Practical, trusted answers to the questions every new parent asks, from the first spoonful at 6 months to family meals at the table.
6 monthsThe right time to start solids for most babies
Milk firstBreast milk or formula stays the main food until age 1
One at a timeIntroduce new allergens one by one
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Feeding basics · 3 min read
Is my baby ready for solids?
The World Health Organization recommends starting solid foods at around 6 months, alongside breast milk or formula. Before then, your baby’s tummy and swallowing reflexes are still developing, and milk gives them everything they need.
Look for these three signs, together
Sits and holds their head steadyThey can stay in a sitting position, with support, and keep their head up.
Hand, eye and mouth work togetherThey can look at food, pick it up and bring it to their mouth.
Swallows foodThey swallow food instead of pushing it back out with their tongue.
Signs that are often mistaken for readiness
Chewing fists, waking more at night or wanting extra milk feeds are normal baby behaviour. On their own they don’t mean your baby needs solid food.
If your baby was born early or you’re unsure, check with your paediatrician before starting.
Start small. Offer a few teaspoons once a day, at a time when your baby is calm and not too hungry or tired. Increase the amount and variety week by week, and let your baby decide how much to eat. Some days they’ll eat more, some days less, and that’s normal.
A rough guide by age
Age
Meals a day
Amount per meal
Milk
6–8 months
2–3 meals
Start with 2–3 tablespoons, building up to about half a 250 ml bowl
Still the main food, feed on demand
9–11 months
3–4 meals, plus 1–2 snacks if hungry
About half a 250 ml bowl
Continue alongside meals
12–23 months
3–4 meals, plus 1–2 snacks if hungry
About ¾ to a full 250 ml bowl
Breastfeeding can continue to 2 years and beyond
What about drinks?
Water: offer small sips of boiled and cooled water from an open or free-flow cup with meals.
Cow’s milk: fine in cooking or mixed into food from 6 months, but not as a main drink until 12 months.
Juice, squash and fizzy drinks: best avoided. They add sugar and fill little tummies.
Nutrilac and Khichri Mix are easy first-week options: mix a spoonful with your baby’s usual milk or warm boiled water to a smooth paste.
Moving through textures helps your baby learn to chew, move food around their mouth and, later, talk. Babies who stay on smooth purées for too long can find lumps harder to accept, so build up step by step.
6 monthsSmooth, thick purées and soft mashed food. Soft finger foods like well-cooked vegetable sticks can also start.
From 6–7 monthsOffer a little texture: mashed food with soft lumps, like thicker khichri, and more finger foods.
9–12 monthsFinely chopped and minced food, then chopped family food from around 12 months.
Good first finger foods
Soft-cooked carrot, potato or sweet potato sticks
Ripe banana, mango or avocado pieces
Pieces of soft roti or toast
Always sit your baby upright, and stay with them while they eat.
Foods that can cause allergies, like nuts, peanuts, eggs, milk, wheat, sesame, fish and soya, can be introduced from around 6 months. There’s no need to delay them, and offering them early and often may help.
How to do it
One at a time. Offer each new allergen on its own, in a very small amount, so you can spot any reaction.
Morning is best. It gives you the day to watch your baby afterwards.
Keep it in their diet. Once a food is tolerated, keep offering it regularly.
Nuts must be ground or smooth. Use finely ground nuts or smooth nut butter mixed into food. Never give whole nuts to children under 5, as they can cause choking.
Talk to your paediatrician first if your baby has eczema, an existing food allergy, or there’s a family history of allergies.
Get emergency help straight away if your baby has swelling of the lips, face or tongue, difficulty breathing, or becomes floppy after eating.
Pehla Bite’s Nut Choco Balls contain tree nuts, peanuts and milk, and are made for 18 months and up. Check every pack label for allergens.
Gagging is very common when babies start solids. It’s a normal reflex that helps them learn to handle new textures, and it can look scary. Choking is different, and knowing the signs helps you act fast.
Gagging: noisy
Coughing, spluttering or retching
Watery eyes, tongue pushed forward
Face may go red
Your baby usually sorts it out alone. Stay calm and stay close.
Choking: quiet
Silent, unable to cry or cough
Struggling to breathe
Lips, gums or nails may look blue
This is an emergency. Act straight away.
If your baby is choking
Shout for help and take your baby out of the high chair.
Lay them face down along your thigh, supporting their head and jaw with one hand.
Give up to 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your other hand.
If this doesn’t clear it, call for emergency help (1122 in Pakistan) and follow their instructions.
A baby first aid course is one of the best things you can do before starting solids. Ask your hospital or local Red Crescent about classes near you.
Lower the risk
Always seat your baby upright and stay with them while they eat.
Cut grapes, cherry tomatoes and similar round foods into quarters lengthways.
No whole nuts, popcorn or hard raw vegetables for young children.
The iron a baby is born with starts to run low at around 6 months, just when growth and brain development are speeding up. In Pakistan, 56% of children under 5 are anaemic (National Nutrition Survey 2018), so iron-rich first foods really count.
Easy iron-rich foods
Daal and lentils, like moong daal in khichri
Eggs, well cooked
Chicken, mutton, beef and fish, minced or finely shredded
Leafy greens like spinach (palak)
Pair iron-rich foods with vitamin C, like a little mashed tomato, orange or guava, to help the body absorb more iron.
This guide shares general information based on public health guidance. It isn’t a substitute for advice from your paediatrician, who knows your baby best. If you’re ever worried about your baby’s health, contact a doctor.