Yes, we all know that an infant should be exclusively breastfed for 6 months. But as each child is different and depending on the health of the baby, a mother under expert supervision should start giving complementary food to a baby when it reaches the 6-month mark. At 6 or 7 months of age, some infants may eat 110-170 grams of food per day while babies who are just starting solids may eat only 29-57 grams per day. My first child started taking solids when she was 6 months old and based on my own experience, I’ll be sharing some weaning tips with you.
It is advised to make a food chart before starting solids for your baby.
What is the Food Chart?
A food chart is a guideline that gives us the right food choices for optimal health. It comprises of all the required nutrients and ensures that we are getting everything that our body needs through our diet.
Why is it important?
It is important to maintain a food chart for your baby in the first few months to keep a track of the food items and quantity that your baby takes.
The 3-Days-Wait Rule
Many doctors suggest that while introducing new foods to a baby, there should be a gap of 3 days between two new foods so that an allergic reaction or intolerance to food can be detected. Here’s how it works:
Start with 1 tablespoon (say apple puree) one time a day on the first day.
Make it 2 tablespoons (say apple puree) twice a day on the second day.
Make it 3 tablespoons (say apple puree) twice a day on the third day.
1 tablespoon approximately equals to 15 ml, so by the end of 3 days, you will be giving 90 ml.
But, now according to recent update pediatricians are of the opinion that you don’t have to wait for 3 days before introducing new food and variety of foods can be introduced simultaneously, if there is no history of allergy in the family. It is being observed that introducing many foods simultaneously will help the baby to try different varieties of food and make him less of a fussy eater.
First foods can be fresh- made juice, purees or soups. And the best time for feeding solids to babies is between 10am-11am in the morning and between 3pm-4pm in the evening. Night and bedtime should be avoided for feeding solids. It will help you check any allergy or discomfort your baby has after taking any particular food.
Here are the food items that you can include during the first month of weaning your infant:
- Fruits: Apple Puree, Pear Puree, Apple Pear puree with a cinnamon twist, Banana Puree
- Vegetables: Carrot juice, Carrot Puree, Potato Puree, Pumpkin Puree, Sweet potato puree, Lauki puree, Beetroot Puree, Carrot Beet soup.
- Cereals: Chawal ka paani (Rice gruel), Dal ka paani (Lentil Soup), Barley water.
Note: Do not give salt and sugar to your baby’s food until 1 year. It may lead to some health problems in them.
Weekly food chart for 6-month old baby
There’s no denying home-cooked food is best for your baby, but the body of an infant also demands some nutrient dense foods in order to promote the overall growth and development. This is the just sample food chart based on my personal experience. You can alter the food chart according to your baby’s preferences. The purpose of this food chart is to guide you about the food schedule and quantity.
Do leave a comment if you have any doubts.