Starting solids is a big milestone—and a fun (sometimes messy) adventure! At around 6 months, your baby may be ready to go beyond breast milk or formula and try their first real bites. But how do you know it’s time? What should you offer first? And how do you do it safely?
Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.
👀 Signs Your Baby Is Ready for Solids
Most babies are ready to try solids around 6 months, but readiness depends more on development than age. Look for these key signs:
✅ Sits with minimal support
✅ Good head and neck control
✅ Shows interest in your food (staring, reaching, opening mouth)
✅ Loses the tongue-thrust reflex (doesn’t push food out automatically)
✅ Can close lips around a spoon
If all these boxes are checked, you’re good to go!
🥄 First Foods to Offer
Your baby still gets most of their nutrition from breast milk or formula, but solids provide extra nutrients—especially iron, which babies need more of after 6 months.
Great first choices:
- Iron-fortified single-grain baby cereals (mixed with breast milk or formula)
- Pureed meats (beef, chicken, turkey)
- Mashed or pureed veggies: carrots, peas, sweet potato
- Soft fruits: banana, avocado, pear, apple (steamed and mashed)
📝 Start slow: One new food every 3 days to watch for allergic reactions.
🍽️ Feeding Tips for Success
- Use a small spoon or let baby self-feed mashed food with hands.
- Offer solids after milk feeds, not before—milk is still their main nutrition.
- Begin with 1–2 teaspoons, once a day. Gradually increase as baby shows interest.
- Let baby lead—no need to force or rush.
Safety First:
- Always supervise while eating
- Avoid choking hazards (whole grapes, nuts, chunks of meat)
- Skip honey and cow’s milk as a drink until after 12 months
🍼 Solids + Breastfeeding/Formula: A Perfect Pair
Introducing solids doesn’t mean stopping milk feeds. Think of food at this stage as complementary, not a replacement.
🔄 Keep breastfeeding or formula feeding on demand, and offer solids once or twice a day as practice.
🍌 Spoon Feeding vs. Baby-Led Weaning: What’s the Difference?
You’ve got two great options—and you don’t have to pick just one!
🍽️ Spoon Feeding:
- Traditional method using smooth purees
- Parent-led: you decide what and how much
- Good for early exposure to different flavors
👐 Baby-Led Weaning (BLW):
- Baby feeds themselves soft, finger-sized pieces of food
- Encourages independence, chewing, and hand-eye coordination
- Skip purees and go straight to whole foods (soft-cooked veggies, banana strips, etc.)
🎯 Tip: Many parents combine both approaches—purees early on, then soft finger foods as baby develops more motor skills.
🧠 Nutritional Needs at 6 Months
Your baby’s brain and body are growing fast—so nutrient-rich foods matter. Here’s what to focus on:
- Iron: meats, cereals, lentils
- Healthy fats: avocado, breast milk, oils used in purees
- Zinc & protein: meats, legumes
- Vitamin C: helps absorb iron—try pairing meat with fruits or veggies
💬 Final Thoughts
The goal right now isn’t how much your baby eats—it’s building a positive, relaxed relationship with food. Expect mess, funny faces, and lots of exploration.
Be patient, follow baby’s cues, and enjoy the process. This is the beginning of a lifelong food journey!
