Feeding Solids TimelineMonth-by-Month Guide
When to start solids, what foods at each stage, and how to progress from purees to table food safely.
Signs Baby Is Ready for Solids
Feeding Timeline by Age
Starting Out
Foods to Try:
Tips: Breast milk or formula is still primary nutrition. Solids are for practice and exposure. Don't stress about amounts.
Building Skills
Foods to Try:
Tips: Introduce allergens one at a time. Offer variety. Baby may start using pincer grasp, try small soft pieces.
Finger Foods
Foods to Try:
Tips: Let baby self-feed with fingers. Expect mess! Offer variety of textures. Watch for emerging pincer grasp.
Family Foods
Foods to Try:
Tips: Baby can eat most of what you eat, just softer/smaller. Avoid honey, whole nuts, and choking hazards.
Toddler Eating
Foods to Try:
Tips: Milk transitions to whole milk. Picky eating may emerge. Keep offering variety without pressure.
Best First Foods
Iron-fortified cereal
Iron stores deplete around 6 months
Sweet potato
Mild, sweet, easy to digest
Avocado
Healthy fats, smooth texture
Banana
Sweet, soft, easy to mash
Butternut squash
Sweet, smooth, nutritious
Peas (pureed)
Good protein, iron source
Allergen Introduction Guide
Current guidelines: Early allergen introduction (around 6 months) is now recommended to REDUCE allergy risk. Don't delay common allergens. Introduce one at a time and watch for reactions.
Peanuts
When: 6 months (or earlier if high risk)
How: Thin peanut butter mixed into puree
Eggs
When: 6 months
How: Scrambled, well-cooked
Dairy
When: 6 months
How: Yogurt, cheese (not milk as drink until 1 year)
Tree nuts
When: 6 months
How: Nut butters thinned with puree
Fish
When: 6 months
How: Well-cooked, flaked
Wheat
When: 6 months
How: Cereal, pasta, bread
Soy
When: 6 months
How: Tofu, edamame
Choking Hazards to Avoid
- Whole grapes (cut lengthwise)
- Hot dogs (cut lengthwise, then small)
- Whole nuts
- Popcorn
- Raw carrots (cook until soft)
- Chunks of meat (shred instead)
- Sticky foods like peanut butter (thin it out)
- Hard candy
- Raw apples (cook or slice very thin)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Starting too early (before 4 months)
Wait for readiness signs. Early solids don't help sleep and can increase allergy risk.
Delaying allergens
Early allergen introduction (around 6 months) actually reduces allergy risk.
Giving up after rejection
Offer new foods 10-15 times. Rejection is normal. Don't force, but keep offering.
Staying on purees too long
Progress textures around 8-9 months. Prolonged purees can delay oral motor development.
Making separate baby food
By 10-12 months, baby can eat modified family meals. Easier and builds good habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting Solids Essentials
Stokke Tripp Trapp
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