Starting Solids: A Complete Timeline and Guide

The transition from breast milk or formula to solid foods is one of the most exciting milestones in your baby's first year. But it can also feel overwhelming—when exactly should you start? What foods are safe? How do you know if your baby is ready?

This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about introducing solids, backed by the latest research and AAP recommendations.

Signs Your Baby is Ready for Solids

Most babies are developmentally ready for solids between 4-6 months, but age alone isn't the only factor. Look for these readiness signs:

• Good head and neck control — Baby can hold their head steady
• Sitting with support — Can sit upright in a high chair
• Loss of tongue-thrust reflex — Doesn't automatically push food out
• Interest in food — Watches you eat, reaches for your food
• Doubled birth weight — Typically around 13+ pounds

The AAP recommends starting solids around 6 months while continuing breast milk or formula as the primary nutrition source through the first year.

First Foods: What to Introduce

Gone are the days of strict "rice cereal first" rules. Current research shows you can start with a variety of foods:

Great First Foods

• Iron-fortified infant cereal (oat, rice, or multi-grain)
• Pureed vegetables — sweet potato, butternut squash, peas, green beans
• Pureed fruits — banana, avocado, pears, apples
• Pureed meats — chicken, turkey, beef (great iron source!)
• Mashed beans and lentils

Introduction Schedule

Week 1-2: Start with single-ingredient purees, offering 1-2 tablespoons once daily

Week 3-4: Increase to 2-3 tablespoons, 1-2 times daily

Month 2-3: Expand variety, introduce new foods every 2-3 days

Month 4-6: Thicker textures, soft finger foods, 3 meals daily

Allergen Introduction: The New Guidelines

Recent research has revolutionized how we think about food allergies. The LEAP study showed that early introduction of allergens may actually prevent allergies.

Top Allergens to Introduce Early

1. Peanuts — Start with smooth peanut butter thinned with breast milk
2. Eggs — Well-cooked scrambled eggs or baked into foods
3. Dairy — Full-fat plain yogurt or cheese
4. Tree nuts — Nut butters thinned appropriately
5. Fish/Shellfish — Soft, flaked fish
6. Wheat — Baby cereals, soft bread pieces
7. Soy — Tofu, edamame

Important: Introduce allergens one at a time, waiting 2-3 days between new allergens to monitor for reactions.

Signs of Allergic Reaction

Watch for these symptoms within minutes to 2 hours after eating:

Mild reactions:

• Hives or skin rash
• Tingling in mouth
• Mild swelling of lips

Severe reactions (call 911):

• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of throat
• Vomiting
• Sudden drop in energy/lethargy

Baby-Led Weaning vs. Traditional Purees

Both approaches are valid—choose what works for your family.

Traditional Purees

• More control over textures
• Easier to measure intake
• Less mess
• Good for cautious eaters

Baby-Led Weaning

• Encourages self-feeding from start
• May promote better appetite regulation
• Exposes baby to varied textures early
• Baby eats what family eats

Combination approach: Many families do both—purees for meals, soft finger foods for exploration.

Foods to Avoid Before Age 1

• Honey — Risk of infant botulism
• Cow's milk as drink — Use formula/breast milk; dairy foods are fine
• Choking hazards — Whole grapes, hot dogs, nuts, popcorn, raw carrots
• Added sugar and salt — Baby food shouldn't need either
• Unpasteurized foods — Juice, cheese, etc.

Sample Feeding Schedule at 8 Months

Morning:

• Breast milk or formula
• 2-4 tablespoons iron-fortified cereal
• 2-4 tablespoons fruit

Midday:

• Breast milk or formula
• 2-4 tablespoons vegetables
• 2-4 tablespoons protein

Evening:

• 2-4 tablespoons vegetables
• 2-4 tablespoons protein or cereal
• Breast milk or formula

Snack (optional):

• Soft finger foods for practice

Remember: Breast milk or formula remains the primary nutrition source. Solids are for practice in the first year—learning to eat is a developmental skill, not just about calories.

Trust the Process

Your baby might make faces, spit out food, or seem uninterested. This is completely normal! It can take 10-15 exposures to a new food before a baby accepts it. Keep offering without pressure, and let your baby guide their own pace.