The 6–7 Month Shift- Finding the Balance Between Food and Milk

Around 6–7 months, things suddenly feel… wobbly. Almost like old-fashioned weighing scales, where food begins to increase on one side and milk gradually needs to decrease on the other.

This transition is huge for both parents and babies.

Milk has been their entire lifeline since the moment they were born. It has met every need, nourishment, comfort, hydration, regulation, connection. Then suddenly we introduce food, and we’re told milk still matters but food matters too. We’re told to watch hunger cues but also to start creating structure. We’re told to follow their lead but also to gently lead them.

It’s no wonder parents feel overwhelmed.

This is also the stage where feeding on demand and napping on cues begins to cause more challenges, especially overnight. Babies are ready for more predictable rhythms. Their digestive system, sleep cycles, and hormone patterns are maturing, and they benefit from routine.

This doesn’t mean rigid schedules. It means guidance.

Your baby needs you to lead the way as you help their body shift from:

• milk-only to milk + meals

• random naps to predictable rest

• feeding for regulation to eating for nourishment

• night wakes for hunger to consolidated nighttime sleep

  
  

You are not taking anything away, you are giving them structure to support their development.

This stage is tender, emotional, and transformative. But with the right rhythm in place, nights become easier, days feel clearer, and babies thrive with the balance they were ready for.