Tips for Keeping Your Baby Safe During Solids

Starting solids is an exciting milestone for both you and your baby. However, it can also be a time filled with questions and concerns about safety. Understanding how to navigate this stage safely will help you approach mealtimes with confidence.

As a pediatric OT, I am certified in BLS and Infant CPR. I teach parents how to start solids with their infants and I myself have had to intervene with my children on two different occasions during mealtime. With that being said, I feel as though knowing how to keep your baby safe and how to intervene when needed is the most important information a parent can have.

Here are key tips to keep your baby safe when beginning their journey with solid foods.

Know the Difference Between Gagging and Choking

One of the most common concerns parents have is distinguishing between gagging and choking. Gagging is a natural reflex that helps prevent choking and is actually a positive sign that your baby’s body is learning how to handle food. It often involves loud noises, coughing, or a red face.

Choking, on the other hand, is silent and much more serious. Signs of choking include:

• Inability to cough or make noise (THE KEY HERE IS NO NOISE)

• Blue or pale skin

• Panicked facial expression

If you’re unsure, it’s better to intervene immediately if you suspect choking. Learning more about how to respond can make a huge difference—which brings us to the next point.

Take an Infant CPR Class

Taking an infant CPR class is one of the best ways to feel prepared and confident when starting solids. These classes will teach you how to intervene during a choking incident, as well as other life-saving techniques.

Many hospitals, community centers, and online platforms offer infant CPR courses. Look for one that provides hands-on practice or clear, video-based instruction. I also recommend this one by Moms on Call.

Serve Foods in Safe Sizes and Textures

Offering foods in appropriate sizes and textures can significantly reduce choking risks. Here are some guidelines:

• Cut foods into hand held sizes or small pea-sized pieces.

• Avoid hard, round, or sticky foods like whole grapes, nuts, or spoonfuls of peanut butter.

• Cook vegetables until soft and mashable.

• For meats, serve hand held size and well done, or shred/finely chop them.

The texture when serving your baby foods is everything—foods should be soft enough to mash between your fingers for younger eaters.

Know the Signs of Readiness for Solids

Introducing solids too early can increase the risk of choking and other issues. Look for these readiness signs before starting:

• Your baby can sit up with little to no support. This is usually at or around 6 months old.

• Your baby has good head and neck control in an upright plane or in tummy time.

• Your baby shows interest in your food, reaching for it or mimicking chewing.

Starting when your baby is developmentally ready sets the foundation for a smoother transition to solid foods.

Take an Infant-Led Feeding Approach

Infant-led feeding, often called baby-led weaning, encourages babies to feed themselves rather than being spoon-fed. This approach allows babies to explore textures and practice self-regulation.

Tips for safe infant-led feeding:

• Always supervise your baby during mealtime.

• Offer soft, manageable pieces of food.

• Let your baby decide how much to eat—don’t force food.

• Sit together during meals to model eating behavior.

Infant-led feeding supports your baby’s development while building confidence in their ability to handle food. Learn how to take an infant-led feeding approach to solids inside Bloom by Infant Insights.

Starting solids is a significant step in your baby’s development. So much learning is happening and this is such an exciting time! By understanding the difference between gagging and choking, serving safe food sizes, learning infant CPR, recognizing readiness signs, and embracing an infant-led approach, you can create a safe and positive environment for your baby to explore new foods. You are doing amazing - we are always rooting for you!