Giving your baby his or her first taste of solid food is a major milestone. 

But how to know when the time is right?

Breast milk or formula is the only food your newborn needs for the first six months after birth.

But by ages 4 months to 6 months, most babies are ready for their first taste of solid food. 

If you try to feed your baby solids before this age, you may notice that he/she pushes food out of his mouth as quickly as you put it in.

Besides, babies who start solid foods before 4 months are at a higher risk for obesity and other problems later on. 

They also aren’t coordinated enough to safely swallow solid foods and may choke on the food or inhale it into their lungs.

Signs that babies are ready to eat solid foods include:

• They lose their natural tongue-thrusting reflex, which makes it easier for them to move food to the throat and swallow it.

• They weigh approximately twice their birth weight

• They can hold their neck and head in a steady upright position

• They can sit with support

• They are mouthing their hands and toys

• They show a desire for food by leaning forward and opening their mouths when food approaches. 

How To Start Introducing Solid Foods To Your Baby?

Always start by feeding the baby breast milk or formula because this should be your baby’s main source of nutrition until the age of one. 

After nursing the baby, use a small baby spoon to offer single-ingredient foods, which contain no salt or sugar. 

Good first options for babies are single-grain cereals such as rice, oatmeal or barley or an iron-rich puréed meat.  

Wait three to five days between each new food to see if your baby has an allergic reaction, such as diarrhea, a rash or vomiting.

You can start with 1 or 2 tablespoons of cereal mixed with breast milk, formula, or water.

Babies often reject their first servings of pureed foods because the taste and texture is new.

If your baby refuses the feeding, try again in a week.

Once your baby realizes how to swallow runny cereal, mix it with less liquid and gradually increase the serving sizes.

Gradually introduce other foods such as puréed fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, yogurt, or soft scrambled eggs. 

Give your baby allergenic foods when they’re 4–6 months old, such as eggs, peanuts, and fish.

This will help make your baby less likely to develop food allergies. 

By ages 8 months to 10 months, most babies can handle small portions of finely chopped finger foods, such as soft fruits, vegetables, pasta, cheese, well-cooked meat, baby crackers and dry cereal.

Foods and Drinks to Avoid

Don’t give juice to your baby until after the age of one, as it can contribute to weight problems, diarrhea, and can lead to tooth decay when teeth start coming in.

Foods that aren’t appropriate for babies include:

• Cow’s milk
• Honey
• Hot dogs
• Chunks of meat or cheese
• Hard foods 
• Peanut butter
• Marshmallows
• Raw vegetables

During feedings, talk to your baby and help him or her through the process.

When your baby has had enough to eat, he or she might cry or turn away.

Don’t force extra bites as long as your baby’s growth is on target.