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Diet for a Baby at Six Months

Most babies can--and show express interest in--eating solid foods at 6 months of age. Some start later, and others can at 4 months, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises. But, at this stage of development, the food should be delivered in a soft, semi-liquid form and in addition to, not as a replacement for breast milk or infant formula. Each new type of food should be introduced gradually, and parents should check with pediatricians to ensure their babies' growing energy and specific nutrition needs (e.g. iron and protein) are being met.

  1. Readiness Signals

    • Make sure your baby is physically ready to eat, not merely drink. She should be able to sit up and keep his/her head fully upright without help. The baby should also have lost the tongue-thrust reflex--using the tongue to push food out of her mouth (a choke-prevention move). Finally, she should show interest in food by staring and grabbing at it when others are eating, the Kid's Health website advises.

    Starting Out

    • Start by mixing small amounts of iron-fortified infant rice cereal with larger quantities of breast milk or infant formula because babies have depleted most of the iron stores they were born with by this stage, the Government of Alberta (Canada) Health and Wellness says. The food's texture is also key. The meals--one to three small ones to day, at first, accompanied by plenty of bottle or breast feeding--should be finely pureed, not chunky, to make it easier for the baby to swallow and digest.

    Types of Food

    • (Almost) anything goes, so feel free to choose widely among major food groups, but avoid fats. As long as it's the right texture, receptive 6-month-olds can digest most foods easily. Choose from cereals, fruits, vegetables and red meat. The Parent's Web site contains a lengthy list of "Super Foods" for babies, suggested by parenting author Annabel Karmel.

    Foods to Avoid

    • Don't feed your baby eggs (especially the whites), cow's milk or fish until after the first birthday to avoid allergic reactions. The Kid's Health website suggests that you also withhold fish, seafood and nuts, including peanut butter til the age of 2 or 3, but AAP says fish can be fed by 6 months if it's well-tolerated. Common allergic reactions include rash, bloating, severe intestinal gas, diarrhea and irritability after meals. Seek immediate medical attention if your baby develops trouble breathing after eating.

      The acid in citrus fruit, including juice, can trigger painful diaper rashes. Also avoid honey, which may contain a form of botulism to which they're highly susceptible until age 1.

    Other Precautions

    • If you're feeding your baby home-made food, don't serve freshly prepared beets, collard greens, spinach and turnips, which have nitrates that can trigger anemia. Jarred varieties are safe, though, the Kid's Health site says. Don't feed directly from the jar; pour the food into a bowl to prevent bacteria from the baby's mouth from contaminating any uneaten portions. To store fresh food you've prepared, freeze rather than canning it. It's best to discard any jars with food remaining a few days after they've been opened to prevent spoilage. And, never add salt, sugar or spices to baby food. Salt can damage a baby's kidneys.

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