Although ready to eat solid food, of course, food for 6 months baby is different from food for adults. It is recommended to process complementary foods for breast milk (MPASI) yourself,so that could disadjust to the nutrition the baby needs.
At the age of 6 months, babies are able to support their own heads and begin to be interested in the food that people around them eat. This is the recommended time to provide complementary foods or complementary foods.
Various Choices of 6 Months Baby Food
Now there are various kinds of instant baby food products that are easily found in supermarkets. However, the processing process that is too long makes instant baby food not contain many nutrients and vitamins. This is the reason why it is recommended to process your own baby food for 6 months, so that babies can get adequate nutrition and vitamins.
At first, a 6-month-old baby is only able to consume about a teaspoon of vegetables or fruit in one meal. Then, the portion will increase gradually over time.
In addition to fruit and vegetables, 6 month baby food can also be made from a variety of other healthy foods. Some 6 month baby food choices, including:
- Cereals, it is recommended to choose gluten-free.
- Pureeed fruits and vegetables, such as avocados, bananas, pears, potatoes, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, apples, strawberries, carrots, grapes, tomatoes and cucumbers.
- Pureeed meat, such as chicken or beef.
- Tofu made into porridge.
- Nuts that are mashed, such as edamame, kidney beans and green beans.
Well, as a first step in giving baby food for 6 months, you can use one type of material to make porridge. Here are some types of porridge that you can try:
- Banana porridge
How to make it is to mash a banana with a fork, then add breast milk or formula to thin it out.
- Avocado PorridgeAvocados contain good fats that are beneficial for the physical and brain development of babies. Mash the avocado with a fork, then add the breast milk or formula. Leftover avocado that has not been used can be put in a container and stored in the refrigerator.
- Brown rice porridgeAs a staple food that does not cause allergies, brown rice is the right choice for 6 month baby food, because it is also easy to digest. In addition, brown rice porridge is also good for babies, because brown rice contains a variety of nutrients, ranging from B vitamins, folate, calcium, sodium, zinc, to potassium.
Beware of Food Allergies in Babies
When your child is just trying solid food, you need to pay attention to whether he has allergies to certain foods or not. Wait up to three days before switching to introducing other types of food. Generally it takes three days to see an allergic reaction, especially if there is a family member who has a history of allergies.
Eggs, soy, fish, cow's milk, shellfish, and wheat are some examples of food allergens. Some foods should also be wary of because they can produce gas in the stomach and make the baby uncomfortable. Foods that contain gas include peas, pears, apricots, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli.
Avoid giving honey to babies one year of age and under to reduce the risk of developing botulism. Giving cow's milk should also be avoided. New babies can be given cow's milk after the age of one year or more. Even so, giving products made from cow's milk, such as cheese, is generally safe to give to babies.
Introducing a variety of foods and flavors can allow your baby to like a variety of foods and reap the many nutritional benefits. If there is a type of food that your little one doesn't like, try to give it again after a few days, because baby's tastes are still changing. To make sure your little one gets the nutritional intake they need, you can consult a pediatrician or nutritionist.