The moment you sit down with your spoon, gaze at your baby’s expectant eyes and wonder, “What should I feed my 6-month-old?” — that transition is as exciting as it is nerve-racking. For many parents in Chennai and beyond, the journey from exclusive milk feeding to solid foods raises questions: when to start, what to give, how to prepare.
At Deepa Hospital, one of the trusted pediatric hospitals in Chennai, our experts guide many families through this milestone with confidence.
Here’s the key message: after around six months, your baby is generally ready to begin solid foods — but milk (breast or formula) remains the primary source of nutrition for a while longer. What we aim to do in this guide is simplify the nutrition roadmap: the why, what, how — turning expert advice into practical, daily steps for your baby.
By the end of this blog you’ll have:
- A clear understanding of when and how to start solids.
- A curated list of first foods (grains, pulses, fruits, veggies) & preparation tips.
- A reliable texture-progression plan for months 6-8 and beyond.
A gentle reminder: your paediatrician’s ongoing role (and yes, at our paediatric hospital in Chennai, we’re here to support you).
2. The Golden Rule of Starting Solids
A. Timing is Key
Research and global guidelines align: introduce complementary (solid) foods at around six months (≈ 180 days) while continuing breast-milk or formula.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline: “Infants should be introduced to complementary foods at 6 months … while continuing to breastfeed.”
This means: even as you start solids, milk remains the foundation of your baby’s diet.
B. The “One-at-a-Time” Approach
At Deepa Hospital, our paediatricians emphasise: introduce one new food every few days or up to a week. This gives your baby’s digestive system time to adapt — and you time to observe for allergies (rashes, vomiting, persistent diarrhoea) or intolerance.
This approach aligns with Indian-context feeding advice too: the emphasis on slow introduction.
C. Monitoring Digestion
Observe your baby: Are they comfortable after the meal? How is the stool? Any signs of distress? The transition to solids is not just about flavour but about how the baby digests and tolerates change.
As Indian research notes: feeding practices in India still need improvement in dietary diversity and timing, which underscores the importance of observation.
3. Recommended First Foods: Grains & Pulses
A. Why these matter
Grains and pulses serve as foundational energy sources and gradually build the baby’s capacity for more complex foods. Recent reviews emphasise that during the complementary-feeding period (6–23 months) a diverse diet including pulses, legumes and grains is essential.
B. The Approved List (based on Deepa Hospital’s guidance)
- Rice – easy to digest, familiar in Indian homes, often a safe starting point.
- Wheat – introduce carefully, watching for signs of gluten sensitivity.
- Ragi (flour) – finger millet: a smart source of calcium, iron, especially relevant in the Indian context.
- Dal (pulses) – cook thoroughly, mash or puree; good source of protein.
C. Preparation Tips
- Cook grains/pulses until very soft. No skipping the “very soft” stage.
- Mash or puree the food so there are no hard bits.
- No added salt, no added sugar — for the first few months, keep it plain and natural.
- For rice: you might prepare a thin rice porridge (kanji style) or very soft khichdi.
- For dal: cook to mush consistency, then sieve or mash thoroughly if needed.
Following these steps helps ensure safety and digestibility for your baby’s digestive system.
4. The Sweet & Nutritious Options: Fruits
A. Why fruits are good
Fruits bring natural sweetness (which babies often like), vitamins, fibre and gentle introduction to textures and flavours. They are a friendly entry point into solid foods.
B. The Approved Fruit List
- Apple – When cooked/steamed then mashed, it becomes very baby-friendly.
- Banana – Instant energy, easy to mash, high acceptance.
- Sapota (Chikoo) – A familiar Indian fruit; get it ripe, mash well.
- Papaya – Helps with digestion, soft texture, good for the tummy.
C. Preparation Note
- Choose ripe fruits, which are easier to mash and gentler on the gut.
- For harder fruits like apple, steam or boil, then mash.
- Introduce one fruit at a time. Watch for reactions.
- No honey, no added sugar — especially under one year of age.
These tips reflect broader infant-feeding guidance across India.
5. Essential Vitamins: Vegetables
A. A Rainbow of Nutrition
Vegetables give key micronutrients (vitamins A, C, iron, folate) and help build taste-diversity early — which lays the foundation for healthy eating later. The WHO guideline emphasises daily fruits & vegetables as part of complementary feeding.
B. The Approved Vegetable List
- Sweet Potato – naturally sweet, nutrient-dense.
- Potato – familiar to baby’s palate and easy to mash.
- Carrot – vibrant colour, good for vitamins.
- Beetroot – Start small, strong colour/flavour but very beneficial.
- Yellow Pumpkin – Soft texture when cooked, nutrient rich.
C. Crucial Tip (From Expert Advice) – Steamed Foods Are Good
At Deepa Hospital we recommend steaming vegetables (for example, in an idli steamer) so that nutrients are preserved and the food is very soft. Then mash or puree thoroughly. Avoid heavy spices, salt, or sugar. Introduce one vegetable at a time and watch for tolerance. Steaming is especially helpful in Chennai’s climate (and Indian style kitchens) because it’s gentle and preserves texture for baby.
6. Consistency Matters: The Puree Form
A. The 6-8 Month Rule
For the first 6–8 months after starting solids, the food must be smashed/pureed or very soft mashed. This is the timeline advised by paediatricians at Deepa Hospital and consistent with international recommendations.
B. Texture Progression
As your baby approaches 8-10 months, you can gradually thicken the consistency:
- From smooth purees → soft mashed textures → small soft pieces (if baby shows readiness)
A gradual approach helps baby adapt safely and learn chewing/swallowing skills.
C. Practical Advice
- Use well-cooked ingredients; blend or mash until there are absolutely no hard chunks
- Ensure the baby is seated upright, supervised during feeding — avoid distractions and always be attentive.
- Introduce the food at one meal first, observe, then slowly increase frequency as tolerated.
- Maintain breast-milk or formula feeds as the core — solids ‹complement›, not replace, at least initially.
7. Conclusion
On your baby’s feeding journey at around six months, remember: you’re not rushing to full meals — you’re starting a gentle, guided process. At Deepa Hospital (your paediatric hospital in Chennai), our paediatricians advise:
- Wait until around six months (confirm developmental readiness) but keep milk as the primary nutrition.
- Introduce one new food at a time; monitor digestion and tolerance.
- Start with soft, well-cooked grains/pulses, fruits, vegetables — steamed, mashed, or pureed.
- Maintain very soft texture for the first 6–8 months of solids, then gradually progress.
- Always observe your baby’s cues and consult your paediatrician if you see concerns (e.g., persistent diarrhoea, refusal, rash, choking risk).
Book a Pediatric Consultation Today
For parents in Chennai seeking trusted paediatric nutrition support, Deepa Hospital’s paediatric and paediatric-nutrition teams are here to help. Visit our website deepahospital.in or contact our paediatric hospital in Chennai to book a consultation, join our feeding-workshop, or explore our nutrition-clinic services.