If your baby shows any of the following signs, it may be ready to start solids:
□ Holds their head up steadily
□ Sits with support
□ Brings objects to their mouth and shows interest in your food
□ Opens their mouth when food approaches
□ Can move food from the spoon to the back of the mouth for easy swallowing.
□ Has reached appropriate weight milestones (e.g., ≈ 13 lb / 6 kg or doubled birth weight)
Most babies are ready to start first foods around 6 months, though the exact timing can vary slightly depending on their readiness signs and your pediatrician’s guidance.
Starting solids does not need to be a perfect first-meal moment. If your baby is sick, teething, traveling, starting daycare, or going through a big routine change, it is okay to slow down and try again when they feel more settled. First foods are practice, not performance.
🏷️Note to parents
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Always supervise babies and toddlers during meals. Feeding tools do not remove choking risk. Choose age-appropriate foods, prepare them safely, and avoid small, hard, round, sticky, or slippery choking hazards. If your child has a history of prematurity, developmental delay, swallowing difficulty, food allergy concerns, or ongoing feeding struggles, consult your pediatrician or a qualified feeding therapist.
🖇️References
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026, April). When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods.
[2] American Academy of Pediatrics. (2025, August). Starting Solid Foods. HealthyChildren.org
[3] American Academy of Pediatrics. (2026, February). Choking Prevention for Babies & Children. HealthyChildren.org