Feed

Weaning, also called complementary feeding, means introducing foods other than breast milk or infant formula while continuing milk feeds.
According to WHO recommendations, complementary feeding should generally begin at 6 months of age (180 days), while breastfeeding continues up to 2 years or beyond.
1. When should we start weaning?
Start at around 6 months of age when the baby shows developmental readiness.
Signs of readiness include:
Able to hold the head steady and sit upright with support.
Able to coordinate the eyes, hands and mouth to bring food towards the mouth.
Able to swallow food rather than consistently pushing it out with the tongue.
Shows interest in food when others are eating.
Important: Do not start complementary feeding before 4 months of age. Most babies should start at around 6 months.
2. How to start weaning: Step-by-step approach
Days 1–3: Introduce one or two small feeds
Start with 1–2 teaspoons of soft, thick food once daily.
Suitable foods:
Thick rice porridge.
Mashed banana.
Well-cooked and mashed potato.
Soft, mashed dal.
Mashed pumpkin or carrot.
Introduce small amounts and gradually increase according to the baby's appetite.
Days 4–7: Gradually increase quantity
Offer 2–3 tablespoons per meal initially, increasing as tolerated.
Introduce different foods and textures.
Progress from smooth mashed food to thicker, soft, lumpy food as the baby develops feeding skills.
Continue breastfeeding on demand.
Avoid forcing the baby to finish a meal.
From 7–8 months
Offer a wider variety of foods, including:
Khichdi with vegetables.
Mashed dal and rice.
Soft-cooked vegetables.
Mashed fruits.
Well-cooked egg, if acceptable to the family.
Plain, full-fat yoghurt without added sugar.
Soft, finely minced meat or fish, where consumed.
Increase meal frequency and portion size according to age and appetite.
3. Age-wise complementary feeding schedule
Baby's age
Meals per day
Food consistency
Practical guidance
6–8 months
2–3 meals
Mashed, thick, soft foods
Start with small quantities and increase gradually
9–11 months
3–4 meals
Soft, lumpy foods and finely chopped foods
Encourage self-feeding with safe finger foods
12–23 months
3–4 meals plus 1–2 nutritious snacks, as needed
Family foods modified for safety
Offer a varied, balanced diet
Breast milk or infant formula remains an important source of nutrition during the transition. Continue breastfeeding on demand.
4. What foods are best for starting weaning in India?
A practical Indian complementary-feeding plan can include the following:
Food group
Examples
Cereals
Rice, wheat porridge, ragi
Pulses
Moong dal, masoor dal
Vegetables
Pumpkin, carrot, potato, spinach prepared appropriately
Fruits
Banana, papaya, mango, soft pear
Protein-rich foods
Well-cooked egg, mashed beans, meat or fish
Dairy
Plain yoghurt, pasteurised dairy products
Healthy fats
A small amount of ghee or suitable vegetable oil added to food
A key nutritional point: From 6 months onward, babies need iron-rich complementary foods. Include iron-rich foods regularly, such as iron-fortified infant cereals, well-cooked and mashed pulses, meat or egg as appropriate. Pulses provide iron, although the iron is less readily absorbed than iron from meat.
5. Foods to avoid or handle carefully
Honey: Avoid before 12 months because of infant botulism risk.
Cow's milk as the main drink: Avoid before 12 months; small amounts in cooking or pasteurised yoghurt are generally acceptable.
Added salt and sugar: Avoid adding them to infant foods.
Choking hazards: Whole nuts, whole grapes, popcorn, hard raw vegetables and chunks of food that can obstruct the airway.
Unpasteurised milk and dairy products: Avoid because of infection risk.
Undercooked eggs, meat and fish: Avoid due to foodborne infection risk.
Juices and sugary drinks: Avoid; offer safe drinking water in a cup with meals after complementary feeding begins.
Introduce common allergenic foods, including well-cooked egg and smooth peanut butter diluted into an appropriate food, in safe forms and age-appropriate quantities. Do not give whole nuts or thick spoonfuls of peanut butter. If the baby has severe eczema or an existing food allergy, seek medical advice before introducing peanut.
6. How should we feed the baby?
Follow responsive feeding:
Seat the baby upright and supervise every meal.
Offer small spoonfuls and allow enough time.
Respond to hunger and fullness cues.
Never force-feed or feed while the baby is lying down.
Maintain good hand hygiene and prepare food safely.
Gradually increase texture and variety rather than keeping the baby on thin liquids or smooth purées for too long.
7. Sample feeding plan for a 6-month-old baby.
Early morning
Breast milk or infant formula
Breakfast
Thick, well-cooked rice porridge or iron-fortified cereal
Mid-morning
Breast milk or infant formula
Lunch
Mashed khichdi or thick dal with soft vegetables
Afternoon
Breast milk or infant formula
Evening
Breast milk or infant formula, according to the baby's needs
Begin with small quantities and build towards 2–3 complementary meals daily during 6–8 months. The schedule should be adapted to the baby's appetite and milk-feeding pattfo