15/08/2025
From a Doctor’s Desk:
Feeding Your Child from 6 Months to 2 Years
Dear Parents,
As a pediatrician, I often see parents confused about what to feed their little ones once they cross 6 months.
Here’s my simple, practical guide — based on science, experience, and a lot of love for healthy children.
Why Change at 6 Months?
Till 6 months, mother’s milk gives all the nutrition your baby needs.
After 6 months, your baby grows faster and needs extra energy, protein, iron, and vitamins.
This is why we start complementary feeding (extra foods along with breast milk).
6 to 9 Months: Gentle Introduction
Continue breastfeeding on demand.
Give semi-solid foods 2–3 times a day.
Start with soft, mashed, easy-to-swallow foods:
Mashed banana, sweet potato, or rice porridge with a little ghee.
Mashed dal (lentils) or soft khichdi.
Steamed and mashed carrot, pumpkin, spinach puree.
Mashed apple, papaya, chikoo.
For non-veg: mashed boiled egg yolk, pureed chicken/fish.
Keep food smooth and lump-free to avoid choking.
9 to 12 Months: Exploring Tastes
Breast milk + 3 meals + 1–2 small snacks.
Introduce finger foods: soft fruit pieces, cooked carrot sticks.
Include:
Soft chapati soaked in milk or dal.
Idli, dosa, upma, poha (soft cooked).
Curd, paneer, minced chicken/fish.
Mild spices (turmeric, cumin) for taste.
12 to 18 Months: Family Food, Baby Style
3 meals + 2 snacks + breast milk or cow’s milk (max 400–500 ml/day).
Offer family food, just softer and cut small:
Rice, chapati, dal, vegetables, eggs, curd, cheese.
Seasonal fruits without seeds.
Energy snacks: homemade laddoos (atta + ghee + jaggery), banana shake.
18 to 24 Months: Independence Begins
3 meals + 2–3 snacks daily.
Encourage self-feeding with a spoon or hands.
Give a variety of cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits, dairy, eggs, fish, chicken.
Introduce light soups, smoothies, and safe salads.
Foods to Avoid Completely
Salt (before 1 year) and very little after.
Sugar (before 1 year) and keep minimal later.
Honey before 1 year (risk of botulism).
Junk food, processed snacks, chocolates.
Whole nuts, popcorn, raw carrots, whole grapes (choking risk).
Important Nutrients
Nutrient Why Needed Food Sources
Iron Prevents anemia, helps brain growth Dal, green veg, egg yolk, meat
Calcium & Vitamin D Strong bones Milk, curd, cheese, sunlight
Protein Growth & immunity Eggs, dal, milk, fish, chicken
Healthy fats Brain development Ghee, powdered nuts, seeds
Vitamin A Eyes, immunity Carrot, pumpkin, papaya
Doctor’s Tips
Be patient — children may take 8–10 tries to accept new foods.
Never force-feed — let the child decide how much to eat.
Offer small portions and refill if needed.
Eat together as a family — children copy adults.
Track growth during every pediatric visit.
— remember, healthy food in the first two years builds the foundation for your child’s future health, learning ability, and immunity.
Feed with love, patience, and variety