There is no photograph quite like a baby's first taste of real food — the surprise, the frown, the sudden grin. Around six months, when baby can sit with support and shows interest in your plate, the weaning journey begins.
Where tradition and paediatricians agree
Health bodies like the WHO recommend exclusive breastfeeding for about the first six months, then gradually introducing soft complementary foods while breastfeeding continues. Tamil tradition arrived at much the same place: single-ingredient porridges, softly mashed, offered patiently.
Beloved traditional first foods
Well-cooked rice kanji, sprouted ragi porridge, mashed banana, steamed and mashed vegetables, and gentle dal water are time-honoured starters. Introduce one new food at a time and wait a few days before the next, watching for any reaction.
The golden safety notes
No honey before age one, no salt or sugar needed in the first year, and no whole nuts or hard pieces that could cause choking. Textures move gradually — smooth, then mashed, then soft lumps — as baby learns the brand-new skill of eating.
Slow bites, small spoons, endless patience — and one very messy bib.
Our infant weaning bootcamps walk new parents through recipes, schedules and safety in loving detail — because confidence at the high chair changes everything.
