablespoons, two to three times a day, by 8 months
By 9 to 12 months, aim for three small meals and one to two snacks daily
Offer solids after a milk feed, so hunger does not cause frustration

Never force-feed. Stop when the baby turns away, closes the mouth, or shows disinterest.

Simple Homemade Options by Age

India has a tradition of introducing wholesome, home-cooked foods to babies. Here is a simple age-wise guide using locally available ingredients:

Age	Suitable Foods
6 months	Ragi porridge, moong dal water, mashed banana, rice water, mashed sweet potato
7 months	Soft khichdi (rice + moong dal), mashed papaya, carrot puree, egg yolk
8 months	Suji kheer (no sugar), mashed idlis with sambar, soft-cooked vegetable combinations
9–10 months	Soft-cooked family foods without salt or spice, small pieces of roti with dal
11–12 months	Finely chopped versions of most family meals, soft paneer, and well-cooked fish

Every baby moves at their own pace; follow your child's cues, keep mealtimes calm, and trust that small, consistent steps will build a healthy relationship with food that lasts a lifetime.

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FAQs on Baby's First Foods: When to Start and What to Give

Do I need to stop breastfeeding when I start solids?
No. Breast milk or formula should continue as the primary source of nutrition until 12 months. Solids complement milk feeds; they do not replace them. The WHO recommends continued breastfeeding alongside solid foods up to 2 years of age or beyond, based on the mother and child's preference.
Can I start solids before 6 months if my baby seems hungry?
Hunger and growth spurts are common before 6 months and do not mean the baby is ready for solids. Increasing the frequency of breast or formula feeds is the appropriate response before 6 months. Starting solids early raises the risk of allergies, digestive issues, and respiratory infections.
How do I know if my baby is allergic to a new food?
Signs of a food allergy include hives, rash around the mouth, vomiting, diarrhoea, swelling of the lips or face, or unusual fussiness within 2 hours of eating. This is why introducing one new food at a time and waiting 3 to 5 days before the next one is essential.