When to Start Solid Foods: A Complete Month-by-Month Guide
When to start solids, first foods to try, texture progression, allergy introduction, and what to avoid — everything you need to know about starting your baby on solid foods.
Starting solid foods is one of the most exciting milestones in a baby's first year — and one of the most confusing for new parents. Recommendations have changed significantly in recent years, and the timing and approach really do matter for building healthy eating habits.
Signs Your Baby Is Ready for Solids
The World Health Organization recommends starting solids around 6 months, but readiness is more about developmental signs than a specific date. Most pediatricians recommend looking for all of the following:
- Baby can hold their head steady with minimal support
- The tongue-thrust reflex has faded (baby no longer pushes food out of mouth automatically)
- Baby shows interest in food — watching you eat, reaching for food
- Baby can sit upright with support
Best First Foods
While single-grain rice cereal has traditionally been the go-to first food, current research suggests iron-rich foods are a priority — since breast milk alone becomes insufficient in iron after 6 months. You have a lot of flexibility in what you offer first.
- Iron-fortified cereals (rice, oatmeal): easy to digest, low allergen risk
- Sweet potato, carrot, butternut squash puree: naturally sweet and easy to accept
- Pureed beef or chicken: excellent source of iron and zinc
- Green peas, broccoli, pea puree: early exposure to vegetables
Texture Progression by Age
💡 Introduce only one new food at a time and wait 3–5 days before introducing the next. This makes it easy to identify the cause of any allergic reaction (rash, vomiting, diarrhea).
- 6–7 months: Smooth, runny purees — liquid-like consistency
- 7–8 months: Thicker purees — mashed potato consistency
- 8–10 months: Soft mashed foods with small lumps
- 10–12 months: Soft finger foods, cut into 1cm pieces
Introducing Allergenic Foods
Current research strongly suggests that early introduction of common allergens (peanuts, eggs, fish, wheat) actually reduces the risk of developing allergies. The old advice to delay these foods has been reversed. Introduce small amounts after 6 months, one at a time, at home when you can observe for at least 2 hours.
⚠️ Never give honey to a baby under 12 months — there is a risk of infant botulism. Whole cow's milk should not be given as a main drink before 12 months (small amounts in cooking are fine).
Tracking What Your Baby Eats
Logging meals during the introduction phase helps you track which foods have been introduced, how much was eaten, and whether any reactions occurred. This data is valuable at pediatrician visits and helps you build a well-rounded diet systematically. BabySync's solid food log lets you record foods, amounts, and notes — and you can use ChatGPT to ask "Has my baby been getting enough iron this week?"