#asktheexpert what food Can you feed a 5-6 months baby?

A. At 5 to 6 months, you can start introducing solid foods gradually while continuing breast milk or formula. Begin with single-ingredient, easy-to-digest foods and introduce one new food every 3–5 days to check for allergies. Ideal First Foods for 5 to 6 Month Baby: Cereals: Rice cereal (iron-fortified) Moong dal water or moong dal khichdi (well mashed) Suji (semolina) porridge Fruits (well mashed or pureed): Banana Apple (steamed and mashed) Pear Chikoo (sapota) Vegetables (steamed and pureed): Carrot Pumpkin Sweet potato Bottle gourd (lauki) Others: Mashed potato Ragi porridge (nachni) Dal water Oats (cooked soft) Feeding Tips: Start with 1–2 teaspoons once a day, then gradually increase. Ensure the texture is smooth and runny at first. Avoid salt, sugar, honey, and cow’s milk. Use a clean spoon and bowl each time. Watch for signs of allergy (rash, vomiting, diarrhea). Let me know if your baby is formula-fed or breastfed, and I can suggest a specific daily meal plan.