23.06.2025.
For the first six months of life, your baby’s world of nourishment is simple – breast milk or infant formula does the job. But around the half-year mark, it’s time to introduce them to a whole new experience: solid food. This shift, often called weaning or complementary feeding, is an important stage in your baby’s growth and development – not just about nutrition, but also about learning.
Why 6 months?
Experts recommend starting solids at around six months. At this age, most babies are developmentally ready – they can sit upright with support, control their head, and start exploring food with their hands and mouths. Their digestive systems are also more mature, and they’re less likely to develop food allergies compared to if solids are introduced too early.
Until then, breast milk or formula provides nearly all the energy and nutrients your baby needs, aside from vitamin D. Introducing solids too soon won’t help your baby sleep better or reduce hunger, despite common myths.
Spotting the signs
You can look out for three clear indicators that your baby is ready to start trying solids:
- They can sit up and hold their head steady.
- They can pick up food and bring it to their mouth.
- They can swallow (rather than pushing the food back out).
Fist-chewing, night waking, or asking for more milk are not reliable signs your baby is ready for food.
First foods: Start slow and keep it simple
When you start, offer a small amount of food once a day before a usual milk feed. The goal isn’t to fill them up but rather get them used to different tastes, smells, and textures.
You can begin with mashed vegetables, soft fruits, or cereals mixed with milk. Avoid salt, sugar, or processed ingredients since babies’ kidneys are sensitive, and their teeth are still developing.
Over time, increase the variety and texture: move from purées to mashed or lumpy foods and finger foods. Some babies skip smooth purées altogether and go straight to soft finger foods. Others need a bit more time. Both are normal.
Tips to make it easier
- Let your baby explore food with their hands – it’s part of the learning process.
- Go at their pace. If they Turn away or close their mouth, they’ve had enough.
- Keep trying even if they reject a food. It may take 10 tries or more.
- Keep distractions away – no screens at the table.
- Eat together when possible. Babies learn by watching others.
Stay safe
Choking is rare but possible. Always stay with your baby while they eat and avoid foods that are hard, round, or small, like whole grapes, cherry tomatoes, nuts, or hard raw vegetables. Cut food into small pieces and remove bones or pits. Gagging is normal and part of learning; it’s not the same as choking.
What you’ll need
- A high chair with a secure harness.
- Soft spoons and plastic bowls (some with suction bases are handy).
- Bibs. It will get messy.
- An open or free-flow cup for offering sips of water.
- Storage containers for freezing small portions.
Be patient, stay flexible, and keep it enjoyable. Every baby is different, and this is just the beginning of their lifelong relationship with food.
This article is for general information only and does not replace advice from your paediatrician or healthcare provider. For individual guidance, always consult your paediatrician or a qualified healthcare professional.
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