How To Start Your Baby On Solid Foods – Forbes Health Select Region United States United Kingdom Germany India Health family Advertiser Disclosure The Forbes Health editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Health site. This compensation comes from two main sources. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles; these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Health. While we work hard to provide accurate and up-to-date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Health does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. How To Start Your Baby On Solid Foods By Becca Stanek Contributor Medically Reviewed Malina Malkani, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., is the registered dietitian, best-selling author and single mom of three behind the Instagram and TikTok account Malina Malkani, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N. Nutrition, pediatric nutrition, maternal nutrition Updated: Aug 24, 2022, 1:57pm Commissions we earn from partner links on this page do not affect our opinions or evaluations. Our editorial content is based on thorough research and guidance from the Forbes Health Advisory Board. Getty Creative Table of Contents When Should My Baby Start Solid Foods How Do I Know My Baby Is Ready for Solid Foods How Do I Start My Baby on Solid Foods What Food Should I Feed My Baby First How Do I Feed My Baby Solid Foods What If My Baby Doesn t Like Solid Foods How Do I Know If My Baby Has an Allergy to a New Food {{ tocState.toggleTocShowMore ? 'Show more' : 'Show less' }} It’s exciting when your baby is finally ready to start trying solid foods, but it can also feel overwhelming. How do you know your baby is ready? What foods should you introduce first? What if they don’t like solid foods? And what about food allergies? To put your mind at ease and your baby on the right track, here are some tips for how to start your baby on solid foods. Find A Nanny You Can Trust Care.com requires all caregivers to complete a background check before they are able to interact with families on the platform, helping families find their perfect caregiver. Get Started For Free When Should My Baby Start Solid Foods The American Academy of Pediatrics, World Health Organization and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommend starting solids at about 6 months of age when babies are showing developmental signs of readiness for solid foods. However, some sources suggest it’s possible to try introducing solid foods earlier than that. Boston Children’s Hospital states that “generally, when infants double their birth weight (typically at about 4 months of age) and weigh about 13 pounds or more, they may be ready for solid foods [1]Starting Solid Foods. Boston Children's Hospital. Accessed 08/04/2022. .” However, introducing solid foods sooner than 4 months of age is not advised, explains Minghua Tang, Ph.D., a clinical researcher specializing in complementary feeding at Children’s Hospital Colorado and an associate professor at University of Colorado School of Medicine. “There is some research showing that introducing solids before 4 months could potentially increase the [baby’s] risk of becoming overweight. But anything after 4 months doesn’t seem to have any obvious negative impact,” says Dr. Tang. How Do I Know My Baby Is Ready for Solid Foods There are key developmental signs to look for that will indicate whether your baby is ready for solid foods. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these developmental steps include: Adequate control of their head and neck Ability to sit up alone or with some support Can swallow food instead of pushing it back out Moves food from the front of the tongue to the back in order to swallow Opens their mouth when food is offered Brings objects to their mouth Tries to grab small objects Stephanie P. Gilley, M.D., Ph.D., a pediatrician specializing in growth and nutrition at Children’s Hospital Colorado and an assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, also encourages families she works with to observe whether their baby seems interested in food. “I remember having my 4-month-old on my lap at one point. We were eating spaghetti, and I looked down and he just had a fistful of spaghetti in his hand because he was so excited to try to engage with the food and try to put it to his mouth,” says Dr. Gilley. “And so those are all really good signs.” How Do I Start My Baby on Solid Foods As you start your baby on solid foods, you can expect them to eat “as little as 1 tablespoon or even just a few bites,” says Dr. Gilley. They’ll still be getting the majority of their food from either breast milk or formula. The balance between formula or breast milk and solid foods will start to shift as your baby gets older. “At 6 months they might be eating one or two portions a day, and then by 12 months, the baby is probably eating [solid food] closer to three to five times a day,” says Dr. Gilley. The Importance of Repeated Exposure When you’re introducing foods that might not be sweet or salty, such as green leafy vegetables, repeated exposure is important, says Dr. Tang. “You probably would see the baby at the first exposure—or the first few exposures—just play with it, put it in their mouth then spit it out, drop it on the floor and pick it up again or play with it in their hands,” says Dr. Tang. She stresses this is a normal reaction and for caregivers to “be persistent and keep offering it to them.” For parents who are feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to turn for information online—Dr. Gilley recommended two different Instagram accounts: @feedinglittes and @kids.eat.in.color. Both accounts are run by pediatric dieticians and offer tips on introducing foods, making eating fun and what behaviors are normal. What Food Should I Feed My Baby First Foods to initially feed your baby include infant cereals and purees made with vegetables, fruits or meats, or tender-cooked finger foods from the family table for self-feeding (otherwise known as baby-led weaning), or a combination of both, although finger foods are not recommended until babies are about 6 months and showing the developmental signs of readiness. Also at around 6 months of age, most babies’ iron stores are low and they need to start getting iron and zinc from complementary food sources, so it’s helpful to make it a priority to offer iron-rich foods (such as meats and eggs) in infant-safe forms. Two foods that you should not introduce to your baby before 12 months are honey, as it could cause infant botulism, and cow’s milk (as a beverage, although small amounts in recipes is fine), because a baby should still be taking human milk or formula to get the proper nutrients. Take care to avoid even products that simply contain honey, such as cereals or crackers that have honey in them. Bestselling Baby Formula on Amazon # Preview Product Rating Price 1 Happy Baby Organics Teether, 3 Flavor Variety... 2,458 Reviews $19.30 Buy on Amazon 2 Happy Baby Organics Superfood Puffs, Variety Pack,... 5,629 Reviews $23.11 Buy on Amazon 3 Gerber Baby Food 2nd Foods Variety Pack, Fruit &... 6,499 Reviews $25.99 Buy on Amazon How Do I Feed My Baby Solid Foods According to Dr. Gilley, the appropriate method for how to feed your baby solid foods depends on each child. “Even within the same family, I think any parent who has more than one child will say that every child is very different. So it’s hard to make a blanket recommendation,” she explains. For parents who are looking for some general guidelines, the Children’s Hospital Colorado recommends introducing spoon feeding for babies between the ages of 4 and 6 months and for the caregiver to feed the baby [2]Pediatric Feeding Development. Children's Hospital Colorado. Accessed 08/04/2022. . The caregiver should be feeding the baby responsively. Responsive feeding means learning a baby’s cues for hunger and fullness and responding to them right away in a warm and positive manner, which supports a child’s ability to self-regulate. While they are eating, the baby should either be sitting in a highchair that offers support or be supported by the caregiver. As the child gets older, parents may move them to a highchair with head and foot support. Gagging is a common, noisy part of the process of learning to eat. If, when feeding your baby, you notice them begin to gag, splutter or cough, it’s best to stay calm and coach the baby to chew and swallow the food on their own. Choking is when a piece of food blocks the child’s airway and requires intervention. Signs that your child is choking include high-pitched sounds while trying to breathe, clutching at the throat or even no sound at all. What If My Baby Doesn t Like Solid Foods If a baby is around 4 or 5 months old and simply doesn’t seem interested in solid foods, Dr. Gilley recommends giving it a bit more time. But if the baby is 6 months old—or particularly if they’re nearing 7 or 8 months in age—Dr. Gilley advises caregivers to try feeding more frequently and with the food presented in different ways. For babies who are 7 or 8 months and still not accepting solid foods, Dr. Gilley suggests that parents reach out to their pediatrician. Some babies may have an oral aversion, which causes them to struggle with putting things in their mouth outside of breastmilk or a bottle. The pediatrician can evaluate your baby’s growth and make sure they’re on track developmentally, she says. Consult a Pediatrician Zocdoc helps you find and book top-rated doctors, on demand. Visit them in their offices, or video chat with them from home. Check out the Pediatricians in your area. Pediatricians Near Me How Do I Know If My Baby Has an Allergy to a New Food Hives and vomiting are the most common signs that your baby may be having an allergic reaction to a new food. Shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing could also occur, though older children are more likely than babies to display these symptoms. Oral allergy syndrome is another reaction to watch for, according to Dr. Gilley. This syndrome can cause an itchy sensation in the mouth but is not necessarily dangerous to the child. However, it’s important to introduce highly allergenic foods early on, starting at around 4 to 6 months—especially for children who are at risk for developing allergies. Previously, it was suggested to wait until a child was at least a year old to introduce this group of foods, but research has since shown this delay increases a child’s risk for developing allergies. Some of the most highly-allergenic foods and food groups include: Cow’s milk Soy Eggs Wheat Tree nuts Peanuts Shellfish Fish Sesame It is helpful to introduce the top nine allergens one at a time, either alone or with foods the baby has had and tolerated before. This way, if there is a reaction, it’s easier to determine which food is responsible. It’s also important to introduce an appropriate amount of the allergen at a high enough frequency to determine a baby’s tolerance to it. According to Dr. Tang, you should provide a child with “at least 2 grams per allergen per week to have it be effective” when introducing something like peanut butter, for example. It’s suggested that a child should be served this quantity at least three times a week to ensure adequate exposure. Find A Nanny You Can Trust Get started with 3 easy steps: Create a profile. Post a job with your care needs. Connect with local caregivers. Join For Free Sources Footnotes Starting Solid Foods. Boston Children's Hospital. Accessed 08/04/2022. Pediatric Feeding Development. Children's Hospital Colorado. Accessed 08/04/2022. References When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 08/04/2022. Starting Baby on Solid Food. Longwood Pediatrics Boston Children's Primary Care Alliance. Accessed 08/04/2022. Pediatric Feeding Development. Children's Hospital Colorado. Accessed 08/04/2022. Feeding Guide for the First Year. Stanford Medicine Children's Health. Accessed 08/04/2022. Babies and Food Allergies. Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Accessed 08/04/2022. Introducing Peanut in Infancy. Weill Cornell Medicine Pediatrics. Accessed 08/04/2022. Moira K. Differding, Sara E. Benjamin-Neelon, Cathrine Hoyo, Truls Østbye, Noel T. Mueller. Timing of complementary feeding is associated with gut microbiota diversity and composition and short chain fatty acid concentrations over the first year of life. BMC Microbiology, 2020; 20 (1). Mannan H. Early Infant Feeding of Formula or Solid Foods and Risk of Childhood Overweight or Obesity in a Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Region of Australia: A Longitudinal Cohort Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(8):1685. Abrams EM, Becker AB. Food introduction and allergy prevention in infants. CMAJ. 2015;187(17):1297-1301. Baby Best Baby Formula Similac vs. Enfamil Formula How Long Baby Formula Lasts Switching Baby Formula Guide How Long Breast Milk Lasts Weaning: Breast Milk To Formula Baby Spit Up: Should You Worry? 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Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional. Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers. Becca Stanek Contributor Becca Stanek is an experienced writer and editor who is passionate about exploring the ways we can feel better mentally and physically to get the most out of our lives. She has worked for publications including LendingTree, SmartAsset, and The Week, among others. She's currently completing her 200-hour yoga teacher training, and also likes to spend her time reading, writing, biking and hiking. Malina Malkani, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N. Nutrition, pediatric nutrition, maternal nutrition Malina Malkani, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., is the registered dietitian, best-selling author and single mom of three behind the Instagram and TikTok account, @healthy.mom.healthy.kids. She is a top nutrition influencer and trusted expert in local and national media outlets and publications including The Doctors (CBS), Everyday Health, Sirius XM Doctor Radio, Newsweek, Well + Good, Health, Insider, HuffPost, CNN and Food Network. Malina owns a nutrition consulting company and private practice (MalinaMalkani.com), dedicated to helping parents feed their babies and kids with confidence. She is the author of Simple and Safe Baby-Led Weaning: How to Integrate Foods, Manage Portion Sizes and Identify Allergies and the creator of two online courses for parents called, Safe & Simple Baby-Led Feeding, and Solve Picky Eating. A former national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, she completed her undergraduate degrees at Northwestern University and master's degree in clinical nutrition at New York University. Currently, she works with companies including the following: Nature’s Way KiDS, Lil Mixins Allergen Powders, Eztotz, Kvaroy Arctic Salmon, Active Skin Repair, Girl Factor, That’s It!, Kalena Organic Sparkling Coconut Water, National Peanut Board, Danone North America, General Mills, Wakunaga, Purity Coffee, Egg Nutrition Center, Littlemore, Inc., Petit Pot, Else Nutrition, Force of Nature, Med-IQ, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Guiding Stars Nutrition, Mission MightyMe, Plum Organics, Stokke Baby, The Secret Life of Skin, Bio-First.