The steps to your baby starting solids

Zofishan Umair

Zofishan Umair

Zofishan is a journalist, humour columnist, and a mum who has survived nappy explosions mid-air. She has over a decade of experience writing for print and online publications and is currently working on her first book.
Medically reviewed Medically reviewed by Jessica Beaton
Updated on Oct 31, 2024 · 11 mins read
The steps to your baby starting solids

From the day you peed on a stick to the first nappy explosion, parenting a newborn involves a lot of clean-ups.


The day you start solids takes that to the next level. Add a baby who’s just discovered gravity and Newton’s laws, and the kitchen floor becomes their canvas for some fun splatter art.

As your little one grows, they need more than just breastmilk or formula to meet their growing nutritional needs.

They also start to appreciate new textures, colours and flavours. After all – they’ve been having the same meal for the past six months!

But how could you know when your baby is ready to be introduced to solid foods?

Choosing the right time and the first solid foods can be daunting, especially with various opinions from family and friends. Whether you’re planning meticulously or feeling overwhelmed by choices, starting solids is a significant step in your baby’s journey.

Here’s everything you need to know to confidently introduce your little one to their first solid food.

Is your baby ready for food?


There are many different ways that you may choose to introduce solids.

From finger foods like soft diced food and mashed foods to purees mixed in breast milk, there’s plenty of room to play. But before you can introduce rice cereal, root vegetables, or go for soft food and baby-led weaning, it is important to first establish that your little one is developmentally ready to start solids.

Roughly, this will be somewhere between the 4-6 month mark.


When do babies start eating solid foods?


Babies younger than six months require exclusive breastfeeding or infant formula only. Around this six-month mark, babies, whether breastfed or formula-fed, begin to require additional nutrients such as iron, which they initially accumulate while in the womb.

By six months, these iron levels start to drop and their iron requirements can no longer be met by breastmilk and/or formula alone.

At the same time, babies need foods that are rich in other nutrients like zinc and protein, found in solid foods.

Although breast milk or formula remains their essential source of nutrients, your growing baby also needs more calories to satisfy increasing hunger and support their growth.

That’s why Australia’s dietary guidelines recommendation is to introduce solid foods around six months, but never before four months. The Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) suggest exlusively breastfeeding around the first 6 months and then for breastfeeding to continue alongside complementary foods for 1 year, or as long as the family wants. And while every baby is unique, it’s beneficial for all babies to start solids by seven months.


What are signs my baby is ready for solid food?


Every baby is unique and will demonstrate when they’re ready for solids, such as good head control and feeding skills, in their own time. You can spot several developmental signs that indicate your baby is ready.

Why not sooner? Well, babies don’t benefit from starting solids or other fluids until their bodies are ready. Which is why it’s important to check for cues that let you know that your baby is ready to start eating.

Here’s a simple checklist you can use:

  • Your baby shows good head and neck control.
  • Your baby can sit upright with and without support.
  • Your baby’s appetite is no longer satisfied by breastmilk or formula alone.
  • Your baby opens their mouth when food is offered.
  • Your baby brings objects to their mouth.
  • Your baby has become interested in food and what you are eating.
  • Your baby’s tongue-thrust reflex has disappeared, or is lessening.
  • Your baby is around 6 months of age.

All these signs suggest that your baby may be ready to start solid foods.

How should I start introducing solids?


Introducing solid foods for your baby is an exciting journey, and doing it right can set them up for a lifetime of healthy eating habits, ensuring they get healthy foods.

Current health guidelines in Australia state that, “Other than recommending the use of iron-rich first foods, there are no recommendations on the order in which foods should be introduced or the number of new foods that can be introduced at a time. Slow introduction of solid foods is not necessary” (Infant Feeding Guidelines, 2012). 

With that in mind, here are a few pointers for approaching this stage:

Timing matters

There’s no perfect time of day for the first solids, but a good tip is to offer them after a milk feed, preferably mid-morning. This way, if your baby becomes unsettled, it’s less likely to affect their nighttime sleep.

Avoid trying new food for dinner or before nap time.

Introduce allergens early

When you start other foods, include potentially allergenic foods like yogurt, cooked eggs, peanuts and tree nuts, diary, soy, wheat, and well-cooked fish. Be cautious with cow’s milk and fortified soy beverages; they are not recommended as your baby’s main drink before the age of one – although it can be used in cereal and cooking.

Stay calm and patient

Keep mealtime relaxed. Make sure your baby is comfortably seated in a quality high-chair with an upright back support and an adjustable footrest – and that they’re not too hungry. They might start with just a spoonful, but their intake will grow with time.

They might also spit out or refuse to eat what you’ve made. And that’s okay. ‘No’ doesn’t mean ‘no’ in this case, and it’s okay to offer the same food again tomorrow, perhaps in a different texture or paired with a different taste, and see if your baby finds it interesting.

Embrace the mess

Eating solids is a messy business for babies. Be prepared for a bit of chaos as they learn.

Stay nearby

Always ensure your baby is in a secure feeding seat and eat together to encourage social interaction and minimize choking hazards.

Persistence pays off

If your baby refuses a certain food, don’t worry. Try again in a day or so.

Use the right tools

Offer foods on a small, infant-sized spoon to make it easier for your baby to swallow safely and enhance self-feeding.

7 healthy foods to give your baby first:


Choosing the first foods is crucial for your baby’s health and development. Here are some nutritious food options to start with:

  1. Iron-fortified cereals: Choose from a variety such as oat, barley, and multi-grain. Avoid relying solely on rice cereal due to potential arsenic exposure.
  1. Pureed or finger food meat: Include red or white meat and fish, whether finely pureed or cut up easily for finger food.
  2. Vegetables: Offer a colourful mix of cooked vegetables. Try to include white, orange, green, and yellow varieties each day.
  3. Fruits: Start with cooked or finely mashed fruits, easy on your baby’s digestive system.
  4. Eggs: Hard boiled and mashed eggs are a great option.
  5. Dairy: Introduce unsweetened yoghurt and full-fat cheese.
  6. Whole grains: Include soft-cooked wholegrain bread, cereal, and pasta as your baby grows.

Initially, give your little one plenty of time with just a couple of teaspoons of these baby solid foods. Begin with smooth purees. As your baby gets used to eating, you can introduce more textures. Gradually move from purees to mashed foods with lumps, then to minced or chopped foods, and eventually to finger foods that they can pick up and eat themselves. This progress not only helps with feeding but also aids in their jaw and speech development.

First foods


Some great first foods when starting out on solids include sweet potato, pumpkin, carrot, zucchini, pears, peaches and apples.

The first foods should be iron-rich foods of the right texture. So iron-fortified cereal, vegetables, fish liver, meat, and eggs are some great choices.

Making your own baby food


While processed purees offer variety and are a convenient option, making your baby food is healthier. Just strain, puree and finely mash it. You can add a liquid like water or breast milk to get a thin consistency if necessary.

Ready, set, puree

For a simple, quick and effective way to prepare your vegetables, you can follow the method below.

  • Steam the vegetable or fruit with filtered water
  • Drain water from the pot/saucepan once steamed
  • Transfer the cooked vegetables back into the pot + puree until desired consistency
  • You can add boiled water, bone broth (from 5 months onwards) or even the steaming liquid – if you would like to thin out the puree
  • Set aside to cool
  • Freeze in small weaning pods until needed (start with a 60ml size + move onto 120mls as your baby gets older).

Introducing water

Babies can start to drink water once they reach the six month mark. You can offer your baby cooled, boiled water in a sippy cup, open cup with support, or bottle at mealtimes.

What changes can I expect after my baby starts solids?


Alright. Let’s get down to business.

Because once you start solids, their business starts to stink like it’s nobody’s business. And while that may be somewhat of an exaggeration, you get the idea.

As your baby embarks on the journey of eating solid food, you’ll notice some changes in their nappies. These changes are perfectly normal.

Their stools will become more solid and vary in colour, reflecting the diversity of their new diet. Foods like peas might turn their stools a deep green, while beets could give them a red hue (and might even change the colour of their urine too).

Don’t be surprised if you find undigested pieces of food like pea hulls, corn, or tomato skins in your baby’s stools. This is because their digestive system is still developing and isn’t quite ready to fully process everything just yet.

The added sugars and fats in solids will also make their stools smell stronger.

However, poop remains a great way to stay in the know of what’s going on inside.

If you observe that the stools are unusually loose, watery, or contain a lot of mucus, it might be a sign that their digestive tract is struggling with the new baby food. In this case, we recommend seeking medical advice or stopping by your GP – especially with mucus or blood in stools.

If these symptoms persist, consult your child’s doctor to rule out any underlying issues.

What are the signs of a food allergy in babies to look out for?


The signs of a mild to moderate allergic reaction include hives, vomiting, and swelling of the face and lips. 

For severe allergic reactions, you might notice difficulty breathing, wheezing or a persistant cough, swelling of the tongue, or turning pale. 

If your baby develops a rash or any other allergic reactions, it can be helpful to take photos. This allows you to monitor the progression and provide valuable information to your doctor. Immediate medical attention is necessary if your baby shows severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing or persistent distress.

New research alert: For a long time, it was believed that allergic foods should be avoided. However, new research suggests that allergic foods should be introduced before the age of 12 months. There’s also new evidence that breastfeeding while introducing new solid foods is a great way to reduce the risk of allergies.

How long should I keep breastfeeding or bottle feeding?


Breast milk or formula should be the main source of nutrition for your baby until they reach 12 months of age. After their first birthday, you can introduce water and cow’s milk, served in a cup, as their primary drinks.

It’s important to limit cow’s milk to no more than 500ml (about two cooking cups) per day, as excessive amounts can lead to nutrient imbalances and may reduce appetite for a wide variation of nutritious foods.Some babies have an intolerance or allergy to cow’s milk, necessitating alternatives like soy milk. In such cases, it’s crucial to follow the guidance of your doctor or an allergy specialist.

If you’re breastfeeding, you can continue for as long as both you and your baby wish to do so. (WHO recommends up to 2 years.) There’s no set deadline for ending breastfeeding, and many mothers and babies enjoy its benefits well beyond the first year.

Remember, infant formula is no longer necessary after your baby turns one year old. When introducing a new drink or transitioning from formula to another type of milk, always read food labels carefully to ensure they’re suitable for your baby’s dietary needs.

Once you are confident that it’s time, it is important to choose a method that is right for you.

For those of you looking to introduce food to your baby through baby-led weaning, you can do this provided that they are developmentally ready to do so.

Regardless of your chosen method, remember that there is no recommended order or pace in which you introduce solids to your little one.

Wrapping it up


Your baby’s first taste of real, nutritious, and delicious food is where their tastebud adventure begins.

It’s an oh-so-exciting time, and you’re counting down the days until you can have pizza and movie night with them. That makes every messy face, tipped-over bowl, and colourful bib worth it.

Sources


Pregnancy, Birth & Baby, Introducing solid food, August 2023 

Better Health Channel, Introducing solid foods for babies, February 2021 

National Health & Medical Research Centre, Infant feeding guidelines, 2012

Prevent Allergies, Nip allergies in the Bub, n.d

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