An All To Guide on Starting Solids with your Baby
My Experience on Starting Solids with my First born:
Starting solids with my baby was one of the most exciting yet nerve-wracking milestones of parenthood so far. I remember the moment I realized it was time to introduce her to solid food—she was around 6 months old, showing all the signs of readiness, like sitting up with support and curiously watching us eat. I had spent months reading, asking friends for advice, and researching the best first foods. It felt like there was so much to learn, and I didn’t want to rush or make any mistakes. The idea of transitioning from the comfort of breast milk to actual food was a little intimidating, but I knew it was a natural step in her development.
We decided to start with simple, easy-to-digest foods like mashed sweet potato and pureed apples. I loved the idea of offering one ingredient at a time so we could track any reactions, and I carefully selected organic fruits and vegetables to avoid any pesticides. The first few days were a learning experience for both of us. She wasn’t quite sure what to do with the spoon, often pushing it out with her tongue, but over time, she started to show more interest, even grabbing the spoon with her tiny hands. The joy on her face when she tasted sweet potato for the first time was priceless—her eyes lit up, and she smiled as if she had discovered a whole new world of flavors.
As the weeks passed, we introduced more foods, always sticking to single-ingredient purees at first—pears, carrots, and avocado. What I found most surprising was how easily she adapted to new tastes and textures. Some days, she would gobble down everything I offered, and other days, she would turn her head or push the food away. It was a little frustrating at times, but I learned not to take it personally. The most important thing was letting her explore at her own pace, without pressure. I also made sure to be patient, letting her take the lead on how much she wanted to eat.
As she neared 8 months, we moved to softer finger foods—small pieces of avocado, banana, and steamed veggies. I was amazed at how quickly she learned to pick things up with her hands and bring them to her mouth. It felt like such a big milestone, watching her chew and explore different textures. I also started offering her a sippy cup with water, which she was still getting the hang of, but it was exciting to see her growing independence. Looking back, I realize that starting solids wasn’t just about food—it was about watching my baby become more curious, more engaged with the world around her, and more confident in her abilities. It wasn’t always a smooth process, and I definitely had my moments of doubt, but now I look forward to mealtime with her, knowing that each bite is part of her journey toward becoming a healthy, curious eater. There’s something special about sharing those first tastes and watching her experience food in a whole new way.
Signs your Baby is Ready For Solids:
You might be asking the question is my baby ready for solids?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waiting until around 6 months to start solids, each baby develops at their own pace. It’s important to look for signs of readiness, as starting too early or too late can impact your baby’s growth and development. Some signs that your baby may be ready for solids include:
- Good Head Control: Your baby should be able to sit up with support and have good head and neck control. This helps them handle the process of eating solids without risk of choking.
- Interest in Food: Your baby might watch you eat with interest, reaching for food, or opening their mouth when food is offered. This is a sign they’re curious and ready to explore solids.
- Decreased Tongue-Thrust Reflex: At around 4-6 months, babies begin to lose their innate reflex of pushing food out of their mouth with their tongue. This makes it easier for them to swallow solid foods.
- Increased Hunger: If your baby is still hungry after regular breastfeeding or formula feedings, it might be a sign they are ready for solids. And of course always ask your pediatrician to give you the green light!
My Top Tips When Starting Solids:
- Offer small amount of food at first, so baby doesn’t get overwhelmed.
- Offer a variety of tastes and textures when ready, introduce a variety of different foods and flavors.
- Be consistent! Even if baby isn’t eating much or if baby is not interested yet, that’s ok! Just be consistent on giving them 1 meal per day. Aim for the same time every day, so baby establishes a routine. Pick a time that works best for you, babies thrive on routine and will start expecting it.
- Let them get messy! It is a sensory learning experience at it’s finest. It will bring a positive experience for baby, help develop fine motor skills and help them learn about food and how to eat.
- Last but not least, stay calm. Youve got this! Our little one’s are learning a big step in life, let’s be patient with them.
How and What to Feed Your Baby First?
When introducing solids, it’s important to offer single-ingredient, easy-to-digest foods that are low in allergens. Start with simple, smooth purees, and gradually increase the texture and variety of foods as your baby’s skills improve.
First we started with
Pureed Vegetables: Mild vegetables like sweet potatoes, pumpkin puree, and peas make great first foods. These vegetables are packed with vitamins and are easy to digest when cooked and pureed. You can steam, boil, or roast the vegetables and then blend them to a smooth consistency.
Avocados: Avocados are rich in healthy fats, which are important for brain development. They are also naturally soft and easy to mash, making them ideal for babies starting solids. Try my Avocado breastmilk puree.
Pureed Fruits: Apples, pear puree, peaches, or my Avocado Banana Puree are all great first fruits. They are soft, mild in flavor, and rich in vitamins.
Single-Grain Cereal: Many parents start with baby rice cereal or oatmeal, but I like to introduce grains and oats after veggies and fruit. These cereals are usually fortified with iron, which is important for your baby’s growth and brain development. Mix the cereal with breast milk or formula to create a smooth, runny consistency. Avoid introducing cereal with added sugars or preservatives. Here are a few oatmeal recipes you can start with, Apple Blueberry Oatmeal, Banana Peach Oatmeal, Avocado Banana Oatmeal.
Pureed Meats: After introducing fruits and vegetables, you may want to offer pureed meats like chicken, turkey, or beef. These provide a good source of protein and iron, which are important for your baby’s growth. Try recipes like Baby’s First Chicken Soup, this was a favorite when my kids were starting out. Or Potato Beef Pate.
Avoiding Choking Hazards
Choking is a concern when starting solids, but there are precautions you can take to minimize the risk:
- The bigger the better: For babies, make sure food is soft and you can squish it between your two fingers. When serving food make sure to prepare it correctly and age appropriate.
- Avoid hard foods: Foods like whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, and raw vegetables should be avoided until your baby is older and can chew them properly.
- Supervise mealtimes: Always watch your baby while they are eating to ensure they don’t choke. Encourage them to sit upright while eating, and avoid feeding them while they are lying down or walking around.
Introducing Water:
Around 6 months, it’s okay to start offering small amounts of water in a sippy cup. At first, they won’t drink much, but offering a little water during meals can help them get used to the idea of drinking from a cup.
Signs of Fullness:
Babies will let you know when they are full or hungry. Early signs of fullness include turning their head away from the spoon, closing their mouth, or pushing food away. If your baby refuses a food, don’t worry—it might just be that they’re not hungry or ready for that particular food yet. Offer a different food or try again at the next meal.
Mealtime Tips for Parents
- Keep mealtimes relaxed: Don’t force your baby to eat. Let them explore food at their own pace.
- Make it fun: Mealtime should be enjoyable. Let your baby play with food, and encourage them to try new textures and flavors.
- Model eating behaviors: Babies learn by watching, so eat together as a family when possible, and show your baby how you eat.
Starting solids is an exciting journey for both you and your baby. By introducing foods gradually, one at a time, and paying attention to your baby’s readiness and cues, you can make the transition to solid foods a smooth and enjoyable experience. Remember to be patient, and don’t stress if your baby doesn’t immediately take to every food—this is a learning process for them. Celebrate the small victories along the way, and enjoy this special time of growth and exploration with your baby. With a little time, creativity, and patience, your little one will be on their way to a lifetime of healthy eating habits.