Introducing solids can feel overwhelming. What do you give when? How thick should it be? What if they refuse? This month-by-month chart cuts through the confusion with clear, practical guidance using Indian foods.
6 Months: The Beginning
Texture: smooth, runny purees. Meals: 1 meal per day initially, increasing to 2 by end of month. Portions: 1 to 3 teaspoons per meal. Primary nutrition: breast milk or formula remains primary.
Foods to introduce: ragi porridge, moong dal water, rice water/thin porridge, mashed banana, apple puree, sweet potato puree, carrot puree. Introduce one food at a time with 3-day gaps. No salt, no sugar, no honey.
7 Months: Expanding the Palette
Texture: slightly thicker smooth purees. Meals: 2 meals per day. Portions: 3 to 5 tablespoons per meal. Foods to add: pumpkin puree, pear puree, soft cooked peas mashed, mashed papaya, oats porridge, suji kheer (no sugar, thin), mixing 2 foods together (dal + rice, ragi + banana).
8 Months: Adding Protein and Texture
Texture: mashed with very soft lumps, thicker porridges. Meals: 2 to 3 meals per day. Portions: 4 to 6 tablespoons. Foods to add: soft cooked egg yolk, soft paneer pieces, moong dal khichdi mashed, idli with sambar, soft cooked fish flaked fine (for non-vegetarians), tomato, onion cooked into dishes, spinach puree.
9 Months: Finger Foods Begin
Texture: mashed and soft lumps plus first finger foods. Meals: 3 meals plus a snack. Foods to add: soft idli pieces as finger food, well-cooked vegetable sticks, soft ripe fruit pieces, ragi porridge thicker, small paneer cubes, whole cooked egg yolk, dosa with coconut chutney, suji upma.
10 to 11 Months: Family Foods Approaching
Texture: finely chopped or minced, soft family foods. Meals: 3 meals plus 1 to 2 snacks. Foods to add: soft chapati pieces, scrambled egg, well-cooked chicken shredded fine, curd mixed into food, all vegetables cooked in mild tadka, poha, uttapam, small pieces of roti with dal.
12 Months: Transitioning to Family Foods
Texture: soft family food, most things with minor modification. Meals: 4 meals plus 200ml cow milk at bedtime. Foods now allowed: cow's milk as a drink (150 to 200ml/day), honey, whole egg including white, most family foods with less salt and mild spice, cow's milk in cooking and as main drink. Foods to continue avoiding until later: whole nuts, excess salt and sugar, very spicy food.