Your baby’s first food: when and how to start solids
If you have a baby between 5-6 months of age, chances are you are getting ready to explore the exciting world of solids! When it comes to your baby’s first food: when and how to start solids are always top questions from parents.
How Do I know my baby is ready to start solids?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing solids food around six months of age. Signs that your baby is ready to eat solids include:
- Able to hold their head up independently while sitting
- Can sit up mostly on their own
- Interested in mealtime and food
- Food does not automatically get pushed back out of the mouth (tongue thrust reflex which is present to help prevent choking)
- Baby is hungry between breast or bottle feeding sessions
What Food Should I Offer and How Much?
The old rule of feeding baby cereal as a first food has gone out the window. Spices are not off-limits either!
The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends introducing allergenic foods early and often as research shows that early introduction reduces the likelihood of developing food allergies.
This includes foods such as eggs, nuts, wheat, fish, and soy.
Whether you opt for feeding purees first or go with the baby-led weaning approach, know that whatever you pick is a great first option!
The typical recommendation is to offer a single-ingredient food every 2-3 days to ensure your baby does not have any signs of an allergic reaction. Always talk with your pediatrician before starting solids especially if there is a family history of food allergies.
Maternal iron stores start to deplete in your baby at 6 months. This is why it is so important to offer your baby nutrient dense and iron rich foods. If you’re starting with purees don’t be afraid to introduce meat!
The first few meals will be messy and mainly about exploring the new textures and flavors! A couple of spoonfuls of pureed food is plenty to begin with or 1-2 pieces of finger size food if opting for baby-led weaning. Your baby will be able to guide you if they want more once they get the hang of spoon and self-feeding.
What Time Do I Offer Solids?
I recommend offering solids when your baby is well-rested and not overly starving. What this translates to is after a decent nap and at the halfway point of awake time before the next nap.
This ensures your baby has been breast or bottle-fed upon waking from the nap, so they are not overly hungry, but will most likely accept food if offered!
As the day goes on, your baby may get more fussy and tired which can lead to more resistance with solids. If you run into this scenario try offering solids earlier in the day.
I also recommend offering new foods in the morning hours so that if your baby has an allergic reaction, you can take them in for an evaluation and not be up all night!
Offering solids earlier in the day when first starting off also helps your baby to avoid a new overnight poop and sleep challenge. Read more about solids and sleep here!
Here are some of my favorite baby feeding products!
The Bumkins Silicone grip plate is one of my favorite baby feeding products! This thing is indestructible! I’ve used this with both kids and run it through the dishwasher hundreds of times! Lalo is another favorite and includes their First Bites Kit.
The Num Num GooTensils are my favorite first spoons! These allow your baby to practice self-feeding without choking themselves with a long spoon! It’s great to smear thicker foods onto and allows them to teeth on the spoon while feeding.
Gotta have some cute bibs and a high chair for starting solids! And something that I never thought I needed was a splat mat. Babies, toddlers, and kids are MESSY eaters!! I like both the Bumkins washable waterproof bibs. Lalo’s highchair and splat mat come in neutral modern colors.
It’s also important to introduce a cup and start offering a small amount of water when you are starting solids. 1 ounce is plenty with a “meal.”
As you start solids your baby’s poop is going to change! This is normal! Different colors, smells, and frequencies! The tummy has to get used to processing all the new foods and a small amount of water can help with possible constipation issues!
A few of my favorite baby cups include the EZPZ open cup (this is great for the very beginning when you are offering a few sips), the Munchkin 360 cup (a tried and true classic), and the Munchkin Weighted Straw cup.
Enjoy the wonderful world of solid foods with your baby! And always talk to your pediatrician before starting!
Sleep Resources to help your baby
If overnight wake ups, short naps, and bedtime struggles are your norm, I have a class for you. The 4-24 Month Well Rested Collection will walk you step-by-step through a completely customizable sleep training experience. In just a few weeks, your baby will be getting 11-12 hours of independent night sleep, AND you’ll have a plan to navigate any future regressions or bumps in your journey. I’ll also help you set up a daytime routine and nap schedule that fits your family’s lifestyle and values. And you’ll get age-specific guidance to meet your baby right where he or she is developmentally at every stage from now until your baby turns 2.
We also offer 1:1 personalized sleep coaching to families starting at 3 months of age! We have multiple options that can help your baby get the sleep their body needs for optimal growth and development!
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