6 Months Baby Nutrition

Are you looking for information on proper nutrition for your 6-month-old baby? Look no further! Our comprehensive guide covers all the essential nutrients your little one needs, as well as feeding tips and sample meal plans. From introducing solids to navigating common feeding challenges, we’ve got you covered. Trust us as your go-to source for all things baby nutrition.

What is Transition to Additional Food (Complementary Nutrition)?

Complementary nutrition is defined as the period when breast milk alone cannot fully meet the energy and nutrient needs and when other foods and beverages are given together with breast milk. Complementary nutrition is also called “transition to supplemental food” or “supplemental nutrition.” During this period, newborns are introduced to foods with different tastes and compositions.

If Complementary Food Is Started Early

If complementary feeding is started early, the baby cannot get enough efficiency from breast milk and the following situations may occur;

• Allergies
• Insufficient calcium and iron intake
• Increase in kidney solid load and excessive load on kidneys,
• Digestive system problems,
• Diarrhea

If Complementary Food Is Started Late

• Retardation in growth and development
• Malnutrition of the baby
• to constipation, (constipation)
• Chewing, learning to swallow
• It causes deficiencies of micronutrients such as Iron and Zinc.

Breast milk is still the most important source of nutrition for a 6-month-old baby who starts solid food until 12 months of age. Over time, this decreases up to 24 months, and as a result, weaning takes place.

How Much Should a 6 Month Old Baby Eat?

You’re wondering, aren’t you? Let’s examine it together.

Breast milk is the most important nutritional source up to age 12 months for a baby who has just started supplementing. This means; your baby’s breast milk is the main meal, and additional foods are the snacks.

A 6-month-old baby usually needs to consume 2 or 3 snacks.

Stomach capacity is 180 ml. When giving additional food to a 6-month-old baby, it should be started in small amounts. For example, it should start with a single food of 1 teaspoon, and the same food should be given a little more in these amounts for 3 days, and the 3-day rule should be applied. A 6-month-old baby should be fed every 2.5–3 hours.

What is the 3 Day Rule?

The 3-day waiting rule is  a very important rule for you to follow your baby’s reactions to foods during the transition to solid food.

When starting solid food for a 6-month-old baby, it should be started with a single serving of 1 teaspoon, and the same food  should be given a little more than the previous amount for 3 days.

Thanks to this rule, you can  understand the allergic reactions that may occur when your baby is introduced to a new food ,  which side effects and which foods the reaction is caused by.

If your baby refuses the food you give or vomits, we recommend that you not force it and try again after a few days.

What Can a 6 Month Old Baby Eat?

Yoghurt

Calcium is a necessity for every growing baby. Yogurt is a very good source of calcium. You can start your baby as the first food in the transition to supplementary food with homemade yogurt that you have fermented yourself at home. You can make your yogurt using cow’s or goat’s milk.

We do not want to use goat or cow milk until one year old. Because babies can have difficulty digesting milk until one year old. However, as the milk turns into yogurt, its structure changes and lactose is broken down. A lactose-intolerant baby cannot drink milk, but can consume yogurt.

Vegetable Puree

Vegetable purees for your baby help meet the vitamin, mineral, antioxidant and fiber needs of his tiny body. Constipation problems are common when switching to complementary foods.

Vegetable purees help to solve constipation problems seen during the transition to solid food. Thanks to its antioxidant content, it helps strengthen your baby’s immune system.

You can boil the vegetables in a little water and give them to your baby in puree form. Vegetables should be used alone. During the transition period to supplementary food, seasonal vegetables should be your preference. Carrot puree can be a good alternative when starting solid food.

Fruit Puree

Fruits contain plant fibers that are essential for your baby’s intestinal health. The most suitable starter fruit for supplementary food is known as apple.

Apples are a beneficial food for your baby, packed with vitamin C and fiber. Studies have found that apples provide strong protection against asthma. During the transition period to supplementary foods, seasonal fruits should be your preference.

You should not pass the fruit through the blender. You can grate it lightly on a glass grater or pass it through a strainer and mash it with a fork.

Attention! In the transition period to supplementary food, first of all, it should be started with fruits and vegetables that do not have allergy potential.

Fruits and Vegetables with High Allergy Potential

• Tropical fruits
• Kiwi and strawberry
• Tomatoes, cauliflower, leeks, okra, eggplant, broad beans.

Nutritional Safety in Transition to Additional Food (Complementary Nutrition)

According to the World Health Organization:

• People who come into contact with food must wash their hands.
• Food should be checked for food safety.
• Tools and equipment used in food preparation and service should be cleaned.
• Used plates and utensils should be washed.
• Bottles that are difficult to clean should be avoided.

Tips for Starting Complementary Food (Complementary Nutrition)

• If the development of the breastfed baby is normal, complementary feeding should not be started before the 6th month.
• More than 50% of the total energy in a 6-month-old baby should not come from complementary foods.
• In babies who have experienced food allergies; Foods containing eggs, nuts, peanuts, fish and soy should not be started before the 12th month.
• Honey should not be given before the 12th month in order to prevent botulinus poisoning (the intoxication picture that develops in people who eat foods containing the poison called “Botulin” produced by the Clostridium botulinum “bacteria and causes paralysis is called “Botulism”.
• While breastfeeding continues, complementary foods should be given in small amounts after the 6th month and the amount should be adjusted according to the development of the baby.
• One food at a time should be started in order to prevent the possible risk of allergies and to make it easier for the baby to tolerate the nutrients better.
• Foods should be started in small amounts and gradually increased.
• You should not insist on giving foods that your baby does not like at all. You can try variants instead.
• If the baby sleeps frequently and cannot feed, the baby should be awakened and fed.
• Sugar, water and salt should not be added to complementary foods .
• Food should be given at body temperature, not overheated.
• The water of the cooked food should not be spilled. If spilled, vitamin and mineral losses may occur. You should cook the food with as little water as possible, and give the remaining water to your baby with the cooked food.

I recommend that you give the food you will try when your baby is hungry.

6 Months Baby Nutrition Chart

Transition to Additional Food;

	1 day	2 days	3 days	4 days	5 days	6 days	7 days	Day 8	Day 9
Snack	1 teaspoon of yogurt	2 teaspoons of yogurt	1/2 teaspoon of yogurt	1 teaspoon of vegetable puree	1 teaspoon of vegetable puree	1/2 cup of vegetable puree	1 teaspoon of fruit puree	1 teaspoon of fruit puree	1/2 cup of fruit puree
Main Meal	Other meals breast milk or formula	Other meals breast milk or formula	Other meals breast milk or formula	Other meals breast milk or formula	Other meals breast milk or formula	Other meals breast milk or formula	Other meals breast milk or formula	Other meals breast milk or formula	Other meals breast milk or formula

List of Vegetables and Fruits That Can Be Given First in Transition to Complementary Food

Fruits	Vegetables
Apple	Pumpkin
Apricot	Carrot
Avocado	Courgette
Banana	Potato
Mango	Sweet potato
Peach	Purslane
Pear	Spinach

The above program is general. You should consult a nutritionist to create a special feeding program for your baby!

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