Baby Food Basics: A Step-by-Step Guide to First Foods

Most babies are ready to begin complementary feeding for infants at around 6 months of age. Starting before 4 months is not recommended because the digestive system and oral motor skills are not mature enough.

Signs your baby is ready for solids:

• Can hold their head steady and sit upright with minimal support
• Shows interest in food by watching others eat or reaching toward the plate
• Has lost the tongue-thrust reflex and no longer automatically pushes food out with their tongue
• Can move food toward the back of the mouth and attempt to swallow
• Has roughly doubled their birth weight (typically around 6 to 7 kg at 6 months)

No single sign is enough on its own. Look for a combination of these cues, and check with your paediatrician if you are unsure about timing. Starting solids too early is associated with a higher risk of choking, digestive upset, and feeding difficulties later on.

Most babies are ready to begin complementary feeding for infants at around 6 months of age. Starting before 4 months is not recommended because the digestive system and oral motor skills are not mature enough.

Signs your baby is ready for solids:

• Can hold their head steady and sit upright with minimal support
• Shows interest in food by watching others eat or reaching toward the plate
• Has lost the tongue-thrust reflex and no longer automatically pushes food out with their tongue
• Can move food toward the back of the mouth and attempt to swallow
• Has roughly doubled their birth weight (typically around 6 to 7 kg at 6 months)

No single sign is enough on its own. Look for a combination of these cues, and check with your paediatrician if you are unsure about timing. Starting solids too early is associated with a higher risk of choking, digestive upset, and feeding difficulties later on.

Starting baby food does not need to be complicated. Follow these steps in order to reduce the risk of reactions and help your baby build a varied diet from the start.

Step 1: Start with a single-ingredient food. Choose a plain, simple puree or mash with no added salt, sugar, or spices. One ingredient at a time makes it easy to spot a problem if a reaction occurs.

Step 2: Follow the 3-day wait rule. Offer the same new food for 3 days in a row before trying something else. This gives you time to notice signs of intolerance or allergy such as a rash, vomiting, or unusual fussiness.

Step 3: Start small. Begin with 1 to 2 teaspoons per sitting. Breast milk or formula remains the primary source of nutrition until 12 months, so milk feeds should continue alongside solids throughout the first year.

Step 4: Progress textures gradually. Move from smooth purees to mashed, then to soft lumps, and eventually to soft finger foods. Rushing texture changes before oral motor skills are ready increases choking risk.

Step 5: Watch hunger and fullness cues. Babies turn their heads away, clamp their lips, or push the spoon back when they have had enough. Never force feeding.

Iron-rich foods are a good starting point because the iron stores babies are born with begin to deplete around 6 months. The baby food introduction chart below organises options by age.

6 to 8 Months

Smooth purees and well-mashed foods work best at this stage.

• Iron-rich options: pureed cooked lentils (dal), mashed cooked egg yolk, pureed meat or poultry, iron-fortified single-grain cereal
• Vegetables: pureed sweet potato, pumpkin, carrot, peas, spinach
• Fruits: mashed ripe banana, pureed apple, pear, avocado
• Grains: rice or ragi (finger millet) porridge thinned to a smooth consistency

9 to 10 Months

Move to thicker mashes and soft lumps. Babies at this age start practising a pincer grip.

• Soft-cooked vegetable pieces such as carrot, potato, and beans
• Mashed legumes like moong or masoor dal
• Small pieces of soft fruit
• Whole egg cooked soft (if egg allergen has already been introduced safely)
• Small pieces of soft chapati or idli

11 to 12 Months

Most soft family foods cut into small pieces are now manageable.

• Soft-cooked fish (checked carefully for bones), minced chicken, or paneer
• A wide variety of cooked vegetables and fruit
• Small, soft pieces of bread or cooked pasta
• Family dal and vegetables with minimal added salt

Foods to avoid before 1 year are covered in the contraindications section below.

Early introduction of common food allergens is now supported by pediatric guidelines. Delaying beyond 12 months does not reduce allergy risk and may increase it.

The 8 major allergens to introduce are: peanut, egg, cow's milk products, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish.

How to introduce them safely:

• Introduce one allergen at a time, following the 3-day wait rule
• Offer a small amount early in the day so you can monitor for reactions over several hours
• Do not try a new allergen if your baby is unwell or has an active skin flare

Signs of an allergic reaction to watch for:

• Hives, redness, or swelling around the mouth or eyes
• Vomiting or diarrhoea shortly after eating
• Runny nose or watery eyes
• Unusual crying or irritability
• Difficulty breathing, pale or bluish skin (signs of anaphylaxis; call emergency services immediately)

If you suspect a severe reaction, seek emergency care without delay. Report adverse events to your healthcare provider or the relevant regulatory authority.

Babies with severe eczema or a known egg allergy carry a higher risk of peanut allergy. Ask your paediatrician about a supervised introduction plan before trying peanut products at home.

The items below must not be given to babies under 12 months. This is a contraindications list, not general preference.

For parents exploring newborn care basics for new parents, many of the same principles of observing your baby carefully and seeking timely guidance apply as you move into the feeding stage.

Some situations call for professional input rather than a wait-and-see approach.

Speak to your child's doctor if you notice:

• Consistent refusal of all solids after several weeks of gentle attempts
• Poor weight gain or noticeable weight loss after solids begin
• Frequent vomiting, choking, or gagging beyond the initial learning phase
• Signs of an allergic reaction after introducing any new food
• Symptoms that suggest reflux, such as persistent discomfort, arching, or crying during feeds

Introducing first foods is an important stage as babies gradually learn new tastes, textures, and eating skills alongside breast milk or appropriate infant formula. Starting complementary foods when the baby is developmentally ready and offering a variety of nutrient-rich, age-appropriate foods can support healthy growth and feeding development. Parents should introduce foods in safe textures, supervise meals, and be aware of potential choking and allergy risks. If there are concerns about feeding readiness, allergies, growth, or difficulty eating, consulting a paediatrician can provide personalised guidance.