Starting solids is a milestone, not a race. Most babies are ready at around six months, while breast milk or infant formula continues to provide their main nutrition during the first year. The best starting point is to watch your baby’s skills and talk with your paediatrician if you are unsure.
Three signs of readiness
Look for these signs together: your baby can sit with support and keep their head steady; they can coordinate their eyes, hands and mouth to reach for food; and they can swallow food rather than pushing it straight out. Chewing fists, waking more often at night or wanting extra milk do not by themselves mean a baby is ready for solids.
Make the first meal simple
Choose a calm time when your baby is alert. Offer a small amount of a soft, age-appropriate food and let them explore it. There is no need to finish a bowl. The first meals are about learning tastes and the experience of eating. Keep offering breast milk or infant formula as usual.
You can try a smooth mash or purée and gradually offer thicker, mashed and soft finger foods as your baby develops the ability to handle them. Let your child set the pace. Never force a bite.
Keep food safe
Seat your baby upright, stay with them throughout the meal and prepare food in a shape and texture they can manage. Avoid hard, small or round pieces that can cause choking. Wash hands and food preparation surfaces, and check the temperature before serving.
What about allergens?
Foods that can cause an allergic reaction are generally introduced from around six months, one at a time, so a reaction is easier to notice. If your baby has eczema, a known food allergy or a strong family history of allergy, ask a healthcare professional how to introduce these foods.
Every baby’s feeding journey is different. If your baby was born prematurely, has trouble swallowing, or you have concerns about growth or reactions, seek individual advice from your paediatrician.
Keep exploring: TinyDroplets brings age-wise meal plans, first-food ideas and practical guides together in one place. Explore the Android app or download on iPhone.
Sources
- NHS: Your baby’s first solid foods
- NHS: Food allergies in babies and young children
- NHS: Preparing food safely
This article is general information and does not replace individual medical advice.