It’s mealtime! Discover when your baby is ready for solids and the best methods to introduce them.

Introducing solid foods is one of the most exciting milestones of your baby’s first year. Imagine all the new tastes and textures awaiting your little one — from savory cheese and scrambled eggs to juicy mangoes and creamy avocados. It’s a whole new world of flavors for your baby to discover and explore, and starting solids is the first step toward this adventure.

Encourage your baby to enjoy the experience of trying new foods, even if much of it ends up on her bib, the high chair tray, or the floor. Remember, this is all part of developing those taste buds and introducing her to new textures.

When Do Babies Start Eating Solid Foods?

Most babies are ready to start solids between the ages of 4 and 6 months. However, experts often recommend waiting until closer to 6 months, as your little one’s development plays a key role in determining when she’s ready to graduate to more complex foods.

While you may feel excited to begin solids right away, there are several reasons why it’s not a good idea to introduce solids too soon.

First, a very young baby’s digestive system is not yet ready for solids. Babies this age often involuntarily reject foreign substances placed in their mouths, and they lack the critical enzymes needed to break down food properly. Additionally, solids aren’t necessary early on — babies can meet all their nutritional needs for the first six months with breast milk, formula, or a combination of both.

Introducing solids prematurely may also affect your baby’s future eating habits. She may initially reject the spoonfuls because she isn’t ready, which could lead to future aversions to solids if forced too soon. Overeager introduction of solids can also increase the risk of obesity later in childhood, particularly in formula-fed babies.

On the flip side, waiting too long to offer solids — like until 9 months or later — can also present challenges. Older babies may resist trying the new skills of chewing and swallowing, preferring the easier, more familiar method of breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. At this stage, habits and tastes can become harder to change. Unlike a younger, more adaptable baby, an older baby might be more hesitant to try solids after months of milk-only nourishment.

Some parents choose to adopt an approach called baby-led weaning, which skips pureed foods in favor of serving solid foods in thick, long pieces that babies can hold and gnaw on, even before they have teeth.

If you’re interested in baby-led weaning, it’s best to wait until around the 6-month mark when your baby can grasp food and bring it to her mouth, as well as hold and gum the foods you’ll be offering. Keep in mind that it will take a few more months before she’s ready for foods that require the pincer grasp, which usually develops around 8 months.

What Are Signs That My Baby Is Ready for Solid Food?

To determine if your baby is ready for solid foods, look for the following signs and be sure to consult your pediatrician:

1. Can Hold Her Head Up Well: Your baby should be able to sit up with support before offering pureed baby food. Chunkier foods should wait until she can sit alone, which typically happens around 7 months.

2. Tongue Thrust Reflex Has Disappeared: If you place a small amount of baby-friendly food in her mouth and it repeatedly comes back out, this indicates that the tongue-thrust reflex is still active. This reflex makes it difficult for babies to eat solids before they’re developmentally ready.

3. Shows Interest in Table Foods: If your baby reaches for your food or watches you intently while you eat, it’s a clear sign she’s interested in more than just milk.

4. Moves Her Tongue Back and Forth: Your baby should be able to move her tongue back and forth and up and down in a rhythm, which is essential for feeding herself.

5. Opens Her Mouth Widely: A baby who can open her mouth wide is ready to eat food from a spoon comfortably and safely.

How to Introduce Solid Foods to Your Baby

The process of introducing solid foods is an exciting time, and you can help your baby develop a healthy relationship with food by modeling enjoyment of mealtimes yourself. Babies who see adults happily eating nutritious foods are more likely to follow that example.

Here are a few tips to help your baby embrace solids:

1. Time It Right: The best time to introduce solids is when it works for your family. If you’re breastfeeding, try solids when your milk supply is at its lowest (likely in the late afternoon or evening). Start with one meal a day, and gradually work your way up to two meals (usually one in the morning and one in the evening).

2. Monitor Baby’s Mood: A baby who is cheerful and alert is more likely to open up for a spoonful of food, while a sleepy or fussy baby might prefer just milk. If your baby seems irritable, it’s okay to skip solids for that meal and try again later.

3. Don’t Rush: Babies take their time with food. Give your baby and yourself plenty of time for each feeding. It may take a while for that first spoonful to make its way into her mouth.

4. Sit Pretty: Before introducing solids, let your baby practice sitting in the high chair. This helps her get used to sitting for meals. And make sure to fasten the safety straps in her seat.

5. Gear Up: Skip the silver spoon and use a silicone, plastic, or corn-based spoon that’s gentle on tender gums. Have several spoons on hand to avoid tantrums and to help foster your baby’s independence. Don’t forget to put a bib on her!

6. Make Some Introductions: Let your baby explore the food on her tray or high chair before you start feeding her. This can help her get familiar with it before trying it on a spoon.

7. Ease In: Begin with a small amount of food on the tip of your baby’s tongue. Gradually increase the amount as she gets more comfortable. Don’t worry if most of it gets spit out at first.

8. Count on Rejection: It’s normal for babies to reject food, especially in the beginning. Keep trying with patience, as babies may need to be introduced to a new food 10-15 times before they accept it.

9. Invite Imitation: Babies learn by watching. Pretend to take a bite from the spoon and make exaggerated eating sounds to encourage your little one to imitate you.

10. Know When Enough Is Enough: If your baby turns her head or clenches her mouth, it’s a sign she’s done with the meal. Forcing more food may result in unnecessary frustration.

11. Don’t Worry About Portions: It’s perfectly normal if most of the food ends up on the floor. The goal at this stage is to help your baby experience food and learn how to eat, not to focus on getting nutrition from solids.

What Are the Best First Foods for a Baby?

When starting solids, the texture of the food should be very smooth. If you’re preparing your own baby food, puree or mash it, thinning it out with breast milk or formula as needed. As your baby gets more experienced (around 7 months), gradually reduce the liquid and thicken the texture.

Here are some great first foods for spoon-feeding:

1. Cereal: Start with a single-grain, iron-enriched cereal, like brown rice or whole grain oats. Mix it with breast milk, formula, or water to create a smooth, creamy consistency. Avoid sweetening it with fruit or juices initially.

2. Vegetables: Begin with mild vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots, then progress to green veggies like peas and green beans. Babies may need several exposures to a food before accepting it.

3. Fruit: Introduce soft fruits like bananas, applesauce, and pears. Ripe avocado is also a great choice — it’s creamy, delicious, and full of healthy fats.

Once your baby becomes more accustomed to solids (around 7 or 8 months), consider adding more variety:

• Minced meats (chicken, lamb, turkey, or beef)
• Mashed eggs
• Whole milk yogurt
• Cheese
• Pasta
• Beans
• Tofu

Around 8 months, you can start offering finger foods to encourage self-feeding.

What Should I Know About Food Allergies When Introducing Solids?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) no longer recommends delaying the introduction of potentially allergenic foods like eggs, seafood, and nuts. In fact, introducing these foods earlier (between 4 and 6 months, and definitely by 11 months) may help prevent food allergies.

When introducing allergenic foods, do it one at a time and only at home, not at daycare, so you can monitor for any reactions.

What Are the Signs of a Food Allergy in Babies?

Some common signs of a food allergy include:

• Gassiness, diarrhea, or mucus in the stool
• Vomiting and rashes, often around the mouth or face
• Runny nose, watery eyes, or wheezing
• Unusual crankiness or wakefulness, day or night

If you suspect your baby is allergic to a food, consult your pediatrician before offering it again.

How Do I Prevent Choking When Introducing Solids?

To prevent choking during your baby’s introduction to solids, follow these tips:

• Stay Close: Always supervise your baby during mealtime.
• Start Small: Begin with small, manageable pieces of food that can be swallowed whole.
• Increase Size Gradually: As your baby gets more experienced with eating solids, you can gradually increase the size of the pieces.
• Keep Portions Baby-Sized: Only offer one or two pieces at a time.
• Stay Seated: Never allow your baby to eat while crawling or walking.

Avoid foods that could be choking hazards, such as raw veggies, whole grapes, nuts, and popcorn.

Gagging vs. Choking: How to Tell the Difference

If your baby gags on food, it’s a normal reflex to help her clear the food from her throat. However, if she’s choking, she’ll appear terrified, unable to make sounds, and unable to breathe. If your baby is gagging, she’ll cough and make noises.

Don’t worry if gagging happens — it’s part of the learning process!

Introducing solids to your baby can be a fun, rewarding experience that provides important nutrients and developmental benefits. Just take your time, be patient, and enjoy the process as your little one explores new foods!