5 Super Practical & Nutrient-rich 6-month complementary food recipes

After entering the age of 6 months, babies need intake other than breast milk or formula. Usually at this age, babies are advised to start being introduced to solid food or complementary foods. For moms who are just having their first experience giving solids, it may be a challenge. Confused about choosing the right 6-month complementary food menu and how to make it.

All mothers want to provide the best intake for their little ones. So naturally, the first complementary food at the age of 6 months is a thrilling moment. However, moms take it easy, because MAKUKU will provide recipes for 6-month solids that are super practical, easy to make and rich in nutrition of course.

6-month solids feeding schedule

The complementary food schedule for 6-month-old babies can be started by giving soft and easily digestible solid foods. Make sure the texture of the complementary food given is appropriate for their age so that it is easier for your child to digest.

Here is an example of a complementary food schedule for a 6-month-old baby:

Morning

• 06.00-07.00: Breast milk or infant formula
• 9am-10am: 2-3 tablespoons of puree

Lunch

• 12.00-12.30: Breast milk or infant formula
• 14.00-15.00: 2-3 tablespoons of puree

Afternoon and Evening

• 17.30-18.00: Breast milk or infant formula
• 20.00-21.00: Breast milk or baby formula

Before giving solids, moms can offer breast milk or formula first about 30 minutes beforehand so that the baby is not too hungry. If the baby looks still hungry, it is recommended to wait 15-20 minutes to give breast milk or formula again as dessert.

Recommendations for the First 6 Months of Complementary Food Menu

According to IDAI, a good and safe texture of complementary food for 6-month-old babies is semi-thin or slightly thick food (puree or smooth/thick porridge). Because at this stage the baby is still adapting and is more prone to choking. And do not yet have the ability to independently remove foreign substances that enter the respiratory tract.
To get the texture of this smooth complementary food is by pulverizing or blending food ingredients until it becomes a retail puree. Then moms filter the food until the texture is smoother. Here are some recommendations for the first 6 months of complementary food menu and how to make it:

1. The complementary food 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:

1. Prepare the lean beef and cut it into small pieces or small cubes.
2. Boil the beef in boiled water until fully cooked and tender. Make sure the beef is fully cooked to avoid the risk of infection.
3. 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 along with the beef.
4. Once cooked, drain the beef and vegetables from the cooking water.
5. Puree the beef and vegetables using a blender or food processor. Moms can also add a little cooking water if necessary to achieve a smooth texture that is easily digested by baby.
6. Once smooth, cool the beef and vegetable puree to a safe temperature before giving it to baby.

2. The complementary food menu: Fruit Puree

Ingredients:

• Fruit of moms' choice (banana, avocado, apple, pear, mango, papaya, etc.)
• Boiled water (optional, to soak or boil hard fruits)

How to make:

1. Choose ripe and fresh fruits. Make sure to clean the fruit well before use.
2. If using fruits such as hard apples or pears, you can soak them in boiled water for a few minutes or boil them briefly to help improve the texture and ease the mashing process.
3. Peel the fruit and remove any inedible parts (for example, skin and seeds). Cut the fruit into small pieces to make it easier to puree.
4. Puree the fruit using a blender or food processor until it reaches a soft and consistent texture. Moms can also use a fork to manually mash the fruit if you don't have a masher.
5. If the puree is too thick, you can add a little boiled water or breast milk/baby formula to reach the desired consistency.
6. Once smooth, cool the fruit puree to a safe temperature before giving it to baby.

3. The complementary food menu: Vegetable Puree

Ingredients:

• Vegetables of moms' choice (carrots, potatoes, pumpkin, spinach, broccoli, pumpkin, etc.)
• Boiled water (for boiling or blanching vegetables)

How to make:

1. Choose fresh and ripe vegetables. Make sure to clean the vegetables well before use.
2. If using vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, or pumpkin that are hard, you can boil them until soft to facilitate the mashing process. If using softer vegetables such as spinach or broccoli, you can steam them to maintain their nutritional content.
3. Once the vegetables are cooked, drain them of the cooking water (if any) and let them cool slightly.
4. Cut the vegetables into small pieces for easier pureeing.
5. Puree the vegetables using a blender or food processor until it reaches a soft and consistent texture. You can also use a fork to manually mash the vegetables if you don't have a masher.
6. If the puree is too thick, you can add a little boiled water or vegetable broth to achieve the desired consistency.
7. Once smooth, cool the vegetable puree to a safe temperature before giving it to baby.

4. The complementary food menu: Chicken Puree

Ingredients:

• Skinless chicken breast (about 30-50 grams)
• Boiled water (for boiling)
• Vegetables (optional, such as carrots, potatoes, or pumpkin)

How to make:

1. Prepare skinless chicken breast and cut it into small pieces.
2. Boil the chicken breasts in boiled water until fully cooked and soft. Make sure the chicken is fully cooked to avoid the risk of infection.
3. If using vegetables, cut the vegetables of your choice into small pieces and add them to the pot when the chicken breast is almost cooked. This will allow the vegetables to cook at the same time as the chicken breast.
4. Once cooked, drain the chicken breasts and vegetables from the cooking water.
5. Puree the chicken breast and vegetables using a blender or food processor. Moms can also add a little cooking water if necessary to achieve a smooth texture that is easily digested by baby.
6. Once smooth, cool the chicken and vegetable puree to a safe temperature before giving it to baby.

5. The complementary food menu: Fish Puree

Ingredients:

• Fillets of fish suitable for babies (for example: tilapia, salmon, or mackerel) - about 30-50 grams
• Boiled water (for boiling)
• Vegetables (optional, such as carrots, potatoes, or pumpkin)

How to make:

1. Clean the fish fillets and make sure there are no bones or hard parts.
2. If using vegetables, cut the vegetables into small pieces and add them to the pot while poaching the fish. This will allow the vegetables to cook at the same time as the fish.
3. Boil the fish fillets in boiled water until fully cooked and soft. Make sure the fish is fully cooked to avoid the risk of infection.
4. Once cooked, drain the fish and vegetables from the cooking water.
5. Puree the fish and vegetable fillets using a blender or food processor. Moms can also add a little cooking water if necessary to achieve a smooth texture that is easily digested by baby.
6. Once smooth, cool the fish and vegetable puree to a safe temperature before giving it to baby.

Those are 5 recipes for the 6-month complementary food menu that you can try at home. Besides being delicious, these menu recipes are rich in nutrition and nutrients for your little one. Good luck! (Aq/MKK)