Introducing solids is one of the biggest milestones in a baby’s journey — and for parents, it often comes with excitement, questions, and a little confusion. When should you start? What foods are safe? How much should you give?
This step-by-step guide simplifies everything for Indian parents, helping you confidently start your baby on solids while ensuring safety, nutrition, and healthy habits from the very beginning.
🍼 When Should You Start Solids? (The 6-Month Rule)
Most pediatricians recommend introducing solids at 6 months. Before 6 months, breastmilk or formula provides all the nutrition your baby needs.
Signs your baby is developmentally ready:
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✔ Can sit with support
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✔ Shows interest in food
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✔ Opens mouth when food approaches
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✔ Loss of tongue-thrust reflex (doesn’t push food out)
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✔ Tries to grab food
If unsure, always consult your pediatrician.
🍽️ Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Solids
Step 1: Begin With Single-Ingredient Foods
Start with easy-to-digest, soft foods.
❇ Best first foods for Indian babies:
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Rice cereal / homemade rice porridge
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Moong dal water
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Mashed banana
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Steamed apple puree
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Mashed sweet potato
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Ragi (finger millet) porridge
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Oats porridge
Introduce one new food every 3 days to check for allergies.
Step 2: Offer Small Quantities
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Start with 1–2 teaspoons once a day.
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Gradually increase to 2–3 tablespoons as tolerated.
Remember:
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👉 The first month is about tasting, not eating.
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👉 Breastmilk/formula remains the main nutrition source.
Step 3: Introduce Semi-Solid Textures Slowly
After 1–2 weeks of smooth purees, move toward:
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Thick purees
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Mashed foods
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Soft lumps
This helps babies develop oral motor skills.
Step 4: Create a Feeding Routine
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Choose a calm time of day.
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Avoid feeding when your baby is too hungry or sleepy.
Suggested schedule for beginners:
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🕘 10 AM – Solids (after milk feed)
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🍼 Rest of the day – Breastmilk / Formula
🍛 Indian Foods You Can Introduce Month-by-Month
Month 6 (Stage 1): Simple Purees
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Rice porridge
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Dal water
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Ragi porridge
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Mashed banana
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Steamed carrot puree
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Apple puree
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Oats puree
Month 7 (Stage 2): Thicker Mash & New Flavors
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Khichdi (runny consistency)
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Moong dal mash
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Mashed potato
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Beetroot puree
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Mashed pear
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Soft boiled egg yolk
Month 8 (Stage 3): Family Foods (Softened)
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Dosa/idli soaked in water or milk
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Soft chapati mashed with dal
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Upma (very soft)
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Curd rice
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Vegetable khichdi
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Mixed veggie mash
🥄 Introducing Water & Sippers
Once solids begin, babies can take small sips of water. Only 2–3 teaspoons per meal.
Use safe, spill-proof sippers for controlled drinking. (Ideal place to link Klub Zeenius sippers, tumblers, gravity straws, etc.)
⚠️ Foods to Avoid in the First Year
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❌ Salt
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❌ Sugar
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❌ Honey (risk of botulism)
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❌ Cow’s milk as a main drink
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❌ Whole nuts
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❌ Packed juices
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❌ Deep-fried foods
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❌ Excessive spices
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❌ Choking hazards (grapes, popcorn, hard veggies)
💛 Tips to Make Feeding Easier for Parents
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Allow messy eating — it helps development.
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Never force-feed. Let your baby explore.
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Sit your baby upright during meals.
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Use small bowls, soft spoons, and safe, BPA-free sippers.
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Offer a variety of foods to build healthy tastes early.
🧠 Common Concerns: Myths vs Facts
Myth: Babies sleep better if solids start early.
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❌ Fact: Sleep improves naturally with age — not early solids.
Myth: Chubby babies are healthy babies.
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❌ Fact: Growth charts, activity, and development matter more.
Myth: If a baby rejects a food once, they don’t like it.
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❌ Fact: It can take 8–10 tries for babies to accept new foods.
⭐ Conclusion
Introducing solids is an exciting journey full of discovery for both baby and parent. With patience, the right foods, and safe feeding practices, you’ll build strong nutritional habits from the very beginning.
At Klub Zeenius, we’re committed to making parenting easier with reliable products, useful tools, and trusted guidance.
