Introducing solid foods to your baby is a significant milestone. As they transition from breast milk or formula, you might wonder, “What foods can I feed my 6-month-old?” This guide provides a comprehensive overview to help you navigate this exciting phase.
Figuring out the right foods and quantities for your baby can be overwhelming. This article offers a general guideline on what and how much to feed your baby during their first year, but remember every baby is unique. Don’t be concerned if your baby eats more or less than the suggestions, or if you choose different foods.
While baby cereal is a common first food, there’s no set order for introducing foods. You can start with pureed fruits, vegetables, or even other soft foods. Consulting your pediatrician before introducing solids is always a good idea, particularly if you plan on offering diverse food options.
Key Takeaways
- Babies thrive on breast milk or formula exclusively from birth to around 4 to 6 months old.
- Introducing solids typically begins around 6 months, when babies show signs of readiness, starting with small amounts of infant cereal and purees.
- By 12 months, babies should be consuming a balanced diet of breast milk or formula, soft fruits and vegetables, proteins, and starches.
Understanding the 4- to 6-Month Window
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. However, you can begin introducing solids when your baby demonstrates developmental readiness.
“Safety is my primary concern when starting solid foods,” explains Dr. Chandani DeZure, M.D., FAAP. “I don’t recommend introducing them until babies can hold their heads up and ideally show signs they can move food from the front to the back of their mouths. After that, it really should be fun for babies and parents. New exposures and textures are great for babies to try, and they often want to eat off of parents’ plates, which is a great way to get them interested in new foods, too!”
Two primary methods exist for introducing solids: traditional purees and baby-led weaning (BLW), which involves offering soft, easy-to-handle finger foods.
Signs of Readiness for Solid Foods
Before diving into “what foods can I feed my 6-month-old?”, ensure your baby exhibits these signs:
- Can hold their head up and sit upright with support
- Has doubled their birth weight and weighs at least 13 pounds
- Can close their mouth around a spoon
- Can move food from the front to the back of their mouth
What Foods Can I Feed My 6-Month-Old?
At 6 months, your baby’s diet should still consist primarily of breast milk or formula. Solid foods are introduced to supplement their nutritional needs and help them develop feeding skills.
Here’s a list of foods suitable for a 6-month-old:
- Pureed Vegetables: Peas, squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans.
- Pureed Fruits: Apples, bananas, peaches, pears, avocados.
- Pureed Meat: Chicken, pork, beef (ensure it’s finely pureed).
- Iron-Fortified Cereal: Opt for oat or barley cereal instead of rice cereal.
- Unsweetened Yogurt: Plain, full-fat yogurt is a good source of calcium and probiotics.
How Much to Feed
| Age | Breast milk or formula | Solid food |
|---|---|---|
| 4 months | 28 to 32 ounces | 2 to 4 teaspoons pureed food |
| 5 months | 28 to 32 ounces | 3 to 5 tablespoons dry infant cereal 3 to 10 tbsp. pureed fruit, vegetables, and protein Snacks: arrowroot cookies, toast, crackers |
| 6 months | 28 to 32 ounces | 3 to 5 tbsp. dry infant cereal 1 to 4 tbsp. pureed fruit 1 to 4 tbsp. pureed vegetables 1 to 4 tbsp. pureed protein Snacks: arrowroot cookies, toast, crackers |
Babies at this age typically have four to six breast milk or formula feedings per day (4- to 6-ounce bottles for bottle-fed babies). When starting solids, introduce a single-ingredient pureed food (about 1 to 2 teaspoons) once or twice a day. Gradually increase the amount to 1 to 2 tablespoons. Mix cereal with breast milk or formula for a thinner consistency. You can introduce snacks easy to chew at 4 months old.
Beyond 6 Months: Expanding Your Baby’s Diet (7-9 Months)
As your baby approaches 7 to 9 months, they’ll likely be ready for a wider variety of textures and flavors.
Signs Your Baby Is Ready for Finger Foods
- Picks up objects with thumb and forefinger (pincer grasp)
- Can transfer items from one hand to the other
- Moves jaw in a chewing motion
- Swallows food more easily
- No longer pushes food out of mouth with tongue
- Tries to use a spoon
Food Options for 7-9 Months
- Pureed or Strained Fruits: Banana, pears, applesauce, peaches, avocado.
- Pureed or Strained Vegetables: Well-cooked carrots, squash, sweet potato.
- Pureed or Mashed Meat: Chicken, pork, beef.
- Pureed or Mashed Tofu
- Small amounts of pureed or soft pasteurized cheese, cottage cheese, or unsweetened yogurt
- Pureed or Mashed Legumes: Black beans, chickpeas, edamame, fava beans, black-eyed peas, lentils, kidney beans.
- Iron-fortified Cereal: Oats, barley; small pieces of bread and crackers
How Much to Feed (7-9 Months)
| Age | Breast milk or formula | Solid food |
|---|---|---|
| 7 months | 30 to 32 ounces | 3 to 5 tbsp. dry infant cereal 4 to 6 tbsp. pureed fruit 4 to 6 tbsp. pureed vegetables 2 to 4 tbsp. pureed protein Snacks: Arrowroot cookies, toast, crackers, plain yogurt |
| 8 months | 30 to 32 ounces | 5 to 8 tbsp. dry infant cereal 4 to 6 tbsp. mashed fruit 4 to 6 tbsp. mashed vegetables 2 to 4 tbsp. pureed protein Snacks: Arrowroot cookies, toast, crackers, plain yogurt |
| 9 months | 30 to 32 ounces | 5 to 8 tbsp. dry infant cereal 4 to 8 tbsp. mashed fruit 4 to 8 tbsp. mashed vegetables 4 to 6 tbsp. chopped protein 1/2 to 1 cup soft starches (rice, pasta, potatoes) Snacks: Cookies, toast, crackers, plain yogurt |
At this stage, babies typically have three to five feedings of breast milk or formula per day (6 to 8 ounces if bottle-feeding). They also consume 2 to 3 tablespoons of fruit and vegetables per serving, gradually increasing to 4 to 8 tablespoons, along with 1 to 2 tablespoons of grain products and protein-rich foods, gradually increasing to 2 to 4 tablespoons.
10 to 12 Months: Transitioning to Family Foods
Between 10 and 12 months, babies are closer to transitioning to eating similar foods as the rest of the family.
Food Options for 10-12 Months
- Soft pasteurized cheese, cottage cheese, and unsweetened yogurt
- Bite-size, soft-cooked vegetables (carrots, squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes)
- Fruit mashed or cut into soft cubes or strips (bananas, peaches, pears, avocados)
- Finger foods (O-shaped cereal, small bits of scrambled eggs, well-cooked pieces of potato, well-cooked spiral pasta, teething crackers, small pieces of bagel)
- Protein-rich foods (small bits of meat, poultry, boneless fish, tofu, and well-cooked beans, like lentils, split peas, pintos, or black beans)
- Iron-fortified cereal and other grains (barley, wheat, oats, mixed cereals)
How Much to Feed (10-12 Months)
| Age | Breast milk or formula | Solid food |
|---|---|---|
| 10 months | 30 to 32 ounces | 5 to 8 tbsp. dry infant cereal 4 to 8 tbsp. mashed fruit 4 to 8 tbsp. bite-sized vegetables 4 to 6 tbsp. protein (meats, fish, cheese) 1/2 to 1 cup soft starches Snacks: Cookies, toast, crackers, plain yogurt, cottage cheese |
| 11 months | 24 to 30 ounces | 5 to 8 tbsp. dry infant cereal 4 to 8 tbsp. mashed fruit 4 to 8 tbsp. bite-sized vegetables 4 to 6 tbsp. protein (meats, fish, cheese) 1/2 to 1 cup soft starches Snacks: Cookies, toast, crackers, plain yogurt, cottage cheese |
| 12 months | 24 to 30 ounces | 5 to 8 tbsp. dry infant cereal 4 to 8 tbsp. mashed fruit 4 to 8 tbsp. bite-sized vegetables 4 to 6 tbsp. protein (meats, fish, cheese) 1/2 to 1 cup soft starches Snacks: Cookies, toast, crackers, plain yogurt, cottage cheese |
During this period, babies typically have 3 to 4 feedings of breast milk or formula (breastfeeding, or 7- to 8-ounce bottles), along with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of fruit, vegetables, and protein-rich foods, and 1/2 to 1 cup of soft starches.
General Feeding Tips
- Introduce new foods one at a time to identify potential allergies.
- Offer a variety of flavors and textures to encourage acceptance of different foods.
- Avoid adding salt, sugar, or honey to your baby’s food.
- Cut food into small, manageable pieces to prevent choking.
- Always supervise your baby during meal times.
Introducing solids is an exciting time for both you and your baby. Remember to be patient, follow your baby’s cues, and enjoy the journey of exploring new flavors and textures together.
Disclaimer: This information is intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.
Sources
BabyCenter’s editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you’re seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.
Chandani DeZureOpens a new window, M.D., FAAP, pediatric hospitalist and member of the BabyCenter Medical Advisory BoardOpens a new window
Erin HingaOpens a new window, M.S., registered dietitian and member of the BabyCenter Medical Advisory BoardOpens a new window
AAP. 2022. Policy statement: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/150/1/e2022057988/188347/Policy-Statement-Breastfeeding-and-the-Use-ofOpens a new window [Accessed January 2025]
AAP. 2024. Breastfeeding & Solid Foods: Working Together. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/Working-Together-Breastfeeding-and-Solid-Foods.aspxOpens a new window [Accessed January 2025]
AAP. 2023. Heavy Metals in Baby Food. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Metals-in-Baby-Food.aspxOpens a new window [Accessed January 2025]
Stanford Children’s Health. Undated. Feeding Guide for the First Year. https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=feeding-guide-for-the-first-year-90-P02209Opens a new window [Accessed January 2025]
USDA and DHHS. 2020. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2021-03/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans-2020-2025.pdfOpens a new window [Accessed January 2025]
USDA. 2019. Infant nutrition and feeding. U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/infant-feeding-guide.pdfOpens a new window
