Introducing Solids to Your Baby: When, What, and How

Preggy Plus
May 14
3 min read

Most babies are ready to begin solids around 6 months old. The keyword here? Ready. It's not just about a hitting certain age; it's about noticing those little signs that your baby is curious and excited to try new things (even if half of it ends up on the floor). Every baby hits this stage in their own time, but here are some signs that your little one may be giving the green light to start:

Sitting up with little or no support.
Good head and neck control.
Opening his/her mouth when food approaches.
Trying to grab food from your plate or spoon.

If you're not seeing these signs yet, no worries. Just give it a little more time. Always feel free to contact your child's physician for advice.

What Is the First Food to Introduce to Your Baby?

There is no single "best" first food, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting with single-ingredient, iron-rich foods. Iron is especially important at this age because a baby's natural stores start to run low around 6 months. Great first foods include:

Iron-fortified single-grain baby cereals (like rice or oatmeal, mixed with breast milk or formula).
Pureed meats (like beef, chicken, or turkey).
Cooked and mashed beans or lentils.
Mashed or pureed veggies (like carrots, sweet potatoes, peas).
Soft fruits (like banana, avocado, applesauce, or pear purée).

Note: Start with one new food at a time every 3–5 days, so you can watch for any allergic reactions. It’s okay to skip the traditional “rice cereal” if you’d rather begin with veggies, fruits, or meats. What matters most is that the food is soft, smooth, and offered in a safe way for your baby to swallow.

Baby POV: Mummy, are you sure this is the same thing you're eating?

How to Help Your Baby Try New Foods?

Think of it this way—at this stage, solids are more like a side dish, not the main course. Your baby is still getting most of their nutrition from breast milk or formula, so the goal isn’t to fill their tummy—it’s to introduce them to new textures, tastes, and the idea of eating.

Use silicone or mesh feeders – These are lifesavers for easing baby into solids!
Offer foods in different textures – If your baby doesn’t like purée, try mashed, grated, or very soft finger-sized pieces. Texture makes a difference!
Make it a family moment – Babies love to copy! Sit them at the table and eat with them so they can see you enjoying your food too.
Stay calm and patient – Some babies need several exposures before warming up to a new food. Keep offering without pressure or fuss.

Serve a “safe food” with a new food – Pair something they already enjoy (like mashed potato) with something new (like peas). It feels less intimidating for them

How Many Times a Day Should a Baby Eat Solids?

At first, once a day is enough. Gradually increase to 2–3 times a day as your baby gets the hang of eating. Here’s a simple timeline:

6 – 8 months: 1–2 tablespoons of pureed or mashed foods once a day.
9 -12months: 2–3 small meals and 1–2 snacks per day, with portion sizes of 2–4 tablespoons per food item.
By 12 months: Eating 3 meals and 2 - 3snacks daily.

Let baby lead the way—some days they’ll love it, other days, not so much. That’s okay!

How Long Does It Take for a Baby to Get Used to Solids?

It’s a learning curve! It can take 8–10 tries (or more!) before a baby accepts a new food. Keep offering without pressure. Your job is to offer healthy options—baby’s job is to decide how much to eat.

Friendly Tips Before You Go:

Skip honey and cow’s milk before age 1
Avoid choking hazards like whole grapes or chunks of hard food
Offer water in a small cup with meals
Don’t stress over mess—mealtime should be fun and pressure-free