9 Month Old Baby Food Ideas With Chart

With thousands of options and multiple voices of advice, the initial stage of parenthood isn’t the least bit easy. Amidst staying up all night and diaper duties, feeding healthy food to your baby may seem like a tough task. By the 9th month, babies have already started in solid foods in addition to breast milk and formula feeds. Now that they have started on the solids journey and re growing fast, they need meals that cater for them enough nutrition and energy to get through the day as well as boost their physical and cognitive development. To help unburden you, we are here with 9 month baby food ideas and meal plans that you can easily include in your baby’s diet and ensure a healthy future without any hassle.

Also Read: 9 Months Old Baby Milestones

Video: Food Ideas for 9 Month Old Baby

How Much Food Should a Baby Eat at This Stage? 

While babies may not be able to consume everything that adults eat, their taste buds will be delighted with the introduction of new food and flavours. It can be scary and troublesome for most new parents to figure out what to give and how much to give their child, but know that there is no golden rule by which you must operate. Do not place unnecessary stress on the food itself, and remember to keep it as nutritious and natural as possible.

As the experience is new for your baby, he/she will nibble on the food and spit it out if the taste is not enjoyed. Remember that a baby’s tummy is the size of a person’s fist, and it doesn’t take a lot to get them full. Also, since their taste buds are still developing, they may not like all the different kinds of food you give them. Some of them will like vegetables, some will like fruits, and some will even determine what texture of food they like. It can be either in puree form, mashed, or even small tiny chunks. Trial and error are crucial at this stage to understand your baby’s preference.

Don’t forget, though, that your baby is also getting all the nutrients required for  formula or breast milk. Make sure that your baby is eating three meals a day in addition to the milk.

How Many Calories Does 9 Month Baby Need Per Day?

A 9-month-old baby may need around 750-900 calories per day. About 400-500 come from breast milk or formula feeds. Even though you are aware of the calories babies need, their diet should not be restricted just to the number of calories. Your baby will eat as per his need, so you should not be very strict on calorie consumption on a daily basis.

Your baby will stop eating when he is full or give cues like turning his head or pushing the food away, and that should be your cue to understand that your baby is full and not overfeed him.

Best Foods for a Nine Month Old Baby

Your baby will be adventurous or develop into a fussy eater with the introduction of new food, so make sure you pick the best and most delicious-tasting food for them.

Some of the food you can start with for your 9-month-old Indian baby is:

1. Fruits

Berries such as blueberries, melons, cranberries, dates, figs, cherries, and citrus fruits can be cut into 1/4th of their size and given to your child. Always ensure these are completely cooked and either pureed or mashed before serving your baby.

2. Vegetables

Brocolli, Asparagus, potatoes, eggplant, cauliflower, mashed potatoes, onions, and parsnips, all of which can be cooked and mashed, are nutritious and a great food option for your baby.

3. Meat and Egg

Eggs, chicken, and fish which are thoroughly cleaned and cooked should be fed to your baby. Do not give any raw meat, fish, or runny eggs.

4. Water and Juices

Your baby’s digestive system is still developing, so make sure he/she gets plenty of water. Try making natural juices (no sugar) at home instead of giving your baby processed juice.

5. Cheese and Other Dairy Products

Cream cheese, cottage cheese or paneer, dahi or yoghurt, ghee, and butter can be given in very small quantities to your baby.

6. Cereals

Cooked quinoa, millet, whole wheat pasta (softened), rice, and oatmeal are tasty options to give your baby

7. Grains

Toast, small pieces of chapatti or flatbread, and crackers give your baby his/her fill of grains.

8. Legumes

Mashed lentils, beans, and soups made from legumes are a great way to feed flavourful yet nutritious food to your baby.

9. Spices

As your little one’s taste enhances, try using small quantities of asafoetida, cloves, coriander, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, fenugreek, nutmeg, curry leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaf, turmeric, and garlic while cooking for him/her.

10. Protein-Packs

Tofu is a rich source of protein and can be given to babies.

Video: Diet Plan for a 9 Month Old Baby

9 Month Old Baby Food Chart/Meal Plan

Make sure your baby’s food is soft to prevent choking. Here is a detailed schedule of what you can give your child at meal times and as snacks:

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 1

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 2

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 3

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 4

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 5

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 6

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 7

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 1

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 2

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 3

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 4

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 5

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 6

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 7

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 1

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 2

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 3

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 4

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 5

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 6

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 7

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 1

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 2

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 3

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 4

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 5

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 6

Diet for a 9 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 7

Introduce small portions and then depending on your baby’s taste and appetite, increase the portion. Never force your baby to finish the food

Foods to Avoid for 9 Month Old Baby

It is important to serve your baby clean and fresh food. Be alert and notice the texture of food that your baby prefers, so that you can incorporate more of it into the next meal. While your child can now happily join you at family meals, here are a few foods that must be avoided at all times.

1. Honey

It contains bacteria that can cause a serious illness in your child, by damaging the intestines and leading to a rare syndrome called infant botulism. It can also be damaging to a baby’s emerging teeth.

2. Some Types of Fish

Shark, swordfish, and marlin contain high traces of mercury which can affect a baby’s nervous system. Also, avoid shellfish to avoid food poisoning

3. Whole Nuts

Do not give whole nuts to your child, until he/she turns five, in order to avoid choking

4. Sugar

Sugary food is bad for your kid’s growing teeth. These include ice-creams, biscuits, and sweets

5. Salt

Do not add salt to your baby’s food, as the kidneys cannot cope. Avoid salty foods, such as namkeens and chips altogether. Babies should have less than 1 gm of salt a day

6. Citrus or Acidic Fruits

Some infants may suffer from acidity due to citric fruits. However, a dash of lemon is allowed in purees.

7. Peanuts/Tree Nuts

This is sensitive food and may cause allergic reactions in your baby. It is typically introduced 1 year onwards.

8. Whole Milk

This can cause tummy issues and should never be supplemented with breast milk. It can also hinder absorption of iron, which is crucial to an infant’s growth

9. Raw, Half-cooked, and Unpasteurised Food Items

Food items that raw, half-cooked and unpasteurised should not be given to babies as they can severely harm babies. For instance, half-cooked meat, egg, runny egg, unpasteurised milk or fruit juice, etc.

How Much Milk Formula Should a 9 Month Old Drink?

Besides solid food for 9 month old baby, formula milk is one food that continues for more months. Ideally, a 9-month-old child should have about 720 ml or 24 ounces of formula milk spread between 3-5 feedings in a day.

Can You Give Your Baby Finger Foods and Snacks?

Nine-month-old babies are generally ready for finger food and snacks. They have what you can call, a ‘Pincer grasp’, which is a skill where they pick up small objects with their thumb and forefingers. If your baby has started picking up small objects with his/her fingers without any support and can chew small bites of food, then its time to introduce finger foods for him/her.

Finger foods can be cooked carrots, apples, pears, cucumbers, or even paneer, that can be chewed well by baby teeth. Cut all of them into small, long shapes for your baby to hold and nibble on. Be cautious and never leave your child alone while they have finger food.

If your baby has still not picked up things with his/her fingers, wait for a month or two before introducing finger food

You can include one or two snacks between meal times for your 9-month-old baby. Give small quantities of food at regular intervals, which can help weaning easy in the future. Make sure that this does not affect breastfeeding.

Video: 9 Month Old Baby Food Recipes

Homemade Baby Food Recipes for 9 Month Old  Babies

Here are a few recipes that you canwhip up quickly to delight your baby at home.

1. Pumpkin Puree

An easy and simple recipe that is full of beta-carotene, potassium, and iron.

Ingredients:

• 1 small pumpkin
• 1-2 cups of water, vegetable stock or breast milk

How to Prepare:

Cut the pumpkin and peel away the skin. Scoop out all the seeds and put the fruit in a blender or food processor. Add water or vegetable stock till you get the desired consistency. Blend until smooth.

Once you have the puree, cook it in a cooker for 10-15 minutes (1 or 2 whistles).

2. Quinoa and Banana Mash

A nutrition rich and filling meal that is great for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 banana
• Pinch cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons cooked quinoa
• 1 tablespoon whole milk yoghurt

How to Prepare:

Mash the banana in a bowl. Cook 3 tbsp of quinoa, without any oil, in a separate pan with water for 10-12 minutes. Add the cooked quinoa to the banana, along with yoghurt, and stir to combine the ingredients.

You can also add powdered cinnamon (a pinch) for taste. Serve cold or at room temperature.

3. Plain Vegetable Khichdi

An staple Indian recipe when you are introducing rice and vegetables to your child’s diet.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup rice
• ½ cup moong dal (green gram)
• 1 cup mixed vegetables washed properly and chopped into small pieces (carrots, peas, potatoes and beans)
• 1 teaspoon ghee
• A pinch of turmeric
• ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
• chopped coriander leaves

How to Prepare:

Clean the dal and rice. Soak both of them in water for thirty minutes. Heat the ghee in a pressure cooker. Now add the cumin seeds till they crackle. Follow it with dal and rice and then vegetables. All these can be sautéed, followed by a pinch of salt. Add water and pressure cook this for 3-4 whistles, till everything is well- cooked.

Mash khichdi lightly with a spoon. Serve it with a little ghee on the top.

4. Atta Halwa

Atta halwa or porridge is a food recipe for 9 month old Indian baby

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoon Atta
• ½ tsp ghee
• 2 cups hot water
• Formula or breast milk

How to Prepare:

Heat ghee in a pan and add atta. Roast the atta, stirring continuously. Once the atta is slightly roasted and gives off a nice aroma, slowly add hot water. Keep stirring to avoid lumps and bring it to your desired consistenty. Your baby will love the smooth texture of ghee. Turn off the heat.

Once the atta halwa is a little cool, add milk to adjust the consistency and add flavour to the halwa. You can add banana puree or applesauce for sweetness.

5. Finger Vegetables

Finger foods for 9-month-old baby are perfect for a mid-morning or evening snack

Ingredients

• 1 carrot
• 1 pumpkin
• 1 sweet Potato
• 1 zucchini/ cucumber

How to Prepare:

Cut any or all of the vegetables into long slices that your child can grasp in his/her. Steam them in a pressure cooker for 5-7 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

6. Oats Pancakes

These pancakes are super easy to make and delicious, as well.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup oats
• 1 medium banana
• 1/4 cup milk

How to Prepare:

Mash the banana in a bowl, and add the milk. Mix well and add oats. Mix until well blended. Heat up a pan and add 1-2 drops of oil. Add 3-4 tablespoon of the mixture, and let it cook on one side. After 30 seconds to a minute, or until slightly brown, flip and cook well. Serve warm.

7. Vegetable Soup

This is a comfort food, especially in the winters and monsoon, and easy to make for your baby.

Ingredients

• 1/2 carrot chopped
• 3-4 beans chopped
• 10 peas
• 1/2 tomato chopped
• 1/2 potato finely chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon ghee
• Pinch of pepper
• Pinch of jeera powder

How to Prepare:

Pressure cook all the vegetables in 2 cups of water for 3 whistles. Let them cool, and blend into a smooth puree. Reheat the puree, add water if required, as well as the pepper and jeera powder. Serve warm.

Feeding Tips

• Start by taking any solid food that you want to introduce to your child in a big spoon and give them little nibbles off the spoon.
• All vegetables and fruits can be given to babies at this stage, but create a schedule and discuss it with your paediatrician before deciding. This can help avoid any allergies or reactions your baby may have.
• Follow a ‘4-day rule,’ i.e. wait for 4 days before introducing a new food, in order to check for allergies.

Time flies, and soon your little nine month old will be walking and running. Make the most of this time by introducing healthy food habits and create a solid foundation for  their food habits, down the line.

FAQs

1. How Many Times in a Day Should 9-month-old Eat?

A 9 months old baby should have a half cup of food three to four times per day. In addition, they can have healthy snacks and breastfeeding spread around the entire day.

2. How Much Water 9 Month Old Baby Should Drink?

You can start by giving your baby 30-60 ml of water per solid meal on a daily basis. If your baby does not chug the entire water down, do not worry. Just keep them hydrated.

3. Should a 9 Month Old Still Consume Pureed Food?

Your baby can continue to have chunky mashed foods. However, the best type should be ‘soft’ and ‘chewable’ so they also develop their chewing skills as UNICEF recommends feeding finger foods to children by nine months.

4. Should You Get Worried If Your 9 Month Old Isn’t Eating Table Foods?

You should not waste any time and consult your paediatrician if your nine-month-old baby is not eating table foods. Even though their growth is not heavily impacted, not consuming table foods yet can lead to feeding challenges as your baby grows.

Time flies, and soon your little nine-month-old will be walking and running. Make the most of this time by introducing healthy food habits and creating a solid foundation for their food habits down the line.

Disclaimer:

1. Each child is different and so use these meal plans as a trusted guide as per your discretion. You can modify the meals according to your child’s preferences / requirements.
2. Never force-feed a child.
3. While preparing 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 increase the thickness of the liquids slowly 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 absolutely 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.

Also Read: 10 Month Old Baby Food Ideas