Guides · Feeding · 4–8 months · 3 min read

Starting Solids Around 6 Months

Readiness signs, first foods, and how to begin solids safely and without pressure at around 6 months.

Major health bodies including the AAP and WHO recommend introducing solid foods at around 6 months, alongside continued breast milk or formula. Milk remains your baby's main nutrition well into the first year — early solids are about learning, tasting, and building skills.

Signs your baby is ready

Age matters less than readiness. Look for all of these, usually appearing close to 6 months:

• Sits upright with minimal support and holds their head steady.
• Has lost the tongue-thrust reflex that pushes food back out.
• Shows real interest — watching your fork, reaching, opening their mouth.

Wait on solids before 4 months; a baby's gut and oral skills simply aren't ready.

Good first foods

There's no strict required order. Aim for variety and, importantly, iron — babies' iron stores start running down around 6 months:

• Iron-rich options: iron-fortified baby cereal, well-cooked pureed or shredded meat, beans, lentils, tofu.
• Vegetables and fruits: mashed or soft-cooked, single ingredients at first if you prefer.
• Offer solids once a day to start, building up gradually to 2–3 times daily by 9 months.

Avoid honey before 12 months (botulism risk), added salt and sugar, whole nuts, and cow's milk as a main drink before age one (small amounts in cooking are fine).

Keep it low pressure

Expect funny faces, spat-out food, and tiny amounts eaten — that's learning, not rejection. It can take 10 or more exposures before a food is accepted. Sit baby upright, always supervise, follow their cues, and stop when they turn away. Mealtimes that stay relaxed now build a happier eater later.

*Always consult your pediatrician for advice specific to your baby.*