9 Month Baby Food – What to Give, What Not to Give and Sample Schedule

Babies need strength to explore everything around them and the source of their strength is food. So it is very important to offer them proper nutrition and include food from all possible groups. Some even start getting more than one tooth, so nibbling is easier.

Top Five Best Foods For Your 9 Month Old Baby

A baby’s growth and development are dependent on the nutrition they are given. Solid meals are very integral at this stage for the development of the brain and the body. Some of the food options for the 9 month baby are given as under

1. Fruits

Fruits are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients. This month is an excellent time to introduce blueberries, cranberries, and grapes.

2. Vegetables

Another great source of nutrition for babies is vegetables. At this stage, you can start introducing more vegetables like bell pepper, turnip, coconut, and asparagus. Remember to cook each vegetable properly and follow the three-day rule to check for allergies.

3. Non-Vegetarian

Non-vegetarian food is introduced after seven months, and it is a good source of protein for the baby. Non-veg foods also offer nutrition as well as strength. The ninth month is a good time to add shellfish to your baby’s diet. Shellfish are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins. They promote your baby’s immune system and ensure proper bone development and overall growth.

4. Finger Foods

This is a good time to introduce finger foods to your baby. Bread pieces and scrambled eggs are some good initial foods that you can introduce to your munchkin. Additionally, you can also introduce meatballs and biscuits.

5. Others

Apart from the foods mentioned above, you must continue to give all the foods mentioned so far at regular intervals. You must include grains, nuts, seeds, paneer, cereals, etc. Including a variety of feeds will ensure that the meals have the complete nutrition your baby requires. In addition, your baby will not forget flavors and will continue to eat whatever is offered without fuss

Food Chart For a 9 Month Old Baby

For developing chewing power as well as a liking for different foods, babies should have exposure to foods of different shapes, tastes and textures. At the same time, the food should be healthy and nutritious and fulfill the needs of the baby. Here is list of 9 month baby food:

• Fruits: Blueberry, Grapes,  Cranberry
• Vegetables: Coconut, Asparagus, Turnip, Spinach, Bell Pepper
• Grains: Poha, Quinoa, Dalia, Wheat

[Read : Spinach For Babies: 8 Amazing Health Benefits]

List of Top 6 Foods to Avoid for Nine Month Old Baby

Proper nutrition is definitely the key to a healthy and strong baby. It is the reason why so many different varieties of food from all groups are given to babies. It is, however, important to remember that certain foods should be even avoided as they can result in infections, choking, other illnesses etc. Some of the foods to avoid are:

1. Fruit Juice and Beverages

Soda, tetra pack of juices, and sports drinks are not advisable for babies younger than a year. The juice purchased from the market contains added sugar which results in high calories. This also leads to additional weight gain which is not healthy. It can even result in tooth decay.

2. Unpasteurized Foods

It is strictly prohibited to give unpasteurized food to babies since it can be dangerous due to the presence of bacteria.

3. Soy and Cow Milk

Cow milk and soy milk can have digestion issues for babies who are younger than a year. It is not good for the kidney of the baby.

[Read : Soy Milk For Babies – Benefits And Side-Effects]

4. Chokeable Foods

It is always advisable to prevent choking of babies by giving them small bite size pieces of food.

5. Raw Vegetables

Raw vegetables should never be given to babies. One should always cook them properly before giving the baby.

6. Sticky Foods

Things that can get stuck to the baby’s throat should be totally avoided like peanut butter, chewing gums, candies, jellies as they can result in choking.

Nine Months Old Baby Food Schedule

The food chart for a 9 month old baby should have a balanced food diet, can include all sorts of fruits and vegetables for adequate nutrition. He needs to be fed milk as well as solids. A food chart for a 9 month baby is shared as below

• Morning – Wake Up and Nurse 120 ml
• Breakfast – I cup of Pureed Fruits or Cereal
• Mid-Morning Snack – Breast milk or Formula Milk (about 120 ml)
• Lunch – Rice/Ragi With Dal or Vegetable
• Evening Snack – ¼ Cup Soup, Boiled Veggies, or Fruits
• Dinner – Khichdi
• Bedtime – Breast milk or Formula Milk (about 120 m) or Water 

Sample Feeding Schedule for a Nine Month Old Baby

A nine month baby becomes active day by day as they start crawling, sitting by themselves, some even start standing with support. This is the reason they need immense energy and proper nutrition.

A food schedule for 9 month baby is shared as under:

Baby Meal Plan For Nine Month Week 1

Your baby has by now explored many new foods in terms of flavors, textures, and food groups. The ninth month is an ideal time to introduce finger foods if your baby shows readiness. Many babies may show readiness by expressing their interest in eating whatever their parents are eating. If you see this in your baby, this is a good time to let them take their steps into finger foods. But this must be done gradually.

Here is a sample schedule for week 1 in your baby’s ninth month.

Week 1, Day 1 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Cereal With Mashed Grapes
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Quinoa With Spinach Puree
Evening Snack	Bread Pieces
Dinner	Khichdi with Moong Dal and Carrots
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 1, Day 2 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Upma
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Rice With Mashed Potato and Urad Dal
Evening Snack	Mashed Kiwi Puree
Dinner	Bajra Khichdi
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 1, Day 3 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Ragi porridge
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Quinoa With Avocado Mash
Evening Snack	Scrambled Egg/ Cucumber soup
Dinner	Dal Khichdi
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 1, Day 4 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Wheat Sheera
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Rice With Mashed Bottle Gourd and Red Lentils
Evening Snack	Spinach Pumpkin Soup
Dinner	Daliya With Mashed Carrots
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 1, Day 5 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Cereal With Bread
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Rice With Mashed Turnip
Evening Snack	Crumbled Meat Ball/ Blueberries
Dinner	Spinach Khichdi
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 1, Day 6 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Suji kheer
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Mashed Rice With Veggies/ Egg or Chicken
Evening Snack	Green Pea Soup
Dinner	Ragi Porridge
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 1, Day 7 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Boiled Egg Yolk or Paneer(Homemade)
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Quinoa With Pumpkin Puree
Evening Snack	Coconut Water/ Mashed Fruits Smoothie
Dinner	Dal Khichdi
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Baby Meal Plan For Nine Month Week 2

When introducing finger foods, it is important to start slowly and allow the baby enough time to get used to eating something new. You have to keep a constant watch on your baby t ensure that do not choke. For this reason, you can introduce items that melt in the mouth and do not crumble to pieces.

Week 2, Day 1 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Meatballs/ Bread Pieces With Oats Porridge
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Rice With Scrambled Egg/ Mashed Shellfish
Evening Snack	Peach Puree
Dinner	Khichdi
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 2, Day 2 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Grated Apple
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Masala Pongal
Evening Snack	Green Gram Dal Soup
Dinner	Vegetable Daliya
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 2, Day 3 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Apple Oat’s kheer
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Quinoa With Beetroot Puree
Evening Snack	Fruit Puree/ Soup
Dinner	Lauki Rice Porridge
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 2, Day 4 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Mashed Banana
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Shellfish or Paneer With Rice
Evening Snack	Ragi Banana Halwa/ Puree
Dinner	Sabudana Khichd
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 2, Day 5 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Scrambled Egg/ Paneer
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Dal Spinach Soup + Rice Porridge
Evening Snack	Ragi Biscuits
Dinner	Mashed Idli
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 2, Day 6 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Barley Porridge
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Tomato Rice
Evening Snack	Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Dinner	Dal Khichdi
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 2, Day 7 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Oats Apple Smoothie
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Mixed Vegetable Khichdi
Evening Snack	Carrot Kheer
Dinner	Wheat Almond Porridge
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Baby Meal Plan For Nine Month Week 3

The ninth month is also a good time to introduce bread and biscuits to babies. Both of these are foods that babies love the most. But commercially manufactured products may be loaded with sugars, salt and chemicals. If possible, homemade is the best for your baby. In case you cant bake, you can always get in touch with home bakers who can bake it for you. Alternatively, opt for branded organic products specially made for babies.

Week 3, Day 1 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Fruit Porridge
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Spinach Pumpkin Puree + Jowar
Evening Snack	Bread or Biscuits
Dinner	Paneer Khichdi
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 3, Day 2 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Turnip Puree
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	French beans and Peas Dalia
Evening Snack	Fruit Puree/ Halwa
Dinner	Rice With Mashed Turnip
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 3, Day 3 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Pureed Beetroot Idli
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Khichdi/ Mashed Roti and Ghee With Dal
Evening Snack	Smoothies With Banana and Mashed Cranberries
Dinner	Masoor Dal Vegetable Khichdi
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 3, Day 4 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Ragi Porridge With Mashed Turnip
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Rice with Sambar and Curd
Evening Snack	Bottle Gourd Soup
Dinner	Barley Porridge
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 3, Day 5 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Oatmeal With Mashed Blueberries
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Rice With Spinach Dal and Yogurt
Evening Snack	Bottle Gourd Potato Soup
Dinner	Dalia With Mixed Veggies
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 3, Day 6 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Banana Berry Mash
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Rice With Bottle Gourd Dal And Yogurt
Evening Snack	Scrambled Egg
Dinner	Mashed Roti With Ghee And Dal
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 3, Day 7 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Oatmeal With Cranberry Mash
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Rice With Spinach Bottle Gourd Dal and Yogurt
Evening Snack	Green Pea Soup
Dinner	Barley Porridge
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Baby Meal Plan For Nine Month Week 4

As your baby gets comfortable with eating bread and biscuits as finger foods, you can start introducing more finger foods in the subsequent weeks. The goal is to get them to feel comfortable with solids by the end of the first year.

Week 4, Day 1 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Scrambled Egg/ Paneer
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Rice With scrambled Egg/ Mashed Shellfish
Evening Snack	Vegetable Clear Soup
Dinner	Paneer Pulao
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 4, Day 2 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Spinach and Cucumber Puree
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Moong Dal and Spinach Rice
Evening Snack	Carrot Kheer/ Paneer Cubes
Dinner	Dalia With Mashed Potato and Peas
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 4, Day 3 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Banana Sheera
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Rice With Mashed Shellfish/ Scrambled Eggs
Evening Snack	Avocado Mash
Dinner	Dal and Bottle Gourd Soup
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 4, Day 4 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Mashed Carrot Idli
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Pumpkin Khichri/ Rice With Shellfish
Evening Snack	Yogurt With Mashed Grapes
Dinner	Rice With Mashed Turnip
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 4, Day 5 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Oats Apple Porridge
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Rice With Bottle Gourd Mash and Rasam
Evening Snack	Blueberry Smoothie
Dinner	Quinoa With Mashed Cucumber
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 4, Day 6 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Beetroot Carrot soup
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Rice With Mashed Shellfish/ Scrambled Eggs/ Paneer
Evening Snack	Apple Banana Puree
Dinner	Khichdi
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

Week 4, Day 7 – Nine Months Baby Meal Plan

Feeding Time	Sample Meal Idea
After Waking Up	Breast Milk or Formula
Breakfast	Idli With Sambhar(no spices)
Mid-Morning	Breast Milk or Formula
Lunch	Rice carrot porridge
Evening Snack	Bottle Gourd Kheer/ Halwa
Dinner	Poha/ Khichdi
Bedtime	Breast Milk or Formula

[Read : The 3-Day Wait Rule For Babies To Introduce Solids]

 

List of 8 Easy Homemade Baby Food Ideas For a Nine Months Old Baby

At nine months, some babies can transition from pureed and mashed foods to chewable foods as they now have more than one tooth. They can nibble and chew bite-sized pieces. A few homemade nutrient-rich recipes that can be offered to your munchkin are listed below.

1. Pumpkin Puree

Pumpkin puree is fibre-rich and has beta-carotene which is good for eye health. It is rich in Vitamin A that helps build immunity and  calcium that is good for the bones.

2. Atta Halwa

Atta halwa is soft and yummy. It is rich in carbs which provide your baby with all the energy they need. Atta halwa is a nutritious dish, especially for babies and can be an excellent meal for your baby.

3. Oats Pancake

Oats are very good for babies as they are mineral and fibre-rich, a great source of energy. They help with digestion and keep the baby full for a long time. If your baby is not ready for finger-foods yet, you can feed them mashed pancakes instead of giving them pieces.

4. Quinoa And Banana Mash

Quinoa is a food which is delicious as well as loaded with nutrients.  It is rich in fiber and protein. When mixed with banana, the flavor and the nutritive content get enhanced. It is loved by babies as it is nutty and soft, and easy on the stomach. It can be made very quickly too.

5. Chicken And Apple Mash

Chicken is a good source of protein and very good for muscle growth. Chicken also has iron that helps in producing red blood cells, enhancing the circulatory system and boosting the immune system as well. Apples, on the other hand, have flavonoids which help in reducing cough, enhancing the digestive system and all sorts of dental disorders.

6. Vegetable Soup

Making soup out of vegetables is a great idea to make the baby get complete nutrition from it. Soups made from vegetables are hydrating as well, making them an excellent snack or a meal option. Homemade soups are loaded with proteins, fats, vitamins, carbohydrates, and minerals that are needed for the extra energy the baby needs at this age.

7. Plain Vegetable Khichdi

Vegetable khichdi is the simplest form of soft food given to babies that soothes the baby’s tummy and throat. It is a sumptuous meal and offers protein, folic acid, and immense energy for the baby. It even has phosphorus which together with calcium is ideal for bone strength.

8. Elaichi Wheat Porridge

Wheat porridge is a nutrient-rich dish which has many vitamins and nutrients. It keeps the bone healthy and is rich in fiber. Elaichi seeds on the other hand are a rich source of fibers that help to soothe the digestive system. Elaichi seeds are also helpful in resolving stomach-related issues issues such as loss of appetite, heartburn, constipation etc.

Tips and Precautions For Feeding a Nine Month Old Baby

A nine month old baby grows very rapidly and even the brain develops at a fast pace. This is also the reason why a proper well-nourished diet is important for the baby. Babies at this age like to have foods of different colours, but there are few precautions and tips that should be borne in mind before feeding the baby.

• Never force the baby to eat. Go slow and have patience and try after some time again.
• Never give too much food in one go, start with smaller portions, and then increase the quantity.
• Follow the 3-day rule and do not introduce anything new at this time.
• Never leave the baby alone as there are chances of choking.
• Never offer too big bites to the baby as they have problems chewing it and they can even get stuck at times.
• Babies should always sit upright when being fed.
• Never put the baby to sleep with a bottle of milk, juice etc. in their mouth. This can lead to the decaying of teeth and other dental issues.
• All vegetables and fruits can be given at this age to the babies after creating a proper routine to avoid infections.

Thus, time passes by, when the baby is nine months and the right time to offer nutrient-rich food and get healthy food habits instilled that help in creating a rock-solid foundation later in life. It totally depends on the parents to decipher what is the best for their child and give them foods that offer adequate nutrition, energy, and strength.