Fruits For 6 Month Old. Fruits are healthy food and good for baby. If you want to keep your little gourmet happy and healthy, that means you need to follow a good healthy diet yourself. When the baby is six months old the first thing you should give her is a little fruit salad. Babies love fruit salad; they like to chew on the different fruits, it gives them something to do with their mouths and their teeth so it helps get rid of any teething problems they might have.
6-Month-Old Baby’s Food Chart And Recipes
Know what food and diet will support your little one’s growth and development.
A 6-month-baby food chart allows parents to understand how to introduce solid foods to children and what are the suitable options. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all babies start solid food once they turn six months. Before this age, breastmilk can provide complete nutrition to them.
So, when you start introducing food to babies, you should remember that they cannot eat a lot initially, and breastmilk will be their primary source of nutrition. Gradually, you may try to replace the feed with some solid food.
Refer to the post to understand various food options that may be introduced at six months, the precautions you should take while preparing the food, and some simple but interesting recipes.
Food Ideas For 6 Months Baby
The first foods offered to a baby are called stage 1 baby food. They are pureed and strained so that the little ones can gulp and digest them easily. They are low on allergy grade.
However, consult a pediatrician before introducing any new food to your little one.
Below are some of the best foods for a six-month-old baby:
1. Milk
Continue breast milk or formula for your baby as it is the main source of nutrition for babies until one year. Breastfeed every two to three hours or on demand. Alternatively, offer 24-37 ounces of formula milk every day.
2. Stage 1 fruits
Apples, avocados, apricots, bananas, mango, nectarines, peaches, papaya, pears, plums, prunes, chikoo, pumpkin and kiwi pulp make great first foods for a baby. Remember to include fruits in mashed or puree form only.
3. Stage 1 veggies
Babies can digest boiled and mashed vegetables such as beans (green), carrots, sweet potato, squash, green peas, potatoes, baby marrow, butternut, and pumpkin.
4. Water
Give boiled and cooled-to-room-temperature water to your baby at least thrice a day. Give water after the meal and not in between the feed as it may reduce the total food intake.
5. Cereals and pulses
Cereals and pulses such as rice, barley, oats, and lentils provide essential nutrients like proteins and minerals to the growing babies. Cook these items until they are soft and mash them.
6. Meat
You can add pureed and stewed poultry, and fish (less in mercury) to your baby’s diet. Ensure to remove bones while serving these foods.
Confused what to give and when? Write down the baby’s feeding schedule and pin it up to make things easier for you.
Food Chart For Six-Month Baby
You may design your baby’s food chart on these lines:
Wake up time
- Formula or breast milk. Continue breastfeeding for the rest of the day.
Breakfast (7:30 to 8am)
- Fruit mash or vegetable mash
Lunch (11:30 to 12:30pm)
- Cereals such as rice, barley or oats
Snacks (3:30 to 4pm)
- Fruit or vegetable purees
Dinner (6 to 7pm)
- Veggies, fruit mix or grains
Remember that you are preparing the chart for your reference only. You need not have to strictly stick to a schedule. Offer milk and solids in an order that is convenient to you and acceptable to your baby.
However, make food so tasty that your baby would not mind eating it at any time of the day.
6 Months Old Baby Food Chart
As your baby has completed 6 months, it is the right time to introduce baby to solid foods. The 6 months baby food chart should be a combination of semi-solid foods and solids. It is important to go slow and keep your baby’s food preference in mind.
Nurse or bottle feed your baby first and then offer your little one solids. It is important to remember that breastmilk or formula milk still continues to be more important than solids at this age.
Ideal feed schedule of 6 months old baby
Here’s how you should divide your baby’s feeding schedule on a daily basis with breast milk, formula milk and also some essential semi-solids:
It is important to mention that some babies may be allergic to certain baby food items (especially those with a family history of food allergies). Thus, it is essential to follow the three-day rule to start baby food. Introduce only one food at a time and check for three days, if your baby is comfortable, then you are good to introduce the next one.
6 months baby food chart should include vegetables, fruits, cereals, grains, protein, and dairy. Food must be home cooked, pureed, or mashed and should be easy to digest. Initially, she will consume only 1-2 tbsp, once a day. Do not force feed and give your little one some time to get used to it.
Food for 6 Months Old Baby :
-Vegetables such as pumpkin, potato, carrots, sweet potato, green peas, french beans are healthy options that can be included in the food chart for 6 months old baby. These veggies should be well steamed and can be given in puree or mashed form. Start with very dilute purees and gradually thicken them as your baby gets used to it.
-Fruits such as banana, apple, papaya, chikoo, apricots, prunes, mango, peaches are necessary for the overall growth and development of your baby. Make sure it is one fruit at a time. Fruits can be given in puree or mashed form as well. You can also boil or steam the fruit, following by blending or mashing it.
-It is the perfect time to introduce water into your baby’s diet. Make sure to boil the water thoroughly before feeding your baby.
-Include cereals in the food chart as nothing can be healthier than oats, rice, and barley. For oats or barley, you can boil them and add formula or breast milk and add a fruit of your choice.
-Cook the rice properly, mash it and then add formula or breastmilk to it. Alternatively, you can also cook the rice and few vegetables together in a pressure cooker and then mash the mixture to a fine paste.
-Sooji can be included in the baby food chart as it is highly nutritious and easily digestible. Dry roast the sooji and add water/milk to it. Vegetables such as pumpkin, potato, carrots, sweet potato, green peas, french beans are healthy options that can be included in the food chart for 6 months baby. These veggies should be well steamed and can be given in puree or mashed form. Start with very dilute purees and gradually thicken them as your baby gets used to it.
Homemade Recipes for 6 Months Infant :
There are lots of foods which can be prepared quickly and provide essential nutrients to 6 month old baby. Some of these homemade recipes for 6-months-old baby food are listed below which you can try out :
Banana or Avacado Mash
- Peel the ripe banana or avocado, take out the flesh – do not cook.
- Mash the desired fruit with a fork or blend it in the grinder. Puree is ready to serve
- Milk can also be added to the puring before serving
Single Grain Cerelac
- Dry roast clean rice and blend it into a blender to make a fine powder
- Bring formula milk or breastmilk to boil and add a spoon of rice powered in it
- Stir constantly
- Simmer for 5 minutes and cook properly. Make sure it should have a liquid or paste consistency.
- You can replace the rice with oatmeal also
The ideal 6 months baby food chart (Indian)
• Early Morning Meal
Breastmilk should be given to your baby in the morning.
• Breakfast
You can feed your baby with fruit or vegetable puree for breakfast.
• Lunch
Cereals and grains like rice, oats, barley, etc. should be given in the pureed or mashed form, mixed with vegetables for lunch.
• Snacks
For evening snacks, you can choose between fruits or vegetables in puree or mashed form. Alternatively, you can breastfeed your baby.
• Dinner
You can opt for a rice puree or a vegetable puree for dinner.
In between, keep breastfeeding your baby as and when required.
As suggested before, be careful while introducing any new solid food to baby as it may cause allergic reaction and could cause diarrhoea, rashes, vomiting etc. In case of any allergic reaction, immediately stop the food that have been given to baby. Seek medical assistance if required.
Also do not compromise on breastmilk as it is considered as the main source of nutrition for the baby.
Always remember 3 day rule to introduce solid food to 6 month old baby – One food at a time and check for three days
Fruits for 6 Months Babies
Fruit purees are recommended for babies amid 6-8 months old to get them ready for solid food. You can buy purees from the store, but it’s better to give your baby homemade fruit purees which are much healthier and more costless. This article has some easy and affordable recipes for making purees to serve your baby.
Fruits for 6 Months Babies
It’s not appropriate to feed raw fruits for 6 months babies since their digestive system is not fully developed. But feeding with fruit purees is all right. Below is a list of some basic fruit purees that are healthy for your babies:
1. Apple Puree
One of the preferred initial fruits for 6 months babies is apple sauce prepared from red or gala apples, making it delicious, mild and sweet. Apples are recommended for your babies as they contain vitamin C and fiber, which are essential components for the baby’s growth. Some studies also suggest the apples may protect babies from diseases, such as asthma. The versatility of the apples allows apple puree to be paired with other fruits, veggie, meat or poultry purees.
Ingredients: 4 fresh apples which are approximately 2 pounds.
How to make it: Clean and peel the apples. Then, slice the apple into quarters and steam it in a vegetable steamer for about 12 minutes or until very tender. Have the apples in a food processor until smooth. For babies new to solid foods, start with 2 tablespoons and increase gradually.
2. Banana Puree
Bananas are rich in potassium and they are very ideal fruits for 6 months babies. Banana puree is good for the young tummies of babies to appease them from stomach upset and combat diarrhea. The puree is sweet and creamy, and it can be used to balance other purees made from tart fruits like strawberries and blueberries.
Ingredients: A ½ ripe banana, 1 tablespoon of water, formula or breast milk.
How to make it: Wash and peel the ½ piece of ripened banana and keep the other unpeeled in a covered container. Use a fork to mash the banana as you add water, formula or breast milk until you reach the desired consistency. It is essential to serve the banana puree immediately.
3. Peach Puree
Peach puree is filled with potassium and beta-carotene which aid in the development process of babies. It can be served alone or as a mixture of either chicken or banana. You can also stir it into creamyGreek yoghurt to make it even more delicious for the baby.
Ingredients: 4 ripe peaches (about 1.5 pounds in total).
How to make it: You first need to wash, pit, peel and slice the peaches into halves. Steam the sliced peaches in a vegetable steamer for about 6 minutes or until tender. Process the tender peaches with a food processor until smooth. The riper the peaches, the more juicy and tasty it is.
4. Pear Puree
Pear puree is too sweet and delicious for any baby to resist. It’s rich in fiber and can be mixed with certain veggies, such as green beans to make them more appealing.
Ingredients: 4 ripe pears
How to make it: Wash and peel the pears. Cut the pears to remove the core and slice each half into equal slices and quarter each slice. Steam the slices in a vegetable steamer for about 8 minutes or until tender. For babies new to solid foods, start with 2 tablespoons and increase gradually as they are getting used to solid food. You need to ensure that the pear puree freezes well.
5. Avocado Puree
Avocado puree is packed with omega-3s fatty acids which help in the growth of your baby. It does not require cooking and is also delicious when mixed with other puree, like fresh banana puree.
Ingredients: 1 avocado and 2 tablespoons of water, formula, or breast milk.
How to make it: Wash and slice the avocado into two pieces. Scoop out the flesh by using a spoon from one half of the avocado, and reserve the other half with a pit in a plastic bag for later use. Mash the scooped flesh with a fork, adding 2 tablespoons of water, formula or breast milk until you reach the desired consistency. You need to ensure that avocado puree is served when fresh.
6. Plum Puree
Plum puree is rich in fiber and acts as a natural protection against constipation. It has a combination of sweet and tart flavors, making it a favorite meal for your baby. It can be made with pitted prunes or fresh plums.
Ingredients: 6 plums which are clean, peeled, halved and pitted.
How to make it: Steam the plums in a vegetable steamer for about 7 minutes or until very tender. Then process the steamed plums in a food processor until smooth. For babies new to solids, start with 2 tablespoons and increase the quantity gradually. You need to ensure that the plum puree freezes well.
7. Apricot Puree
Apricot puree is tangy and rich in beta-carotene. It can be mixed with sweet potatoes, bananas or apples when you start extending your baby’s menu.
Ingredients: 1 pound of soft dried apricots and 300 ml water.
How to make it: Steam the apricot with 300 ml water in a small saucepan over a medium heat for about 30 minutes or until very tender. Then process the steamed apricots in a food processor until smooth. It can be served alone or as a mixture with either orange, white grape or apple. You can serve it while it is warm or cold, and you can also stir it into creamyGreek yoghurt to make it even more delicious for the baby.
8. Blueberry Puree
Blueberry puree is rich in antioxidant, which supports in the development of the baby. Depending on the berries you use, the puree can have a deep purple color which is either somewhat tart or very tart. The puree can be mixed with apple, pear, and banana.
Ingredients: ½ a cup of fresh blueberries
How to make it: Wash the blueberries to ensure they are clean. For under-ripe or frozen blueberries, steam them for 3 minutes. Then process steamed blueberries in a food processor until smooth. However, if the blueberries are ripened, skip the steaming and mash the blueberries with a potato masher.
6 Months Old Baby Food Ideas
Congratulations, your baby has hit the half-year milestone. In the first six months, she has gained all the nutrients from breast milk. It is now time for your baby to start tasting solids and relish them.
Nutrient Requirements of a 6-Month-Old Infant
Here are the nutritional components that 6-month-old baby food should have:
- Calcium: Calcium is essential for bone and teeth development.
- Iron: Iron helps to carry 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 contribute differently to a baby’s growth. Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, D, E and K are essential to a baby.
- Minerals: Minerals like sodium and potassium directly influence the growth of a baby.
How Much Food Should Your Baby Eat?
A six-month-old baby is primarily breastfed or formula-fed. However, solid food can be introduced for breakfast or lunch. Introduce only one fruit or vegetable and feed it to your baby for at least three days. If she responds well and does not show any signs of allergy, then you can continue with that fruit or vegetable and also try other foods.
Best Foods for a 6-Month-Old Baby
Expert paediatricians recommend avoiding salt and sugar until the age of one, as it puts unwanted stress on the kidneys.
Some healthy food options for 6 months+ babies include:
- Fruits Puree: Fruits should be steamed, and mashed or pureed while introducing for the first time. Fruits like apples, bananas, pear, avocado, chikoo and peaches can be given.
- Vegetable Puree: Vegetables such sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots, sweet pumpkin, french beans, etc. can be steamed and given either as finger foods or as a puree.
- Pulses Soup: A variety of pulses, especially dals, can be boiled with water and the soup can be given to babies.
- Rice Porridge: Rice is a good source of carbohydrates and vitamins for babies. Broken rice, made with breast milk or formula milk can be given as porridge.
- Cereal Porridge: Porridge can also be made from a variety of single grain cereals like wheat, millet, barley, oats, etc. These cereals can be dried and powdered together or separately, to make gruel.
- Vegetable Soup: A variety of vegetables can be boiled in water, and the stock can be given as soup.
- Yoghurt: Although cow’s milk is not recommended until the age of one, unsweetened yoghurt can be given in moderate amounts as an alternative to purees.
What If Your Baby Is Allergic to Particular Foods?
An allergic reaction can occur in the form of diarrhoea, vomiting, rashes, constipation or pain in the stomach and is a cause for concern. If there is an allergic reaction, stop the food that you have been giving the baby immediately. If the allergic reaction persists, seek medical assistance. You can retry it after a few months if your paediatrician gives the go-ahead.