10 Month Old Baby Food Chart

Congratulations! Your baby is 10 months old now, and you must be so proud that you have cared for your little munchkin so well. You must have noticed many changes in him – he must be crawling, communicating, or even playing. But like every responsible parent, you must be worried about his nutritional requirements and overall health. We have something for you if you want suggestions for 10 month baby food. You see, each infant develops at a different speed. Some babies begin eating solid foods at approximately four months old, while others wait until they are six months old and are quite content continuing to eat only breast milk or formula milk. Knowing the best foods for 10-month-old babies is important because half of their calorie requirements at this age should come from solid foods. Here we will discuss what you should feed your 10-month-old baby.

Video: Food Ideas for a 10 Month Old Baby

Nutrient Requirements of a Baby at This Age

The calorie requirements of a baby at this age depends entirely on his weight. As a general rule of thumb, your 10-month-old baby will need anywhere between 90 and 120 calories per kilogram of his weight. According to the experts, this translates to 793 calories for male babies and 717 calories for female babies. Your baby will need food from the main food groups. You can follow the basic food pyramid chart in order to understand the ratio of fruits, vegetables, and grains that you need to follow while serving food to your child. Apart from this, you will have to make sure that your baby gets an adequate amount of calcium and iron in his diet. This is essential for his physical and mental development.

How Much Food Can Your Baby Eat in a Day?

The amount of food consumed regularly will be dictated by your baby’s nutritional requirements and appetite. However, as a general rule of thumb, your baby will need different food items in the following quantities.

• Cereal – between ¼ and ½ cup
• Fruits – between ¼ and ½ cup
• Vegetables – between ¼ and ½ cup
• Dairy products – 2 to 3 tablespoons
• Protein or meat – 4 tablespoons

Best Foods for Your Ten-month-old Baby

An important thing you should remember while giving food to your 10-month-old baby is that you can start supplementing breast milk with regular foods. You can give him finger food or mashed food instead of breastfeeding him. However, there is no hard and fast rule as to when you must stop breastfeeding entirely. This is a decision that you should take after consulting your doctor. If you do decide to wean your baby, there are some foods that should be your top choice.

• Whole wheat idli or dosa
• Moong dal khichdi
• Upma with vegetables
• Dalia
• Homemade milkshake with fresh fruits
• Boiled or scrambled eggs
• Vegetable soup
• Homemade halwa
• Mildly spiced sambar
• Any preparation with soft cheese
• Yoghurt
• Tofu
• Mashed potato
• Cooked beans
• Boiled Chicken 
• Mashed Banana
• Soup

Video: Diet Plan for 10 Month Old Baby

A Sample Food Chart/Meal Plan for a 10-month-old Baby

Here is a sample chart that you can follow for making a healthy meal plan for your ten-month-old baby. However, it is recommended that you introduce each new food item one at a time. Wait for three days before you introduce another food item as it is the perfect window to observe if your baby has any allergies. This will also let him get used to the flavour. You can make some changes in this plan and create a meal plan that suits your 10-month-old baby.

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 1

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 2

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 3

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Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 5

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Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 7

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 1

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 2

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 3

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 4

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 5

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 6

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 7

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 1

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 2

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 3

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 4

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 5

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 6

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 7

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 1

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 2

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 3

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 4

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 5

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 6

Diet for a 10 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 7

What Should Be the Right Food Texture for a Ten-Month-Old Baby?

Your child will be able to chew soft foods at 10 months old. Bananas, pears, and yoghurt are naturally soft foods that are great and don’t require additional softening. You might need to boil and mash them to make veggies like carrots and peas simpler for your infant to chew. The same holds with rice and pasta.

For 10-month-old newborns, foods that instantly melt on the tongue, like some cereals, are a nice texture. To lessen the risk of choking, chop any solid food you give your baby into bite-sized pieces, such as chicken or a piece of fruit. These ideas are the best baby food recipes for 10 months old.

Video: Food Recipes for a 10 Month Old Baby

Tasty Recipes That You Can Try

Given below are the recipes to some healthy food items that you can make for your 10-month-old baby in no time. These recipes are nutritious and will ensure your baby’s all-round development.

1. Semolina Upma

Ingredients

• Semolina/suji – ½ cup
• Mixed veggies like carrots, peas, beans, and boiled potatoes – ½ cup diced
• Jeera – 1 cup
• Water – ¼ tsp
• A pinch of turmeric
• A pinch of salt
• Oil or ghee – ¼ tsp 

How to Prepare

1. Roast the suji in a pan until it gives a toasty aroma. Keep stirring continuously as it burns quickly otherwise. Keep aside in a bowl.
2. In a pan, heat the oil or ghee.
3.  Add in the jeera and wait until they turn brown.
4. Add in the veggies then turmeric and salt. Sauté for about 5 minutes. Add in the semolina and mix it well.
5. Next, add in the water and stir continuously to make sure no lumps are formed.
6. Stir until the desired consistency is reached.

2. Plain Khichdi

Ingredients

• Toor dal – ¼ cup
• Rice – ¼ cup
• Water – 2 ½ cups
• Tomato – 1, diced
• Oil or ghee – ¼ tsp
• Jeera – ¼ tsp
• A pinch of asafoetida
• Ginger – ¼ inch
• Salt to taste

How to Prepare

1. Wash and clean the dal and rice separately until the water runs clear. Soak the rice and dal separately in water for about 30 minutes.
2. Strain the water and pressure cook the dal and rice together for up to three whistles. Add in the turmeric also.
3. Since you will be making it for your child, add in more water to make it soft.
4. Heat the oil or ghee in a pan. Add some cumin seeds and wait till their colour changes.
5. Add in the asafoetida, ginger, and tomato and sauté for a few minutes.
6. Add in the cooked rice and dal mixture and give it a nice stir.
7. Add some salt and let the khichdi boil for a few minutes. It should be a little watery.

3. Scrambled Eggs

Ingredients

• Egg – 1
• Whole milk/formula/breast milk – 2-3 tablespoons
• Fresh cheddar cheese or any other fresh cheese (grated) – 1 tbsp
• Refined oil – 1 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

How to Prepare

1. Crack open the egg into a bowl then add the milk and whisk for a couple of minutes.
2. Add in the grated cheese and mix well.
3. Heat the oil in a pan. Pour the whisked egg mixture into the pan and stir continuously until the eggs are fully cooked.
4. Add the salt and mix well. Serve warm!
5. You can also add some finely cut vegetables to get your child to like veggies.

4. Chicken and Potato Soup

 Ingredients

• Potatoes (peeled and diced) ½ cup
• Diced chicken – ½ cup
• Diced onion – ½ cup diced
• Freshly grated cheddar cheese – ½ cup
• Garlic cloves – 2
• Butter – 2 tbsp
• Water – 2 cups
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

How to Prepare

1. In a large pot, heat the butter.
2. Add in the onions and cook them until they turn transparent. Add the garlic and sauté for a couple of minutes.
3. Add in the potatoes and cook them for some time.
4. Next, add the water and bring to a boil. Add the cheese bit by bit while continuously stirring.
5. Bring to a boil once again and add the diced chicken. Cover the pot with a lid and let it cook for 10 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
6. Season with salt and pepper and the soup is ready.
7. If you have cut the potatoes and chicken small enough, let your baby eat them.
8. However, if you think your baby is finding it difficult, Blend the soup then give it to your baby.

5. Broken Wheat Porridge

Ingredients

• Broken wheat – ¼ cup
• Water – 1 cup
• Roasted almond powder 1 tsp
• Apple or banana puree – 1 cup

How to Prepare

1. Pressure cook the broken wheat and water for three whistles. Allow it to cool.
2. Next, transfer it to a blender and blend for smooth consistency.
3. Transfer it to a bowl, then add the almond powder and mix.
4. Add the banana or apple puree for sweetness.

Foods to Avoid for 10-Month-Old Baby

The following foods should not be given to your infant until they are 10 months old:

• Low-fat dairy products and milk lead to increased protein consumption and a deficiency in necessary fats.
• Honey causes a botulism risk, which must be avoided for the small baby.
• Salt insufficiently can cause damage to the kidneys
• Fruit juice must be avoided as juices contain a lot of sugar.
• Smoked & cured meats / processed food leads to excessive salt intake.
• Must avoid high mercury fish (fresh tuna, halibut, grouper, shark) 
• The caffeine content in chocolate, especially dark chocolate, should be avoided.
• Cow’s milk can cause indigestion as the digestive system is not yet adapted.
• Unpasteurized products can contain dangerous bacteria, so they should be given in moderation,

Some Tips to Consider

Here are some important tips to remember for your 10 month old baby food menu.

• Sterilize the utensils you use for your baby.
• Taste the food you prepare for your little one before giving it to him. Make sure it is neither too hot nor too cold. The food should be warm.
• Don’t add too much salt. To enhance the flavour of any dish, add in the cheese!
• Adjust the ingredients according to your baby’s preferences and nutritional requirements.
• Introduce only one solid food at a time. Wait for three days before introducing any other food. This way, you will help your child develop a taste for that particular food. You should also look for any symptoms of allergy in three days after having introduced the new food.
• Consult your paediatrician before introducing any new food.
• Juice is not recommended for children under age 1.
• Whole-grain baby cereals, cooked noodles, bread, and rice are good for 9 to 12-month-olds. Simply choose whole-grain choices to increase the nutritional value.
• Pasteurised dairy products are also permitted, albeit it is still too early to serve cow’s milk as a beverage. 
• You can feed your infant pasteurised cheeses, like fresh whole-milk ricotta, cottage cheese, and unsweetened full-fat yoghurt.
• Last but not least, don’t forget to serve additional protein. This can be from either animal or plant sources, such as eggs, poultry, meat, fish,  beans, tofu, etc.

Disclaimer:

1. Each child is different, so use these meal plans as a trusted guide. You can modify the meals according to your child’s preferences/requirements.
2. Never force-feed a child.
3. While preparing the formula, please follow the instructions on the box and use the measuring spoon provided with it.
4. While introducing solid food to a baby, initially, one needs to prepare watery gruels/soups. As a child gets older, the caretaker/ mother has to slowly increase the liquids’ thickness according to the child’s capacity to swallow. Foods that are too thick can cause stomach upset/ unnecessary load, while excessively watery food might cause the child to remain hungry.
5. Some kids may eat less on some days, and that is alright. However, if a child eats less for more than 3-4 consecutive days, please visit a doctor to guide further.
6. A child may eat less during the teething phase or if he/she may not be feeling well. You could increase breast milk /formula feeds on those days. Re-introduce the foods once the child is back to normal.
7. Don’t stop feeding if the child is suffering from diarrhoea.
8. You can alter the taste of the food by adding some natural flavours like cinnamon, jeera powder, lemon juice, curry leaves etc. if the child doesn’t accept the food initially.
9. If your child suffers from an allergy to nuts, gluten or eggs, please consult your doctor before feeding him/her any foods that may contain them.

Feeding a 10-month-old is a period of experimentation. As your baby begins to distinguish between flavours and has favourites, you will be able to develop meal plans that your baby truly enjoys. Consider the food pyramid when planning meals and consult with your paediatrician on what you can and cannot feed your baby.

Also Read: Food Ideas for 13 to 16 Months Old Baby