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Feeding Your Baby (0–12 Months): Breastfeeding, Formula & First Foods
For about the first 6 months, breast milk (or first infant formula) is all your baby needs — not even water.
Quick Facts
For about the first six months, breast milk is all your baby needs — no other food or drink, not even water. Exclusive breastfeeding for around 6 months protects your baby against infections like diarrhoea and pneumonia and supports healthy growth. Whether you breastfeed, formula-feed, or combine the two, the goal is the same: a well-fed, growing, happy baby.
Around 6 months, milk alone is no longer enough — your baby needs extra energy and nutrients, especially iron, so it's time to start solid foods (weaning) while continuing milk. You introduce foods one at a time, build up gradually, and keep breast milk or formula as the main drink to 12 months.
This guide is practical and India-friendly — dal, khichdi, ragi, curd and soft fruits all have a place. It's general education; your paediatrician, and a lactation consultant if needed, can tailor it. See also our Growth guide to understand whether feeding is on track.
Log every feed
Use ParentVibes Feeding Logs to track breastfeeds, bottles and first foods — handy for you and your doctor.
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Things worth knowing
Milk is enough at first
For about 6 months, breast milk or first infant formula supplies all nutrition — not even water is needed.
Solids from around 6 months
Milk alone stops being enough; babies need extra energy and iron, so start solids while continuing milk.
India-friendly first foods
Dal, mashed khichdi, ragi porridge, soft fruit and curd all have a place — build texture from smooth to soft lumps.
Don't delay allergens
Introduce egg, peanut paste, fish and gluten from around 6 months, one at a time — delaying may raise allergy risk.
Safety rules matter
No honey before 1 year, no cow's milk as a main drink before 12 months, no added salt or sugar, and avoid choking hazards.
Read your baby's cues
Feed responsively to hunger and fullness signals; regular wet nappies and steady weight gain mean enough milk.
Everything You Need to Know (Milk → Solids)
The feeding journey from birth to the family table:
| Stage | What to offer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–6 months | Exclusive breast milk (or first infant formula) | No other food or drink, not even water |
| Around 6 months | Start solids + continue milk | Iron-rich, vegetable-first foods |
| 6–8 months | Solids 2–3 times/day + milk | Smooth → mashed → soft lumps |
| 9–11 months | Solids 3–4 times/day + milk | Finger foods, more texture |
| 12 months | Family-style meals + milk | Move toward a varied family diet |
Breastfeeding basics
Feed on demand (cues, not the clock), ensure a good latch, and expect frequent feeds especially early on. You can continue breastfeeding to 2 years or beyond alongside solids if you wish.
Formula basics
Use first infant formula, prepare exactly per instructions with safe water, and never add extra powder or dilute. Make feeds fresh and discard leftovers.
Vitamin D
Breastfed babies often need a daily vitamin D supplement — confirm the dose with your paediatrician.
Signs (Is My Baby Feeding Well?)
Babies tell you what they need — learn to read the cues.
Hunger and fullness cues
- Hunger cues: rooting, sucking hands, stirring, fussing (crying is a late cue)
- Fullness cues: turning away, slowing or stopping, relaxed hands
Signs of enough milk
- Regular wet and dirty nappies
- Contentment after feeds
- Steady weight gain on the growth curve
Readiness for solids (around 6 months)
- Can sit and hold head steady
- Coordinates eyes, hands and mouth
- Can swallow food (not just push it back out)
Track while you read
Tick the symptoms that apply to you. This is a self-check, not a diagnosis — saved on this device only.
Signs to discuss with your doctor
Poor weight gain, very few wet nappies, persistent vomiting, refusing feeds, or a baby under 3 months feeding much less than usual.
Why Feeding Changes Through the Year
Your baby's feeding needs evolve quickly in the first 12 months:
- Milk meets early needs
- Breast milk (or formula) supplies all nutrition for about the first 6 months.
- Growth outpaces milk at ~6 months
- Energy and iron needs rise beyond what milk alone can give.
- Oral-motor development
- Babies learn to sit, chew and self-feed, enabling new textures and finger foods.
- Iron stores fall
- Birth iron stores deplete by around 6 months, so iron-rich first foods matter.
- Allergy windows
- Introducing common allergens from around 6 months (not delaying) may lower allergy risk.
Feeding Assessment
If feeding seems off, here's how it's usually assessed:
What your doctor or health visitor may do
- Weight & growth tracking on WHO growth standards shows whether feeding meets needs
- Feeding history & nappy output reviewed at well-baby visits
- Latch and positioning assessment by a midwife, health visitor or lactation consultant for breastfeeding difficulties
- Allergy review if reactions occur when introducing foods
- Iron or anaemia checks if growth or diet raise concern
Store growth and feeding notes in ParentVibes and chart weight on the WHO Growth Charts to bring patterns to your visits.
Solving Common Feeding Problems
Most feeding problems are common and fixable. Here's what usually helps and when to seek care.
- Painful latch / sore nipples
- Lactation support, check latch and positioning. Seek care for cracked, bleeding nipples or suspected infection.
- Low milk supply worry
- Frequent feeding, good latch and support. Seek care for poor weight gain or very few wet nappies.
- Reflux / spit-up
- Smaller feeds and keeping baby upright after feeds. Seek care for distress, blood, or poor growth.
- Constipation on solids
- Water with meals and fibre-rich purées. Seek care for pain, blood, or a hard tummy.
- Fussy eater / refusing solids
- Keep offering, no pressure, and model eating. Seek care for weight loss or persistent refusal.
- Possible food allergy
- Introduce allergens one at a time and watch closely. For any reaction, stop and seek advice.
First foods (India-friendly)
Start with less-sweet vegetables (lauki, carrot, spinach) and iron-rich foods like dal, well-cooked mashed khichdi and ragi porridge, plus soft fruit (banana, mashed papaya) and curd. Build texture from smooth to mashed to soft lumps and finger foods.
Safety rules
No honey before 1 year (botulism). No cow's milk as a main drink before 12 months (small amounts in food from 6 months are fine). No added salt or sugar. Avoid choking hazards (whole nuts, hard raw pieces, whole grapes). Always supervise eating.
Day-to-Day Feeding (India-Friendly)
Simple habits that make feeding easier through the year:
Responsive feeding
- Feed responsively — follow hunger and fullness cues
- Breastfeed on demand; if formula-feeding, prepare safely with clean water and correct measures
Starting solids (from ~6 months)
- Offer iron-rich, vegetable-first foods; one new food at a time
- Keep breast milk or formula as the main drink
- Introduce allergens (egg, peanut as a smooth paste, fish, gluten) from around 6 months, one at a time, in small amounts
Hydration in heat
- Under 6 months, milk meets all fluid needs even in hot weather
- From 6 months, small sips of cooled boiled water with meals are fine
Hygiene
- Wash hands and sterilise bottles as advised
- Cook food well, and store and reheat safely
Weaning starter checklist
- Baby can sit & hold head steady
- Iron-rich first foods planned
- One new food at a time
- Allergens introduced (not delayed)
- No honey/salt/sugar; choking hazards avoided
- Milk continues as main drink
When to See a Doctor
Contact your paediatrician if your baby:
- Is not gaining weight or is losing weight
- Has very few wet nappies or signs of dehydration
- Vomits persistently or refuses feeds
- Has ongoing feeding pain (for the mother) or a suspected breast infection
- Is under 3 months and feeding much less than usual (with a fever of 38°C or more, seek urgent care)
Seek urgent care
For any allergic reaction to a new food with breathing trouble or facial or mouth swelling, get emergency help immediately. Other allergy signs (rash, swelling, vomiting) should also be checked promptly.
Continue learning
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I exclusively breastfeed?
For about the first 6 months, with no other foods or liquids (not even water), then continue breastfeeding alongside solids.
When do I start solid foods?
Around 6 months, when your baby can sit and hold their head steady and is showing interest, alongside continued milk.
What are good first foods in India?
Less-sweet vegetables and iron-rich foods like dal, mashed khichdi and ragi, plus soft fruit and curd, built up in texture over time.
Should I delay allergy foods like egg and peanut?
No — introduce common allergens from around 6 months, one at a time; delaying may increase allergy risk.
Can I give water, honey or cow's milk?
No water before 6 months; no honey before 1 year; no cow's milk as a main drink before 12 months.
How do I know my baby is getting enough milk?
Regular wet and dirty nappies, contentment after feeds, and steady weight gain on the growth curve.
Do breastfed babies need vitamin D?
Often yes — a daily vitamin D supplement is commonly advised; confirm the dose with your paediatrician.
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Medical review
- Last reviewed
- June 2026
- Medical reviewer
- Dr. Vinika G.
- Next review due
- June 2027
- Status
- Medically reviewed by Dr. Vinika G.
References
This article is for general information and education only and is not a substitute for professional medical or lactation advice. Feeding needs vary, and food-safety and allergy guidance can change. Always follow current advice from your paediatrician, lactation consultant or dietitian. Remember: no honey before 1 year, no cow's milk as a main drink before 12 months, and avoid choking hazards. Seek urgent care for any allergic reaction with breathing difficulty or swelling. Content reviewed against guidance from WHO and NHS.
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Medical disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. If you have severe pain, heavy bleeding, missed periods, or unusual symptoms, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.