Feeding Progression: 0 - 12 months - Kids Clinic

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Dr Dave: 28 Mar - 2 Apr

(Last updated: 28 Mar)
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Feeding Progression: 0 - 12 months

1. 0 – 12 months: Breastmilk and/or Formula Milk, with introduction to solids as per advice below.

2. 4 – 6 months: Can introduce solids when your child is about 4 – 6 months. Typical first solids include runny smooth puree textures like thin smooth white or brown rice iron-fortified baby cereal (see image below)

3. 6 – 7 months: As your child gets better with his/her spoon-feeding skills on runny textures, you can start to thicken the puree by adding less water to it. Examples of thick smooth puree textures (see image below) include:

  • Thick white/brown rice iron-fortified baby cereal
  • Thick smooth pureed apples, pears, bananas, papayas, pumpkins, spinach, potatoes
  • Thick smooth yoghurt
  • Thick smooth custard

4. 7 – 8 months: Once your child is coping with smooth puree, the next goal is to increase the texture of the puree. Your child’s puree can now contain little lumps. Examples of thick lumpy puree textures (see image below) include:

  • Thick lumpy porridge with lumps of mashed meat and vegetables
  • Lumpy mashed apples, pears, bananas, papayas, mangoes, avocados, kiwis, pumpkins, spinach, potatoes, carrots, broccoli
  • Lumpy mashed fish, chicken, pork
5. 7 – 8 months: At this stage, you can also introduce your child to cup drinking for fluids. You can start out with just sips of water or milk, and make it fun. It is expected that the fluid will spill and it will be messy initially. However, practicing it repeatedly will allow your child to perfect his/her cup drinking skills. You can:
  • Use an open cup or cut-out cup (not a sippy or spouted cup)
  • Offer small and single sips with jaw support

6. 8 – 10 months: We want your child to practise chewing harder textured foods at this age too. You can start off by giving your child some hard meltable solids (solids which soften with saliva) to chew on, while making sure that they are not choking hazards. Some examples include:

  • Baby bites
  • Star puffs
  • Round milk biscuits
  • Yoghurt melts

7. 8 – 10 months: Besides a cup, you can also offer a straw for fluids at this age. This will equip your child with another useful skill for drinking. You can:

  • Start off with a short and thin straw
  • Offer small and single sips

8. 8 – 10 months: As your child’s chewing skills improve, he/she should be able to handle soft food cut into small pieces during mealtimes. You can start to include soft textured foods in his/her diet in all food groups, such as:

  • Soft apples, pears, bananas, papayas, mangoes, avocados, kiwis, pumpkins, spinach, potatoes, carrots, broccoli, cheese
  • Soft fish, chicken, pork, nuggets
  • Soft bread
  • Softly cooked pasta, rice, noddles, macaroni
  • Well-cooked scrambled eggs


You can continue to offer the cup or straw for drinking.

9. 11 – 12 months: As your child continues to practise chewing soft textured foods, you can now start to introduce more regular adult food in his/her diet. Soon, your child will be able to eat the foods that you are eating.

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Incorporated in 2005, Singapore Medical Group (SMG) is a healthcare organisation with a network of private specialist providers across four established pillars - Aesthetics, Diagnostic Imaging & Screening, Oncology and Women's and Children's Health. Within Singapore, SMG has more than 40 clinics strategically located in central Singapore and heartland estates. Beyond Singapore, SMG also has an established presence in Indonesia, Vietnam and Australia. Learn about our privacy policy here.

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