Starting solid foods at 6 months
Around 6 months, breast milk alone is no longer enough.
- Keep breastfeeding, and add other foods from about 6 months.
- Start with soft, mashed foods a few times a day.
- Add variety: grains, beans, eggs, fish, meat, fruits, vegetables.
- Go slowly, one new food at a time, and be patient.
'Feeding a child' — the essentials
Variety, frequency, and responsiveness matter most.
- Small tummies need frequent meals plus snacks.
- Offer a variety of foods for the nutrients children need.
- Include iron-rich foods and continue breastfeeding to age 2+.
- Feed responsively — encourage, don't force.
A balanced plate for a child
Build meals from these groups every day.
| Fill with | How much | What it gives |
|---|
| Vegetables & fruits | Half the plate | Vitamins, fibre |
| Grains (rice, maize, bread) | A quarter | Energy |
| Protein (beans, eggs, fish, meat) | A quarter | Growth & iron |
| A little healthy oil or nut paste | Small amount | Energy for growth |
| Clean, safe water | Through the day | Hydration |
Limit sugary drinks, sweets, and very salty foods — they crowd out nutrition.
Nutrition terms
- Complementary feeding: Adding foods alongside breast milk from about 6 months.
- Undernutrition: Not getting enough energy or nutrients to grow well.
- Stunting: Being too short for age from long-term poor nutrition — often preventable.
- Iron-rich foods: Foods like beans, eggs, and meat that prevent anaemia.
- Responsive feeding: Encouraging and helping a child eat, without forcing.
- Food safety: Handling and cooking food to avoid infections like diarrhoea.
Myth or reality?
Tap each statement about child feeding.
- Breastfeeding should stop as soon as a child starts solids (Myth) — Keep breastfeeding alongside food to age 2 or beyond — it still gives nutrition and protection.
- Iron-rich foods help prevent anaemia in children (Reality) — Beans, eggs, and meat provide iron that supports healthy blood and brain development.
- Sugary drinks are a good way to hydrate a child (Myth) — Clean water is best; sugary drinks add empty calories and harm teeth.
- Young children need frequent meals and snacks (Reality) — Small stomachs need feeding often — several small meals plus healthy snacks a day.
Start complementary foods at about 6 months, while continuing to breastfeed. Before 6 months, breast milk alone is best; much later than 6 months risks missing needed nutrients.
Good for a child or limit?
Tap each food, then whether to offer it or limit it.
- Beans, eggs, and fish (Offer often)
- Fruits and vegetables (Offer often)
- Clean, safe water (Offer often)
- Sugary drinks and soda (Limit)
- Sweets and candy (Limit)
- Very salty snacks (Limit)
Keeping mealtimes safe
A few habits prevent infection and choking.
- Wash hands and cook food thoroughly.
- Use clean water and clean utensils.
- Cut food small and soft to prevent choking.
- Sit with your child while they eat.
When feeding needs help
Some signs mean check with a health worker.
- Not gaining weight, or losing weight.
- Refusing to eat or drink, or eating very little for days.
- Signs of anaemia: pale, tired, low energy.
- Swelling of the feet or face, or very thin arms and legs.
Recap & what's next
- Start solids at ~6 months and keep breastfeeding to 2+.
- Build a balanced plate with variety and iron-rich foods.
- Feed responsively and keep mealtimes safe.
- Next: common childhood illnesses and home care.
