Starting Baby on Solids: 6 Tips for Weaning Your Baby
July 2022
Last reviewed: October 2022
Author:
Hyemyung Kim, RD, CDN, CNSC, CLC
Coauthors:
Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RDN
About Kids Eat in Color
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:
Hyemyung Kim, RD, CDN, CNSC, CLC
Coauthors:
Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RDN
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Inside: Starting baby on solids can be overwhelming for parents. In this guide, get 6 expert tips for starting solids and weaning your baby off milk and onto food.
Weaning your baby off breast milk or formula onto solid foods can be emotional and overwhelming. As a parent, there is a part of you that is excited for your little one to try their first peach or avocado, but there is so much to consider when starting your baby on solids.
The truth is, weaning doesn’t happen overnight. Starting solids is a process that you and your little one can gradually move through over a few weeks or months when you’re both ready.
6 Tips for Starting Baby on Solids
Here are 6 tips to consider when beginning the process of weaning off milk and starting solid foods.
1. Look for signs of readiness to start solids
Look for these signs of readiness to determine if your baby is ready to start solids.
Does your child sit up unassisted?
Do they have good head control?
Can they move their neck from side to side?
Are they showing you that they are interested in food (by reaching out to grab your food while eating or even imitating you eating)?
If you said yes, then we encourage you to begin to introduce solid foods to your child.
What’s the best time of the day to start a baby on solids? Choose a time when your baby is happy, rested and not overly hungry.
Usually, 45 minutes to 1 hour after your baby has had breast milk or formula is a good time of the day to start them on solid foods. Like anyone, babies are more likely to be receptive and open to a new activity if they are in a good mood.
Related: Utensils can also help set a good mood. Get recommendations for top baby utensils from an occupational therapist.
3. Start small (really small)
We recommend starting with a bite-sized (or 1 tablespoon) portion of each food. Too much food can be overwhelming for babies. Gauge your baby’s interest and reaction and offer more if your baby desires it.
Related: Another perk of serving small portions? Small portions can help you cut down on food waste. Read our article for more tips about reducing food waste.
4. Let them explore
At meals, your child has a chance to explore new foods. Mealtimes should be a time for them to experience new flavors, textures and smells. Babies are learning so much about the world, including how to interact with and manipulate food.
Between 7 and 10 months, your baby will start to develop the pincer grasp. This is a great tool for self-feeding.
If your child only takes a few bites, or if they only touch the food at one of the meals, that is okay. Parents should not be overly concerned about how much their babies eat; most of baby’s nutrients come from milk.
Note: It may be time to talk to your pediatrician if you are consistently noticing some of the following signs: your baby is frequently upset or cries around food, is disinterested in trying food, refuses to touch food, eats fewer than 20 foods, avoids entire food groups, or is falling off their own growth curve. This may indicate that there is something more going on.
5. Prioritize family meals when possible
Your baby may not be eating full meals yet (or even a bite of a meal), but involving your child in family mealtimes is important. This could include having dinner as a family or having lunch together on the weekends, at whatever frequency or schedule works best for your family.
Family meals are a great time to expose babies to food and model eating behavior for them. Get your little one used to sitting in a high chair with you at the dinner table and involve them in the family activity.
Related: Got questions about high chairs? Read our guide about high chair footrests to learn why they’re important for babies.
6. Relax and have fun!
There are things to enjoy at every milestone, and this one is no exception! Watching your little one take a bite of a watermelon with glee or even the face they make when something doesn’t strike their fancy can make you laugh.
But more so, your baby senses your behavior and watches you eating and that helps them eat more foods. So as you explore this new milestone with your child, try to relax and enjoy the process.
Note: If concerns about your baby choking are preventing you from relaxing, check out our blog about the top choking hazards for babies.
And if you are not enjoying it, don’t stress. Not everyone enjoys the sticky finger and sticky face, and that is okay.
Make exploring new foods fun!
Letting children play with their food can be a great way to expose them to new textures, flavors and smells. Check our our ebook Food Play Every Day for ideas on getting your baby to play with their food.
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Hyemyung Kim has been a registered and certified dietitian and nutrition support clinician for 10 years. She initially started her career as an inpatient dietitian with the adult population but fell into the role as a neonatal and pediatric dietitian after a co-worker needed to go on maternity leave. This led to her falling in love with this population and working with parents. She continued to progress her career working in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units as the nutrition support dietitian and in the nutrition clinic as the outpatient dietitian. During this time, she also obtained her certification as a certified lactation counselor to promote breastfeeding and provide education and support for mothers.
It was while working as a clinical dietitian that Hyemyung got to meet and talk to parents about their struggles with picky eating, finding her passion for teaching and educating parents on tips to help their children to eat. She is passionate about working with parents on this common but tough issue and finds it rewarding when she hears about progress. Now as a new mom to a 1 year old boy, she is also dealing with selective eating and can empathize how parents feel when they are experiencing this. In her role as the dietitian and weaning specialist, Hyemyung strives to approach each parent with empathy, understanding and compassion as she educates and provides support.
Inside: Starting baby on solids can be overwhelming for parents. In this guide, get 6 expert tips for starting solids and weaning your baby off milk and onto food.
Weaning your baby off breast milk or formula onto solid foods can be emotional and overwhelming. As a parent, there is a part of you that is excited for your little one to try their first peach or avocado, but there is so much to consider when starting your baby on solids.
The truth is, weaning doesn’t happen overnight. Starting solids is a process that you and your little one can gradually move through over a few weeks or months when you’re both ready.
6 Tips for Starting Baby on Solids
Here are 6 tips to consider when beginning the process of weaning off milk and starting solid foods.
1. Look for signs of readiness to start solids
Look for these signs of readiness to determine if your baby is ready to start solids.
If you said yes, then we encourage you to begin to introduce solid foods to your child.
Related: Not sure what’s foods to start with? See our list of the best first food for baby.
2. Remember, timing matters
What’s the best time of the day to start a baby on solids? Choose a time when your baby is happy, rested and not overly hungry.
Usually, 45 minutes to 1 hour after your baby has had breast milk or formula is a good time of the day to start them on solid foods. Like anyone, babies are more likely to be receptive and open to a new activity if they are in a good mood.
Related: Utensils can also help set a good mood. Get recommendations for top baby utensils from an occupational therapist.
3. Start small (really small)
We recommend starting with a bite-sized (or 1 tablespoon) portion of each food. Too much food can be overwhelming for babies. Gauge your baby’s interest and reaction and offer more if your baby desires it.
Related: Another perk of serving small portions? Small portions can help you cut down on food waste. Read our article for more tips about reducing food waste.
4. Let them explore
At meals, your child has a chance to explore new foods. Mealtimes should be a time for them to experience new flavors, textures and smells. Babies are learning so much about the world, including how to interact with and manipulate food.
Between 7 and 10 months, your baby will start to develop the pincer grasp. This is a great tool for self-feeding.
If your child only takes a few bites, or if they only touch the food at one of the meals, that is okay. Parents should not be overly concerned about how much their babies eat; most of baby’s nutrients come from milk.
Note: It may be time to talk to your pediatrician if you are consistently noticing some of the following signs: your baby is frequently upset or cries around food, is disinterested in trying food, refuses to touch food, eats fewer than 20 foods, avoids entire food groups, or is falling off their own growth curve. This may indicate that there is something more going on.
5. Prioritize family meals when possible
Your baby may not be eating full meals yet (or even a bite of a meal), but involving your child in family mealtimes is important. This could include having dinner as a family or having lunch together on the weekends, at whatever frequency or schedule works best for your family.
Family meals are a great time to expose babies to food and model eating behavior for them. Get your little one used to sitting in a high chair with you at the dinner table and involve them in the family activity.
Related: Got questions about high chairs? Read our guide about high chair footrests to learn why they’re important for babies.
6. Relax and have fun!
There are things to enjoy at every milestone, and this one is no exception! Watching your little one take a bite of a watermelon with glee or even the face they make when something doesn’t strike their fancy can make you laugh.
But more so, your baby senses your behavior and watches you eating and that helps them eat more foods. So as you explore this new milestone with your child, try to relax and enjoy the process.
Note: If concerns about your baby choking are preventing you from relaxing, check out our blog about the top choking hazards for babies.
And if you are not enjoying it, don’t stress. Not everyone enjoys the sticky finger and sticky face, and that is okay.
Make exploring new foods fun!
Letting children play with their food can be a great way to expose them to new textures, flavors and smells. Check our our ebook Food Play Every Day for ideas on getting your baby to play with their food.
More baby nutrition info for parents