After reaching 6 months of age, babies need intake other than breast milk or formula milk. Usually, at this age, babies are advised to start being introduced to solid foods or complementary feeding (MPASI). For moms who are experiencing giving MPASI for the first time, it might be a unique challenge. Confused about choosing the right 6-month MPASI menu and how to make it.
All mothers certainly want to provide the best nutrition for their little ones. Therefore, it's natural that the first complementary feeding at 6 months becomes an exciting moment. But don't worry, moms, because MAKUKU will provide super practical, easy-to-make, and nutritious 6-month complementary feeding recipes.
6-Month MPASI Feeding Schedule
The schedule for introducing complementary foods (MPASI) for a 6-month-old baby can begin with providing soft and easily digestible solid foods. Ensure that the texture of the MPASI given is appropriate for their age to make it easier for the little one to digest.
Here is an example of a complementary feeding schedule for a 6-month-old baby:
Morning
- 06:00-07:00: Breast milk or baby formula
- 09:00-10:00: 2-3 tablespoons of puree
Afternoon
- 12.00-12.30: ASI atau susu formula bayi
- 09:00-10:00: 2-3 tablespoons of puree
Afternoon and Night
- 17.30-18.00: ASI atau susu formula bayi
- 20.00-21.00: ASI atau susu formula bayi
Before offering complementary foods, moms can offer breast milk or formula about 30 minutes beforehand so the baby is not too hungry. If the baby still appears hungry, it is recommended to wait 15-20 minutes to give breast milk or formula again as a dessert.
6-Month First MPASI Menu Recipe
According to IDAI, the appropriate and safe texture for complementary foods (MPASI) for 6-month-old babies is semi-liquid or slightly thick (puree or smooth/thick porridge). At this stage, babies are still adapting and are more prone to choking. They also do not yet have the ability to independently expel foreign substances that enter the respiratory tract.
To achieve a smooth texture for complementary foods, puree the ingredients by mashing or blending them until they become a somewhat runny puree. Then, strain the food until it reaches a finer texture. Here are some recommended menus for the first 6 months of complementary feeding along with how to make them:
1. MPASI Menu: Beef Puree
Ingredients:
- Lean beef (about 30-50 grams)
- Boiled water (for boiling)
- Vegetables (optional, such as carrots, potatoes, or pumpkin)
How to make:
- Prepare lean beef and cut it into small pieces or small cubes.
- Boil the beef in boiling water until it is fully cooked and tender. Ensure the beef is completely cooked to avoid the risk of infection.
- If using vegetables, cut the vegetables of your choice into small pieces and add them to the pot when the beef is almost cooked. This will allow the vegetables to cook together with the beef.
- After cooking, drain the beef and vegetables from the boiling water.
- Blend the beef and vegetables using a blender or food processor. Moms can also add a little of the cooking water if needed to achieve a soft texture that is easy for the baby to digest.
- After blending, cool the beef and vegetable puree to a safe temperature before giving it to the baby.
2. Complementary Food Menu: Fruit Puree
Ingredients:
- Mom's fruit choices (banana, avocado, apple, pear, mango, papaya, etc.)
- Boiled water (optional, for soaking or boiling hard fruits)
How to make:
- Choose ripe and fresh fruit. Make sure to clean the fruit well before use.
- If using hard fruits like apples or pears, moms can soak them in boiled water for a few minutes or briefly boil them to help improve the texture and facilitate the smoothing process.
- Peel the fruit and remove the inedible parts (such as the skin and seeds). Cut the fruit into small pieces to make it easier to mash.
- Blend the fruit using a blender or food processor until it reaches a smooth and consistent texture. Moms can also use a fork to manually mash the fruit if they don't have a blending tool.
- If the puree is too thick, moms can add a little boiled water or breast milk/baby formula to achieve the desired consistency.
- After blending, cool the beef and vegetable puree to a safe temperature before giving it to the baby.
3. Complementary Food Menu: Vegetable Puree
Ingredients:
- Selected vegetables for moms (carrots, potatoes, pumpkin, spinach, broccoli, yellow squash, etc.)
- Boiled water (for boiling or simmering vegetables)
How to make:
- Choose ripe and fresh fruit. Make sure to clean the fruit well before use.
- If using hard vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or squash, moms can boil them until soft to facilitate the mashing process. If using softer vegetables like spinach or broccoli, moms can steam them to preserve their nutritional content.
- After the vegetables are cooked, drain them from the boiling water (if any) and let them cool slightly.
- Cut the vegetables into small pieces to make them easier to blend.
- Blend the fruit using a blender or food processor until it reaches a smooth and consistent texture. Moms can also use a fork to manually mash the fruit if they don't have a blending tool.
- If the puree is too thick, moms can add a little boiled water or breast milk/baby formula to achieve the desired consistency.
- After blending, cool the beef and vegetable puree to a safe temperature before giving it to the baby.
4. MPASI Menu: Chicken Puree
Ingredients:
- Lean beef (about 30-50 grams)
- Boiled water (for boiling)
- Vegetables (optional, such as carrots, potatoes, or pumpkin)
How to make:
- Prepare lean beef and cut it into small pieces or small cubes.
- Boil the beef in boiling water until it is fully cooked and tender. Ensure the beef is completely cooked to avoid the risk of infection.
- If using vegetables, cut the vegetables of your choice into small pieces and add them to the pot when the beef is almost cooked. This will allow the vegetables to cook together with the beef.
- After cooking, drain the beef and vegetables from the boiling water.
- Blend the beef and vegetables using a blender or food processor. Moms can also add a little of the cooking water if needed to achieve a soft texture that is easy for the baby to digest.
- After blending, cool the beef and vegetable puree to a safe temperature before giving it to the baby.
5. Complementary Food Menu: Fish Puree
Ingredients:
- Fish fillet suitable for babies (for example: tilapia, salmon, or mackerel) - around 30-50 grams
- Boiled water (for boiling)
- Vegetables (optional, such as carrots, potatoes, or pumpkin)
How to make:
- Clean the fish fillet and ensure there are no bones or hard parts.
- If using vegetables, cut the vegetables of your choice into small pieces and add them to the pot when the beef is almost cooked. This will allow the vegetables to cook together with the beef.
- Boil the beef in boiling water until it is fully cooked and tender. Ensure the beef is completely cooked to avoid the risk of infection.
- After cooking, drain the beef and vegetables from the boiling water.
- Blend the beef and vegetables using a blender or food processor. Moms can also add a little of the cooking water if needed to achieve a soft texture that is easy for the baby to digest.
- After blending, cool the beef and vegetable puree to a safe temperature before giving it to the baby.
Here are 5 recipes for 6-month-old baby food that moms can try at home. Besides being delicious, these recipes are rich in vitamins and nutrients for your little one. Happy trying! (Aq/MKK)
