As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting us ♡
Starting solids can look different for every baby and there’s no one perfect method that fits everyone. This is simply what I followed with my baby, and it worked well for us. I started with baby led weaning and stuck to it for the first few months. Later, I shifted to a mixed approach, partly baby led and partly feeding by me, because she started throwing a lot of food and it became difficult to manage. But starting with baby led weaning helped me a lot, because she got to explore so many foods in their natural form. I kept it simple and offered a mix of fruits, vegetables, grains and millets, and even egg and fish, keeping everything plain and introducing one new thing at a time.
Readiness cues to look for
-
Sits with support and holds the head steady.
-
Brings toys or hands to the mouth confidently.
-
Shows strong interest in food (watches you eat, leans forward, tries to grab).
-
Tongue-thrust reflex reduces (doesn’t automatically push food out).
Getting ready to start
-
Use a sturdy high chair with good back and foot support.
-
Keep suction plate/bowl, baby spoon and bib ready.
-
Keep meals calm and distraction-free, and always stay close and supervise.
My goal with solids
-
Exploration first: touching, holding, smelling, tasting.
-
Learning textures and chewing practice, not filling the stomach.
-
Offering variety slowly, keeping flavors simple and plain.
My Non Negotiables for Food
-No added sweeteners until age 2, including sugar, jaggery, honey, and other artificial sweeteners.
(The World Health Organization (WHO) and pediatric experts recommend avoiding all added sugars before 2 years of age, including sugar, jaggery, honey, and syrups. Studies show that early exposure to added sugars can increase the risk of tooth decay, unhealthy food preferences, obesity, and poor eating habits later in childhood.)
-No added salt until age 1.
(Babies naturally get enough sodium from breast milk, formula, and foods. Excess salt may put strain on immature kidneys.)
-Cow’s milk only after age 1.
(Cow’s milk as the main drink before 12 months is linked to iron deficiency risk and is not nutritionally suitable for infants.)
-No tea or coffee until age 12.
(Pediatric experts advise avoiding tea and coffee for children because caffeine can affect sleep, brain development, behavior, and iron absorption.)
-Avoid high risk choking foods like whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, and similar items unless they are modified safely.
-Keep foods close to their natural taste, plain and simple, without trying to make them sweeter or tastier.
