Guide to Giving Solids After 6 Months Old Baby

MPASI or complementary foods can be started to be given to babies after 6 months of age. However, giving MPASI should be done gradually. Know how to provide proper MPASI so that the baby's nutritional intake is sufficient.

Giving complementary foods is an important period for the growth and development of babies. In this period, babies begin to learn to recognize the shape and taste of food, apart from breast milk.

 

MPASI itself should not be given before the baby is 6 months old, because at that age babies are more at risk of experiencing food allergies. In addition, giving complementary foods before the baby is 4 months old can also increase the risk of the baby choking.

Signs of a Baby Ready to Eat

The development of every baby is different and cannot be compared with one another. However, there are several signs that indicate the baby is ready to eat food, including:

  • Can reach for food and put it in the mouth, because there is good coordination between the eyes, mouth and hands.
  • Sits alone without assistance and can hold head up.
  • Interested in what other people eat.
  • Able to open mouth properly to take food from a spoon.
  • Can swallow food and not spit it out of the mouth.

However, some other signs shown by the baby, such as putting his finger in his mouth and crying at night, can make you think that the baby can be given solid food. In fact, this can be a sign that the baby wants more milk.

Familiarizing Babies with MPASI

The following are guidelines for what you can do to introduce and familiarize your baby with solids:

1. Invite the baby to eat with the family at the dinner table

Children often imitate things that their parents and those around them do. By inviting the baby to eat with the family, he can pay attention and imitate good eating habits.

To start with, you can place your little one in a special baby dining chair and don't forget to install a safety guard so he doesn't fall.

2. Give MPASI gradually

To introduce solid food to your little one, start by giving it little by little, at least three times a day. However, don't force it too much if your little one doesn't want to eat the food that is given.

It's better for your little one to eat more often in small portions than in large portions, but only occasionally.

3. Give the baby time to adjust

Avoid forcing your little one to consume and finish his food. If he is not interested in a food, it does not mean that your little one is not interested in consuming that food onwards. Try to offer MPASI again the next day.

4. Let the baby try to eat alone

Let your little one take and put his own food in his mouth. This is part of the learning process in knowing food. However, don't leave your little one alone when eating food, because he is still prone to choking when chewing and swallowing food.

To be safer, you can accompany your little one to eat alone when he is around 9 months old.

5. Pay attention to the cutlery used by the baby

Avoid using cutlery made of glass which is at risk of breaking and injuring the baby. Put a cloth or apron on your little one's neck to prevent food from spilling from a spoon or mouth.

Mothers can also use bright cutlery to make the dining atmosphere attractive and more enjoyable for your little one.

The baby's diet starts from the first time he eats food. Therefore, provide a variety of healthy foods, especially vegetables and fruit, so that he gets enough nutrition and gets used to eating them.

Foods to Avoid When Giving MPASI

In choosing the MPASI menu, the following types of food should not be given to babies:

Fruit juice

Consuming too much juice, especially packaged juice with added sugar, can cause babies to experience diarrhea and cavities. In addition, juice also contains fiber and nutrients that are lower than pureed or cut fresh fruit.

Cow's milk

Avoid giving cow's milk to babies before they are one year old. This is because cow's milk does not match their nutritional needs and can actually increase the risk of iron deficiency.

Giving formula milk as additional nutrition should be done according to the doctor's advice when the baby has certain conditions.

Honey

Honey should also not be given to babies under the age of 1 year as part of the complementary food menu. This is because honey can cause babies to get botulism, which is a condition of poisoning caused by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria contained in honey.

Hard food

Avoid giving grains or foods that are hard-textured and small in size, such as popcorn, nuts or candy, because these foods can increase the risk of a baby choking.

Flavoring

You should not add flavoring, sugar or salt to the baby solids menu. All additional materials given too early risk interfering with the baby's development.

Apart from some of the foods above, Mother is also advised not to give food that is too hot, fast food, and packaged food for adults, to your Little One.

Types and Methods of Giving MPASI According to Baby's Age

The method of giving and the type of solids are generally adjusted to the age of the baby. The following are some things that can be a guide for Mothers in determining MPASI for their Little One:

MPASI for babies aged 6-7 months

When your little one is 6 months old, you can give mashed vegetables, fruit and rice. If your little one is used to these foods, Mother can give other types of food, such as chicken, fish, bread and eggs, which have been mashed.

MPASI for babies aged 8-9 months

At this age, your little one can usually eat three times a day. Apart from mashed food, Mother can also start introducing solid food which is cut lengthwise to the size of an adult's finger so that it is easier for the Little One to hold it.

Try to give your little one vegetables, such as carrots, beans, and potatoes, which have been cooked until soft.

MPASI for babies aged 12 months and so on

When your little one starts to turn 1 year old, you can give him food three times a day and add snacks between his meals.

Give healthy snacks such as fruit, vegetables, toast and yogurt to babies. However, make sure not to add sugar or salt to the snacks.

The important thing that needs to be considered in giving complementary foods is not to force your little one to finish his food. As long as your little one grows and develops according to his age, you don't have to worry about him running out of food.

If your baby experiences allergic symptoms after consuming certain foods, such as red and swollen skin, vomiting, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing, immediately take him to the doctor for treatment.