Solids for Babies

6-month meal plan

6-month baby meal plan

First week

At about 6 months, start with tiny tastes when baby shows readiness signs. Use this plan as an idea board, not a fixed feeding schedule or medical plan.

Milk feeds still matter, and readiness, supervision, texture, and individual medical context come before a calendar.

Step-by-step checklist

  1. 1
    Day 1: avocado mash

    Offer a tiny amount of ripe mashed avocado or a soft large wedge if baby is ready for that style.

  2. 2
    Day 2: repeat the same food

    Repeating keeps the week calm and makes texture practice easier to observe.

  3. 3
    Day 3: sweet potato puree

    Cook sweet potato until it squishes easily, then mash or puree to a slow-moving spoon texture.

  4. 4
    Day 4: oatmeal spoon practice

    Cook oats very soft and loosen with breast milk, formula, or water if appropriate.

  5. 5
    Day 5: pear or banana

    Use very ripe fruit or cooked fruit, avoiding coin slices, firm chunks, and slippery small pieces.

  6. 6
    Day 6: lentil mash

    Cook lentils until they collapse and add enough liquid so the mash is not dry.

  7. 7
    Day 7: review and rest

    Repeat a food baby handled well, or pause if baby seems tired, unwell, or uninterested.

At-a-glance safety checks

Readiness

Look for sitting with support, head control, opening for food, and swallowing rather than pushing food out.

Portion size

Start small. A few tastes can be enough while baby is learning.

Texture

Use smooth, mashed, or very soft graspable textures that match baby's skill.

Allergen watch

Introduce common allergens thoughtfully when baby is well and you can observe; ask a clinician for higher-risk history.

Meal plan mistakes to avoid

  • Treating the plan as a requirement instead of a flexible idea board.
  • Starting before readiness signs are present.
  • Adding honey, excess salt, or sugary drinks.
  • Serving round, firm, sticky, or slippery pieces without changing the shape.

Quick questions

Is this 6-month meal plan required?

No. It is a gentle idea board for starting solids. Baby readiness, clinician guidance, and family context matter more than a fixed plan.

How much food should a 6-month baby eat?

Start small and watch hunger and fullness cues. Solids gradually become a bigger part of intake over time.

Sources reviewed