A baby food chart for every month from 6 to 12 months
This baby food chart shows what to feed your baby month by month, from the first tastes at around 6 months to family meals at 12 months: the right texture, how many meals a day, how much milk alongside, and real food ideas from both Indian and Western kitchens. Pick your baby’s age to see that month, choose the food examples that suit your home, and print a one-glance chart for the fridge.
It follows the World Health Organization’s 2023 complementary feeding guideline and the NHS weaning advice, with allergen guidance from the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the American Academy of Pediatrics. An allergen tracker helps you keep note of which common allergens your baby has tried.
Every baby moves at their own pace, so treat the months as a guide rather than a deadline.
How to use the Baby Food Chart by Month
- Choose your baby’s age: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12+ months.
- Pick Food examples: India, UK & US, or both.
- Read the texture, meals, milk and food ideas, and the tip for that month.
- Tick allergens in the allergen tracker as your baby tries them; the date is saved on this device.
- Print the chart, or download it as a PDF or PNG, on A4 or Letter.
Baby Food Chart by Month features
Baby food chart month by month
Seven stages from 6 to 12+ months, each with texture, meals and milk.
Indian and Western foods
Ragi, khichdi, idli and dal alongside cereals, toast fingers and yoghurt — or just one list.
Allergen tracker
Nine common allergens with the date each was first tried, saved in your browser only.
Foods to avoid
Honey, salt, sugar, whole nuts and other first-year risks in one place.
Printable chart
Vector PDF, PNG or direct print on A4 or US Letter, for your fridge or a carer.
Baby food chart for 6 months: getting started
The NHS, WHO and AAP all advise starting solid food at around 6 months. Your baby is ready when they can sit up and hold their head steady, pick food up and bring it to their mouth, and swallow rather than push food back out. Waking at night or chewing fists are not signs of readiness.
Start with a few teaspoons once a day. Soft cooked vegetable sticks, mashed fruit, thick dal and rice, or ragi porridge are all good first foods. From the start, offer iron-rich foods — lentils, beans, eggs, meat, fish or iron-fortified cereal — because a baby’s iron stores run low around 6 months.
Baby food chart for 7 months and beyond
| Age | Texture | Meals a day | Milk feeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 months | Smooth, mashed, soft sticks | 1, building to 2 | On demand |
| 7–8 months | Mashed with lumps, finger foods | 2–3 | About 4 |
| 9 months | Minced and chopped | 3 | About 4 |
| 10–11 months | Chopped family food | 3 | About 3 |
| 12 months | Family food in small pieces | 3 + 2 snacks | Breast milk or whole cows’ milk |
Allergens: when and how
- Delaying peanut, egg and other allergens does not prevent allergy. From around 6 months, offer them one at a time in a small amount, ideally earlier in the day so you can watch for a reaction.
- Never give whole nuts: use smooth peanut or nut butter thinned with water, or finely ground nuts stirred into food.
- If your baby has severe eczema or an egg allergy, talk to your doctor before introducing peanut; NIAID advises an assessment and, often, starting as early as 4–6 months.
- Once a food is tolerated, keep it in your baby’s diet regularly.
- Swelling, breathing trouble or floppiness after a food is an emergency — call an ambulance.
Baby Food Chart by Month FAQ
What should be in a baby food chart for 7 months?
Mashed food with soft lumps and soft finger foods, two meals a day moving towards three, and about four milk feeds. Plain curd or yoghurt, mashed dal and rice, soft idli, fish, egg and soft fruit are good choices.
Can I start solids at 4 months?
The NHS and WHO recommend waiting until around 6 months; never start before 17 weeks. If you think your baby needs food earlier, talk to your health visitor or paediatrician.
How much should my baby eat at each meal?
Let your baby lead: offer food, watch for signs of fullness such as turning away or closing their mouth, and do not force the last spoonful. Appetite varies from day to day.
Can I add salt, sugar or ghee to baby food?
No added salt or sugar in the first year. A little ghee, butter or oil in cooking is fine and adds energy; season the family’s food after taking out the baby’s portion.
When can my baby have cows’ milk and honey?
Cows’ milk can go into cooking from 6 months and become the main drink from 12 months. Honey is not safe before 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism.
Is this baby food chart medical advice?
No. It is general information from published guidance, as of October 2026. Babies who were premature, have allergies, or are not gaining weight need advice from their own doctor or dietitian.