4–6 Months · First Tastes

• What: Iron‑rich, very thin purées (iron‑fortified cereal with breast milk/formula, puréed meats/beans, single‑ingredient veggie/fruit purées).

• How much / how often: 1–2 tsp, once daily during a calm moment.

• How: Use the soft, short-handled spoon to preload a tiny amount, then simply let your baby take it from the spoon with their lips—no scraping needed. For extra sensory fun, you can lightly smear a little food on a divided plate for them to explore.

6–9 Months · Texture & Rhythm

• What: Thicker mashes with soft lumps and soft finger foods (ripe banana strips, soft tofu, very tender shredded chicken and well‑cooked veggie sticks).
• How much / how often: 1–2 meals/day; ~1–2 Tbsp per item. Pieces should be approximately 5–6 mm and very soft.
• Drinks: Build a bite‑sip rhythm; offer 10–20 small sips from an open cup 2–3×/day.

9–12 Months · Self‑Feeding & Variety

• What: Soft family foods—minced meats, soft pasta, well‑cooked veggies, and ripe fruits cut into pea‑sized pieces (6–8 mm).
• How much / how often: 3 small meals/day + snack as needed.
• Skills: Encourage use of a short‑handled spoon for better control; introduce a fork for spearing soft items around 10–12 months with supervision. Keep foods separated to respect sensory preferences.

Keep breast milk or formula as the main source of nutrition through 12 months. Move at your baby’s pace and consult your pediatrician if you have concerns about growth, allergies, or swallowing.

Example Foods by Stage