Introducing your baby to solid foods is an exciting milestone in your little one’s developmental journey. Most babies are ready to begin exploring solid foods around 4-7 months of age, though each child develops at their own unique pace.
Understanding the signs of readiness will help you introduce solids at the perfect time for your baby, supporting their nutritional needs and developmental progress. This article will help you recognise when your baby is ready for this important step and provide guidance on first food choices that support your baby’s health and development.
Sitting, head control, and chewing
The most important sign that your baby is ready for solids is their ability to sit upright with good head and neck control. This is essential for safe swallowing and helps to prevent choking. When your baby can sit comfortably for about fifteen minutes with minimal support, it shows their body is prepared for this new stage. You may also notice the appearance of your baby’s first teeth. While teeth are not strictly necessary for starting solids, their arrival is one of nature’s ways of indicating that the body is preparing for chewing and processing more complex foods.
Curiosity and appetite
Your baby will tell you when they are ready to move beyond milk. Many babies begin to show a keen interest in what you are eating, watching your food closely, and sometimes even reaching out to try and grab it. When you offer food, a baby who is ready will open their mouth willingly and may lean forward to taste what you are offering. Another sign is that your baby can keep food in their mouth, rather than automatically pushing it out with their tongue. This is a developmental change that makes eating solids much easier.
You might also notice that milk feeds are no longer as satisfying as they once were. Your baby may wake more frequently at night, appearing hungrier even after a full feed. This increased appetite is a sign that their nutritional needs are changing. Drooling may become more noticeable, and your baby may show improved hand-to-mouth coordination, like picking up objects and bringing them to their mouth, skills that are important for self-feeding and exploring new textures.
The importance of instinct
Never underestimate your parental instinct if you are a mum who has been around the block. You know your baby better than anyone else and can often sense subtle changes that may not be listed in any guide. Trusting your intuition, alongside recognising these developmental signs, creates a balanced and gentle approach to introducing solids.
Choosing first foods
When your baby shows these signs, it is time to introduce their first foods. Start with gentle options like stewed apple or pear, or fresh ripe papaya, offered as a separate meal once a day. After four to six weeks of fruit introduction, you can add a vegetable meal each day, focusing on root vegetables and those from the pumpkin family, like butternut, potato, carrot, pumpkin, beetroot, sweet potato, and gem squash. These should be cooked thoroughly and mashed to a smooth consistency, with a little unsalted butter if needed. As your baby grows more comfortable, gradually increase the texture of their foods. Note: do not give babies under the age of 18 months salt in their food.
It is wise to introduce one new food at a time, allowing a few days between each to watch for any signs of allergy or intolerance. This supports your baby’s digestive development and helps them develop a taste for a variety of foods. Avoid processed cereals and instead focus on whole, nourishing ingredients with your baby’s evolving needs. For further guidance on which foods to introduce first, you can read our article on baby nutrition.
Supporting your baby’s journey
Introducing solids is a time of discovery for both you and your baby. Recognising the signs of readiness and choosing natural, wholesome foods for baby lays the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating habits. Approach this stage with patience and positivity. Allow your baby to explore new tastes and textures at their own pace and enjoy this exciting new phase of your baby’s life.
References
- Conte, K. (2024) Introducing solid foods to your baby, What to Expect. Available at: https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/feeding-baby/introducing-solid-foods/
- Feeding guide for the first year (2024) Johns Hopkins Medicine. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/feeding-guide-for-the-first-year
- Feeding guide for the first year (no date) Stanford Medicine Children’s Health. Available at: https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default%3Fid=feeding-guide-for-the-first-year-90-P02209
- When, what, and how to introduce Solid Foods (no date) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/foods-and-drinks/when-what-and-how-to-introduce-solid-foods.html
- Readiness for babies to start Solid Food (no date) Solid Starts. Available at: https://solidstarts.com/readiness/