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Solid foods: How to get your baby started

What if my baby refuses his or her first feeding?
Know what's off-limits
Preparing baby food at home
Make meals manageable
Content
Is your baby ready for solid foods?
What to serve when
Start simple
Needed nutrients
Baby cereal basics
Add vegetables and fruits
Offer finely chopped finger foods
Add water
What if my baby refuses solid food?
What about food allergies?
Is juice OK?
Know what not to feed
Making baby food at home
Make mealtime fun
Let your baby explore
Use a spoon and cup
Dish out servings
Know when to stop

Is your baby ready for solid foods?

Many health agencies and healthcare professionals recommend breastfeeding babies for the first 6 months. During this time, breast milk or formula is the only food your newborn needs.

But by ages 4 months to 6 months, most babies are ready to have solid foods added to their diet of breast milk or formula.

During this time most babies stop using their tongues to push food out of their mouths. Instead they use their tongues to move food from the front of the mouth to the back to swallow it.

Besides age, other signs that babies are ready for solid foods include being able to:

  • Hold their heads up.
  • Sit with little support.
  • Bring their hands or toys to their mouths.
  • Show they want food by leaning toward the food and opening their mouths wide.
  • Show when they're full by leaning back and turning away.

If your baby can do these things and your baby's healthcare professional agrees, you can begin adding solid food to your baby's liquid diet.