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It's great to know that your baby is growing healthy! As your baby reaches 6 months of age, it's time to introduce complementary foods alongside breast milk or formula. This marks an exciting milestone in your baby's development.
When to Start Solid Foods
The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, with the introduction of complementary foods at around 6 months while continuing breastfeeding up to 2 years or beyond.
Signs of Readiness
Your baby is ready for solid foods when they:
- Can sit up with minimal support
- Have good head control
- Show interest in food
- Can move food from the front to the back of their mouth
- Have doubled their birth weight
First Foods to Introduce
Start with single-ingredient foods that are easy to digest:
- Rice cereal or other iron-fortified cereals
- Mashed fruits like banana, apple, or pear
- Pureed vegetables such as sweet potato, carrots, or peas
- Well-cooked and mashed dal
Important Tips
When introducing new foods:
- Introduce one new food at a time
- Wait 3-5 days before introducing another new food
- Start with small amounts and gradually increase
- Watch for signs of allergies or intolerance
- Never force-feed your baby
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