By the time your baby reaches 6 months, breast milk or formula alone may not meet their growing nutritional needs. This is when most babies are ready for complementary feeding—introducing solid foods alongside breast milk or formula.
At fitandhealthful, we’ll walk you through the best foods for babies from 6 to 12 months, how to introduce them safely, and tips to make mealtimes happy and healthy.
🍼 Signs Your Baby is Ready for Solids
Before starting solids, look for these cues (usually around 6 months):
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Can sit with minimal support.
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Shows interest in your food.
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Opens mouth when offered a spoon.
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No longer pushes food out with tongue reflex.
👉 Always introduce solids slowly while continuing breast milk or formula.
🥑 Best First Foods for Babies (6–8 Months)
At this stage, foods should be pureed, mashed, or very soft.
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Single-grain cereals: Iron-fortified rice cereal, oatmeal.
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Pureed fruits: Banana, apple, pear, avocado.
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Pureed vegetables: Sweet potato, carrot, pumpkin, peas.
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Mashed legumes: Lentils, moong dal, well-cooked beans.
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Protein sources: Pureed chicken, egg yolk (avoid egg white until 8–9 months if allergies run in family).
👉 Introduce one food at a time and wait 3 days before adding a new one to monitor allergies.
🍲 Foods for 8–10 Months
By this age, babies can handle more textures.
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Soft finger foods: Steamed carrot sticks, small banana slices.
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Grains: Soft khichdi, rice, porridge, whole wheat pasta.
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Dairy (if tolerated): Small amounts of unsweetened yogurt, cheese.
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Proteins: Scrambled eggs, finely shredded chicken, tofu.
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Fruits & Veggies: Mango, papaya, zucchini, spinach (well cooked & mashed).
🍽 Foods for 10–12 Months
Now babies can eat most family foods (without salt, sugar, or spice).
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Handheld foods: Small pieces of chapati, bread, soft idli, pancakes.
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Proteins: Fish (boneless), beans, cottage cheese, minced meat.
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Fruits: Berries (mashed or cut small), watermelon, peach.
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Finger snacks: Boiled potatoes, steamed broccoli florets, soft cooked pasta.
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Nut butters: Smooth peanut or almond butter (thinly spread, never chunky).
👉 By 12 months, babies can eat 3 solid meals + 2 snacks daily, alongside breast milk or formula.
🚫 Foods to Avoid in First Year
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Honey (risk of botulism).
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Cow’s milk as main drink (ok in small amounts for cooking).
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Salt, sugar, and processed foods.
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Whole nuts (choking hazard).
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Unpasteurized dairy.
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High-mercury fish (shark, swordfish).
🌟 Feeding Tips for Parents
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Be patient—babies may need 10–15 tries before accepting a new food.
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Offer variety to build healthy eating habits.
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Use small, soft spoons and baby-safe bowls.
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Encourage self-feeding with finger foods.
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Always supervise during mealtime to avoid choking.
🏥 When to Consult a Pediatrician
See your doctor if your baby shows:
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Persistent refusal to eat solids.
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Allergic reactions (rash, swelling, breathing issues).
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Poor weight gain despite regular feeding.
✅ Conclusion
From purees at 6 months to family foods at 12 months, your baby’s diet will grow as quickly as they do. The key is to focus on nutrient-rich, age-appropriate foods, avoid processed options, and continue breast milk or formula for balanced nutrition.
At fitandhealthful, we’re here to guide you with trusted baby nutrition and parenting tips so your child gets the best start in life.
