Congratulations, your baby has reached the milestone of six month old. In the first six months, sheit received all nutrients from breast milk or formula. It`s time for your baby to start tasting solid foods. In addition to breast milk, your baby can show that it is ready to take complementary foods with its movements. Sitting upright, reaching for the food on the table, wondering what you are eating, or even smacking mouth can give you clues.

NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF A 6-MONTH OLD BABY

1. Calcium: Calcium is necessary for bone and tooth development.

1. Iron: Iron helps carrying oxygenated blood to developing parts of the body.

1. Zinc: Zinc improves cell repair and growth.

1. Fat: Fat insulates the baby and stimulates brain development.

1. Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates provide energy to do daily activities.

1. Protein: Proteins act as building blocks for cells.

1. Vitamins: Different vitamins contribute to the baby`s growth differently. Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, D, E and K are necessary for the baby.

1. Minerals: Minerals such as sodium and potassium directly affect the growth of the baby.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOUR BABY EAT?

The primary food source for a 6-month-old baby is breast milk or formula. However, solid foods can be given at breakfast or lunch. According to the 3-day rule, you can start with fruit, vegetables or yogurt that are suitable for the month. If it responds well and doesn`t show any signs of allergy, you can continue with that fruit or vegetable and add a new food to its menu at the end of every 3 days.

1. The stomach capacity of a 6-month-old baby is now approximately 180-210 ml. So less than a glass of water. For this reason, every food that enters its stomach is very valuable.

1. If the 6-month-old baby is breastfed, we recommend that it take 3 meals of breast milk and 3 meals of supplementary food. If it cannot be fed with breast milk, we recommend that it take 2-3 meals of formula and 3 meals of supplementary food, i.e. 5-6 meals in total.

1. Therefore, if you ask how many hours a 6-month-old baby should be fed, this corresponds to approximately every 2.5-3 hours.

BEST FOODS FOR 6-MONTH OLD BABY

1. Fruit Puree: Fruits should be steamed firstly and crushed or pureed. Fruits such as apples, bananas, pears, avocados, apricots, mangoes, purple plums, sun dried, dried prunes and peaches can be given.

1. Vegetable Puree: Sweet potato, potato, carrot, artichoke, sweet pumpkin, zucchini, celery, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, leek, green beans, etc. Vegetables can be given by steaming and puree. (You can postpone a vegetable that causes gas for your baby until after the gas problem.)

1. Rice Mush: Rice is a good source of carbohydrates and vitamins for babies. Cracked rice made with breast milk or formula milk can be given as mush.

1. Cereal Oat Mush: Mush can also be made from various single-grain cereals such as wheat, millet, barley, oats. These grains can be dried and powdered together or separately to make mush.

1. Vegetable Soup: Various vegetables can be boiled in water and given as soup by adding broth.

1. Yoghurt: Although cow`s milk is not recommended until 1 year old, homemade unsweetened yoghurt can be given. We recommend that you ferment the yogurt at home with goat`s milk.

1. Cereals: semolina, oat, rice, wheat, rye, corn, oatmeal

1. Oils: Olive oil, sunflower oil, corn oil

1. Milk and Dairy Products: Yogurt, cheese

1. Meat and Meat Products: Egg yolk. You can also add lean lamb in the form of puree or minced meat to your 6-month-old`s soups or meals.

1. Herbal Teas: Linden, fennel, anise (if needed for problems such as gas)

1. Other: Molasses, cinnamon

UNSAFE FOODS

As there is a potential for allergies and digestive problems, egg whites, strawberries, kiwis, citrus fruits, tomatoes, eggplant, broad beans, fish, peanuts, spices and bitters should preferably not be given before 1 year of age. However, surface fish such as anchovy and bonito can be started to give at 8. month.

As it may cause serious health problems, honey, salt, sugar, cow`s milk, selfish such as shrimp and crab, beverages containing caffeine, herbal teas containing toxic substances such as sage, and offals should not be given before 1 year old definitely.

As they contain additives, it is not recommended to give chocolate, cocoa, instant juices, instant drinks, canned foods, processed foods, instant and packaged foods, delicatessen products such as salami, sausage and soudjouk. These food groups are also not safe for the ones after 1 year old. Avoiding their consumption as much as possible will be a good investment for your baby`s health in the long run.

Due to the risk of suffocation, grainies such as grapes, nuts, corn and sticky ones such as chewing gum should not be given before 1 year old.

Since it can slow down weight gain, whole wheat bread is not recommended before 2 years old.

IF YOUR BABY IS ALLERGIC TO CERTAIN FOODS?

An allergic reaction in the form of diarrhea, vomiting, rash, constipation or pain may occur and this situation is a cause for concern. For this reason, you should give any new food by following the 3-day rule so that you can understand to which food the body reacts in case of an allergic reaction. If there is an allergic reaction, stop the food you give the baby immediately. If it goes on, seek medical attention. With your pediatrician`s approval, you can try again a few months later.

NIGHT FEEDING IN 6-MONTH OLD BABIES

As the baby began to receive all the nutrients necessary for its development along with supplementary food, the 6-month-old baby does not need night feeding. Getting a good night`s sleep is now more important for your baby than nighttime feeding. Your baby may still wake up at night and want to breastfeed. It may want to breastfeed because of being really hungry or habit and pleasure.

If your baby is very hungry and resists when you do not breastfeed, you can continue to breastfeed at night for a while and gradually reduce it. But you no longer need to wake your baby to breastfeed.

THE HARMS OF STARTING LATE TO SUPPLEMENTARY FOOD

Some babies do not easily switch to supplementary food. Your baby may have a poor appetite or refuse supplementary food. However, after 6 months, supplementary foods should definitely be included in the baby`s nutrition. If you have a baby who is full of breast milk or formula and prefers it, if you are not thinking about switching to supplementary food yet, you should know that there are some harms of late transition to supplementary food. These damages can be as problems in the chewing and swallowing functions, slowdown in development and growth, iron deficiency, slowdown in weight gain, and weakness in the immune system of your baby.

MY BABY REFUSES SUPPLEMENTARY FOOD, WHAT CAN I DO?

1. Don`t force your baby.

1. Keep the amount you give low.

1. Do not get stubborn with your baby.

1. Don`t give it favorite foods just because it’s eating.

1. If it doesn`t want to eat with a spoon, let it eat by itself.

1. Sit it in high chair.

HOW SHOULD TRANSITION PERIOD TO SUPPLEMEN FOOD BE FOR THE BABIES WITH SPECIAL CONDITIONS?

1. Even if you start complementary foods with the ones that your baby is likely to be able to tolerate, some foods may not be good for it. In this case, we recommend that you consider the possibility of a food allergy. Foods such as eggs, strawberries and cow`s milk mentioned above can cause reactions such as red blisters, rashes, gas and rarely shortness of breath in the baby`s body. However, do not fear, food allergies in babies are usually temporary.

1. Apart from allergies, some gastrointestinal problems or diseases may also disturb your baby during the transition to complementary foods. In these cases, getting expert support is essential for your baby`s healthy and peaceful growth and development.

1. If your baby is premature or has a growth and developmental delay and since the transition plan to complementary food may be very different, the guidance of your doctor is very important.

6.MONTH FOOD Plan

First stage:

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Second stage:

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Third stage:

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Fourth stage:

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After completing all these stages, your baby has completed the transition to complementary foods and is now ready for them. You can start feeding your baby according to the 6 month old baby supplement food list above.

Supplementary food: 3. week

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Supplementary food: 4. week

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6th Month Breakfast Example

1. Unsalted goat cheese in the size of a matchbox

1. Half egg yolk

1. Pancake you can make with whole wheat flour

NUTRITIONAL TIPS

1. In addition to breast milk, your baby can show that it is ready to take supplementary foods with its movements. Sitting upright, reaching for the food on the table, wondering what you are eating, or even smacking its mouth can give you clues.

1. During this period, you can give your baby a maximum of 2 supplementary food meals a day. The amount of supplementary food you will give at each meal should not exceed the size of a tiny baby jar (1 cup).

1. You should give the water to your baby that has switched to supplementary food after boiling the water in the first place and letting it cool. You don`t need to boil the water after 1 year old.

1. It is enough to give your baby a few spoonfuls of water after the food. This corresponds to the daily consumption of 40-50 cc of water. The amount of water your baby needs varies by month and increases as it grows. If it is not constipated, you may think that its fluid intake is sufficient. If constipation starts to show itself, you may think you need to increase its water consumption.

1. Always start with a spoonful or two and only give more if your baby likes the taste.

1. Introduce only one new fruit or vegetable at every time and observe the reaction of your baby to it before starting another food product.

1. You should be careful that your baby is hungry.

1. If your baby does not like the supplementary food you give and does not want to continue eating, we recommend that you do not insist and try again after a week or ten days.

1. Make sure that you wash the fruits you will give your baby well and that they are fresh. Present them to your baby immediately after preparing them, do not keep them waiting, and prepare them fresh for every meal.

1. You can cook seasonal vegetables with steam or less water so that you can present them to your baby through preserving the vitamins and minerals contained in vegetables as much as possible.

1. You should not add sugar, salt or tomato paste to any baby food.

1. Follow the 3-day rule and note down any new meals and ingredients you feed your baby. This makes it easier to troubleshoot if it has an allergic reaction.

1. Do not give lumpy or finger foods to infants younger than six month old. Sometimes it can cause gagging or even choking.

1. Choose a calm and quiet place to feed, such as the living room or kitchen.

1. Avoid distraction feeding, i.e. don`t feed your baby making it watching TV or mobile screen.

1. Prepare and store baby food in sterile steel or glass bowls rather than plastic containers. It is recommended to prepare it fresh for each meal.

1. As your baby`s digestive system has not yet developed, give only homemade food

Giving babies solid foods can be difficult, and mothers can be confused about which food is right for their babies. Babies often like to eat foods of different taste, texture and color. A little effort to tingle the taste buds can go a long way in successful feeding.

CAUTION

1. Every baby is different, you can use the meal plans presented here as a reliable guide at your own discretion. However, according to your baby`s needs and preferences, the program can be changed according to the month.

1. Never force-feed a baby.

1. If your baby pushes supplementary foods out and does not swallow, it may not be ready for this feeding style yet. Try again in 1 week and 10 days instead of insisting on that moment. Babies may not get used to supplementary foods until 7. month, this is very normal. Sometimes feeding with your finger instead of a spoon can be a solution.

1. When preparing the formula, follow the instructions on the box and use the measuring spoon provided.

1. When giving solid food to a baby, it is necessary to offer it in a more solid than breast milk and formula and in a lumpy puree consistency primarily. As the baby grows, the consistency should gradually increase according to the swallowing capacity of the baby. Very lumpy foods can cause stomach upset/unnecessary loading; very watery foods can cause the baby to starve and not get used to lumpy foods. You can use a glass grater or a wire strainer instead of a blender to ensure this ideal rough ratio and consistency.

1. Some babies may eat less on certain days and this is absolutely okay. However, if a baby eats less for more than 3-4 days, please see a doctor for guidance.

1. If a baby is teething, feeling unwell or sick, it may eat less. On those days, you can increase the amount of breast milk / formula.

1. Do not stop feeding if the baby has diarrhea.

1. If the baby initially does not accept the food, you can change the taste of the food by adding a little natural flavors such as cinnamon, lemon juice, curry leaves.

1. If your baby is allergic to nuts, gluten or eggs, please consult your doctor before giving foods containing them.