Parent's Guide To Starting Solid Foods

When to Start Solid Foods

Most babies are ready for solids around 6 months, when they:

• Can sit up with minimal support
• Have good head and neck control
• Show interest in food (grabbing, watching you eat)
• Have lost the tongue-thrust reflex (won’t automatically push food out)

Do not start before 4 months, as it increases choking risk and provides no proven benefits.

Best First Foods

Choose nutrient-dense, single-ingredient foods rich in iron, healthy fats, and protein:

• Avocado (healthy fats, soft texture)
• Sweet potato (fiber, vitamin A)
• Eggs (iron, choline, good allergen exposure)
• Salmon (omega-3s for brain development)
• Banana (easy to digest, potassium)
• Soft-cooked meat (iron, protein)
• Thinned peanut butter (allergy prevention)

How to Offer First Foods

Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) Approach

Encourages self-feeding with soft, graspable pieces of food:

• Cut food into finger-sized strips (length of an adult pinky finger).
• Steam or cook until soft enough to mash between fingers.
• Let baby grab and explore—it’s okay if they don’t eat much at first!

Puree / Spoon-Feeding Approach

• Start with thin, smooth purees, gradually increasing thickness.
• Offer 1-2 teaspoons at first, increasing over time.
• Use a responsive feeding approach—let baby lean in for more, don’t force-feed.
• Transition to mashed, lumpy textures by 8-9 months to encourage chewing skills.

Hybrid Approach: Many families combine purees + finger foods for flexibility!

How Often & How Much?

• 6-7 months: 1-2 meals/day (small portions, focus on exploration).
• 8-9 months: 2-3 meals/day (baby starts eating more).
• 10-12 months: 3 meals + snacks (food becomes a bigger part of nutrition).

Milk is still the primary source of nutrition until 12 months. Offer breastmilk or formula before meals to avoid frustration.

Choking vs. Gagging

Gagging is normal (helps baby learn to manage textures). Choking is an emergency (silent, no air movement).

Avoid choking hazards like:

• Whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, hot dogs
• Raw apples, carrots, hard chunks of food
• Large globs of peanut butter

Modify foods: Cook, mash, or cut into appropriate sizes.

Introducing Allergens

Don’t delay! Introduce common allergens early (around 6 months) to help prevent allergies.

• Offer one allergen at a time every 3-5 days.
• Common allergens: Eggs, peanuts, dairy, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, sesame.
• Start with small amounts (e.g., thinned peanut butter, mashed egg yolk).

Call 911 for severe reactions (swelling, trouble breathing). Mild reactions (rash, hives) should be discussed with your pediatrician.

Signs Baby is Ready for More Textures

Mashing foods with gums
Using fingers to pick up small pieces (pincer grasp ~9 months)
Moving food around in mouth instead of spitting it out

By 9-10 months, encourage more variety! Offer small bites of family meals (safely prepared).

What NOT to Do

• No honey before 12 months (risk of botulism).
• No cow’s milk as a drink before 1 year (can offer dairy like yogurt/cheese).
• No added salt or sugar in baby’s food.No forcing or pressuring baby to eat—let them explore at their own pace!

Final Tips for Success

• Eat with your baby—babies learn by watching you.
• Expect a mess—it’s part of learning!
• Offer variety early to prevent picky eating later.
• Have fun! Babies

For more information, visit www.solidstarts.com

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