How do I Start Feeding Solid Foods to Babies?

By Tara Finnerty, pediatric dietitian at Primary Children’s Hospital

As a pediatric dietitian at Primary Children’s Hospital, I’m often asked questions like “what should I feed my baby first?” and “is my baby ready for solid food?”

Here are tips and suggestions to help you and your little one have a healthy transition to solid foods.

When Should I Start?

The best time to introduce solid foods is when baby is 4-6 months old.

Some signs that baby is ready for solid food:

• Sitting up with limited support
• Good head and neck control
• Interest in foods and others eating
• Growing appetite
• Able to keep food in the mouth and swallow it

What Should I Start With?

• Consider meats — pureed meats and poultry provide protein and valuable nutrition not found in cereal, vegetables and fruits
• Keep breast-feeding or formula-feeding during this time, too, because breast milk or formula is still baby’s main source of nutrition and calories
• After introducing a new food, wait a few days to see if there’s an allergic response
• Do not add honey, salt or sugar to baby food to encourage eating

How Do I Start?

• Start with small portion sizes of about 1-2 teaspoons, as most of the food will end up on the face, hand and bib and then gradually increase the amount of food over time
• Allow infants to feed themselves — without a spoon — when they’re ready (6-8 months old), this helps with overall motor skill development
• Sit and eat with the baby
• Never force-feed