Complementary feeding is the key transition from exclusive milk feeding to a varied diet. It usually means, from around 6 months of age, gradually introducing foods other than breast milk or formula while continuing to breastfeed or bottle-feed. A scientific introduction order and a sensible weekly menu meet the baby’s rapidly growing needs for iron, zinc, energy and many nutrients, and also support the development of chewing and swallowing, taste, and self-feeding habits. Following the month-by-month timeline and drawing on guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Chinese Dietary Guidelines and the Chinese Medical Association’s Pediatrics branch, this article systematically lays out the order, sample menus and common cautions for introducing solids from 6 to 12 months.
1. When to Start: Watch the Signs, Not Just the Calendar
Whether a baby is ready for solids depends on developmental signs, not only on age. Most babies are ready around 6 months (about 180 days). Typical signs include: sitting with support or alone steadily with good head control; the tongue-thrust reflex fading so food is no longer pushed out; clear interest in adults’ food with reaching for it; and seeming hungry even after enough milk, with weight roughly doubled from birth.
WHO and the Chinese Dietary Guidelines agree: start complementary foods at 6 months and continue breastfeeding to 2 years or beyond. Starting too early (before 4 months) raises risks of indigestion and allergy; starting too late (after 6 months) may miss the window to supply iron and zinc, affecting growth and anaemia prevention. Every baby is different—confirm the exact timing with your paediatrician.
Note: individual circumstances vary; follow the advice of a doctor or qualified professional.
2. Overview of the 6–12 Month Introduction Order
Follow the general principles of “small to more, thin to thick, fine to coarse, one to many.” The table below gives a reference framework by age.
3. 6–7 Months: Iron-Fortified Cereal and Single Foods
Start with iron-fortified infant cereal. By 6 months a baby’s iron stores from birth are largely used up, while breast milk is relatively low in iron, so timely iron intake helps prevent iron-deficiency anaemia. Mix cereal with breast milk or formula into a smooth thin paste, beginning with about a spoonful a day and increasing gradually after 2–3 days with no discomfort.
Then introduce single-ingredient purées one at a time: root vegetables like potato or sweet potato; yellow veg/fruit like pumpkin or carrot; fruit purées like apple, pear or banana. Introduce one new food at a time and watch for 2–3 days for rash, vomiting or diarrhoea. The goal now is to make eating relaxed and pleasant, not to hit a quantity target.
4. 7–9 Months: From Purée to Mince, Add Protein
Texture can move to minced, grainy foods to exercise chewing. This stage adds quality protein and iron/zinc: egg yolk from 1/4 up to half or one; meat purées of easy-to-digest, iron-rich chicken, pork or beef; fish purée with bones removed; and tofu. Vegetables and fruits should be varied, and a few drops of vegetable oil can help absorb fat-soluble vitamins.
Most babies now have 2 solid meals a day on top of milk. You can offer soft finger-food starters such as steamed carrot sticks, encouraging self-feeding and hand-eye coordination.
5. 10–12 Months: Finger Foods and Family-Meal Transition
The baby becomes a “little chewer.” Foods can be soft lumps, soft rice, small noodles or tiny dumplings. Most have 2–3 solid meals heading toward a family “three meals plus snacks” rhythm. Whole egg, fish, shrimp and poultry can all be tried, prepared soft, small and easy to grasp.
Responsive feeding (including a baby-led weaning approach) encourages participation: let the baby hold a spoon or use hands, and accept some mess. Keep flavours plain—no salt, sugar or honey before age 1—letting natural tastes lead to a varied diet.
6. Sample Weekly Menu (for an 8–9 month old)
The following is a one-day idea; adjust portions and frequency to appetite and paediatric guidance.
Meal
Mon/Wed/Fri
Tue/Thu/Sat
Sun
Morning snack
Iron cereal + pumpkin purée
Cereal + potato purée
Cereal + yam purée
Midday meal
Chicken purée + broccoli + rice porridge
Pork purée + carrot + soft rice
Fish purée + tofu + greens
Afternoon
Apple purée
Banana purée
Pear purée + plain yogurt
Note: dairy like yogurt or cheese can be tried in small amounts after 6 months and once several foods are tolerated; choose unsweetened, full-fat, additive-free products.
7. Common Mistakes: Do and Don’t
Do
Avoid
Add one new food at a time, watch 2–3 days
Piling on many new foods, hiding allergens
Responsive feeding: eat when hungry, stop when full
Chasing, coaxing or forcing a set amount
Keep foods varied and diverse
Long-term rice-cereal-only, missing iron/protein
Spoon-feed small bites of purée
Bottle-feeding purée instead of chewing practice
No salt, sugar or honey before age 1
Adding salt/sugar early “for taste”
8. Allergy Awareness and Food Safety at Home
Introduce new foods alone and in small amounts to observe. Higher-allergy-risk foods (egg, fish, peanut, etc.) need not be delayed, but first tries should be when the baby is well and an adult can watch. Stop and record the food for mouth rash, vomiting, diarrhoea or fussiness; seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, facial swelling or widespread hives.
Home safety: no honey under 1 year (botulism risk); avoid whole nuts, whole grapes, jelly and popcorn that choke; cut food into small graspable pieces. Individual circumstances vary; follow the advice of a doctor or qualified professional.
9. Key Points
Start solids at 6 months; continue breastfeeding to 2 years or beyond.
Begin with iron-fortified cereal to prevent anaemia.
Choose iron-fortified rice cereal for the first solid food, starting thin and gradually thickening. 6-7 months: add root vegetable and fruit purées; 7-8 months: add leafy vegetable purées and meat purées; 8-9 months: add egg yolk and finger foods; 10-12 months: transition to finely minced foods. No salt or sugar before age one, and introduce only one new food at a time, observing for 2-3 days.
📌 Key Takeaways：A stage-by-stage schedule for introducing baby food from 6 months, from iron cereal to finger foods, with safety tips.
For the first solid food, choose iron-fortified rice cereal, progressing from thin to thick. 6-7 months: add root and tuber vegetable purees and fruit purees; 7-8 months: add leafy green purees and meat purees; 8-9 months: add egg yolk and finger foods; 10-12 months: transition to minced foods. No salt or sugar within the first year; introduce only one new food at a time and observe for 2-3 days.
📌 Key Takeaways：A stage-by-stage guide to introducing solids—iron cereal, purees, finger foods—with salt, sugar, and allergy tips.
The first complementary food should be iron-fortified rice cereal, going from thin to thick. 6–7 months: add root vegetable puree and fruit puree; 7–8 months: add leafy green vegetable puree and meat puree; 8–9 months: add egg yolk and finger foods; 10–12 months: transition to minced foods. No salt or sugar before age 1, and add only one new food at a time, observing for 2–3 days.
📌 Key Takeaways：A month-by-month chart for introducing baby solids: first cereal, purees, finger foods, and when to add egg yolk.
