Baby Food Chart by Age: When Can Babies Start Eating Vegetables, Eggs, Idli & Other Solid Foods?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months whenever possible. Around 6 months, babies generally begin to require additional nutrients, making it the right time to introduce complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding or formula feeding. Signs that your baby may be ready for solids include:

• Good head and neck control
• Ability to sit with support
• Interest in food
• Ability to swallow food instead of pushing it out with the tongue

Note: Every child is different. Your pediatrician may recommend a different timeline depending on your baby's growth, development, allergies, or medical conditions.

• Boiled Vegetables, After 6 months: Steam or boil thoroughly and mash into a smooth puree.
• Idli, After 6 months: Soften with breast milk, formula, or warm water before feeding.
• Soup, 7–8 months: Offer thick vegetable or lentil soups rather than watery soups.
• Egg, Around 7 months: Serve a fully cooked egg. Avoid raw or half-cooked eggs.
• Chicken, After 1 year: Cook thoroughly, shred or mash into very small pieces.
• Chapati, Avoid in early infancy: Soft wheat porridge is generally easier to digest than chapati for young infants.

Vegetables are among the first foods many babies try because they provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Choose vegetables such as carrot, pumpkin, sweet potato, bottle gourd, and potato. Always boil or steam vegetables until they are soft, then mash or blend them into a smooth consistency. Avoid giving raw vegetables or large pieces, as they can pose a choking risk.

Yes. Contrary to common myths, soft idli can usually be introduced after six months as part of complementary feeding. Idli is soft, easy to digest, light on the stomach, and suitable when mashed well. Before feeding, soften the idli with breast milk, formula, or warm water to make swallowing easier.

From around 7–8 months, babies can gradually transition to thicker soups made from vegetables or lentils. Avoid adding salt, sugar, artificial flavoring, or spicy seasonings. Soups should complement, not replace, balanced solid meals.

Eggs are a rich source of protein, healthy fats, and important nutrients for brain development. Most babies can begin eating fully cooked eggs around 7 months, unless your pediatrician advises otherwise. Always cook eggs thoroughly, introduce one new food at a time, and watch for signs of an allergic reaction. Avoid serving raw or half-cooked eggs to infants.

Chicken can be introduced after your baby is ready for more textured foods, often around 1 year of age, depending on your pediatrician's guidance. It should always be thoroughly cooked, soft, shredded or finely mashed, and free from bones and skin. Never give large or hard pieces that may increase the risk of choking.

Young babies may find chapati difficult to chew and swallow because of its texture. Instead, many pediatricians recommend softer wheat-based preparations, such as well-cooked wheat porridge, until the child develops stronger chewing skills.

• Never add salt, sugar, or strong spices before your baby turns one year unless advised by your pediatrician.
• Introduce only one new food every 3–5 days so you can monitor for allergies or digestive issues.
• Always supervise your baby during feeding.
• Mash or puree foods appropriately to reduce the risk of choking.
• Continue breastfeeding or formula feeding alongside complementary foods during the first year.