Starting Solids

All about starting solids when your baby's ready (around 6 months of age). Each page begins with a short video followed by key messages in English and 9 other languages. Scroll down each page for more detailed information (like a How to get started with solids checklist). You might like to start by watching the video on the page Starting solids: Key messages.

 

Mother with her baby on her lap, giving her baby a spoon of pureed baby food

Copyright: Kidshealth

Key Messages For When Your Baby Is Starting Solids

Around 6 months, your baby starts to need the extra vitamins and minerals (especially iron and zinc) that are in solid foods. 

What Are The Best Drinks For Your Baby?

The best drink for babies from birth to 6 months is breast milk (or formula, if breast milk is unavailable). From 7 to 12 months, breast milk (or formula) and water are the best drinks for your baby.

What Foods To Give Your Baby When They Start Solids

Start with spoon-fed puréed foods when your baby is ready (around 6 months). Move on to mashed and chopped foods over the next few months. Offer finger foods from 7 to 8 months when your baby is able to pick them up, bring them to their mouth and chew them.

What Food To Give Your Baby At Around 6 Months

Start with one food at a time, and add a new food every 2 to 4 days. Over time, increase how much and how often you give solid foods. Start with 1 to 2 teaspoons once a day, and slowly increase.

What Food To Give Your Baby From 7 To 8 Months

Keep giving your baby breastmilk (or formula) before solids. Give more variety and texture as baby grows older.

What Food To Give Your Baby From 8 To 12 Months

By 8 or 9 months, you can start to offer your baby their solids before breast milk or formula. By now your baby is probably having 3 to 4 meals a day, 1 to 2 snacks, and 2 to 3 breast (or formula) feeds.

Keeping Baby Safe When They Are Eating Solid Foods

Safety's important when your baby is eating. Make sure your baby's well-secured in a high chair, or on your lap. Find out about foods that are more likely to cause choking.