At around 6 months, your baby becomes ready to explore more than just milk — they’re eager for new tastes, textures, and mealtime fun. Starting solids is one of the biggest milestones of the first year.
For generations, families have introduced gentle, simple foods through traditional weaning, starting with smooth purees and gradually building up to thicker textures. This stage isn’t about replacing breastmilk or formula (which will remain their main source of nutrition for many months). Instead, it’s about helping your baby discover the joy of food and develop healthy eating habits right from the start.
In this guide, you’ll learn when to start solids, how to offer them safely, and find 10 easy baby recipes that are time-tested, nourishing, and wonderfully simple to prepare.
How to Know Your Baby is Ready
Every baby is unique, but here are some signs that yours might be ready to try their first spoonful’s:
✔ They can sit upright with minimal support
✔ Have good head and neck control
✔ Show interest in your meals — reaching for your plate or watching you eat
✔ Open their mouth when food comes close
✔ Have lost the tongue-thrust reflex that pushes food back out automatically
If you’re unsure, or if your baby was premature or has specific health needs, it’s always wise to check with your pediatrician before starting solids.
Simple Guidelines for Starting Solids
✅ Start slow: Offer solids once a day at first. A good time is after a small milk feed so your baby isn’t too hungry or too full.
✅ Offer just 1-2 teaspoons at a time, gradually increasing as your baby learns.
✅ Try one new food every 3 days, so you can watch for any reactions or allergies.
✅ Keep your baby upright and stay close. Never prop bottles or leave them alone with food.
✅ Make it positive & playful: smile, talk, and let them explore at their own pace.
10 Easy Traditional Weaning Recipes for Your Baby
These recipes use simple, wholesome ingredients that have been trusted by families for generations. They’re designed to be gentle on tiny tummies and easy for beginners to handle.
1️⃣ Creamy Rice Cereal
Why it’s great: A smooth, easy-to-digest first food.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp rice (washed & dried)
- Water
- Optional: breastmilk or formula to thin
How to make:
- Lightly dry roast the rice until slightly golden. Let it cool, then grind into a fine powder.
- Mix 1 tsp rice powder in ½ cup water. Cook on low, stirring constantly until it thickens.
- Cool slightly and adjust consistency with milk or water.
2️⃣ Protein-Packed Lentil Purée
Why it’s great: Rich in plant protein and iron.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp split yellow lentils (moong dal or similar)
- 1 cup water
- Tiny pinch turmeric (optional)
How to make:
- Wash lentils thoroughly.
- Cook with water (and turmeric if using) until very soft.
- Mash or blend to a smooth puree. Thin as needed.
3️⃣ Mashed Sweet Potato
Why it’s great: Naturally sweet, high in beta-carotene for healthy eyes and immunity.
Ingredients:
- ½ sweet potato, peeled, cubed
How to make:
- Steam or boil until soft.
- Mash with a fork. Add a bit of warm water or milk to adjust texture.
4️⃣ Carrot Puree
Why it’s great: Mild, slightly sweet, packed with vitamin A.
Ingredients:
- ½ carrot, peeled, sliced
How to make:
- Steam or simmer until tender.
- Blend or mash into a smooth puree, thinning if needed.
5️⃣ Apple Purée
Why it’s great: Naturally sweet and gentle on digestion.
Ingredients:
- ½ apple, peeled, cored, sliced
How to make:
- Steam apple pieces until soft.
- Blend or mash to a smooth puree. Serve lukewarm.
6️⃣ Mashed Avocado
Why it’s great: Full of healthy fats that support brain growth.
Ingredients:
- ¼ ripe avocado
How to make:
- Scoop out the flesh and mash thoroughly with a fork.
- Add a little milk or water if needed to thin it out.
7️⃣ Banana Mash
Why it’s great: No cooking needed — easy, sweet, and iron-friendly.
Ingredients:
- ¼ ripe banana
How to make:
- Simply mash with a fork until smooth. Serve right away.
8️⃣ Pear Purée
Why it’s great: Soothing on tiny tummies, helps with mild constipation.
Ingredients:
- ½ ripe pear, peeled, cored, sliced
How to make:
- Steam or simmer in a splash of water until very soft.
- Blend or mash to a puree.
9️⃣ Soft Mashed Peas
Why it’s great: Gentle source of plant protein, fiber, and natural green goodness.
Ingredients:
- A handful of fresh or frozen peas
How to make:
- Steam or boil until tender.
- Mash thoroughly or blend. For a smoother texture, push through a fine sieve.
🔟 Thin Oat or Millet Porridge
Why it’s great: Offers gentle carbs and minerals like iron and magnesium.
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp powdered oats or millet flour
- ½ cup water
How to make:
- Mix flour and water well to avoid lumps.
- Cook on low, stirring until it reaches a thin, smooth consistency.
- Cool slightly before offering.
🚫 Foods to Avoid in the First Year
- Honey (risk of botulism)
- Whole nuts, popcorn, grapes, or chunks that can choke
- Added salt and sugar
- Raw or undercooked eggs and meats
- Cow’s milk as a drink (small amounts in cooking are fine)
Conclusion: Celebrate Every Tiny Taste
Starting solids is a beautiful new chapter. It’s about watching your baby make funny faces, squish food between their fingers, and slowly fall in love with eating. Trust their pace, keep things simple, and enjoy each new taste together.
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