When Can I Start Giving Solid Foods to My Baby?

Most babies are ready to start solid foods around 6 months of age, but it’s important to look for signs of readiness, such as:

• Good head and neck control

• Sitting up with minimal support

• Showing interest in food when others are eating

• Losing the tongue-thrust reflex (not pushing food out with the tongue)

Start with simple, single-ingredient foods like mashed fruits (banana, apple), vegetables (carrot, pumpkin), or rice cereal. Introduce one new food at a time and wait a few days to watch for any allergic reactions.

Products to help with starting solids:

• Baby spoons and bowls designed for little hands and mouths

• Food mills or blenders for preparing homemade purees

• High chairs for safe and comfortable feeding times

• Silicone bibs for easy cleanup