Learning to Eat
From the very first spoon to sitting at the family table - everything you need to guide your baby's feeding journey, reviewed by experts.
✔ Expert reviewed ✔ Age-based guidance ✔ Tools & trackers
Answers First
Parents Often Ask
The most searched feeding questions - answered simply!
When should I start solids?
Around 6 completed months - not before. WHO and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) recommend introducing safe, nutritious complementary foods at about 6 months, while continuing breastfeeding. Starting before 6 months isn’t advised, and starting much later can leave gaps in key nutrients like iron, zinc and overall energy. Every baby is a little different, so also look for readiness signs and check with your pediatrician.
How do I know my baby is ready for solids?
Look for a few signs together, not just the calendar:
a) your baby can sit with support and
b) hold their head steady,
c) shows interest in food, opens their mouth when food comes close, and
e) gains control over tongue reflexes that pushes food out.
Most of these signs are present around 6 months, when your baby is likely ready solid food. Hear Dr. Sanjay Wazir explain these signs in your baby.
Do I stop breastfeeding once solids start?
No. ‘Complementary feeding’ means adding food alongside breast milk - not replacing it. Breast milk (or formula, if you use it on your pediatrician's advice) continues to be an important part of the diet of the baby, and breastfeeding can happily be continued up to 2 years and beyond. Solids ‘complement’ milk; they don’t compete with it.
How much cow’s milk does a 1–2-year-old baby needs?
From 12 months, cow’s whole milk can be a drink - about 500 ml per day is a common guide. Too much of milk will reduce the appetite/ hunger for foods and increase the risk of deficiencies of key nutrients like Iron, as cow’s milk is poor source of Iron. However, we always recommend talk to your pediatrician for any guidance.
My baby spits out or refuses food - what do I do?
Spitting out and refusing new foods is part of normal exploration and learning to eat, especially early on. A food should be offered for at least 8–10 times (sometimes more) before concluding your baby’s dislike towards it. Stay calm, keep offering small amounts without pressure, and let your baby set the pace. If you observe poor weight gain or other worries, see your pediatrician.
Home food or packaged baby food - which is better?
Home-prepared food is the foundation of your baby’s diet - that’s what IAP recommends. Fortified baby cereals, only if your pediatrician recommends, are a partner to home food to bridge any nutritional gap that may exist due to inappropriate understanding of complementary feeding practices or quality of food. Think ‘home food first, with a targeted nutritional bridge’ - never a swap for fresh home cooking. It is the partnership of both not ‘either- or’ situation.
First Foods and Complementary Feeding
Solids, textures, key nutrients
Baby Eating Very Little? A Parent's Guide to Essential Nutrients and First Foods
Learn why nutrient-dense foods matter for babies 6 to 24 months, with iron-rich food tips suitable for Indian families, and safe ways to make every spoon count.
Baby's First Foods: A Parent's Guide to Key Nutrients
Find out the best first foods for babies and the key nutrients they need for healthy brain growth, digestion, and strong immunity.
First foods - 8 ways to introduce variety and texture
Introducing new textures and foods helps your baby eat better. Try these 8 simple tips to add variety and support healthy eating habits.
Expert Guidance
Dr. Sanjay Wazir explains key parenting concerns
A Pediatrician's Guide to Choosing Safe Packaged Baby Food
When selecting packaged foods for your child, it's crucial to look beyond just the appealing imagery.
Is Your Baby Ready for Solid Foods? 4 Key Signs to Look For
Is your little one ready to explore their first tastes? Dr. Sanjay Wazir shares these simple to spot signs which show readiness for solids.
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Get expert-backed advice on your child's health and nutrition. Watch easy-to-follow videos from pediatricians, nutritionists, and child specialists for trusted guidance.
Feeding, nutrition, first foods, fussy eating, colic, early growth, and more - answers you can trust, for the years that matter most.
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