Follow your child's appetite — portions vary meal to meal. No salt, sugar or honey before 12 months. Offer iron-rich foods daily from 6 months.
| Food group | Amount per meal |
|---|---|
| Cereals (rice, dalia, oats, ragi) | 2–4 tbsp |
| Pulses / dal / egg / meat | 1–2 tbsp |
| Vegetables | 2–3 tbsp |
| Fruit | 2–3 tbsp |
| Ghee / oil | ½ tsp added to meals |
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Starting solids at about 6 months, babies begin with a few spoonfuls and build up to three meals and snacks by their first birthday. Enter your child's age to see how many meals to offer, a typical portion and the right texture.
The food-group table gives typical amounts of cereals, dal, egg or meat, vegetables and fruit — useful for Indian and Western diets alike.
| Age | 6 months |
| Meals per day | 2–3 meals a day |
| Portion per meal | 2–3 tablespoons per meal, building to ½ cup (125 ml) |
| Texture | Smooth purées and mashed food |
| Energy needed from food (beyond milk) | about 200 kcal a day |
| Milk alongside | Breast milk on demand or 500–700 ml formula |
2–3 meals a day; 2–3 tablespoons per meal, building to ½ cup (125 ml).
Try this example →| Age | 10 months |
| Meals per day | 3–4 meals + 1–2 snacks |
| Portion per meal | ½ cup (125 ml) per meal |
| Texture | Finely chopped, minced and soft finger foods |
| Energy needed from food (beyond milk) | about 300 kcal a day |
| Milk alongside | Breast milk on demand or 500–700 ml formula |
3–4 meals + 1–2 snacks; ½ cup (125 ml) per meal.
Try this example →| Age | 18 months |
| Meals per day | 3 meals + 2 snacks |
| Portion per meal | ¾ to 1 cup (175–250 ml) per meal |
| Texture | Family food, cut small |
| Energy needed from food (beyond milk) | about 550 kcal a day |
| Milk alongside | 350–500 ml milk a day |
3 meals + 2 snacks.
Try this example →Start with 2–3 teaspoons once or twice a day and build up to 2–3 tablespoons per meal over a few weeks.
3 meals and 2 snacks a day, about ¾ to 1 cup per meal, plus 350–500 ml milk.
From about 8–9 months, soft pieces they can pick up and mash with their gums.