How to Start Introducing Solid Foods to Babies

Introducing solids to your baby can be intimidating. With safety and nutrition top of mind, we’d like to help simplify the introduction process. Starting on solid foods allows babies to get accustomed to eating, establish a feeding routine, learn about textures, and experience using utensils. Our guide will help you determine if they’re ready to start solids and transition them during their first year of life as they explore the diversity of solid foods.

When to start solids

There is no hard and fast answer to when babies can start eating baby food because every child develops differently. Prior to introducing solids, make sure your baby is developmentally ready. Consider the following readiness cues and benchmarks. Is your baby:

1. At least 4 months old?
2. Holding their head up without assistance?
3. No longer sticking out their tongue automatically when something is put in their mouth (also called the “extrusion reflex”)?
4. Sitting up without assistance?
5. Propping up on their elbows while lying on their tummy?

When you’ve answered yes to these questions, and you’ve discussed starting solids with your pediatrician, we recommend introducing single-ingredient purees. Don’t be surprised if your little one only eats a spoonful or two, as it can take a few days or even weeks before they learn to eat off a spoon. As you introduce solids, it is also important to remember that up until 12 months, babies should receive most of their nutritional needs from breast milk, formula, or a combination of both.

What foods to begin with

Food progression for infants goes through three distinct stages:

• Stage I: Smooth purees, generally for babies between 4 and 6 months old.
• Stage II: Thicker-textured foods, typically for babies between 6 and 9 months old.
• Stage III: Chunkier foods for children between 9 months and 1 year old.

Help your little one embark on their food journey by following these guidelines for choosing which foods to introduce and when.

Best first foods for babies

Since babies are naturally inclined to prefer sweeter foods, it’s important to introduce vegetables prior to fruit in order to increase acceptance of more savory flavors. Additionally, when your baby starts eating, try one new puree every two to three days so your baby can get used to the new tastes, and you can monitor for any allergic reactions.

Introducing single-ingredient purees

When first introducing solids to your baby, start with orange vegetable purees, like butternut squash, yam, sweet potato or pumpkin. These offer a natural sweetness that tends to be easily accepted by babies. Increased acceptance can lead to an eager eater, so if your baby has a good first experience with foods, they’ll be more likely to try other purees later on.

Once your baby accepts orange veggies, begin incorporating green veggie purees to their eating schedule while continuing to offer orange veggies. Green bean, pea, and zucchini purees are a great place to start. These are slightly bitter in taste, which means your baby might need some help adjusting to these new flavors. If your baby is having difficulty accepting green veggies alone, try mixing in some of an orange veggie puree to add a little sweetness.

While your baby continues to enjoy orange and green veggies, slowly start introducing naturally sweet fruit. Fruit purees such as mango, apple, strawberry and pear are great single-ingredient purees to start. Once your baby enjoys the sweetness of fruit, they may be less eager to enjoy veggies. Consider offering these less frequently or towards the end of the meal.

Other Stage I foods you can offer include pureed meats, fish, poultry, and well-mashed grains. As your little one grows, you can begin giving them thicker consistencies and eventually soft chunks of food.

Avoiding potential allergens

According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, allergists now recommend introducing certain foods as early as 4 to 6 months, which may reduce the potential of an allergen risk. Be sure to discuss introducing allergens with your pediatrician before starting solids. For more information on food allergies in children, check out our two-part blog series with Dr. Steve Handoyo of the University of Chicago: Part 1, Part 2.

Frequently asked questions about starting solids

The following are answers to common questions and concerns parents express about introducing solid foods.

1. When can babies eat solids? How do I know if my baby is ready?

Babies are generally ready to accept solid foods when they can sit independently, control their neck and head, and bring their fists or other items to their mouths. These milestones typically occur between 4 and 6 months of age.

Your baby’s pediatrician is the best source of guidance on this subject and can let you know when your baby is ready for solids.

2. What should I do if my baby has allergies?

If your baby has allergies, avoid giving them foods with those ingredients. You should also have an oral antihistamine on hand in case they have an allergic reaction to a new food.

3. When can I introduce water to my baby?

Babies don’t need water to stay hydrated for their first six months. After this milestone, it’s generally safe to introduce small amounts of water to your baby’s diet as they begin to eat more solid food.

4. How do I make baby food at home?

To make your baby’s food, you’ll need tools like a blender, a baby food grinder, a sieve or strainer, and cooking equipment. Trim all meats, fish and poultry, and peel and pit any fruits and vegetables. Cook foods completely and grind or strain them before blending. You can mix in small amounts of water, breastmilk or formula to reach the desired consistency and gradually introduce chunkier textures when appropriate.

Busy parents can supplement their efforts to introduce their baby to solid food with Baby Finger Foods and Superfood Smoothies from Nurture Life. All our meal plan options contain clean, real ingredients and come freshly prepared. You can also have peace of mind knowing our registered pediatric dietitians design each meal.

5. How can I prevent choking incidents?

Your baby should always sit in a highchair with a secure strap and stay upright during feeding to prevent choking. Supervise your child constantly as they eat, and only feed them appropriate textures and piece sizes for their developmental stage. You can also learn how to help your baby if they choke for more peace of mind.

6. What if my baby refuses to eat solids?

It’s common for a baby to reject new foods, especially during the early weeks of introducing solids. The textures and flavors are all new experiences, and it can take several tries for them to accept a new food. If your baby continues to reject solid foods, consult with your pediatrician for advice.

7. Can I skip purees and go straight to table foods?

Eliminating purees in favor of letting your baby self-feed with table foods is called “baby-led weaning.” Some experts advocate for this approach because it fosters fine motor skills development and can lead to better self-regulation. When introducing table foods, ensure you provide appropriately sized and textured options to prevent choking.

If you want to give baby-led weaning a try, you can discuss the option with your pediatrician for greater clarification.

8. How can I ensure my baby gets enough iron?

Iron is crucial for healthy brain development, so it’s natural to want to ensure your child’s diet contains enough of it to support that goal. Choose options like iron-fortified cereals or pureed meats and beans. Some vegetables and grains, such as green peas and lentils, are also good sources of dietary iron.

9. Should I feed my baby rice cereal?

In addition to fruits and vegetables, single iron-fortified grains like rice are a popular choice for first foods due to their bland taste, smooth texture, and low allergen risk. Until they are about 5 to 6 months old, most babies have adequate iron stores acquired in-utero, so at 6 months old, we recommend introducing foods that naturally contain dietary iron and pose a low allergy risk. Rather than traditional rice cereal, consider trying more fiber-filled, nutrient-dense grains or legumes such as buckwheat, millet, oatmeal, quinoa, beans, or lentils.

10. What is the best way to introduce solids for the first time?

When your baby is first starting solid food, it’s important to start mealtime when your baby is hungry and eager to eat. We recommend offering food before breast milk or formula is offered. Learn how to encourage interest in mealtime and exploration of new tastes in our full post on tips for introducing solids to your baby

11. How much food should I offer per feeding? How many times should I offer purees to my baby throughout the day?

We recommend starting with three meals per day, offering a few spoonfuls at each “meal” and progressing as your baby shows interest.

Conclusion

Starting solids with your baby is meant to be a time for food exploration and motor skill development. Remember that each baby is different, and their starting-solids experience will likely deviate from fellow babies’ experiences. Consult with your pediatrician about the right timing for your little one.

If you have questions or would like further guidance in designing the meal plan that is best for your child, feel free to contact our team at support@nurturelife.com.