When Is Baby Ready for Solid Foods?
Most babies are developmentally ready to start solid foods around 6 months of age, though some may show readiness signs a little earlier (no sooner than 4 months). Age alone isn't the only indicator — look for these readiness signs together:
- Can sit up with minimal support and hold their head steady
- Shows interest in food (watches you eat, reaches for your plate)
- Has lost the tongue-thrust reflex (no longer automatically pushes food out with tongue)
- Can move food to the back of their mouth and swallow
Always check with your pediatrician before starting solids, especially if your baby was premature or has any health concerns.
First Foods: What to Start With
There's no single "right" first food. Current guidance supports starting with iron-rich foods, as babies' iron stores begin to deplete around 6 months. Good first food options include:
| Food Type | Examples | Why It's Good |
|---|---|---|
| Iron-rich purées | Pureed meat, lentils, iron-fortified cereal | Replenishes depleting iron stores |
| Vegetables | Sweet potato, pea, butternut squash | Mild flavors, easy to purée |
| Fruits | Banana, avocado, applesauce | Naturally soft and nutrient-dense |
| Grains | Oatmeal, rice cereal | Easy texture, often iron-fortified |
Purée vs. Baby-Led Weaning
You'll likely hear about two main approaches:
- Traditional purées: Start with smooth, thin purées and gradually increase texture. Gives you control over consistency and helps you spot allergies.
- Baby-led weaning (BLW): Offer soft, appropriately-sized finger foods from the start. Encourages self-feeding and exposure to varied textures early on.
Many families use a combination of both — and that's perfectly fine. The goal is exposure, nourishment, and enjoyment, not a rigid method.
How to Introduce New Foods Safely
- One food at a time: Introduce new foods with a 2–3 day gap between them so you can identify any reactions.
- Start small: A teaspoon or two is plenty at first. Your baby is learning, not eating a full meal.
- Timing matters: Offer solids when baby is alert and not overtired or ravenous.
- Keep milk feeds going: Breast milk or formula remains the primary nutrition source throughout the first year.
- Introduce allergens early: Current guidance supports introducing common allergens (peanut products, egg, dairy) early and regularly unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
Foods to Avoid Under 12 Months
- Honey: Risk of infant botulism.
- Cow's milk as a drink: Fine in foods (yogurt, cheese), but not as a main milk source.
- Added salt and sugar: Baby kidneys aren't ready for excess salt; sugar creates unhelpful preferences.
- Choking hazards: Whole grapes, nuts, raw hard vegetables, large chunks of meat.
Expect the Mess — and the Faces
Your baby will spit things out, smear food everywhere, and pull the most dramatic expressions at the taste of a lemon. This is all completely normal. Early feeding is as much about exploring food as it is about eating it. Research suggests babies may need to be exposed to a new food many times before accepting it — so don't give up after one or two tries.
Enjoy this messy, wonderful milestone. It's the start of a lifelong relationship with food.