The time has come to start your baby on solids. What age is best? Is rice cereal needed? And what about baby-led weaning? We’ve got the answers (and more) in our complete guide to feeding your baby.
Most babies are ready to start solid foods around 6 months of age. If your baby is able to sit up on their own, and shows interest in food by opening their mouth when food is nearby, they may be telling you they’re ready.
| MEAL | 4-6 MONTHS | 6-8 MONTHS | 8-10 MONTHS | 10-12 MONTHS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BREAKFAST | 1-2 Tbsp. infant rice cereal* 1-2 Tbsp. fruit or veggie |
2-4 Tbsp. infant oat cereal 2-3 Tbsp. fruit or veggie 1 cooked egg yolk mashed with milk |
4-6 Tbsp. infant whole wheat cereal 2-4 Tbsp. fruit Egg mashed with milk or chopped egg omelet |
Infant cereal Scrambled eggs Chopped, soft cantaloupe |
| SNACK | - | - | - | 1/2 cup yogurt with cut up banana |
| LUNCH | - | 1-4 Tbsp. infant rice cereal 2-3 Tbsp. fruit or veggie |
2-4 Tbsp. mashed beans or chopped meat Toast strips 2-4 Tbsp. fruit or veggie (chopped) |
1/2 grilled cheese sandwich with tuna, cut into pieces 1/4 cup cooked carrot slices |
| SNACK | - | - | 1/4 cup plain yogurt 2-4 Tbsp. fruit mixed in |
Grated apple without the skin 1/2 string cheese quartered or stringed |
| DINNER |
1-2 Tbsp. meat 1-2 Tbsp. fruit or veggie |
2-3 Tbsp. meat or meat alternative 2-3 Tbsp. fruit or veggie |
2-4 Tbsp. meat, poultry or tofu Mashed potato 2-4 Tbsp. veggie |
Chopped chicken Mashed or cubed sweet potato Chopped green beans and pear |
| FEEDING TREND | WHAT IT IS | GOOD | NOT SO GOOD | HOW TO MAKE IT WORK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Solids Too Early | Offering baby cereal or other pureed food before 4 months of age. | None. | Higher risk for overfeeding, too much weight gain, choking, and food allergy. | Hold off on solid foods until your baby is between 4 and 6 months, and shows signs they’re ready. |
| Homemade Baby Food | Making baby food from scratch; very few or no jarred foods used. | Fresh, flavorful purees; can add spices like garlic and onion to introduce new flavors. | May feed only fruits and vegetables when other foods are needed; may keep baby on pureed food longer than ideal. | Spice up homemade baby food to introduce more complex flavors; introduce chopped table foods between 8 and 9 months. |
| Baby-Led Weaning (Skipping the Spoon) | Baby eats food that easily dissolves — with their hands most of the time, and is sometimes fed with a spoon. | Baby may be more in tune with their fullness; less likely to be overweight; solid foods are introduced at 6 months. | Underweight is more common; nutrients like iron may be low if iron-rich foods are not offered; choking or low intake in some babies who aren’t ready for the texture of solids offered. | Supervise baby when eating; avoid hard foods that baby could choke on, provide a variety of foods from the food groups; target iron and zinc-rich foods; learn about baby’s nutrient needs. |
| Avoiding Baby Cereal | Parent uses other first foods, like veggies, instead of iron-fortified cereal. | Avoids refined grains, which some have proposed a link to later obesity and diabetes (not proven). | Missing iron, a high priority nutrient. Giving babies iron-fortified cereal from 4 to 9 months of age prevents iron deficiency anemia. | Use other iron-fortified cereals like barley, wheat or oats; offer pureed meat as a first food (a good iron and zinc source). |
| Plant-Based Diets (Vegan) | A vegan diet excludes animal-based foods including meat, poultry, pork, fish, dairy and eggs. | Can meet the needs of growing babies if planned carefully. Plant-based diets offer life-long health benefits. | Several vital nutrients for baby may be missing: iron, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, calcium, fluoride, DHA and protein. | Talk with your WIC registered dietitian, who can help you plan a healthy vegetarian diet for your baby. |
| Pre-Chewing Food | Chewing whole food first before offering it to your baby. | May help baby manage and digest certain, tough to chew foods. | Spreads bacteria that causes cavities. Higher risk for infections (herpes, “mono” and “strep”). | Offer appropriate foods such as fork-mashed or chopped items when baby is ready to advance texture. Don’t share utensils. |
That’s a lot to accomplish! The good news is you have plenty of time to do this, and with the right advice and step-by-step help, you and your baby will sail through this stage with flying colors! 
Side-Lying Hold
This hold is useful when:
Cross-Cradle Hold
This hold is useful when:
Clutch or “Football” Hold
This hold is useful when:
Cradle Hold
This hold is useful when:
Laid-Back Hold
This hold is useful when:
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