After many months of feeding Baby a steady diet of breastmilk or formula, you might be thinking, “Aren’t they sick of this by now?” While Baby may not be old enough to crave a cobb salad or sashimi just yet, their palate may be ready for some culinary expansion. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend starting to introduce solid foods to complement breastfeeding or formula at around 6 months old. So where to begin? Just follow the ABCs…
A: Assess
Baby will let you know that they are ready to sample solids in a few different ways. By far the most important sign is the ability to sit up unassisted. If you place your baby on the floor and they can sit up straight, hold their head high and do that for 15-30 seconds without leaning over – congratulations! This is a crucial milestone that will allow them to learn to chew and swallow more safely. They should also be able to bring an object to their own mouth, lean forward and open their mouth when they are interested in food, and to turn away when they are not hungry. While six months is an average age of readiness, it’s always okay for some babies to be slightly ahead or behind this schedule.
B: Baby-led
When you’ve assessed that Baby is ready to start, let them take the lead at one meal per day. From 6-9 months it’s all about learning to chew, swallow and digest. Your baby may want to eat one bite of food at their daily meal or an entire half pint of berries. Follow their lead, and expect breastmilk/formula intake to stay about the same.
Pressuring babies to eat can have really negative consequences. Solids are all about learning and fun. Pull your baby right up to the table while you’re having a meal, and let them see how fun it is to have a family meal. They’ll also learn about chewing, utensils and more! Make sure they’re comfortable in their chair with good foot support that keeps hips and knees at 90 degree angles. It is so much easier to learn and stay seated when you’re comfortable!
Baby-led may also mean that you start with safely shaped finger foods and skip the stage of spoon feeding them purees. Sometimes a mix of both approaches can also work well. Whatever you decide, some messiness and exploration with Baby’s hands goes a long way towards learning about food and how delicious it can be!
C: Cultivate
Baby’s culinary growth should go smoothly if you follow a fun and no-pressure approach. Older information suggested introducing a new food about every 2-3 days. We now know that you can start with the family meal and more interesting and appealing options from the start. A wider variety of textures, flavors and spices can mean a more interesting culinary adventure for Baby, and less work if it means you don’t have to make them a separate meal. It may also mean you’re more aware of what you’re eating, making sure to present a balanced and healthy meal with lots of nutrient-dense options.
If Baby responds to a new solid by developing a rash, diarrhea, blood in poop, vomiting, or facial swelling, then the two of you have likely discovered a food that they are allergic to. If you suspect Baby might have a food allergy, it’s a good idea to take that food out of their diet, and to consult with their doctor. Certain foods should never be given to children under a year old, including a plain cup of cow’s milk, honey, and foods that could be choking hazards, like whole nuts, uncut grapes, or candy. Most experts also recommend avoiding added salt and dessert-style foods.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
Sources
- “Complementary Feeding.” World Health Organization. World Health Organization. Retrieved July 20 2019. https://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/complementary_feeding/en/
- “Baby led weaning, is it safe?” healthychildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics, Dec 3, 2024 https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/baby-led-weaning-is-it-safe.aspx
- “When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, December 3 2018. Retrieved July 20 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/foods-and-drinks/when-what-and-how-to-introduce-solid-foods.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/when-to-introduce-solid-foods.html
