How much solid food should a 6-month-old eat?

At 6 months, babies should eat 1-3 tablespoons (15-45ml) of smooth puree per meal, 1-2 times per day. Breast milk or formula still provides 70-80% of nutrition at this stage.

What are the best first foods for a 6-month-old baby?

Start with single-ingredient purees like iron-fortified rice cereal, carrots, sweet potato, banana, avocado, and pear. These are easy to digest and gentle on baby's stomach.

What foods should a 6-month-old avoid?

Avoid honey (risk of botulism until age 1), cow's milk as main drink, choking hazards like whole grapes and nuts, added salt and sugar, and unpasteurized products like certain cheeses and juice.

What if my 6-month-old won't eat solid food?

This is normal. Try offering solids when baby is alert but not overly hungry, adjust the texture, and be patient. Some babies need 10-15 exposures to accept new foods. Teething or not being developmentally ready can also affect eating.

Feeding December 20, 2024 6 min read

6-Month Baby Food Portions: How Much Should Your Baby Eat?

Starting solids is exciting but can be confusing. "How much should I feed?" is the question every parent asks. Here's everything you need to know about feeding your 6-month-old.

Calculate the right portion for your baby

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6-Month Feeding Guidelines

 Quick Reference Frequency: 1-2 times per day
Amount per meal: 1-3 tablespoons (15-45ml)
Texture: Smooth puree (watery consistency)
Main nutrition: Still breast milk or formula (70-80%)
 

Week-by-Week Progression

Week 1-2: Getting Started

Frequency: Once a day
Amount: 1-2 teaspoons (5-10ml)
Best time: Mid-morning (10-11 AM)
Focus: Learning to eat, not nutrition

At this stage, most food ends up outside the mouth - and that's perfectly normal! The goal is for baby to experience new textures and learn the swallowing motion.

Week 3-4: Building Familiarity

Frequency: 1-2 times a day
Amount: 2-4 tablespoons (30-60ml) total
New foods: Introduce one new food every 3-4 days

Best First Foods

Start with single-ingredient purees:

🍚 Rice cereal Iron-fortified

🥕 Carrots Sweet, easy to digest

🍠 Sweet potato Nutrient-rich

🍌 Banana Naturally sweet

🥑 Avocado Healthy fats

🍐 Pear Gentle on tummy

Feeding Schedule Example

Sample 6-Month Schedule:

6:00 AM - Breast milk/Formula
10:00 AM - Solids (1-2 tbsp) + Breast milk/Formula
2:00 PM - Breast milk/Formula
6:00 PM - Breast milk/Formula
Before bed - Breast milk/Formula

Signs Your Baby Is Full

Turning head away from spoon
Closing mouth when food approaches
Pushing food out with tongue
Getting distracted, losing interest
Playing with food instead of eating

Never force feeding. Babies have excellent internal hunger cues. Respect when they say they're done.

What If Baby Won't Eat?

Common Reasons

Not hungry - Try offering solids before milk next time
Texture issue - Make puree smoother or slightly thicker
Taste preference - Some babies need 10-15 exposures to accept new foods
Teething - Sore gums can reduce appetite
Developmental stage - Some babies aren't ready at exactly 6 months

Tips to Encourage Eating

Offer solids when baby is alert but not overly hungry
Make mealtime fun, not stressful
Let baby touch and explore the food
Eat together - babies learn by watching
Be patient and try again tomorrow

Foods to Avoid at 6 Months

Honey - Risk of botulism until age 1
Cow's milk - As main drink (small amounts in cooking OK)
Choking hazards - Whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, raw carrots
Added salt/sugar - Not needed for babies
Unpasteurized products - Cheese, juice

Key Points to Remember

Breast milk/formula remains the primary nutrition source
Solids at 6 months are about learning, not feeding
Every baby progresses at their own pace
It's normal for babies to eat very little at first
Watch for allergic reactions when introducing new foods

Get personalized feeding amounts for your baby's weight

Use Baby Food Calculator →