Introducing solid foods is an exciting milestone! Most babies are ready around 6 months, but readiness signs matter more than a specific age.

Signs of Readiness

Your baby is ready when they:

  • Can sit up with minimal support
  • Show interest in food (watching you eat, reaching for food)
  • Have lost the tongue-thrust reflex
  • Can move food to the back of their mouth
  • Have doubled their birth weight

First Foods

Start with single-ingredient, pureed or mashed foods. Wait 3-5 days between new foods to watch for allergic reactions.

Great starter foods:

  • Sweet potato
  • Avocado
  • Banana
  • Oatmeal (iron-fortified)
  • Pureed peas or carrots
  • Pureed apple or pear

Common Allergens

Current guidelines recommend introducing common allergens early (between 4-6 months) to reduce allergy risk. Introduce one at a time, during the day, at home.

Common allergens to introduce:

  • Peanuts (as thinned peanut butter)
  • Eggs
  • Dairy
  • Soy
  • Wheat
  • Tree nuts
  • Fish
  • Shellfish

Feeding Methods

Purees and Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) both work well. Many parents use a combination approach. The key is offering appropriate textures for your baby's development.

What to Avoid

Don't offer:

  • Honey (before 1 year - botulism risk)
  • Choking hazards (whole grapes, nuts, popcorn)
  • Cow's milk as main drink (before 1 year)
  • Added salt or sugar
  • Juice (water and milk are best)

Remember: food before one is mostly for fun! Breast milk or formula remains your baby's primary nutrition during the first year. Solid foods are for practice and exploration.