When to start solids

We all know babies develop at their own pace.  This holds true for feeding your baby, too.

For example, your friend’s baby might be ready for solids at 4 months, while your baby may show no interest until 6 months.

Watch your baby, they’ll tell you when and how much to feed.  The American Academy of Pediatrics states there are no rigid rules on expanding your child’s diet.

Once you get the ‘when’ down, to help relieve the pressure of what to feed your baby, we’ve compiled a list, by age, to help you start feeding your baby.

When to Start Solids

We recommend starting a baby on solid foods sometime between 4 and 7 months of age. Some babies are ready for solids as early as 3 months, but the earlier a baby gets started on solids, the more likely that she’ll be prone to food allergies later on.

At the beginning, solid foods will just be a supplement to your child’s primary source of nutrition — breast milk or formula.

Watch for signs of your baby’s readiness for solids before you introduce them.

• Your baby’s tongue-thrust reflex is gone or diminished. This causes them to push food out of their mouths.
• Your baby can support her own head. She needs to be able to hold her head up in order to start eating solids.
• Your baby seems interested in food. If she’s eyeing the food you’re eating, reaching out to grab your food, or licking her lips when she smells new foods, she’s probably craving the variety that comes with starting solids.

In that case, you might want to consider waiting until 6 or 7 months before starting solids. Allowing your baby’s digestive system to mature further may help reduce her chances of developing food allergies.

Premature babies

If your baby was born premature, you may also want to wait a bit longer than usual.  Premature babies often need more time to master the suck-swallow-breathe pattern necessary to handle solid foods.