When planning a 6 month baby’s food menu, mothers need to pay attention to nutritional needs. Babies who have reached the age of need complementary foods for breast milk, so their food intake must be healthy and balanced, to support their growth and development. There are times when mothers feel anxious because they feel that their baby is underweight. Then try to increase the baby’s weight by providing a variety of foods.
Various Kinds of 6 Month Baby Food to Gain Weight
To increase the baby’s weight, there are several foods that can be given, namely:
- Banana
Bananas are rich in potassium, vitamins C and B6, and carbohydrates. This fruit is also loaded with calories, making it a 6 month baby food that can help gain weight. Mothers can serve bananas by mashing them until they are completely smooth, before giving them to the baby. - Sweet potato
Sweet potatoes are easy to process into food for 6 month old babies. Mothers simply boil or steam it, then puree it, before giving it to the baby. These tubers are delicious, easy to digest, and rich in vitamins A, C, B6, phosphorus, potassium, and manganese. All these nutrients help babies to provide nutrition and gain weight. Apart from that, sweet potatoes are also full of dietary fiber, so they are good for baby’s digestion. How to process sweet potatoes, you can make porridge or make delicious purees and soups. - Avocado
This greenish-yellow fleshed fruit is rich in vitamins B6, E, C, K, folate, dietary fiber, iron and pantothenic acid. Apart from that, avocados also have a high percentage of healthy fats. This fruit can be served as a soft puree, as food for babies aged 6 months. - Chicken
Chicken is a source of easily digestible protein and helps increase baby weight, by building muscle mass. Chicken is also a versatile food choice and can be served in any form. However, make sure to puree it before serving it as food for a 6 month baby. - Olive oil
Olive oil is an example of a source of healthy fat that can be used to increase baby weight. Try adding a teaspoon of olive oil to porridge or pureed baby food for extra calories. - Peanut butter
Nuts are not only nutrient dense and rich in healthy fats. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology recommends introducing peanut butter to babies as early as 6 months of age, to help prevent future food allergies. - Cheese and Yogurt
Cheese and yoghurt are dairy products that are rich in nutrients. Try adding grated cheese or yoghurt specifically for babies, to puree or food for variety and additional nutrition, to increase their weight. However, give it gradually and observe whether any allergic reactions appear.
These are some 6 month baby foods to gain weight. So, it’s best to avoid giving honey to children under 1 year old because it can cause babies to experience botulism. Remember that maintaining healthy eating habits is more important than getting baby to reach a target weight. Let your baby eat a healthy and balanced diet, so that he will eventually reach a healthy weight.
If you are worried that your baby is not gaining weight even though you have tried these tips and foods, consult a doctor or midwife. That way, the doctor or midwife will be able to evaluate the situation and prescribe weight gain supplements for children if necessary.
