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Solids, Food Chart And Recipes

This food chart will help ensure that your baby’s solid food diet meets their needs.

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If your baby has been transitioning from breastmilk to solid foods, a 7-month-baby food chart can be a helpful guide. During the first six months of life, babies drink breast milk or formula milk to get their complete nutrition. However, after six months, their needs can increase, and it is time to introduce solid foods.

Keeping the transformation slow and introducing foods one by one is essential. Try offering easily digestible, cooked, and mashed food first, then move toward blends. Keep the quantity small and be cautious about choking hazards.

This post provides detailed information on what to feed your 7-month baby and what quantities. It also provides a food chart with some interesting recipes.

How Much Food Should A 7-Month-Baby Eat?

AAP recommends mothers to continue breastfeeding their baby for at least up to 12 months. At seven months, continue to breastfeed your baby while giving them some solid foods. According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), following portions of food from different food groups may be included in your seven months old baby’s diet (1) (2).

Food groupPortion size (per day)
Breast milk or formula milk24 to 32 ounces (oz)
Grain products 1 to 2oz
Fruits2 to 4oz;

cooked, plain/strained/pureed/mashed

Vegetables2 to 4oz;

cooked, plain/strained/pureed/mashed

Meat and protein-rich foods1 to 2oz;

Cooked, plain/strained/pureed/mashed

Food Options For Your Seven Months Old Baby

Traditionally, parents start with single-grain cereals (3) or single vegetable and fruit (blended, mashed or soft cooked). When your baby is around seven to nine months old, you may include a variety of foods from different groups (2) (4).

Food groupFood items
VegetablesBroccoli, cauliflower, peas, spinach, asparagus, parsnips, peppers, carrots, cabbage, avocado, green beans, kale, and pumpkin
FruitsBanana, apple, mango, blueberries, kiwi, pears, strawberries, papaya, melon, peach, plums, and oranges.
Starch-rich foodsPotato, sweet potato, rice, porridge, oatmeal, oats, maize, millet, quinoa, cornmeal, and bread
Protein-rich foodsMeat (chicken, lamb, fish without bones), eggs,  pulses, lentils, beans, and tofu
DairyPasteurized full-fat yogurt without honey, sugar, and artificial sweeteners)

Do not serve milk

Boil and mash hard fruits like apples before serving it to the baby. You may blend fruits and vegetable purees with formula or breast milk. When choosing meat, you can also consider serving meat broth.

Related: How Is Breast Milk Made During Pregnancy & Interesting Facts

All foods should be soft to prevent the risk of choking. Make sure the baby eats slowly and in small portions.

Click here to view an enlarged version of this infographic.

10 Homemade Baby Food Recipes For Your Seven Months Old

You can try these simple nutrient-rich homemade recipes to introduce your child to different flavors and textures of food (5).

1. Steamed apple and pear puree

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • ½ apple, peeled and de-seeded
  • ½ pear, peeled

How to:

  • Cut the apple and pear into wedges or chunks. Put these pieces in a saucepan with water.
  • Bring the water to boil and let it simmer for about 7-8 minutes. Allow it cool.
  • You can make a puree and also use them as finger food (if your baby is ready to eat finger food). You can use yogurt as a dressing!

Related: Apple Puree For Baby: Benefits, Recipes And Precautions

2. Eggy omelet fingers

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • 1 small onion, peeled and chopped
  • 1 egg
  • ½ teaspoon oil

How to:

  • Beat the egg. Cut the onion into small pieces and add it to the egg. Whip them together.
  • Put oil in a frying pan. Once the pan is hot, add the mixture and let it cook.
  • Let the omelet cool. Cut it into thin slices, and serve it to the baby.

3. Hot lentil soup

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • Handful of butternut squash peeled
  • ¼ onion peeled and chopped
  • 30 g red lentils
  • ½ tsp oil
  • Water

How to:

  • De-seed and cut butternut squash into pieces. Finely chop the onions.
  • Heat oil in a frying pan. Add all diced vegetables and let them soften.
  • Then add water and washed/cleaned lentils to the pan. Bring the water to boil and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes.
  • Check if vegetables and lentils have cooked. Once cooked, let the mixture cool down and blend it before serving.

Related: 27 Healthy Soup Recipes For Babies (6-12 Months)

4. Berry porridge

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • 2 tablespoon porridge oats
  • ¼ banana
  • Frozen blueberries (you can use fresh blueberries too)
  • 1 tablespoon yogurt
  • Water

How to:

  • Add oats and water in a saucepan. Let it cook till the mixture thickens and softens.
  • Add small pieces or mashed bananas and blueberries as a topping before serving.

5. Tangy chicken fingers

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • Skinless chicken breast
  • ½ lemon juice

How to:

  • Take skinless chicken breast and slice it into thin medium-sized pieces.
  • Preheat your oven to 200°C (about 400°F).
  • Place the chicken slices in a tray and squeeze a few drops of lemon juice on them.
  • Bake the chicken for 25 minutes. Once baked, you can mince it or give it as finger food.

6. Veggie hotpot

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • ½ leek
  • ½ carrot, peeled and cut
  • 1 potato, peeled and cut
  • 1 tablespoon beans, chopped
  • 1 small broccoli
  • 1 teaspoon oil
  • Water

How to:

  • Peel and cut carrots and potatoes into small pieces. Cut beans and leeks.
  • Take a saucepan with water and add leeks, potato, beans, and carrot. Bring it to boil and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes till all vegetables are cooked.
  • Once cooked and cooled, blend these vegetables into a puree with pasteurized cream cheese.
  • In another pan, cook pieces of broccoli in water for 3-4 minutes. Add these as finger food on top of the puree.

7. Pumpkin and thyme puree

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • ½ pumpkin peeled and cut
  • Thyme leaves

How to:

  • Peel, de-seed, and chop pumpkin into small pieces. Place the pieces on a baking tray.
  • Preheat oven to 175°C (about 350°F).
  • Place the pumpkin and bake for 30 minutes. Once cooled, add thyme and blend it in a mixer.

8. Broccoli and spinach puree

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • 1 medium-sized broccoli, chopped
  • 5-6 spinach leaves chopped
  • Water

How to:

  • Bring water to boil in a pan. Add spinach leaves and broccoli florets. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes.
  • Once cooled, mash it with a fork or blend it before serving to the baby.

Related: Spinach For Babies: Right Age, Benefits And Recipes To Try

9. Avocado and banana mash

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • ½ avocado
  • 1 banana, peeled

How to:

  • Scoop out avocado and keep it in a pan. Add banana to it and mash.
  • You can also add formula or breast milk to the mash and blend it before serving.

10. Root vegetables puree

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
  • 1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped

How to:

  • Place the sweet potato and carrot pieces into a saucepan with water. Bring it to boil and let it simmer for around 10-15 minutes or till the vegetables are soft.
  • Let the veggies cool down and mash it with a fork or blend before serving.

Seven Months Old Baby Food Chart

You may use this sample food chart for your seven months old baby as a reference (6) (7) (8).

Meal nameSample meal
Breakfast (morning)Solid food:

● Iron-fortified infant cereal

Liquid:

● Breast milk or formula milk

Snack (late morning)Solid food:

● Pureed or mashed fruits such as banana, kiwi, strawberries, cooked apple, cooked pear with full-fat plain yogurt (unsweetened).

Liquid:

· Breast milk or formula milk

LunchSolid food:

● Cooked and finely chopped chicken,

● Cooked and mashed vegetables such as pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, squash, etc. with cooked and mashed rice.

Liquid:

● Breast milk or formula milk

Snack (evening)Solid food:

● Cooked and mashed pear

● Cooked and finely chopped carrots or mashed chickpeas.

● Plain yogurt

● Whole-grain cracker

Liquid:

● Breast milk or formula milk

DinnerSolid food:

● Cooked and finely chopped green beans or other cooked vegetables.

Liquid:

● Breast milk or formula milk

Start with one or two tablespoons of food and see if your baby shows signs of being hungry or full. Remember, their bellies are small! You can alternate between solid food and liquids, depending on your baby’s hunger cues.

Try including a variety of colorful foods and textures in the baby’s diet. You can also slowly start introducing finger foods by the end of seven months to develop a habit of self-feeding (6).

Seven Months Old Baby Food Schedule

According to World Health Organization (WHO), complementary foods (food items apart from breast milk) can be given to babies (six to eight months old) up to two to three times per day (9). In addition, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you should give your baby something to drink or eat every two to three hours, that is, about five to six times a day (10).

Tips and Precautions For Feeding A Seven Months Old Baby

These are a few points you should consider when feeding your little one (1) (11).

  • Introduce one single ingredient at a time. Give the food item for three to five days, during which do not give any other new food. Observe the baby for any sign of an allergy.
  • Gradually increase the variety and quantity of food ingredients; start with a teaspoon and then move to a tablespoon.
  • You can also try to give finger foods if your baby seems ready. Your baby may start to grasp items with fingers when they are ready for finger foods. Make sure you are present when your baby is eating, to avoid any choking hazards.

Related: 21 Healthy Finger Foods For Toddlers

  • Wash, peel, and remove seeds and pits before giving fruits and vegetables to your baby.
  • Use a spoon to feed your baby. Make sure your baby sits in a high chair with a table when feeding.
  • Observe and respond to your baby’s hunger cues. Try to develop a predictable routine of all meals and snacks for your baby and limit the time of each meal from 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Avoid added salt, sugar, and butter when making baby food at home. In addition, avoid cow’s milk and honey until your baby is at least 12 months old.

How to Know When a Baby Is Ready for Solid Food?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the following points could indicate that the baby is ready for solid food (3).

  • Has good head control.
  • Can sit upright in a high chair or a feeding seat (with no or little support).
  • Tries to reach out (leans forward) for solid food.
  • Opens mouth and seems eager to eat solid food when offered.
  • Their fingers are able to grasp items, this is a sign that they are ready for solid/ finger foods.

According to UNICEF, delaying the introduction of solid foods may affect a baby’s healthy weight gain (12). So, encourage your baby to eat solids as soon as they show signs of readiness. A 7-month-old baby’s food chart can include various healthy foods, such as grains, pulses, meat, fish, poultry, fruits, and vegetables. With continued breastfeeding or formula feeding, babies can consume these foods in well-cooked puree or mash form.

They can also consume age-appropriate finger foods if they show signs of readiness. Feed them nutritious foods and drinks every two to three hours to support their proper growth and development. If the baby eats lesser than usual on some days, refrain from force-feeding. Remember, the main source of nourishment even for a seven-month-old is breast milk or formula. They can have solids but in small quantities, as they need time to adjust to weaning food’s taste, texture, and digestibility.

References:

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. Guidelines for feeding healthy infants; The United States Department Of Agriculture. (2017)
2. Healthy Eating for 6 to 24 month old children (1) Getting Started; Family Health Service, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (2019)
3. Starting Solid Foods; American Academy of Pediatrics. (2018)
4. What to feed your baby; National Health Service, UK
5. Recipes and meal ideas; National Health Service, UK
6. Menu planning for babies in childcare; Health Eating and Advisory Service
7. Feeding Your Baby: Sample Meals for Babies 6- 12 Months Old; HealthLinkBC. (2014)
8.  Sample Meal Plans for Feeding Your Baby; UnlockFood.Ca. Dietitians of Canada. (2019)
9. What is the recommended food for children in their very early years?; World Health Organization (2011)
10. How much and how often to feed; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018)
11. Feeding Guide for the First Year; Stanford Children’s Health
12. Feeding your baby: When to start with solid foods; UNICEF Parenting

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Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with over eight years of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children. Then she worked as a nutrition faculty and clinical nutrition coach in different... more

Charmaine Dominguez is a plant-based online dietitian nutritionist. She has her own online nutrition practice. Charmaine is currently living in LA, California in the US, and pursuing Masters of Public Health at California State University, Long Beach. She has completed her Bachelor in Nutrition and Dietetics at California State University, Long Beach. Charmaine is passionate about helping others regain control... more

7 Months Old Baby Food Chart Along with Recipes

When your baby hits the seven-month mark, he/she gears up for some important physical milestones like sitting up, teething, etc. Providing the right kind of nourishment in this critical growth period is very important for the baby. During this time, the baby receives the essential nutritional supplements from both, breast milk/formula milk and solid food. Here are some amazing options for healthy food for a 7-month baby that you can incorporate into your child’s diet.

Also Read: 7 Months Old Baby Milestones

Video: Food Ideas for 7 Month Old Baby

Best Foods for Seven Month Old Babies

After introducing a few solid foods to your baby at six months, you can slowly diversify the options and incorporate more variety by the next month. Here are some interesting options for solid food for a 7 month baby.

1. Fruit Puree

Fruits are a great source of vitamins, minerals and fibre. Fruits like apple, chikoo, papaya, banana, watermelon, avocado, etc. are great options for a snack or a meal.

2. Vegetables

Vegetables contain essential multi-vitamins and minerals. Different nutritious vegetables can be given, by steaming them and making a puree. Steamed vegetable wedges can also be fed to the baby as an excellent snack.

3. Porridge

Porridges made from single grain cereals make for a great nutritional supplement for babies. Grains like rice, wheat, oats, barley, millets etc. can be processed and powdered to make a porridge mix.

4. Meat Puree

Meat, such as chicken, are high protein and carbohydrate foods that can be introduced to babies in the form of a puree.

5. Egg

Egg is a popular source of healthy fat and protein. It can be given to babies in bite-sized pieces after boiling.

6. Cheese

Cheese made from pasteurised milk is widely available in the market. It is rich in fat, protein and vitamins, and babies love it as well.

7. Kichdi

Kichdi, made out of rice, wheat, or dal, with mild spice and salt is a filling and nutritious meal for small babies. This also serves as their first taste of adult food.

Also Read: Best Learning Activities For 7 Month Old Baby

Quantity of Food Per Day

Typically, babies who are seven months old take three solid food meals and two snacks in between. Breastfeeding in the morning and night, with some mid-day feeding sessions are also part of the routine.

Typically, babies consume about a quarter cup of puree or porridge in a single meal. Based on the demand, you can increase the quantity. Babies also consume an average of 800-900 ml of Breast milk or formula milk.

Video: Diet Plan for a 7-Month-Old Baby

7 Month Old Baby Food Chart/Meal Plan

Following a food schedule helps immensely in planning and preparing baby meals. It also helps in incorporating a variety of of recipes that balance the nutritional requirements of the baby. Here is a sample 7-month-old baby food schedule that you can follow, to design your own chart.

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 1

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 2

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 3

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 4

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 5

Early morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Breakfast Mashed potato
Mid-morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Lunch Ragi (finger millet) – tur dal puree
Evening Mother’s milk /formula feed
Dinner Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 6

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 7

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 1

Early morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Breakfast
Mid-morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Lunch Palak (spinach)khichdi
Evening Mother’s milk /formula feed
Dinner Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 2

Early morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Breakfast

Wheat sheera (soft) (use jaggery to sweeten it mildly)
Mid-morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Lunch Rice- carrot porridge
Evening Mother’s milk /formula feed
Dinner Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 3

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 4

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 5

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 6

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 7

Early morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Breakfast Spinach-pumpkin puree
Mid-morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Lunch Rice-carrot porridge
Evening Mother’s milk /formula feed
Dinner Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 1

Early morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Breakfast Ragi (finger millet) porridge
Mid-morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Lunch

Bajra (pearl millet) – moong dal (green gram split) khichdi
Evening Mother’s milk /formula feed
Dinner Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 2

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 3

Early morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Breakfast
Mid-morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Lunch

Bajra (pearl millet)- moong dal (green gram split) khichdi
Evening Mother’s milk /formula feed
Dinner Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 4

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 5

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 6

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 7

Early morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Breakfast
Mid-morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Lunch
Evening Mother’s milk /formula feed
Dinner Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 1

Early morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Breakfast Oats porridge
Mid-morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Lunch Spinach-pumpkin puree
Evening Mother’s milk /formula feed
Dinner Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 2

Early morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Breakfast Oats porridge
Mid-morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Lunch Rice- carrot porridge
Evening Mother’s milk /formula feed
Dinner Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 3

Early morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Breakfast Carrot- spinach puree
Mid-morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Lunch

Bajra (pearl millet) – moong dal (green gram split) khichdi
Evening Mother’s milk /formula feed
Dinner Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 4

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 5

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 6

Early morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Breakfast Oats porridge
Mid-morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Lunch

Egg yolk (boiled) or moong dal (green gram split) soup
Evening Mother’s milk /formula feed
Dinner Mother’s milk /formula feed

Diet for a 7 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 7

Early morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Breakfast
Mid-morning Mother’s milk /formula feed
Lunch Wheat sheera (soft)
Evening Mother’s milk /formula feed
Dinner Mother’s milk /formula feed

Video: 7 Month Old Baby Food Recipes

Food Recipes for 7 Month Old Infants

Many babies would have started growing a tooth or two by seven months of age. Even if they do not have well-sprouted teeth, they definitely have stronger gums, which gives them the tendency to chew on finger foods for a long time. Here are some homemade baby food recipes for 7-month-olds.

1. Wheat Pancakes

Ingredients:

  • Wheat flour-1 cup
  • Jaggery syrup- ¼ cup
  • Water– as per requirement
  • Fennel seeds-1 teaspoon

How to Prepare:

  • To the wheat flour add jaggery syrup and mix well.
  • Dilute with water to a semi-solid consistency
  • Add fennel seeds to the batter and mix. Allow it to rest overnight or for a few hours before preparing pancakes.
  • In a tawa, grease with ghee and pour it in the shape of dosa.
  • Cook on both sides with ghee and tease it out to serve.

2. Ragi Apple Porridge

Ingredients:

  • Ragi flour-1 cup
  • Apple- ½
  • Ghee-1 teaspoon
  • Water-as per requirement

How to Prepare:

  • Cut and peel the apple into small cubes. Steam it in water or in a pressure cooker and mash it well to a smooth paste.
  • In a pan mix the water and ragi flour to a smooth paste and cook it in low flame till it bubbles.
  • To this mixture add the apple puree and cook further for five minutes.
  • Switch off the heat once it’s cooked and add a spoonful of ghee.

3. Millet Porridge

Ingredients:

  • Homemade millet powder-1/2 cup
  • Water- 1-2 cups
  • Breast milk/formula milk- ½ cup

How to Prepare:

  • In a vessel, mix the millet flour with water and stir continuously to make a smooth paste without lumps.
  • Switch on the heat and cook the mixture well till it starts to form bubbles.
  • At this stage reduce the heat and add the milk to bring it to the required consistency.
  • As an additional flavour, you can add the puree of any fruit to give it a sweetness.

4. Moong Dal Khichdi

Ingredients:

  • Green moong dal-1/2 cup
  • Rice-1/2 cup
  • Turmeric powder-1 teaspoon
  • Cumin seeds- ¼ teaspoon
  • Ghee-1 teaspoon
  • Water-3/4 cup

How to Prepare:

  • Clean the rice and dal and soak it for about half an hour
  • Add a pinch of turmeric powder and cumin seeds to the drained dal and rice .
  • Cook it in a pressure cooker with a ¾ cup of water.
  • Mash it with a blender or with a ladle and feed

5. Pear Puree

Ingredients:

  • Pear-1
  • Water/milk-1/4 cup

How to Prepare:

  • Clean and peel the pear. Cut the fruit into small pieces after taking out the seed.
  • In a pan of boiling water, cook the fruits for a few minutes with closed lid.
  • Mash the cooked pear with a blender or a mixie.
  • Add water or milk to the puree to bring it to the right consistency.

6. Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

  • Red lentils- 3 tablespoons
  • Carrot- 1
  • Onion- 1/2 an onion
  • Water- as required
  • Oil- 1 teaspoon

How to Prepare:

  • Finely chop the the onion and carrot.
  • Heat the oil in a pan, on medium flame, add the onions and cook till translucent.
  • Add the carrots and saute for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the lentils to the pan.
  • Pour water till the lentils are covered and allow to boil.
  • Cook for 15-20 minutes until the lentils are soft.
  • Cool down completely, and puree into a soup consistency.
  • Warm it up before serving to your baby.

7. Carrot Badam Kheer

Ingredients:

  • Carrot- 2
  • Almonds/ Badam- 5
  • Milk- 3/4th cup
  • Sugar- 3 tablespoons

How to Prepare:

  • Wash, peel, and cut the carrots in halves.
  • Add water and pressure cook for 2 whistles.
  • Once completely cooled, grind into a smooth puree.
  • Transfer to a pan, add sugar and milk, and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Serve warm.

Also Read: Toys for a 7-month-old Baby

Feeding Tips

Here are some important tips for feeding your seven-month-old baby,

  • Do not force feed your baby. Different babies have different appetites and taste preferences. Look at the wet and soiled diaper count (which should ideally be 5 or above, per day) to determine if they are getting enough food. Supplement solid foods with a generous amount of breast milk or formula milk to make up for the nutritional requirements.
  • When introducing a new food, always wait for three days. This gives time for the body to react to the food and show symptoms of an allergic reaction. In cases where the baby has an allergy to a particular food, stop it for a few months and retry again.
  • Keep a dedicated place for eating food, to establish proper eating habits. This habit creates a connection between the place and food, in the baby’s mind, making feeding sessions less strenuous for the parents.
  • Encourage the babies to explore different food by giving them finger foods. At this age, babies tend to have a strong urge for biting and finger foods greatly help them soothe the gums. This also gives them a first-hand experience with the texture and taste of their food.
  • Avoid feeding with a distraction. This takes away from the fun of enjoying their food.
  • Gagging or choking is a serious hazard in babies, especially when they eat food with lumps or when they chew off a large piece of finger food. Try to monitor the baby while he or she is eating, and react immediately in the event of the baby having a chocking episode.
  • Clean fruits and vegetables properly before feeding them to your child. Fruit and vegetable purees can be used as a snack option, rather than a meal. Try to avoid mixing milk with fruits, as it interferes with digestion.
  • Clean and sterilise the utensils used for making baby food, as babies tend to catch infections very soon. Make use of a good food processor to prepare baby food without lumps.

Seven-month-old babies require a healthy and nutritious diet to fuel their developing body and brain. It is also a transitory phase where they start eating solid food and get acquainted with different tastes. Exposing them to as many vegetables and fruits will go a long way in establishing good eating habits.

Disclaimer:

  1. Each child is different and so use these meal plans as a trusted guide as per your discretion. You can modify the meals according to your child’s preferences / requirements.
  2. Never force-feed a child.
  3. While preparing formula, please follow the instructions on the box and use the measuring spoon provided with it.
  4. While introducing solid food to a baby, initially, one needs to prepare watery gruels/soups. As a child gets older, the caretaker/ mother has to increase the thickness of the liquids slowly according to the child’s capacity to swallow. Foods that are too thick can cause stomach upset/ unnecessary load; while excessively watery food might cause the child to remain hungry.
  5. Some kids may eat less on some days and that is absolutely alright. However, if a child eats less for more than 3-4 consecutive days, please visit a doctor to guide further.
  6. A child may eat less during the teething phase or if he/she may not be feeling well. You could increase breast milk /formula feeds on those days. Re-introduce the foods once the child is back to normal.
  7. Don’t stop feeding if the child is suffering from diarrhoea.
  8. You can alter the taste of the food by adding some natural flavours like cinnamon, jeera powder, lemon juice, curry leaves etc. if the child doesn’t accept the food initially.
  9. If your child suffers from an allergy to nuts, gluten or eggs, please consult your doctor before feeding him/her any foods that may contain them.

Also Read: Food Ideas for 8 Months Old Baby

Diet for a child aged 7 months

When compiling a diet for a seven-month-old baby, distribute the products so that you get a certain prototype of the menu of an already grown-up child with breakfast and lunch.

At this age, the yolk of a boiled chicken egg, a valuable source of fat, vitamin B12, A, phosphorus and selenium, is introduced into the child's diet. Chopped yolk can be added to porridge or vegetable puree.

At the age of 7 months, you can already give your baby a cracker (in the form of dried bread) and baby biscuits.

The volume of fruit puree and juice is increased to 70 g.

It is still better to give preference to commercially produced complementary foods, given their high degree of safety and variety. If the baby does not perceive a new product the first time, it can be mixed with an already familiar product.

Approximate diet for a child aged 7 months.

I feeding
6 hours 		Breast milk
or VHI* 		200 ml
II feeding
10 hours 		Dairy-free or milk porridge **
Butter
Boiled egg yolk
Supplementation with breast milk or VHI

150 g
about ½ tsp.
¼ pcs
50 ml

III feeding
14 hours 		Vegetable puree
Vegetable oil
Meat puree
Fruit juice 		170 g
approx. 1 tsp.
30 g
70 ml
IV feeding
18 hours 		Fruit puree
Baby biscuits
Breast milk supplement or VHI

70 g
1-2 pcs
130 ml

V feeding
22 hours 		Breast milk or VHI 200 ml

* - infant formula
** - dairy-free porridge should be diluted with breast milk or infant formula that the child receives. Milk porridge is diluted with water.

Approximate diet of a 7-month-old child with cow's milk protein allergy:

I feeding
6 hours 		Breast milk or formula for infants with intolerance to cow's milk proteins 200 ml
II feeding
10 hours 		Dairy-free porridge*
Vegetable oil
Fruit puree (apple, pear) 		130 g
approx. 1 tsp.
70 g
III feeding
14 hours 		Vegetable puree
Vegetable oil
Meat puree (rabbit, turkey) 		170 g
approx. 1 tsp.
30 g
IV feeding
18 hours 		Vegetables or dairy-free porridge**
Vegetable oil
Meat puree 		180 g
approx. 1 tsp.
20 g
V feeding
22 hours 		Breast milk or medicated formula for infants with cow's milk protein intolerance 200 ml

* - dairy-free porridge should be diluted with breast milk or formula for children with intolerance to cow's milk proteins.
** - you can either alternate porridge or vegetables, or offer a mixed dish - porridge with vegetables.

Baby menu at seven months

0-6 months

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What should be the menu for a 7 month old baby? What foods and in what quantity can be introduced into the diet at this age? When and at what intervals to give the baby to eat? We will help develop an approximate menu for a 7-month-old baby and answer the most exciting questions regarding the nutrition of a baby up to a year old.

7 min. for reading Feb. 17, 2022

Contents

  • Diet: when and how much should a child eat at 7 months
  • Baby's menu at 7 months: introducing new products
  • Consistency of dishes
  • Meal schedule and approximate menu for each day
  • Sample diet for a 7 month old baby allergic to cow's milk proteins: table
  • FAQ
  • Breastfeed your baby every 3-4 hours while breastfeeding.
  • If you give your baby expressed breast milk, he needs approximately 710 grams per day. With 5-6 meals a day, this is about 120 to 200 grams of milk per meal.
  • If the baby is formula fed (FW), he needs 170 to 230 grams of formula up to 4 times a day, provided that 2 more feedings replace complementary foods. To find out how much mixture you need, be guided by the instructions on the package, the recommendations of the pediatrician.
  • From the age of 6 months, only mother's milk or adapted infant formula is not enough for a baby - he needs a variety of complementary foods. Introduce no more than one new product per day into the child’s menu at 7 months and consult a pediatrician first. After getting acquainted with different foods, up to three complementary foods can be given daily: this can be one or two tablespoons or 115-170 grams (8-12 tablespoons), depending on the baby and the specific product.

Important

The calculation of servings and the number of feedings depends on the individual characteristics of the development and needs of the child. Therefore, first of all, be guided by the recommendations of your pediatrician and the needs of the baby.

Baby menu at 7 months: introducing new products

The basis of the diet is still breast milk or infant formula. To diversify the menu, children's adapted food will help: fruit and vegetable purees, milk and dairy-free cereals, juices, as well as some products from the "adult table".

Cereals

At 7 months, dairy-free and milk porridges, along with breast milk, are the basis of a child's nutrition. To start complementary foods, choose gluten-free liquid one-component cereals with a high iron content: rice, buckwheat, oatmeal. A little later - corn and semolina. Start complementary foods with half or a whole teaspoon, gradually increasing the serving to 150 grams.

Important

Dairy-free porridge is diluted with breast milk or milk formula, milk - with purified boiled water.

Find out more: Gerber® Baby Cereals: product range

Vegetable and fruit purees

Vegetable and fruit purees diversify the diet and introduce new tastes to the baby. According to WHO recommendations, the best product to start with is a one-component vegetable puree made from zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower or potatoes. These vegetables are less allergenic than other foods. If the child does not have allergies, pumpkin, carrot, pea and tomato puree can be given a little later.

Find out more: Gerber® Vegetable Purees

After introducing vegetable purees into your diet, it's time for your baby to get to know sweet and healthy fruit purees. Like vegetable, fruit complementary foods are also recommended to start with one-component low-allergenic foods. Apple, pear or banana puree is best for this. Start with half or a whole teaspoon and gradually increase the serving to 100-150 grams.

Find out more: Gerber® fruit purees

Meat

Meat is a developmentally necessary food rich in iron and protein, which is well absorbed in the body. Start with homogenized options. The product must contain only one type of meat (diet turkey, rabbit, chicken, veal) and no additional components. If the crumbs have a tendency to food allergies, choose meat very carefully, it is better to consult a doctor in advance. Pay attention to the composition of baby food and its age-appropriate baby. First, let the baby try half a teaspoon. If no adverse reactions occur, gradually increase the meat rate to 60 grams.

Find out more: Gerber® Meat Purees

Juices

Fruit juice is great for snacking and menu variety. Young children tolerate clarified apple and pear juice better, so they should be introduced first. Give the baby adapted baby juices: they do not contain sugar or other additives undesirable for the child. Ordinary store-bought juices can only be drunk by children over three years old.

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Advice

Introduce your baby to juices after introducing cereals and vegetable purees. Often the child gets used to sweet juices and then does not eat foods with a less bright taste.

Egg yolk

In addition to cereals and mashed potatoes, boiled egg yolk is introduced at the age of 7 months, as it is an excellent source of omega-fats, selenium, phosphorus and vitamins. Please note that you need to give the egg not the whole, but only the yolk. But, like any other product that you give to try for the first time, it should be introduced carefully and little by little to make sure that the baby does not have an allergy. Do not combine with other food! Only when you "test" the yolk, it is allowed to add it to cereals and vegetable purees.

Important

It is believed that allergic children can be fed quail eggs. But it is important to remember that quail eggs can also be allergic, as they also contain egg white - an allergen that is found in chicken eggs. Therefore, do not experiment, but seek the advice of a pediatrician.

See also: Introduction of complementary foods to children with food allergies

Baby cookies and croutons

At seven months, some babies begin to erupt their first teeth. Therefore, you can add crackers and children's cookies to food. But do not forget that they should not be too hard so that the child does not get hurt and choke. It is also better to choose special products without added salt, sugar, synthetic leavening agents and preservatives.

Important

The child should eat solid food in a sitting position and strictly under adult supervision.

Consistency of dishes

The main component of the diet remains liquid and homogeneous (no lumps) - breast milk or milk formula, milk and dairy-free cereals. As the baby grows, the baby's food should change from liquid and homogeneous to thicker and puree, mashed. When the body adapts and is able to digest solid food, they begin to carefully introduce small, medium and coarsely ground foods, give children's cookies and crackers. At 7 months, some babies already have teeth, but the child cannot yet chew thoroughly and safely swallow vegetables, fruits and meat. Therefore, solid food should be given only in a grated form. It is important that the puree is not too thick, otherwise the child may accidentally choke.

Advice

If you are making puree yourself, carefully remove everything that is not rubbed and can get into the crumbs' respiratory tract: bones, fat, veins, skin, films. To make the puree easier to swallow, add some boiled water, unsalted vegetable broth, vegetable puree already familiar to the baby, or breast milk (milk mixture).

By about 7 months of age, the baby has mastered the skill of "palm grip" and can independently hold solid food in the handle. From now on, you can give your child special baby cookies or snacks. At the same time, make sure that the baby eats slowly, in a sitting position and does not choke.

Important

Your baby should be ready for more sticky or solid foods. Therefore, before changing the consistency of food for a child, consult a pediatrician.

What can be given to children at 7 months and at what time to feed? Parents can begin to form a classic division of food consumption per day. But at 7 months, the baby needs to be fed not three or four, but five times a day at intervals of four hours. The first and final feeding is mother's milk or formula. Complementary foods are not given at this time in order to prevent overeating.

*Dairy-free porridge should be diluted with breast milk or infant formula given to the baby. Milk porridge is diluted with water.

Advice

Do not salt or sweeten food. It is better to introduce the baby to sugar and salt after a year.

Feeding time Products Serving Size
I feeding 6 hours Breast milk or medicated formula for infants with cow's milk protein intolerance 200 ml
II feeding 10 hours Nestle® Dairy-Free Rice Porridge* 130 g
Vegetable oil (add to food) about 1 tsp.
Gerber® Apple or Williams Pears Fruit Puree 70 g
III feeding 14 hours Gerber® Vegetable Puree Broccoli, Cauliflower 170 g
Vegetable oil (add to food) about 1 tsp.
Gerber® Meat Puree Tender Vegetables with Rabbit 30 g
IV feeding 18 hours Vegetable puree or dairy-free porridge** 170 g
Vegetable oil (add to food) about 1 tsp.
Gerber® Tender Turkey Meat Puree 20 g
V feeding 22 hours Breast milk or formula for infants with intolerance to cow's milk proteins 200 ml

*Dairy-free porridge should be diluted with breast milk or formula for infants with intolerance to cow's milk proteins. **you can either alternate porridge or vegetables, or offer a mixed dish - porridge with vegetables.

Now you know what products and in what form can be introduced into the child's menu at 7 months. It is preferable if it is certified baby food that meets all age requirements and high safety standards.

See also: Do we cook ourselves or use baby food?

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