Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Author:
Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RDN
Coauthors:
Hyemyung Kim, RD, CDN, CNSC, CLC
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Inside: Our pediatric dietitian explains the signs your baby is ready for solids. She breaks down the signs of readiness so you can learn when it’s time for your child to start eating.
Your baby is getting ready to start eating solid foods, and we are so happy for you. Those first bites of solid foods can be a fun experience for you and your child.
You may have a lot of questions and concerns about this next step. To get started, you’ll need to know if your infant is actually ready to eat solid foods. In this article, we help you understand the signs of readiness for solids so you can figure out when your baby is ready.
Signs your baby is ready for solids
Here’s the quick list of signs that indicate your baby is ready to start eating solid foods:
Control of head and neck
Sits alone or with support
If something goes into their mouth, they don’t immediately push it back out with their tongue
Brings objects to their mouth
Tries to grab food or toys
Shows interest in food or watching other people eat (1)
When do babies start eating solid foods?
Most babies start eating solid foods around 6 months of age. Unless your baby is not showing signs that they are ready, we don’t recommend waiting until after 6 months to start solid foods.
The stage of eating from age 6 months to 12 months is called complementary feeding. This is because the infant is still consuming human milk or formula, and they are also learning to eat solid foods.
Flavor training is also a new trend that may appeal to some parents. In flavor training, flavors are given to the infant between ages 4 and 6 months.
Let’s talk more about the signs of readiness for solids.
1. Control of head and neck
Babies need to be able to keep their heads in place to be able to safely eat. They need to be able to lift their head and keep it steady.
2. Sits alone or with support
Sitting up is important for babies to be able to see their food, grab it, and chew and swallow safely. If your baby is not able to entirely sit up on their own, you can place them in a supportive high chair.
Make sure the highchair has a foot support and that they can sit up (not recline back, which is not as safe for choking prevention).
3. The tongue thrust reflex
The tongue thrust reflex makes babies use their tongue to push things out of their mouths.
For example, if you put a spoon into a baby’s mouth and they push it back out with their tongue, they still have the tongue thrust reflex. (2)
4. Tries to grab food or other objects
When your infant starts grabbing objects, they are developing an important skill they will be able to use to eat.
You might even find they are trying to grab food off of your plate or food that they found on the floor.
5. Brings objects to mouth
Your infant will be bringing food to their mouth when they start eating. Whether you are doing baby-led weaning or puree-to-table feeding, it is important that your child has the opportunity to routinely feed themselves.
To do that, they will need to be able to bring food to their mouths! When you notice your child bringing teethers, toys and other objects to their mouth, you know they will be able to use those skills for eating soon!
6. Shows interest in eating and watching others eat
Finally, you’ll notice your child watching you eat. They will be very interested in what you are doing, and they may try to grab and eat your food too. They may fuss because they aren’t having the chance to eat at a meal.
These are all great developments as it means your child is getting ready to eat food!
More advice for weaning your child onto solid foods
If you’re wondering about starting solid foods with your child, here are articles written by our team of nutrition, development and feeding experts.
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Jennifer Anderson is a registered dietitian and has a masters of science in public health from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. In 2019, she founded Kids Eat in Color®, a public health resource that improves child and family nutrition and mental health. Prior to starting Kids Eat in Color® she coordinated youth nutrition programs at a food bank, performed research in inner-city food deserts, and consulted for the USDA national office SNAP-Ed program. Her academic background is in public health nutrition, cultural anthropology, and economics.
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Inside: Our pediatric dietitian explains the signs your baby is ready for solids. She breaks down the signs of readiness so you can learn when it’s time for your child to start eating.
Your baby is getting ready to start eating solid foods, and we are so happy for you. Those first bites of solid foods can be a fun experience for you and your child.
You may have a lot of questions and concerns about this next step. To get started, you’ll need to know if your infant is actually ready to eat solid foods. In this article, we help you understand the signs of readiness for solids so you can figure out when your baby is ready.
Signs your baby is ready for solids
Here’s the quick list of signs that indicate your baby is ready to start eating solid foods:
When do babies start eating solid foods?
Most babies start eating solid foods around 6 months of age. Unless your baby is not showing signs that they are ready, we don’t recommend waiting until after 6 months to start solid foods.
The stage of eating from age 6 months to 12 months is called complementary feeding. This is because the infant is still consuming human milk or formula, and they are also learning to eat solid foods.
Flavor training is also a new trend that may appeal to some parents. In flavor training, flavors are given to the infant between ages 4 and 6 months.
Let’s talk more about the signs of readiness for solids.
1. Control of head and neck
Babies need to be able to keep their heads in place to be able to safely eat. They need to be able to lift their head and keep it steady.
2. Sits alone or with support
Sitting up is important for babies to be able to see their food, grab it, and chew and swallow safely. If your baby is not able to entirely sit up on their own, you can place them in a supportive high chair.
Make sure the highchair has a foot support and that they can sit up (not recline back, which is not as safe for choking prevention).
3. The tongue thrust reflex
The tongue thrust reflex makes babies use their tongue to push things out of their mouths.
For example, if you put a spoon into a baby’s mouth and they push it back out with their tongue, they still have the tongue thrust reflex. (2)
4. Tries to grab food or other objects
When your infant starts grabbing objects, they are developing an important skill they will be able to use to eat.
You might even find they are trying to grab food off of your plate or food that they found on the floor.
5. Brings objects to mouth
Your infant will be bringing food to their mouth when they start eating. Whether you are doing baby-led weaning or puree-to-table feeding, it is important that your child has the opportunity to routinely feed themselves.
To do that, they will need to be able to bring food to their mouths! When you notice your child bringing teethers, toys and other objects to their mouth, you know they will be able to use those skills for eating soon!
6. Shows interest in eating and watching others eat
Finally, you’ll notice your child watching you eat. They will be very interested in what you are doing, and they may try to grab and eat your food too. They may fuss because they aren’t having the chance to eat at a meal.
These are all great developments as it means your child is getting ready to eat food!
More advice for weaning your child onto solid foods
If you’re wondering about starting solid foods with your child, here are articles written by our team of nutrition, development and feeding experts.
References