The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend introducing complementary foods at around 6 months of age, when a baby is developmentally ready to eat solid foods. This is because at this age, a baby’s iron stores start to deplete, and solid foods can help supplement their diet.
However, it’s important to remember that every baby is unique, and some may be ready for solid foods before 6 months, while others may not be ready until after 6 months. Some signs that a baby is ready for solid foods include:
- Being able to sit upright and hold their head steady
- Showing an interest in food and reaching for or eyeing others’ food
- Being able to mash food between their gums or make chewing motions
- Double their birth weight and no longer seem satisfied with just breast milk or formula
When introducing solids, it’s recommended to start with single-ingredient pureed foods and gradually progress to thicker and lumpier textures. It’s also important to continue breastfeeding or formula feeding, as solid foods should complement, not replace, a baby’s milk intake.
The biggest decision you’ll ever make when introducing a new food to your baby is when. The first foods babies eat are called solids and the timing of this depends on several factors, including age and health. Whether or not it’s ‘the right time’ really comes down to your personal preferences and what’s best for your baby at that age.
4 Months of Age: Purees:
It is not recommended to introduce solid foods before the age of 6 months, as a baby’s digestive system is not yet mature enough to handle them. Babies under 6 months of age should continue to receive nutrients primarily from breast milk or formula. Introducing solid foods before 6 months can also increase the risk of choking, food allergies, and may interfere with the development of healthy feeding habits. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) both recommend waiting until 6 months to introduce complementary foods.
6 Months of Age: Baby Cereal & Purees:
At around 6 months of age, you can start to introduce complementary foods to your baby, in addition to breast milk or formula. Here are some options for 6-month-old babies:
- Baby cereal: Rice or oatmeal cereal is often the first complementary food given to a baby, as it is easy to digest and low in allergen risk. You can mix the cereal with breast milk or formula to make it a thinner consistency.
- Purees: You can start with single-ingredient purees, such as pureed fruits (apple, banana, pear) or vegetables (sweet potato, carrot, green beans). Once your baby has tried and tolerated a few different foods, you can start mixing ingredients together to create different flavors and textures.
It’s important to remember to introduce one food at a time, and wait a few days before introducing a new food to monitor for any signs of a food allergy. Offer food in small amounts, and let your baby dictate how much they want to eat.
Also, at this age, it’s important to offer your baby a variety of textures, as this will help them develop their chewing and swallowing skills, and get them ready for more solid foods as they get older.
8 Months of Age: Finger Foods & Purees:
At 8 months of age, your baby is likely ready for more texture and variety in their diet. Here are some food options for 8-month-old babies:
- Finger foods: You can start offering your baby finger foods, such as soft, cooked vegetables, fruit slices, or pieces of soft cheese. This helps with their hand-eye coordination and also allows them to start feeding themselves, which can be a fun and important part of their development.
- Purees: You can continue to offer purees, but you can start to make them thicker and lumpier. This helps your baby transition to thicker textures and also helps them develop their chewing and swallowing skills.
It’s also a good idea to offer your baby a variety of tastes and textures to help them develop a taste for different foods. However, be mindful of choking hazards, and always supervise your baby while they’re eating.
Remember, at this age, your baby will still be getting most of their nutrients from breast milk or formula, so don’t worry if they don’t eat a lot of solid foods at first. They’ll gradually increase the amount they eat as they become more comfortable with solids.
Takeaway: Babies are ready for different kinds of food at different ages.
To sum it all up, babies should ideally be introduced to solids around the eight-month mark. There are some who swear by earlier introductions, at four months or even six months. But these people are the exception, not the rule. In most cases, eight months is the latest date that a baby should be started on solid foods—and it’s probably safe to assume that sooner is better. Early or late introductions shouldn’t be cause for concern unless they are delayed by months or years; but in that case, talk with your pediatrician about what’s going on and whether you should make changes.