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Starting Solid foods for babies
My twins are formula fed,which month I should introduce them to solid foods?Also what kind of food items I should include in their diet.
Answers (6)
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Complementary feeding should start at 6 completed months of age — even for babies on formula. At this age, milk alone is not enough to meet their nutritional needs.
Next Steps
1. Continue formula feeds: Keep giving formula as main milk feed until 1 year. Aim for 5–6 feeds/day initially, gradually reducing as solids increase
2. Start with single-ingredient, soft foods: Begin with iron-rich and easy-to-digest foods like: Rice cereal, mashed rice with dal water, Mashed fruits (banana, apple), Vegetables (carrot, pumpkin, potato – boiled and mashed), Moong dal purée, Ragi porridge. Use a soft spoon or cup, not a bottle
3. Frequency & Quantity: Start with 1–2 small feeds per day. Initially 1–2 teaspoons → gradually increase
Offer after a milk feed, not when baby is very hungry
4. Progress gradually: Introduce one new food every 3–5 days. From 7 months onward, slowly add: Khichdi, upma, suji kheer, mashed idli, Soft fruits and cooked veggies, Ghee/oil for energy
5. Avoid these in the first year: Honey, Cow’s milk as main drink, Salt, sugar, spicy or oily foods, Nuts, grapes (choking hazard unless mashed or powdered), Processed or ready-made baby foods
Health Tips
Check for weight gain
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Greetings u can start complimentary feeding from 6 month kindly go through
"Feeding Patterns and Diet for Childrens 6 Months to 8months" by Dr.Shebin C E - https://www.practo.com/healthfeed/feeding-patterns-and-diet-for-childrens-6-months-to-8months-43979/post
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Dr. Prathibha Reddy
Pediatrician
12 yrs exp
Hyderabad
Start at 6 mnths of age . Start with fruit puree apple
Puree , mashed banana .. boiled sweet potato. Dal water, sujji . Continue formula feed till 1 yr of age .
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Dr. Anjali Maini
Pediatrician
33 yrs exp
Gurgaon
You can introduce solid foods to formula fed infants at around 6 months age. Babies are ready for semisolids once they have good head and neck control, sit with support, open their mouth when offered food, bring objects to their mouth and swallow food rather than pushing it down their chins!
Introduce semisolids in a mashed/ strained/ pureed form
A good idea is to start with a rice cereal ( rice with milk)
Introduce a new food which can be a source of allergen only over a gap of 3-5 days to help you recognize any food allergies - wheat/ cow milk protein/ eggs/ soy/ sesame/ tree nuts/ peanuts
There is no particular sequence of foods to be introduced - can try grains/ vegetables/ fruits/ milk products like curd or cheese. But remember the consistency. It can be a little grainy after another 2 months and by 9-12 months small bits of fruit maybe tried.
Remember no raw honey till 1 year of age
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Dr. Shivam Sharma
Pediatrician
7 yrs exp
Delhi
Start solid foods at 6 months. Begin with soft, single foods like rice cereal, mashed fruits (banana, apple), vegetables (carrot, pumpkin), and moong dal. Introduce one new food every few days. Continue formula; avoid salt, sugar, honey, and cow’s milk till 1 year.
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Dr. Noureen Sadaf
Pediatrician
3 yrs exp
Kota
You can start weaning from 6 months, slowly introduce semisolid foods like well grinded daliya, mashed fruits, well cooked and grinded pulses, start from half teaspoon first and then slowly increase when they accept.
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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.