How to Start Solid Foods with Your Baby: Thoughts from a Pediatric SLP
This blog post was written by the Infant Insights SLP specializing in infant feeding.
Introducing solid foods is an exciting milestone in your baby’s development—but if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, you’re not alone. As a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), I’m here to help make the transition smooth, safe, and enjoyable for both you and your little one. At Infant Insights, we pride ourselves on supporting parents through every stage of feeding development, ensuring you and your baby feel confident and empowered. So, let’s break starting solids down into some simple, stress-free steps!
When is Your Baby Ready for Solids?
Not all babies are ready at the same time, but most show signs of readiness around six months. Signs your baby might be ready to start their first foods:
- Sitting up with minimal support
- Good head and neck control
- Interest in your food (watching, reaching, or mimicking chewing)
- Diminished tongue-thrust reflex (meaning they don’t automatically push food out of their mouth)
- Ability to bring hands or objects to their mouth
If your baby checks most of these boxes, they’re likely ready to explore the world of first foods!
Purees or Baby-Led Weaning?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and many families find success with a combination of both. Here’s what you should know:
Traditional Purees:
This method starts with smooth, spoon-fed purees before gradually introducing thicker textures and small, soft solids. It’s a great option for parents who want more control over portion sizes and progression.
This approach offers less purees and instead focuses on offering foods that the family is already eating. These foods should be safe for baby and are typically soft, easy-to-grasp first foods that babies can feed themselves. BLW promotes oral motor skills, independence, and a positive relationship with food, but it does require extra attention to safety and readiness cues.
Both of these solids introduction methods have benefits, so do what feels right for your family. In fact, a lot of families choose to combine both methods (including a lot of the experts at Infant Insights)! There is nothing wrong with that! The goal is exposure to a variety of tastes and textures in a way that works best for your family.
First Foods to Try with Your Baby
Start with single-ingredient first foods to watch for any allergies or sensitivities. Great first foods include:
- Mashed avocado
- Steamed and mashed sweet potato
- Banana
- Soft scrambled eggs
- Plain full-fat yogurt
- Well-cooked, soft veggies (carrots, zucchini, or peas)
- Shredded or finely chopped meat
Avoid honey (until age 1), whole nuts, added salt and sugar, spicy foods, and choking hazards like whole grapes or chunks of raw vegetables.
How to Serve First Foods Safely
Safety first! Keep these tips in mind:
- Always supervise your baby while they’re eating. Never walk away.
- Offer first foods in safe sizes and textures. Think soft, mashable, and easy to gum. *I always say if its easily mashed between your pincher fingers, it’s okay for your baby to try.
- Start with small amounts and let baby take the lead. There is no specific amount of food your baby should consume. They should lead the mealtime and you should note their cues during feeding.
- Encourage self-feeding, even if it gets messy (it will!).
- Follow your baby’s cues! Never force bites.
What About Gagging vs. Choking?
Gagging is a normal, protective reflex that helps babies learn to manage food in their mouths. It can look and sound alarming, but it’s different from choking. Choking is silent and requires immediate intervention. Taking an infant CPR class and learning the difference between gagging and choking can provide peace of mind as your baby explores first foods. We 100% recommend all parents take an infant CPR course at Infant Insights.
Encourage a Positive Feeding Experience
Eating is more than just nutrition. And arguable it’s more about exposure, building confidence, and the sensory experience! Make mealtime enjoyable by:
- Eating together as a family! This lets baby see what meal time is all about and have great models of how to feed themselves.
- Allowing messy exploration (yes, yogurt will be used like finger paints!)
- Keeping pressure low. Your job is to offer first foods, and your baby’s job is to decide what and how much to eat
When to Seek Professional Support
Some babies may need extra help with solids. Reach out to a pediatric SLP or feeding specialist if your baby:
- Consistently gags, coughs, or chokes during meals
- Struggles to move food around their mouth
- Refuses first foods past 8-9 months
- Has difficulty transitioning to new textures
- Shows signs of oral motor delays or sensory sensitivities to certain foods or textures
At Infant Insights, we understand that every baby’s feeding journey is unique. If you’re facing challenges with solids, we can offer expert guidance to help ensure a safe, positive feeding experience. Our team is here to support you through this exciting milestone!
Starting solids should be a fun and enriching experience for both you and your baby. Every child progresses differently, so trust your instincts and enjoy the process. If you ever need guidance, chat with one of our solids specialists inside Bloom by Infant Insights. With our support, we can help ensure mealtime is safe, successful, and stress-free.
Introducing first foods is an exciting milestone, and with the right approach, your baby will develop a healthy relationship with food that lasts a lifetime!
