Learning to Eat

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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-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.