When Should Babies Start Eating Solids?

There's something about your baby turning six months old that makes you realize how quickly this whole thing is moving.

Yesterday you were figuring out how to swaddle them without waking them up. Now you're standing in the kitchen holding a banana wondering, Can my baby actually eat this?

And suddenly everyone has an opinion.

Purees, baby-led weaning, rice cereal. "Don't give them that." Welcome to starting solids. The good news? You don't have to make it nearly as complicated as the internet makes it seem.

When Should Babies Start Solids?

For most babies, solid foods are introduced around 6 months, when they're developmentally ready. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends looking for signs of readiness rather than choosing a date simply because your baby has reached a certain age.

Some signs your baby may be ready include being able to sit with good head and neck control, opening their mouth when food is offered, showing interest in food, and being able to move food from a spoon into their mouth rather than immediately pushing it back out.

Starting solids doesn't mean your baby is suddenly done with breast milk or formula.

During the beginning stages, breast milk and/or infant formula are still a major source of nutrition while your baby learns how to eat. Think of solids as complementary foods, not an overnight replacement.

What Foods Should Babies Eat First?

Here's where I think moms get unnecessarily stressed. Starting solids isn't a one size fits all formula.

You can start with a variety of developmentally appropriate foods, including soft fruits and vegetables, infant cereals, meats, eggs, beans, yogurt and other appropriate foods. The AAP recommends including foods that provide important nutrients such as iron and zinc, including meats and iron-fortified cereals.

Some easy first foods might include:

• Mashed avocado
• Soft banana
• Pureed or mashed sweet potato
• Oatmeal or iron-fortified infant cereal
• Soft scrambled egg
• Plain whole-milk yogurt
• Pureed or finely shredded meat
• Soft-cooked vegetables
• Beans or lentils prepared in an appropriate texture

You don't have to choose between "perfect homemade organic baby food" and a jar from the grocery store. Keep it simple. Move on with your day.

Babies may need to be exposed to a new food multiple times before accepting it, so don't assume a funny face means they hate something forever. Keep offering a variety of flavors and textures without pressuring them to eat.

The goal isn't to get your baby to clean their plate.

It's to help them learn how to eat.

What About Food Allergens?

This is one area where recommendations have changed quite a bit.

Current guidance does not support delaying common allergenic foods simply because you're worried about allergies. Once your baby is developmentally ready for solids, common allergens such as egg, peanut products, dairy, wheat, soy, sesame and fish can generally be introduced in safe, age-appropriate forms.

Peanut products are a little more nuanced for babies at high risk of peanut allergy, particularly those with severe eczema and/or an egg allergy. In those cases, talk with your pediatrician about when and how to introduce peanut.

Choking Is Different From Gagging

This one is worth learning before you start solids.

Gagging is a normal protective reflex as babies learn to manage food. Choking is different and can block the airway.

Food should be prepared in textures and shapes appropriate for your baby's developmental stage. Soft foods are key, and certain foods—including whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, chunks of meat or cheese, raw vegetables, hard candy and globs of peanut butter—can pose choking risks.

If you're doing baby-led feeding, the same rule applies:

Think soft.

Foods should generally be soft enough for your baby to mash with their gums, and foods should be cut into developmentally appropriate shapes rather than round, firm pieces.

If you're unsure about choking prevention, taking an infant CPR and choking course is one of those things you'll hopefully never need, but you'll be incredibly grateful you know.

 

Why a Pacifier Wristband Can Be Helpful During the Solid Food Stage

The Ingy Bingy Band is a buttery-soft pacifier wristband that velcros comfortably around your baby's wrist and attaches to virtually every infant pacifier and newborn pacifier on the market.

Instead of attaching the pacifier to clothing like a traditional pacifier clip, the Ingy Bingy Band keeps it connected directly to your baby.

Why does that matter when you're talking about solids?

Because feeding a baby is already messy enough. You're wiping their hands. Wiping their face. Cleaning the high chair. The last thing you need is to constantly search for a pacifier that's disappeared underneath the table. With a pacifier bracelet, your baby's comfort tool stays close.

And if your baby needs a little reassurance before or after a new food experience, their familiar pacifier is right there.

Pacifier or Food First?

You don't need to turn this into another thing to stress about. If your baby is hungry, feed them. If they're exploring solids, let them explore. If they want their pacifier afterward, that's okay too. The goal of starting solids isn't to get rid of the pacifier or replace milk overnight.

It's to introduce your baby to a whole new world of tastes, textures and eating skills while continuing to provide the nutrition and comfort they need.

A Simple Way to Think About the First Year

Instead of thinking:

"My baby is six months old. They need to start eating meals now."

Think:

"My baby is ready to learn how food works."

That's a much more realistic expectation.

Starting solids is a big milestone, but it doesn't have to become another area where you feel like you're failing if everything isn't perfect.

Start around six months when your baby shows signs of readiness. Offer a variety of nutritious, developmentally appropriate foods, prioritize iron-rich foods, introduce common allergens safely, and learn how to prevent choking.

And give yourself some grace. Your baby is learning. You're learning. And there's going to be food absolutely everywhere.

Keep the bib nearby, keep the wipes closer, and if your baby loves their pacifier, the Ingy Bingy Band can help keep that little comfort tool within reach while your baby takes on their next big adventure: learning how to eat.

 

 

FAQ: Starting Solids

When should babies start eating solid foods?

Most babies are ready for solids around 6 months when they show developmental signs of readiness, such as good head and neck control, being able to sit with support, showing interest in food and moving food into their mouth.

What are the best first foods for babies?

There isn't one required first food. Soft fruits and vegetables, iron-fortified infant cereals, meats, eggs, beans, yogurt and other developmentally appropriate foods can all be part of a baby's early diet.

When can babies eat finger foods?

Finger foods can be introduced when your baby is developmentally ready to safely handle them. Foods should be soft and prepared in shapes and sizes appropriate for your baby's abilities to reduce choking risk.

Can babies have peanut butter when they start solids?

Babies can generally be introduced to peanut in an appropriate form once they're ready for solids, and delaying allergenic foods isn't generally recommended. Babies with severe eczema or an egg allergy may need specific guidance from their pediatrician before peanut introduction.

Can my baby use a pacifier while starting solids?

Yes. A pacifier can remain a comfort tool while your baby learns to eat solids. It doesn't need to disappear simply because your baby is starting food.

What is the Ingy Bingy Band?

The Ingy Bingy Band is a buttery-soft pacifier wristband that attaches around a baby's wrist and connects to virtually every newborn pacifier and infant pacifier on the market. Unlike a traditional pacifier clip, it keeps the pacifier attached directly to your baby.

 

 

 

The Ingy Bingy Band is not your everyday pacifier clip! This game-changing pacifier wristband helps babies self-soothe at a younger age than ever before! Instinctively, babies gnaw on their hands in an attempt to soothe. The Ingy Bingy pacifier wristband keeps their pacifier right where they’ll find it, allowing your baby to comfort and calm themselves while you do whatever it is you need to do!

Our buttery soft wristband comes in two styles to accommodate every pacifier.

Our Pacific style should be used when your baby’s pacifier holes are near their nose and chin when in use. It is most commonly used with Avent, BIBS, Dr. Brown’s, MAM, Nuby, NUK, Medela, FRIGG, Nanobébé, Tommee Tippee, and Chicco pacifiers. 

Our Sequoia style should be used when your baby’s pacifier holes are near their nose and chin when in use. It is most commonly used with Itzy Ritzy, Ryan & Rose, and The Dearest Grey pacifiers.  

If you are still unsure which pacifier wristband style is right for you, check out our style guide or text the name and/or picture of your preferred paci & we’ll let you know which style is right for you!