When Can Baby Eat Solid Foods? Complete Starting Solids Guide

The question every parent asks around month 4: "When can my baby start eating real food?"

The short answer: Around 6 months, when your baby shows signs of readiness. But there's more to it than just age.

Signs Your Baby is Ready for Solids

Don't start based on age alone. Look for these developmental signs:

• Good head control - Can hold head steady while sitting
• Sits with support - Can sit in a high chair without slumping
• Shows interest in food - Watches you eat, reaches for your food
• Lost the tongue-thrust reflex - Doesn't automatically push food out with tongue
• Can move food to throat - Can swallow rather than just pushing food around

Best First Foods to Try

There's no single "right" first food. Here are great options:

Single-Ingredient Purees

• Sweet potato - Naturally sweet, smooth texture
• Avocado - Healthy fats, creamy texture
• Banana - Easy to mash, naturally sweet
• Butternut squash - Mild flavor, smooth texture
• Peas - Protein-rich, sweet taste

Iron-Rich Foods (Important!)

Babies need iron starting around 6 months. Good sources:

• Iron-fortified baby cereal
• Pureed meat (yes, meat can be a first food!)
• Lentils
• Beans

Foods to Avoid Before Age 1

Week-by-Week Solids Introduction Schedule

Week 1: First Tastes

• Day 1-3: Try one food (e.g., sweet potato)
• Day 4-6: Same food or try second food
• Day 7: Rest day or continue

Amount: 1-2 teaspoons, once per day Timing: Mid-morning, when baby is alert but not starving

Week 2-3: Building Variety

• Introduce 1 new food every 2-3 days
• Watch for allergic reactions (rash, vomiting, diarrhea)
• Continue offering previously accepted foods

Amount: 2-4 tablespoons, once per day

Week 4-6: Establishing Routine

• Move to 2 solid meals per day
• Introduce texture variety (slightly chunkier purees)
• Start offering water in a sippy cup with meals

Amount: 3-4 tablespoons per meal

Month 2-3 of Solids

• 2-3 solid meals per day
• Introduce soft finger foods
• Encourage self-feeding
• Breast milk/formula still primary nutrition

Common Allergens: The New Approach

Recent research shows early introduction of allergens may reduce allergy risk. The AAP now recommends introducing common allergens early:

• Peanuts (as thinned peanut butter or peanut puffs)
• Eggs (well-cooked)
• Tree nuts (as nut butters)
• Fish
• Wheat
• Dairy (yogurt, cheese)
• Soy

Purees vs. Baby-Led Weaning

Traditional Purees

Pros: Easier to control texture, less mess, clear amounts eaten Cons: May delay self-feeding skills, requires more prep

Baby-Led Weaning (BLW)

Pros: Develops motor skills, family meals together, may reduce picky eating Cons: More mess, harder to track amounts, can be scary (gagging is normal!)

Combination Approach (Most Popular)

Many parents do both: purees for nutrition, soft finger foods for practice. There's no wrong way.

How Much Should Baby Eat?

At this stage, food is for practice, not nutrition. Breast milk or formula is still the main source of calories.

Signs Baby is Full

• Turns head away
• Pushes spoon away
• Closes mouth
• Gets distracted/disinterested
• Spits food out repeatedly

Never force baby to finish. They're learning to self-regulate.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Baby Refuses to Open Mouth

Try: Let them hold the spoon, put food on their tray to explore, eat the same food in front of them.

Baby Gags on Everything

Normal! Gagging is a safety reflex, different from choking. Stay calm, let them work it out.

Baby Only Wants Sweet Foods

Offer vegetables before fruits. It can take 10-15 exposures before baby accepts a new food.

Constipation After Starting Solids

Increase water, offer P-fruits (prunes, pears, peaches), reduce binding foods (bananas, rice cereal).

Tracking What Your Baby Eats

Keeping track of new foods helps you:

• Identify allergies (know exactly what caused a reaction)
• Ensure variety over the week
• Share feeding duties with your partner

Sample First Week Menu

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Remember: Every baby is different. Some take to solids immediately, others need weeks to warm up. Both are normal. Trust your baby's cues and enjoy this messy, fun milestone!