Baby food from 6 months: how to choose the right cereals, desserts and meals for your child’s age

Weaning raises plenty of practical questions: what texture should you offer, should you opt for organic baby cereals, how do you spot added sugars, and what quantities work best to avoid waste? With colourful packaging and claims like “natural flavour”, it’s not always easy to compare products that serve very different purposes.

When choosing baby food from 6 months, three common mistakes crop up time and again:

• Relying only on the age stated in big letters: the recommended age isn’t everything. Always check the allergens, texture, preparation method and storage instructions too.
• Confusing “flavoured with…” with no added sugar: a vanilla or cocoa cereal can still contain sugar in its recipe. The ingredients list is your best guide.
• Buying a size that’s too large: a big pack of infant cereal might seem economical, but poorly stored leftovers quickly lose quality. Individual jars reduce waste, though the cost per portion can be higher.

What to check before you buy

1. Age, texture and mealtime

A product labelled from 6 months, from 8 months or from 12 months corresponds to a specific stage of weaning. Instant cereals are usually mixed with warm water or your baby’s usual milk. Baby meals from 8 months often have a thicker texture, while recipes from 12 months may contain soft, melt-in-the-mouth pieces to help with learning to chew.

Before you add a product to your basket, check:

• the minimum age clearly shown on the packaging;
• the texture offered: smooth, creamy, puréed or with small pieces;
• the intended mealtimes: breakfast, snack, dinner or dessert;
• the recommended portion size and how many portions you actually get.

Advice on introducing new foods can vary from one child to another. If you have any questions about gluten, fish, milk or another allergen, it’s best to ask a healthcare professional.

2. The ingredients list and allergens

The phrase no added sugars doesn’t mean the product contains no naturally occurring sugars. To get a true picture, read the full ingredients list and check the nutritional table.

In particular, look out for:

• the cereals used: rice, wheat, oats, quinoa, semolina or bulgur wheat;
• the presence of gluten, milk, fish, soya, nuts or celery;
• added salt or the mention no added salt;
• the proportion of vegetables or milk in baby jars;
• flavourings, cocoa and other sweetening ingredients.

Organic infant cereals can appeal to families who prefer organic farming. However, an organic label doesn’t mean you can skip reading the ingredients: an organic recipe may still contain gluten, milk or sugars, depending on its formulation.

3. Storage and preparation

A cereal-based preparation should generally be eaten straight away. Any leftover in the bowl is best thrown away rather than put in the fridge. For ready-to-eat meals and desserts, the precautions are different:

• store unopened jars at the temperature stated on the label;
• put an opened product in the fridge promptly;
• follow the consumption time given on the label;
• stir the contents, then check the temperature before feeding your child;
• never heat a container directly in the microwave if it isn’t designed for it.

The contents of your delivery may vary from batch to batch. When it arrives, always check the best-before date, batch number, ingredients list and any warnings on the packaging.

Our pick by shopping profile

Recommended for: beginners on a budget

Organic baby cereal rice-quinoa with vanilla, from 6 months, 220 g

Why this suits this profile: At 220 g, this pack lets you try it out without stockpiling. Simply mix with around 200 ml of warm water or your baby’s usual milk.

How this product avoids the trap

The ingredients list shows 88.9 % rice flour and 9.8 % quinoa flour, with no added sugars. Still, check the packaging for any possible traces of allergens.

Key benefits and highlights

Organic ingredients, vitamin B1, Bourbon vanilla flavouring and a smooth texture once mixed.

Recommended for: fans of premium products

Babybio, semolina pudding with vanilla, 4 x 85 g

Why this suits this profile: The four individual 85 g portions are easy to serve, at home or on the go, giving you a baby dessert without opening a large pot.

How this product avoids the trap

Individual packaging means you don’t have to open a large container for just a few spoonfuls. However, the recipe contains milk, gluten and sugar – check that it meets your criteria.

Key benefits and highlights

80 % whole milk, 4 % durum wheat semolina, and can be served at room temperature or chilled.

Recommended for: specific needs and families who use it often

Babybio, baby jars potato-cod, from 8 months, 2 x 200 g

Why this suits this profile: This meal from 8 months is ideal for families who want a ready-to-heat savoury recipe with vegetables and fish, in two portions.

How this product avoids the trap

The product page states 67 % vegetables, 8 % cod, and no milk, gluten or added salt. Fish is of course an allergen to bear in mind.

Key benefits and highlights

An organic recipe made in France, with peas, potatoes, carrots and wild cod.

Recommended for: families looking for a solution from 12 months

Blédina, tomato, bulgur wheat and salmon, from 12 months, 2 x 200 g

Why this suits this profile: Its texture with soft, melt-in-the-mouth pieces supports the transition in eating after 12 months. The pack contains two 200 g bowls.

How this product avoids the trap

The recommended age, vegetable content and proportions are clearly stated. However, the recipe contains bulgur wheat, fish, milk and salt – check the allergens before buying.

Key benefits and highlights

20.8 % tomato, 13.5 % bulgur wheat, 8 % salmon and prepared in France.

FAQ on baby food from 6 months

Which baby food from 6 months should I choose to start with?

To begin, choose a product clearly labelled from 6 months, with a smooth texture and a short ingredients list. Baby cereals are prepared with water or your baby’s usual milk, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Introduce new foods gradually and keep an eye out for any allergens.

Are organic infant cereals always free from added sugar?

No. The organic label describes how the ingredients are grown, not whether sugar is present. Compare the ingredients list with the nutritional table. Some vanilla or cocoa cereals do contain sugar, even when they’re intended for young children.

How long can I keep a baby jar or porridge after opening?

It depends on the product. A cereal-based preparation should generally be eaten straight away. An opened baby jar should be placed in the fridge and used within the time stated on the label, often 24 to 48 hours. For an individual dessert portion, the label may recommend eating it immediately after opening. In every case, the time printed on the packaging you receive is what counts.