6 months old baby food plan & ideas

6 Months Old Baby Milestones

6 Months Old Baby Milestones

Food Ideas for six Months Old Baby

Nutrient Requirements of A 6-Month-Old Infant

Nutrient Requirements of a 6-Month-Old Infant

Here are the nutritional elements that 6-month-old baby food should have:

Calcium: Calcium is important for bone teeth and others development.

Iron: Iron helps to hold oxygenated blood to developing parts of the body.

Zinc: Zinc improves cell repair and growth.

Fat: Fat insulates the baby and stimulates brain development.

Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates provide energy for doing day-to-day activities.

Protein: Proteins act as building blocks for cells.

Vitamins: Different vitamins subscribe differently to a baby’s growth. Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, D, E and K are necessary to a baby.

Minerals: Minerals like sodium and potassium directly influence the expansion of a baby.

Also Read: Developmental Activities for six Month Old Baby

How Much Food Should Your Baby Eat?

A six-month-old baby is primarily breastfed or formula-fed. However, solid food are often introduced for breakfast or lunch. Introduce just one fruit or vegetable and feed it to your baby for a minimum of three days. If she responds well and doesn't show any signs of allergy, then you'll continue thereupon fruit or vegetable and also try other foods.

Best Foods for a 6-Month-Old Baby

Best Foods for Six-Month-Old Baby

Expert paediatricians recommend avoiding salt and sugar until the age of 1 , because it puts unwanted stress on the kidneys.

Some healthy food options for six months+ babies include:

Fruits Puree: Fruits should be steamed, and mashed or pureed while introducing for the primary time. Fruits like apples, bananas, pear, avocado, chikoo and peaches are often given.

Vegetable Puree: Vegetables similar sweet potatoes, potatoes, bannana, carrots, sweet pumpkin, french beans, etc. are often fumigate and bestowed either as finger foods or as a puree.

Pulses Soup: a spread of pulses, especially dals, are often boiled with water and therefore the soup are often given to babies.

Rice Porridge: Rice may be a good source of carbohydrates and vitamins for babies. Broken rice, made with breast milk or formula can tend as porridge.

Cereal Porridge: Porridge also can be made up of a spread of single grain cereals like wheat, millet, barley, oats, etc. These cereals are often dried and powdered together or separately, to form gruel.

Vegetable Soup: a spread of vegetables are often boiled in water, and therefore the stock are often given as soup.

Yoghurt: Although cow’s milk isn't recommended until the age of 1 , unsweetened yoghurt are often given in moderate amounts as an alternate to purees.

What If Your Baby Is Allergic to Particular Kind of Foods?

An allergy can occur within the sort of diarrhoea, vomiting, rashes, constipation or pain within the stomach and may be a cause for concern. If there's an allergy , stop the food that you simply are giving the baby immediately. If the allergy persists, seek medical assistance. you'll retry it after a couple of months if your paediatrician gives the go-ahead.

Also Read: Effective Tips to require Care of 6 Months Old Baby

Video: Diet Plan for a 6-Month-Old Baby

6-Month-Old Baby Food Chart/Meal Plan

You can prepare a hotel plan or chart for your baby’s meals and follow it the maximum amount as possible. The chart below can assist you design your own 6-month-old baby food schedule consistent with your baby’s preferences.

Diet for a 6 month old baby– Week 1, Day 1

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast Stewed apple

Mid-morning Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch Mother’s milk /formula feed

Evening Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 month old baby – Week 1, Day 2

Early morning- Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast- Stewed apple

Mid-morning- Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 month old baby – Week 1, Day 3

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Stewed apple or mixed apple

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Evening Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 month old baby – Week 1, Day 4

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Stewed apple or mixed apple

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Moong dal (yellow split gram) soup

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 month old baby– Week 1, Day 5

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Stewed apple or mixed apple

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Moong dal (yellow split gram) soup

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 month old baby – Week 1, Day 6

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Stewed apple or mixed apple

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Moong dal (yellow split gram) soup

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 month old baby – Week 1, Day 7

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Stewed pear or mixed apple

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Dal (lentil) -spinach soup

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 month old baby– Week 2, Day 1

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Stewed pear or mixed apple

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Dal (lentil) -spinach soup

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby– Week 2, Day 2

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Spinach-pumpkin puree

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Stewed apple

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby– Week 2, Day 3

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Spinach-pumpkin puree

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Stewed pear

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby – Week 2, Day 4

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Spinach-pumpkin puree

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Rice porridge

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby– Week 2, Day 5

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Stewed apple

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Rice porridge

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby– Week 2, Day 6

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Mashed potato

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Rice porridge

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby– Week 2, Day 7

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Mashed potato

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Dal (lentil) -spinach soup

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby– Week 3, Day 1

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Stewed pear

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Rice porridge with mashed carrot

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby– Week 3, Day 2

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Spinach-pumpkin puree

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Rice porridge with mashed carrot

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby– Week 3, Day 3

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Stewed apple

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Rice porridge with mashed carrot

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby– Week 3, Day 4

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Carrot-beetroot puree

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Spinach-pumpkin puree

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby– Week 3, Day 5

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Carrot-beetroot puree

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Dal (lentil) -spinach soup

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby– Week 3, Day 6

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Carrot-beetroot puree

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Stewed pear

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby– Week 3, Day 7

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Rice porridge with mashed carrot

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Lauki (bottle gourd)- moong dal (green gram split) soup

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby– Week 4, Day 1

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Mashed potato

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Lauki (bottle gourd) moong dal ( green gram split) soup

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby– Week 4, Day 2

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Sweet potato + poha (flattened rice) powder

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Tomato- pumpkin soup

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby– Week 4, Day 3

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Sweet potato + poha (flattened rice) powder

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Lauki (bottle gourd) rice

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby– Week 4, Day 4

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast -Sweet potato + poha (flattened rice) powder

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch -Rice porridge with mashed carrot

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby – Week 4, Day 5

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Dal (lentil) -spinach soup

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Palak (spinach)khichdi

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby– Week 4, Day 6

Early morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Mashed potato

Mid-morning Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch -Ragi (finger millet) – moong dal (green gram split) soup

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 6 Month Old Baby– Week 4, Day 7

Early-morning Mother’s milk /formula feed

Breakfast-Spinach-pumpkin puree

Mid-morning-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Lunch-Ragi (finger millet) – moong dal (green gram split) soup

Evening-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Dinner-Mother’s milk /formula feed

Video: 6 Month Old Baby Food Recipes

Food Recipes for 6 Month Old Baby

Here are some interesting Bangali baby food recipes thaty your baby can try.

1. Apple Stew With Cinnamon

Ingredients:

Apple – 1

Water

Cinnamon powder

How To Prepare:

Cook the peeled and diced apple slices in boiling water.

Alternatively, you'll also cook them during a autoclave for 2 to 3 whistles.

Take the steamed apples and blend them in a mixer jar. You can also sieve it to thin the consistency of the stew.

To this, add a pinch of cinnamon powder and mix well.

Apple stew is ready.

2. Mango Puree

Ingredients:

Mango – 1

How To Prepare:

Peel and take away the mango pulp.

Mingle the decoration to a paste or sieve it.

As the fruit has natural sugars, serve with none added sweetners.

3. Oatmeal

Ingredients:

Powdered Oats – 1 cup

Water

Breast milk or formula milk(Both are) - as per requirement

Banana – 1/2

How To Prepare:

In a pan, boil 2 cups of water.

Once the water starts boiling, add the cup of powdered oats slowly to the water and stir continuously to avoid forming lumps.

Once the oats are cooked, add 2 tablespoons of milk.

You can add the banana paste to offer a pleasant flavour to the dish.

4. Sweet Pumpkin Puree

Sweet Pumpkin Puree

Ingredients:

Sweet pumpkin – 1/4

Water

How To Prepare:

Deseed alittle pumpkin and take away the pulp. Dice it into small cubes.

Boil 2 cups of water and add the pumpkin cubes thereto . Cover the lid and let it cook for a couple of minutes.

Mash or mingle the cooked pumpkin to a fine paste and feed your baby. The natural sweetness of the vegetable gives an honest taste to the dish.

5. Rice Porridge

Ingredients:

Powdered rice – 1 cup

Water

Breastmilk/formula milk – as per requirement

How To Prepare:

Take water and boil it during a pan.

Slowly, add the broken rice and cook it well.

Take care to avoid formation of lumps.

Top up the cooked rice with 2 tablespoons of milk and stir well.

6. Potato Puree

Ingredients:

Potato – 2

Breast milk/formula milk – as per requirement

How To Prepare:

Select potatoes that doesn’t have soft spots or cracks(Fresh Potatoes).

Wash them and cortex the skin off. Dice it into small solid figure.

To a cooker half-filled with water, add the potato cubes(Part of Potatos) and cook for 1-2 whistles.

Transfer the cooked potatoes to a bowl and mash them with a spoon.

Add breast milk or formula milk.

Delicious potato puree is prepared .

7. calabash (Lauki) Puree

Ingredients:

Bottle gourd – 1/2

Moong dal – 1 tbsp

Jeera powder – a pinch

How To Prepare:

Wash and peel the lauki. Cut it into small cubes.

Add the lauki cubes and moong dal to a autoclave with 50 ml of water.

Cook for two whistles on medium flame.

Mash or blend it after it cools down. Add jeera powder (optional) and serve.

Feeding Tips

Feeding babies are often a frightening task for mothers. Here are some tips to form your baby’s mealtime happy and stress-free.

Always start with only one or two spoons and provides more as long as your baby likes the taste.

Introduce just one new fruit or vegetable at a time and observe her reaction thereto , before starting with another foodstuff.

Follow the 3-day rule and write all the new dishes and ingredients you’ve fed your baby. This makes troubleshooting easier if she has an allergy .

Do not lumpy(Beech upset) foods or finger foods to babies as small as six months. It can sometimes cause gagging and even choking.

Decide on a relaxed and quiet place for feeding just like the front room or the kitchen.

Avoid distraction feeding, i.e. don’t feed your baby by getting her to observe something on a TV or mobile screen.

Prepare and store baby food in sterilised steel or glass bowls rather than plastic containers.

Give only homemade food as your baby’s gastrointestinal system remains underdeveloped.

Introducing solid foods to babies are often tricky, and mothers may feel confused on what food is true for his or her baby. Most of the time, babies like to eat foods that are of varying tastes, textures and hues . a touch effort towards tingling their taste buds can go an extended way in successful feeding.

Disclaimer:

Each child is different then use these meal plans as a trusted guide as per your discretion. you'll modify the meals consistent with your child’s preferences / requirements.

Never force-feed a toddler .

While preparing formula, please follow the instructions on the box and use the measuring spoon given it.

While introducing solid food to a baby, initially, one must prepare watery gruels/soups. As a toddler gets older, the caretaker/ mother has got to increase the thickness of the liquids slowly consistent with the child’s capacity to swallow. Foods that are too thick can cause stomach upset/ unnecessary load; while excessively watery food might cause the kid to stay hungry.

Some kids may eat less on some days which is completely alright. However, if a toddler eats less for quite 3-4 consecutive days, please visit a doctor to guide further.

A child may eat less during the teething phase or if he/she might not be feeling well. you'll increase breast milk /formula feeds on those days. Re-introduce the foods once the kid is back to normal.

Don’t stop feeding if the kid is affected by diarrhoea.

You can alter the taste of the food by adding some natural flavours like cinnamon, jeera powder, juice , curry leaves etc. if the kid doesn’t accept the food initially.

If your child suffers from an allergy to nuts, gluten or eggs, please consult your doctor before feeding him/her any foods which will contain them.