Baby Daily Life
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Celebrating Halloween with a Baby: A Practical Guide for Parents
The first few months, breast milk (or formula) covers all the nutritional needs of a baby. Between 4 and 6 months, it’s the start of a whole new culinary adventure since it’s generally around this age that your child begins complementary feeding.
Feeding a 6-month-old baby: meal ideas.
A quick look at complementary feeding
Complementary feeding is a period of transition between a milk-only diet (the one during the first few months) and one that includes solid foods (just like grown-ups!).
In practical terms, there are two main types of complementary feeding:
- The so-called “classic” method (as it’s the most common), which begins between 4 and 6 months,
- And baby-led weaning (BLW) which allows a more autonomous discovery of food, starting around 6 months and only if your child can sit up unaided.
Good to know: these two approaches are quite different from one another but can be mixed as you wish. Your child will adapt.
Meals for a 6-month-old baby: which foods to start with?
In general, foods are divided into 7 distinct families. Each provides one or more essential nutrients for your child’s healthy development.
- Fruits and vegetables: provide fiber and vitamins.
- Dairy products: combine proteins, calcium, and phosphorus.
- Starches, cereals, and legumes: contain energy, protein, and fiber.
- Meat, eggs, and fish: also contain proteins, but also vitamins, iron, and fatty acids.
- Fats: provide lipids, vitamins, and energy.
- Sugary products: provide quick energy but have little nutritional value.
- Water: essential for the body’s functioning.
To start complementary feeding, we recommend beginning with fresh fruits and vegetables (ideally seasonal), as they’re easier to digest. Start gently with vegetables and starches prepared as purees (at 4 months) or well-cooked chunks (after 6 months).
All food groups can be introduced during this phase (ideally one new food per meal to identify possible allergies). It is recommended to introduce all allergens before 12 months of your baby’s age to reduce the risk of food allergies.
Note: before 1 year, it’s best to avoid honey. Before 5 years old (and even 10 years old according to some recommendations), you should not give raw milk products or raw animal proteins. Your child’s immune system is still immature and the risk of infection or bacteria from these foods (such as botulism or listeriosis) is higher.
Regarding quantities, you can start with one or two teaspoons of vegetable puree or fruit compote per day from 4 months, then increase gradually according to your baby’s rhythm. Once vegetable portions become larger, you can add plant-based fats (rapeseed, olive, or walnut oil, etc.) uncooked. Your baby needs fatty acids to build the many cells in their brain! You can introduce proteins from the start, one teaspoon per day, then 10 g (two teaspoons) from 6 months onward.
In practical terms: you can start complementary feeding with any food! Just make sure to adjust portions according to your child’s appetite or preferences, while proportionally reducing milk intake.
Breakfast: what to offer my 6-month-old baby in the morning?
Even though your baby’s diet is evolving, milk (whether breast or formula) remains the foundation! So, for breakfast, you can offer a feed or a bottle of about 210 ml.
Note that at 6 months, first-stage formula gives way to second-stage formula (if you are not breastfeeding). This milk is richer in vitamins, minerals, iron, and fatty acids.
Lunch: what kind of meal should I offer my baby?
As we’ve seen, from 6 months of age, new foods are gradually introduced into your baby’s diet to meet their nutritional needs. They can now chew and swallow… much to your delight!
If you choose the classic method and your baby is just starting out, make sure these new foods are blended at first, meaning smooth and without lumps. Later you can mash them with a fork to introduce a chunkier texture. If you choose BLW, you can start directly with pieces, as long as they are “safe”—that is, their size and texture (not too hard at first) are appropriate for your baby’s age and learning level.
Also note that your baby needs about 10 g of protein (meat, fish, eggs) for lunch. The easiest way is to blend them directly into the soup or puree.
Be careful not to add salt to homemade meals for your baby. If you buy baby food jars, no worries—they are salt-free!
Want to learn more? Feel free to download the May app, where you’ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your journey as a new parent.
Our lunch suggestions:
- 150 ml of breast milk or second-stage formula,
- Potato and broccoli puree (prepared with 1 tsp of vegetable oil),
- 10 g of cooked cod mixed into the puree.
What snack for my 6-month-old baby?
Ah… snack time!
No matter the age, it’s always a moment of joy—and your baby would surely agree. For snack time (and their taste buds), you can offer 150 to 180 ml of breast or formula milk and a cooked or very ripe fruit. It’s best to choose seasonal fruits, such as a juicy mandarin in winter or watermelon pieces in summer. Fruit juice, however, is not recommended as it doesn’t meet the nutritional needs of 6-month-old babies.
You can also start introducing age-appropriate dairy products, such as plain yogurts.
Our snack ideas:
- 150–180 ml of breast milk or second-stage formula.
- An applesauce or a few pieces of very ripe strawberries.
What dinner for my 6-month-old baby?
For dinner, a 210 ml bottle of second-stage formula is enough (or several feeds, if you’re breastfeeding). Solid foods will be introduced in the evening towards the end of the first year, if your baby shows an interest in eating more than milk. 
Additional practical tips
Here are a few extra practical tips for your 6-month-old baby’s meals.
Cooking methods
Did you know? For your baby, it’s often recommended to favor steaming or boiling without adding salt (as mentioned earlier). These cooking methods are lighter since they don’t require added fat. But be careful! This doesn’t mean fats should be avoided! Your baby also needs them for proper growth. So don’t hesitate to add a bit of oil at the end of preparation.
Homemade or store-bought baby food?
Homemade food certainly has advantages, such as knowing exactly what goes into your baby’s plate. However, it’s true that it requires time, equipment, and organization. Baby food jars are specifically designed for infants, so if you choose this option, don’t feel guilty. Just check the ingredient list to ensure only one allergen is introduced at a time. Homemade or store-bought—it’s up to you! You can even mix both options.
Your healthcare professionals
As always, don’t hesitate to seek support during this new stage of your baby’s development. You can consult your doctor or pediatrician, a pediatric dietitian, or one of the healthcare professionals from the May team. Our pediatric nurses and pediatricians are available via chat every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. to answer all your questions.
From 6 months onward, your baby’s eating habits gradually change. The goal is to diversify their diet through new flavors so they can slowly discover new foods. Enjoy these meals with them—they’re beautiful family moments!
May grows with your baby: find our advice for your 12-month-old baby’s meals here.
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Photo credits: nenetus | gpointstudio | bnenin | valuavitaly | s_kawee
This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.
