Quick Answer: At 7 months, your baby needs 3 small solid meals plus 2 snacks daily, along with breast milk (maa ka doodh) or formula as the primary nutrition source. Start with single-ingredient purees, then gradually introduce Indian staples like khichdi, dal rice, and ragi porridge. Don't worry if baby eats very little initially - this is completely normal!
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Is Your 7-Month-Old Ready for Solids?
Watch: Always look for this early hunger cues.Do you feed your baby only after they start crying?
By 7 months, most babies show these signs of readiness:
Can sit with support
Shows interest in food (reaching for your plate!)
Has lost the tongue-thrust reflex
Can move food from front to back of mouth
Reassurance for new parents: If your baby takes only 1-2 spoons of food and seems uninterested, don't panic! At this age, breast milk/formula still provides 70-80% of nutrition. Solid foods are for practice and exposure, not for filling tummy.
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Best Foods for 7-Month-Old Babies
Fruits (Phal) - Start Here!
Fruit
How to Prepare
Benefits
**Banana (Kela)**
Mash with fork
Easy to digest, energy-rich
**Apple (Seb)**
Steam and puree
Good for digestion
**Chikoo**
Ripe and mashed
Sweet, iron-rich
**Papaya**
Mashed ripe
Aids digestion
**Mango (Aam)**
Pureed (in season)
Vitamin A, loved by babies
**Pear (Nashpati)**
Steam and mash
Gentle on tummy
Vegetables (Sabzi)
Vegetable
How to Prepare
Benefits
**Sweet potato (Shakarkandi)**
Steam and mash
Vitamin A, naturally sweet
**Carrot (Gajar)**
Steam and puree
Beta-carotene, bright color
**Lauki (Bottle gourd)**
Boil and mash
Light, easy to digest
**Pumpkin (Kaddu)**
Steam and puree
Vitamin A, mild taste
**Potato (Aloo)**
Boil and mash
Energy, filling
Grains (Anaaj) - Indian Favorites
Grain
Recipe Idea
Benefits
**Rice (Chawal)**
Soft rice with dal water
Easy first grain
**Ragi**
Ragi porridge with jaggery
Calcium, iron-rich
**Suji (Semolina)**
Suji kheer
Easy to digest
**Oats (Jaee)**
Oats porridge
Fiber, fills tummy
**Dalia**
Sweet or savory dalia
Whole grain goodness
Proteins (Best for Growth)
Protein Source
How to Give
Notes
**Moong dal**
Soft cooked, mashed
Start with this dal
**Masoor dal**
Pureed with rice
Iron-rich
**Curd (Dahi)**
Plain, full-fat
Calcium, probiotics
**Egg yolk**
Boiled, mashed
Start with yolk only
**Paneer**
Mashed soft
Calcium, protein
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7-Month-Old Baby Food Chart - Weekly Meal Plan
Week 1-2 Sample Plan
Time
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
**Morning (8 AM)**
Breast milk/Formula
BM/Formula
BM/Formula
BM/Formula
BM/Formula
BM/Formula
BM/Formula
**Breakfast (10 AM)**
Banana mash
Apple puree
Ragi porridge
Suji kheer
Oats + banana
Rice cereal
Banana + curd
**Lunch (1 PM)**
Moong dal khichdi
Carrot puree
Lauki puree
Dal rice
Sweet potato mash
Khichdi
Vegetable soup
**Evening (4 PM)**
Breast milk/Formula
BM/Formula
BM/Formula
BM/Formula
BM/Formula
BM/Formula
BM/Formula
**Dinner (7 PM)**
Papaya mash
Pumpkin puree
Chikoo mash
Apple puree
Mashed potato
Fruit puree
Dal water + rice
**Night**
Breast milk/Formula
BM/Formula
BM/Formula
BM/Formula
BM/Formula
BM/Formula
BM/Formula
Week 3-4 Sample Plan (More Variety)
As baby gets comfortable, introduce:
Mixed vegetable khichdi
Ragi dosa batter (soft)
Curd rice
Egg yolk (if non-vegetarian)
Combination purees (apple + carrot)
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Daily Routine for 7-Month-Old
Time
Activity
**6-7 AM**
Wake up, breast milk/formula
**8-9 AM**
Playtime, tummy time
**10 AM**
Breakfast (solid food)
**10:30-12 PM**
Morning nap
**12-1 PM**
Breast milk/formula, play
**1-2 PM**
Lunch (solid food)
**2-4 PM**
Afternoon nap
**4-5 PM**
Breast milk/formula, play
**6 PM**
Light snack/fruit
**7 PM**
Dinner (solid food)
**7:30-8 PM**
Bath, massage, bedtime routine
**8-8:30 PM**
Breast milk/formula, sleep
Flexibility note: This is just a guide! Every baby is different. Follow your baby's hunger cues and adjust timing as needed.
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Easy Indian Recipes for 7-Month-Old
1. Simple Moong Dal Khichdi
Ingredients: 1 tbsp rice, 1 tbsp moong dal, pinch of turmeric, water
Method:
Wash rice and dal, soak for 30 minutes
Pressure cook with 1 cup water and turmeric (3-4 whistles)
Mash well until smooth
Add a drop of ghee while serving
2. Ragi Porridge (Ragi Kanji)
Ingredients: 1 tbsp ragi flour, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup milk (breast milk/formula/cow's milk)
Method:
Mix ragi flour with water to make smooth paste
Cook on low heat, stirring continuously
Add milk and cook for 2-3 minutes
Cool and serve (can add mashed banana or jaggery for sweetness)
Start with single ingredients - Wait 3 days before introducing new food to check for allergies
Keep consistency smooth - Gradually make it thicker as baby adjusts
Offer water in sippy cup - 2-3 sips after meals
Feed in upright position - Use high chair or sit baby on your lap
Make mealtime fun - Sing, talk, make eye contact
Be patient - May need to offer food 10-15 times before baby accepts it
Don'ts:
Don't add salt or sugar - Baby's kidneys can't handle salt; sugar creates bad habits
Don't mix milk with fruits - Can cause digestive issues
Don't force feed - Creates negative association with food
Don't distract with screens - Baby needs to focus on eating
Don't give honey - Risk of infant botulism until age 1
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
Expecting baby to finish everything - Even 1-2 spoons is a success initially!
Starting with fruit only - Balance with vegetables to prevent sweet preference
Giving packaged foods too often - Homemade is always better than Cerelac
Not offering water - Especially important in Indian summer
Comparing with other babies - Every child has different appetite
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When to Seek Help
Consult your pediatrician if:
Baby refuses all solid foods even after trying for 2-3 weeks
Severe allergic reaction (rash, vomiting, difficulty breathing)
Baby is losing weight or not gaining adequately
Persistent constipation or diarrhea with new foods
Gagging or choking happens frequently
Baby shows no interest in food by 8-9 months
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My baby only wants breast milk and refuses all solid food. What should I do?
A: This is common! Continue offering small amounts without pressure. Make sure baby is hungry (not right after a milk feed). Try different textures and temperatures. Some babies take a few weeks to accept solids.
Q: Can I give my 7-month-old non-vegetarian food?
A: Yes! Egg yolk, chicken, and fish can be introduced after 6 months. Start with well-cooked, finely pureed meat. Many pediatricians recommend egg as an early food due to its excellent nutrition.
Q: Is homemade food better than Cerelac?
A: Yes, homemade food is preferred. It's fresher, has no preservatives, and helps baby get used to family foods. Cerelac can be used occasionally for convenience, but shouldn't replace homemade meals.
Q: My baby gags on food. Is this choking?
A: Gagging is different from choking - it's a normal protective reflex and actually prevents choking. Baby may make faces, cough, or bring food forward. True choking is silent - baby can't make sounds. If gagging is excessive, try smoother textures.
Q: How much water should I give?
A: 2-4 ounces (60-120ml) throughout the day is enough. Offer sips during and after meals. Breast milk/formula still provides most hydration.
Q: Can I add ghee to baby's food?
A: Yes! Ghee is excellent for babies. It provides healthy fats for brain development. Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon to khichdi, dal, or vegetables.
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Key Takeaways
Breast milk/formula is still primary nutrition - Solids are supplementary at 7 months
Introduce one new food every 3 days - Watch for allergies
Homemade Indian foods are perfect - Khichdi, dal rice, ragi are excellent choices
Don't stress about quantity - Focus on variety and exposure
Every baby is different - Follow your baby's cues, not rigid schedules
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This article was reviewed by pediatricians at Babynama. Last updated: January 2026
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