A Pediatrician’s Guide to Baby’s First Bites
Introducing solid foods to your baby is an exciting milestone—it marks the beginning of a lifelong relationship with food. But timing is crucial. Start too early, and your baby’s digestive system might not be ready; wait too long, and they may miss out on important developmental windows.
So, when is the right time to introduce solids—and how should you go about it? Let’s explore.
🕐 The Ideal Time: Around 6 Months
Most health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recommend introducing solid foods at around 6 months of age.
At this stage:
- Breast milk or formula is still the main source of nutrition.
- Solids are meant to complement, not replace, milk feeds.
⚠️ Starting solids before 4 months is not recommended, as your baby’s digestive and immune systems are still developing.
👶 Key Signs Your Baby Is Ready for Solids
Rather than focusing solely on age, look for these developmental signs that your baby is ready:
- Good head and neck control – Can sit upright with support.
- Sits well with minimal help – Sitting in a high chair comfortably is ideal.
- Shows interest in food – Watches you eat, reaches for food, or opens mouth when food is offered.
- Loses the tongue-thrust reflex – No longer pushes food out with their tongue automatically.
- Seems hungry after full milk feeds – May want to feed more often.
✅ If your baby is around 6 months and showing most of these signs, it’s a good time to start.
🥄 What to Offer First
You can begin with simple, single-ingredient, iron-rich foods. Great first foods include:
- Iron-fortified baby cereal (like oatmeal or rice cereal)
- Mashed vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, peas)
- Pureed fruits (banana, avocado, apple, pear)
- Soft meats or lentils (pureed or finely mashed)
- Well-cooked eggs (mashed or scrambled)
💡 Introduce one new food at a time and wait about 3 days before trying another, so you can spot any allergic reactions.
❌ Foods to Avoid at First
- Honey – Avoid until after 12 months (risk of infant botulism).
- Cow’s milk as a drink – Wait until after 12 months (okay in small amounts in food).
- Choking hazards – Whole nuts, grapes, raw carrots, popcorn, chunks of meat.
- Salt and sugar – Babies don’t need added seasoning.
🧠 Introducing Allergens Early (New Guidelines)
Research now shows that introducing common allergens like peanuts, eggs, and fish early (between 6–12 months) can actually reduce the risk of allergies—especially in high-risk infants (those with eczema or family history of allergies).
Speak with your pediatrician about the best way to introduce allergenic foods safely.
🍼 Solids Are Just the Beginning
From 6 to 12 months, solids are about exploration and practice. Don’t worry about how much your baby eats at first—it’s more important that they get used to new textures, tastes, and the act of eating.
Continue breastfeeding or formula-feeding alongside solids until at least 12 months.
🌟 Final Thoughts
The ideal time to start solid foods is around 6 months, when your baby shows physical and developmental readiness. Begin slowly, offer a variety of iron-rich and nutrient-dense options, and enjoy this special time of discovery together.
Every baby is different, so trust your instincts—and when in doubt, check in with your pediatrician.
Reference:
“Starting Solid Foods” – HealthyChildren.org
Hướng dẫn từ Học viện Nhi khoa Hoa Kỳ về thời điểm và dấu hiệu cho thấy trẻ sẵn sàng ăn dặm.
🔗 https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Starting-Solid-Foods.aspxHealthyChildren.org
**”Solid foods: How to get your baby started”** – Mayo Clinic
Thông tin về độ tuổi phù hợp để bắt đầu cho trẻ ăn dặm và cách giới thiệu thực phẩm mới.
🔗 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/healthy-baby/art-20046200Mayo Clinic+1Mayo Clinic+1
**”First Bites—Why, When, and What Solid Foods to Feed Infants”** – PMC
Nghiên cứu về lợi ích của việc giới thiệu thực phẩm rắn sớm trong chế độ ăn của trẻ sơ sinh.
🔗 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8032951/
