Baby’s Diet (Transition from Milk to Solids)
- Jan 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 29
First 4-6 months:
For the first 4-6 months, your baby will get all the necessary nutrition from breast milk or infant formula.
After that, the following signs are indicative that, it is time to introduce your baby to solid foods. In any case, you should check with your paediatrician, before introducing your baby to solid food.
When the baby’s weight has doubled since birth.
When the baby shows more interest in solids by trying to grab your own solid food.
When your baby puts things into its mouth.
When your baby consumes about 950 ml of breast milk or infant formula.
When your baby is able to sit up with some support and can turn its head when it is full.
When the baby always seems to be hungry.
By the time your baby is 6 months old, start giving your baby less and less breast milk or formula during night, so that the baby will stop waking as its body adjusts to not eating during night.
Fourth – Sixth Month: Introduction to Solid Food:
You can start by feeding your baby small amounts of baby (iron-fortified) cereal thinned with breast milk or infant formula.
You can also give your baby fruit juices thinned with water, but don’t give orange juice for another one or two months as it is too acidic.
Six – Seven Months:
Once your baby has been introduced to cereal, you can then start giving mashed / strained fruits and vegetables. Start with small amounts (one tea spoonful) and then gradually increase the quantity as your baby gets used to the new food.
Introduce one food at a time and then wait for 4 days before giving something new, so that in case your baby has an allergic reaction, you can clearly identify the food item which has triggered the allergy and drop it from your baby’s diet.
Use baby feeding bottles only for milk and water. Don’t pour juice into a feeding bottle and feed your baby as it can lead to dental problems in the future because of the sugar content in juices. Use a glass to give your baby juice.
Seven – Eight Months:
From 7-8 months onwards, you can start giving protein foods like dhal (cooked), strained meats, cottage cheese, egg yolk, yoghurt. Start with one teaspoonful and gradually increase. Like in the case of fruit & vegetables, start with one item, wait for 4 days – to easily pinpoint any allergic reaction caused by that food item and then introduce another item and so on.
Eight – Twelve Months:
Now, you can start introducing the food the rest of the family is taking.
Broad guidelines on Baby’s diet:
Consult your doctor about introducing milk (animal milk – cow / buffalo) in your baby’s diet.
As your baby doesn’t need sugar, salt – start off with healthy foods which are low on salt and sugar – this will form a habit and lead to a healthy dietary style as the baby grows into an adult, paving the way for a healthy life in adulthood too.
Avoid nuts, seeds, popcorn, carrots, and other hard foods.
Encourage your baby to try and feed itself, although it may be messy – it develops the baby’s motor skills and sense of independence.
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