Is Your Baby Ready for Solids?

There is something so deeply sweet about those early bites. One day, your baby is curling against your chest, sustained by nothing but your milk or formula. The next, you're staring at a soft spoon, coaxing a bit of avocado or oatmeal into their mouth, and watching their little face twerk as they process what's just happened to them.

Introducing solids is about more than nutrition, it's a milestone that signifies a future of greater independence for your baby, and a new season in your own child-raising journey.

But if you're anything like the majority of the parents I've served, this transition is also accompanied by a whirlwind of questions: When should it be? What if they choke? What foods are okay? Am I doing this right?

These questions are normal. They are an expression of your profound love and your wish to give your baby the best possible beginning to life. The reality is, there is no perfect blueprint — but there are some signposts, rhythms and tools to help guide you. Let's break it down, step-by-step, so you can feel centered and in control when starting solids for your baby.

When to Begin: Reading Your Baby's Alerts

You've most likely read (or heard) that most babies are developmentally ready to start solids around 6 months. But that guidance is only part of the picture. What is most relevant is your baby's developmental readiness. Some babies may be ready a bit earlier, closer to 5 months, and others may need more time.

Connect to your baby not the calendar. Instead of trying to stick to the calendar, learn to watch your baby's body and behavior. Readiness doesn't relate only to age; it also pertains to ability.

That's what I've witnessed do the best again and again: Letting your baby tell you when they're ready.

Watch for these key signs:

• Good head and neck control (able to support head while sitting up)
• Sitting with very little or no back rest
• Reduced tongue-thrust reflex (they no longer automatically push food out with their tongues)
• Expressing interest in food (reaching for your plate, tracking your fork with his eyes, mimicking chewing)
• Opening mouth when food approaches

These symptoms will typically appear around 5-6 months. If your baby is paired with another machine and consistently doing most of these, they're very likely ready to start solids.

Purees, Baby-Led Weaning, or Both? Understanding Your Options

One of the most significant decisions you will need to make when you are ready to introduce solids, is how to feed your baby. There are two main approaches:

You can be either/or or both — one way isn't better than the other. The most important thing is that it feels in line with your baby's cues and your own comfort. One of my mantras for parents: there is no "right" way to feed—only the way that works best for your family.

First Foods: What, When, and How to Introduce Solid Foods

At this stage, the aim isn't to fill baby up —it's to teach her about flavor, texture, and the pleasures of eating. Call it food play with a point.

Safe first foods include:

• Iron-fortified infant cereal (oat, rice) served with breastmilk or formula
• Mashed avocado
• Pureed sweet potato or carrot
• Mashed banana or steamed pear
• Lentils or finely shredded chicken
• Blanched veggies or fruits in pieces suitable for BLW

An early reminder: iron is important around six months, particularly for breastfed kids. Add foods that are good source of iron, such as meat, lentils, beans and fortified cereal, to the diet early and often.

Getting Started: The Nuts and Bolts of Transition

We can cut the overwhelming factor out of this bit. Here's a sequence I've seen help families time and again:

Choose a calm time of day

Do not begin solids when baby is overtired or fussy. Mid-morning or after a nap may be ideal.

Offer milk first

Keep offering breastmilk or formula before solids. For the first few months, solids are in addition to milk, not instead of it.

Start small

Just a teaspoon or two should suffice the first time out. Let your baby play with it with hands, tongue, even the mess is a part of their learning.

Spoon feed gently or encourage them to self feed using a chatiti spoon

If spoon-feeding, let baby open mouth and come forward. If you are BLW make sure food is soft enough to squeeze between fingers and cut to learn to pick up.

Add only one new food at a time

Wait another 3-5 days before trying a new food. This allows you to keep an eye out for potential allergies or sensitivities.

What About Allergies?

That fear is not uncommon, and one I frequently hear. The most recent guidance actually supports early exposure to the common allergens, including peanut, egg, dairy and wheat, once your baby is developmentally ready to eat foods safely. Naturally, start small and check in with your pediatrician if you've got a family history of allergies.

Watch for signs like:

• Rash or hives
• Vomiting
• Swelling of the lips or face
• Trouble breathing always requires immediate medical attention

Signs It's Going Well (Even If It's Messy)

Not each feeding will resemble a photo op. There are times when your baby will spit up everything. Sometimes they'll pleasantly shock you with a big, joyful chomp. Both are normal.

Here's what it might look like to make progress:

• Baby will be swallowing more and pushing out less
• They get all excited when they see food
• Or they go for the spoon or food
• They can handle more textures as they age

Progress may be gradual. That's okay. This is going to be a long game, not a sprint.

Common Concerns, Answered

You Can Do This — And You're Not Alone

Introducing solids can surface more than the dinner logistics. It can seem like the beginning of letting go — just a tiny bit — as your baby steps into a new phase. That's big. That's real. And you are doing a phenomenal job of navigating it.

What I have seen achieve this time and time again is simple: follow your baby, stay curious and be patient. You don't need to make it perfect. You've just got to keep showing up.