Around six months of age, when babies begin to eat complementary foods, many parents find themselves confused about how to balance these new foods with milk. The key is to understand that complementary foods are meant to “supplement the milk, enhance overall nutrition, and support the development of the baby’s skills.”

In general, breast milk or formula should remain the primary source of nutrition for your baby, even as you introduce complementary foods. As you gradually add new foods, aim to offer a variety of textures and flavors to help your baby get used to eating solids. The goal is to provide balanced nutrition while continuing to ensure that the baby receives enough milk to meet their overall nutritional needs.

This includes the following points:

1. Milk Alone is Insufficient: As babies grow, milk may no longer meet all their nutritional needs, so complementary foods are necessary to fill in the gaps.
2. Milk Remains Essential: Despite the introduction of complementary foods, milk should still be a primary source of nutrition and not be overshadowed by solids.
3. Variety is Important: Introducing a range of foods helps stimulate the baby’s sensory perception, cognitive development, and chewing abilities.

At the start of introducing complementary foods, the key is to maintain the right balance: ensure that the baby continues to get enough milk while gradually incorporating complementary foods.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the timing of milk and complementary foods—whether to offer solids before or after milk, or the specific schedule—so parents should adapt based on their baby’s needs and preferences.

How to arrange complementary food and milk for a baby of 6 months -1 years old?

Feeding Amount

Typically, for a 7-9 month-old baby, milk intake should be at least 700 ml per day. For a 10-12 month-old, it should be at least 600 ml per day. Complementary foods should be introduced slowly and increased gradually according to the baby’s needs.

For example, when first introducing complementary foods, the baby’s digestive system needs time to adjust to solids. Start with small amounts, such as one to two spoons of rice cereal per serving.

As your baby becomes more accustomed to solid foods, there’s no need to rigidly measure the quantity of complementary foods. Instead, focus on the baby’s acceptance and interest in the new foods.

If the baby eats the offered complementary food without any adverse reactions, you can gradually increase the portion size. However, if your baby refuses to eat after a few bites, don’t force it.

Feeding Time and Order

When introducing complementary foods, you might start by offering them once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Once your baby adjusts, you can gradually align mealtimes with the family’s dinner, allowing the baby to eat alongside adults. This not only fosters a sense of participation but also encourages better eating habits by setting a positive example.

Ideally, offer complementary foods before milk during a feeding session. This way, the baby can consume both types of food in one sitting.

However, each baby has unique eating habits. Some may prefer complementary foods and become full, resulting in reduced milk intake. In such cases, adjust the feeding order to offer milk before complementary foods. If this change impacts the total milk intake significantly, monitor and appropriately adjust the amount of complementary foods.

If your baby is hesitant to eat complementary foods and you’ve ruled out allergies or other medical issues, try offering these foods when the baby is hungry. Enhance the appeal of the complementary foods by adding flavorful ingredients like shiitake mushrooms or shrimp, or by using colorful vegetables and fruits to create visually appealing meals.

Avoid the mindset of thinking “if the baby doesn’t like complementary foods, just give more milk instead.” Excessive milk consumption can reduce the baby’s appetite for solids, potentially leading to inadequate nutrition and poor eating habits. It’s important to encourage a balanced approach to ensure both proper nutrition and the development of healthy eating habits.

How to arrange complementary food and milk for babies over 1 year old?

After the age of 1, as your baby becomes more adept at chewing and swallowing, you can gradually decrease the amount of milk and increase the amount of solid food to facilitate this transition.

By 18 months, the focus should shift to a “food-based, milk-as-a-supplement” approach, with complementary foods becoming less central.

However, this timeline can vary based on the baby’s development and family eating patterns. If the baby’s biting and chewing skills aren’t yet sufficient for handling adult foods, allow more time for adaptation and practice.

During this stage, maintaining a regular eating schedule and balanced diet is crucial. Aim to have the baby eat three meals a day with the family and include snacks as needed. Ensure that milk intake remains around 500 ml per day to support ongoing nutritional needs.

For your baby’s meals, aim for a balanced ratio of staple foods, vegetables, and meat, such as 2:1:1. As long as the food includes a variety of nutritional categories—protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and more—your baby should receive adequate nutrition.

A gentle reminder:

It’s normal for a baby’s food intake to fluctuate. On days when their appetite is good, they may eat more, and on days when they are less hungry, they may eat less. This variability is typical, so there’s no need to worry excessively. Instead, embrace the approach of letting the baby eat freely without pressure to eat more or less, and allow them to experience hunger and fullness naturally.

To assess whether your baby is eating well, monitor their growth curve. If their growth trend remains normal, it indicates that their food intake aligns with their nutritional needs, and there’s no need for concern.