One of the biggest milestones in your baby’s first year is starting solid foods! It’s exciting (and a little messy), but knowing when and how to introduce solids can help make this transition smooth and enjoyable for both you and your baby. So, when is your little one ready to take that first bite, and what are the best ways to feed them? Let’s dive in!
When Can Babies Start Solid Foods?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends introducing solid foods around 6 months of age. Some babies may be ready slightly earlier (closer to 4 months), but most babies do best when they wait until around 6 months for their first taste of solids.
Signs Your Baby Is Ready for Solids
Every baby develops at their own pace, but here are a few signs that your baby is ready to try solid foods:
- Sits up with little or no support – Your baby should have good head and neck control to safely swallow food.
- Shows interest in food – If your baby watches you eat, reaches for your food, or opens their mouth when food is near, they may be ready.
- Has lost the tongue-thrust reflex – Newborns automatically push food out of their mouth with their tongue, but by 4-6 months, this reflex fades, allowing them to swallow solids.
- Can pick up food and bring it to their mouth – This is a sign that they are developing the coordination needed for self-feeding.
If your baby doesn’t show these signs yet, don’t rush—every baby is different, and they will show interest when they’re ready.
Best First Foods for Baby
When you start solids, think soft, simple, and easy to digest. Some great first foods include:
- Mashed avocado – Creamy and packed with healthy fats
- Pureed sweet potato – Naturally sweet and rich in vitamins
- Mashed banana – Soft and easy to digest
- Steamed and pureed apples or pears – Gentle on the tummy
- Pureed carrots – Mild in flavor and rich in nutrients
- Iron-fortified baby cereal (mixed with breast milk or formula) – Helps support baby’s growing needs
Always introduce one new food at a time and wait 3-5 days before introducing another. This helps identify any food allergies or sensitivities.
Best Ways to Feed Your Baby
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to feeding, but here are a few common methods:
1. Traditional Spoon-Feeding (Purees)
This method involves offering smooth, mashed, or pureed foods from a spoon. Parents or caregivers control the pace and amount.
- Best for parents who want a structured approach
- Helps babies get used to different textures gradually
- Easy to ensure baby is eating enough
2. Baby-Led Weaning (BLW)
With this method, babies feed themselves from the start, picking up soft, baby-safe finger foods and eating at their own pace.
- Encourages independence and fine motor skill development
- Helps babies explore textures, tastes, and self-regulation
- Babies eat what the family eats (with some modifications)
Baby-led weaning-friendly foods include soft-cooked carrots, banana slices, scrambled eggs, and avocado slices.
3. A Combination of Both
Many parents do a mix of spoon-feeding and baby-led weaning, letting babies explore self-feeding while still offering some purees. This flexible approach works well for many families.
How to Make Feeding Safe and Fun
- Always supervise your baby while eating – Never leave them alone with food.
- Start with small amounts – A teaspoon or two is enough at first.
- Make sure foods are soft and easy to mash – Avoid choking hazards like whole grapes, nuts, or hard foods.
- Let baby explore and get messy – Learning to eat is fun and takes practice.
- Be patient – Some babies love solids right away, while others take time to adjust. Keep trying.
What About Drinks?
- Breast milk or formula should still be the main source of nutrition until age 1.
- Small sips of water (from a cup) can be introduced around 6 months with meals.
- No cow’s milk before 1 year – It doesn’t provide the right nutrients for babies.
The Bottom Line
Starting solids is a big and exciting milestone! Most babies are ready around 6 months, and there are many ways to introduce food, from purees to baby-led weaning. Go at your baby’s pace, keep it fun, and focus on safe, nutritious foods. Whether they take to solids right away or need a little time, trust the process—every baby learns to eat in their own time!
