When & How to Start Solids
- Rebecca McCann
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
Thinking of starting your baby on solid foods? Here’s what the research tells us — plus how to do it in a way that feels right for your family.
Why We Introduce Solids: Nutrition, Development & Allergies
By around 6 months of age, babies begin to need nutrients (especially iron and zinc) that breastmilk or formula alone can’t fully provide. Starting solids also gives babies the chance to practice new skills — exploring textures, chewing, moving food in the mouth, and gradually developing independence.
Introducing allergenic foods early (when your baby is developmentally ready) may also help reduce the risk of food allergies, according to current research.
Importantly: introducing solids doesn’t mean milk becomes optional overnight. Milk (breastmilk or formula) continues to be the main source of nutrition for many months as your baby’s solid-food intake grows.
When Is the Right Time to Start Solids?
It’s About Readiness, Not Just the Calendar
Although many guidelines (like those from the WHO and AAP) suggest waiting until roughly 6 months before offering solids, the exact date is less important than whether your baby is showing these readiness signs:
Good head & neck control and upright sitting
Ability to grasp objects and bring them to the mouth
Ability to move food from the front to the back of the mouth and swallow (diminishing tongue-thrust reflex) - so food isn’t always pushed back out.
Starting before your baby is ready can make feeding more difficult, lead to digestive upset, or reduce their intake of milk (which should still be the main source of energy and nutrients). On the other hand, waiting too long can deprive babies of opportunities to explore new textures, flavors, and skills.
If you’re wondering whether to start a little early (4–5 months), speak with your pediatrician and make a decision based on your baby’s individual progress—not just the calendar.
Choosing Your Approach: Spoon-feeding, Baby-led Weaning, or a Combo
There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Some families pick one method, and many families that I’ve worked with choose to do a combination. The three main styles are:
Spoon-feeding: caregivers offer purées, gradually increasing texture.
Baby-led Weaning/ self-feeding: babies feed themselves with soft finger foods from the start (with modifications for safety).
Combination approach: a mix of spoon-feeding and baby-led feeding, providing options and flexibility.
Each method can be safe and effective when done responsively, with attention to cues and offering appropriate food textures.
A common concern: does baby-led weaning increase choking risk? Evidence shows no, as long as safe foods are chosen and common choking hazards are avoided. Interestingly, some studies suggest that babies who are offered finger foods more frequently (therefore getting more practice) may have less risk of choking than those who get finger foods only occasionally. Read the research here.
Practical Tips for What to Serve (and What to Avoid)
Serve real family foods, modified for safety as needed (mashed, puréed, or soft-cooked).
Skip added salt, sugar, or spicy seasoning in baby’s portion.
Offer variety — colors, tastes, textures, and from multiple food groups (fruits, vegetables, protein, grains, healthy fats).
For allergenic foods: introduce one at a time, watch closely, and don’t start on days when baby is sick.
Ready for More Info?
If you’d like a comprehensive resource you can refer back to anytime, I created From Milk to Meals: A Complete Guide to Introducing Solids. It includes readiness cues, feeding methods, safety tips, sample schedules, and more — all in one easy-to-use PDF.
