Planning and selecting a child’s diet during their first year of life is important because the most significant growth occurs at this age. To maximize your child’s development, it’s essential to establish good habits and ensure a healthy diet.

Signs your baby is ready for solid foods

Babies generally begin receiving complementary foods around 6 months of age, as they start showing signs of interest and readiness to eat. These signs include:

• Ability to lift and control their head well when sitting
• Opening their mouth when food is offered
• Demonstrating chewing and swallowing reflexes
• 6 months old or younger (typically around 4 months, as advised by the doctor when the baby is ready for solids)

Despite introducing solid foods, breastfeeding should continue on demand. It's recommended to breastfeed until the baby is 24 months old.

Feeding guidelines that you need to know

To maximize your baby's growth, you need to know the following feeding rules:

• Solid foods should be introduced first in small amounts. At first, a teaspoon may be enough; slowly increase the portion to a tablespoon, and so on
• Start it with cereal, followed by vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish
• Do not add sugar, salt, or other flavorings
• Do not give fruit juice to children under 1 year old, but feed them with pasteurized fruit juice and limit consumption
• Babies aged 6–12 months do not need much water. They may only need half to 1 cup of water a day
• Observe the baby's ability to hold food and feed himself/herself, increasing the texture as the baby's ability improves
• Limit feeding time to 15–20 minutes
• Avoid distractions such as watching television, cell phones, or tablets while eating
• Avoid giving whole grains to prevent choking
• Invite the child to eat at the dining chair or dining table without carrying him/her around so that the child can focus only on the food

Guidelines for Food and Drink Portions for Babies at Different Ages (0–12 Months)

Babies aged 0–44 months

Babies only need around 59–118 ml of breast milk or formula at a time. Breast milk is given according to the baby's request.

Babies aged 4-6 months

Babies need around 177–236 ml of breast milk or formula milk at a time. Solid foods were introduced at the age of 4 months with the supervision and advice of a doctor.

Babies aged 6–8 months

• Babies need breast milk or formula milk of around 177–236 ml at a time
• MPASI can be given 2-4 tbsp
• Meat or nuts: 1-2 tbsp
• Fruit or vegetables 2-3 tbsp
• 1/2 piece bread
• 2 pieces of baby biscuits

Babies aged 8–12 months

• Babies need breast milk or formula milk of around 177–236 ml at a time
• MPASI can be given 2-4 tbsp
• 1/2 piece bread
• 2 pieces of baby biscuits
• Pasta: 3–4 tbsp
• Fruit or vegetables 3-4 tbsp
• Meat or nuts, 3-4 tbsp
• Cheese or yoghurt can be given in small portions

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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