1. Is My Baby Ready?
Babies are typically ready for solid foods around 6 months, with some showing signs as early as 4 months, but starting before 4 months isn’t advised. Look for these developmental cues:
- Sitting up with support
- Good head and neck control
- Opening mouth when food approaches
- Moving food back on their tongue instead of pushing it out
- Bringing objects to mouth, grasping small items
- Moving food from front to back tongue-wise
2. Safe Food Preparation
Safety first! Follow these steps to make meals that are gentle on little tummies and free of hazards:
Smooth & safe textures
- Start with pureed, mashed, or strained foods
- As baby grows, gradually introduce thicker textures and tiny soft pieces
Watch for allergies
- Introduce one single-ingredient food at a time, waiting 3–5 days before trying the next to monitor reactions
- Include common allergens like egg, yogurt, fish, wheat, soy, peanuts early—unless your doctor advises otherwise
Ingredient safety rules
- Use only wholesome, high-quality ingredients
- Never give raw milk, raw eggs, or honey to your baby
Cook thoroughly
- Poultry: 165 °F; Beef/Pork: 160 °F
- Steam, boil, roast, or microwave foods until very soft
- Remove bones, skin, fat, seeds, pits
- Puree with breastmilk, formula, or water for smooth texture
Avoid choking hazards
- Skip foods like whole grapes, raw carrots, nuts, popcorn, hot dogs, chunks of meat or cheese
- Cut firm, round foods thinly or mash them
3. Storage Techniques (Keep It Fresh & Clean)
Cleanliness
- Wash your hands and all equipment in hot, soapy water; air-dry tools
Prevent cross-contamination
- Always separate raw and cooked foods
- Clean cutting boards and utensils between uses
Opportune cooling
- Don’t leave food at room temperature for more than 2 hours
- Portion into smaller containers or trays to cool quickly
Safe storage times
- Fruits & veggies: up to 3 days (fridge), 8 months (freezer)
- Meats: 1 day (fridge), 2 months (freezer)
Smart portion freezing
- Freeze baby food in ice cube trays, cover & thaw into labeled freezer bags
4. Feeding Practices & Responsive Strategies
Texture progression
- Start smooth, then move to thicker purées and small soft pieces as your baby learns to chew
- Begin offering solids 1x/day and gradually increase as tolerated to 3x/day by 8 months
Drinking Water
- After baby turns 6 months, offer 1-2 oz of plain water in a sippy cup when solids are offered
- No cow’s milk, soy milk, juices or sweetened beverages before 12 months- plain water is all your baby needs
Broad food variety (by 7–8 months)
- Include iron-rich foods: fortified cereals (oats, barley, multigrain), pureed meats, beans
- Add fruits, vegetables, dairy (yogurt, cheese), and grains
Watch your baby’s cues
- Hunger: opens mouth, leans in, reaches
- Fullness: turns head, closes mouth, pushes spoon away
Encourage self-feeding
- Let your baby explore food textures—even messily!
- Offer finger foods when they can grasp and self-feed (usually 7–9 months)
Make mealtimes mindful
- Always sit baby upright and stay present during meals
- Eat slowly to let them explore
- Keep breastmilk or formula as the main source of nutrition until 12 months
Why This Matters
- Feeding babies safely builds trust with food and body cues
- Introducing textures early supports chewing skills and prevents pickiness down the line
- Appropriate food storage and preparation reduces the risk of infections like salmonella or botulism
Final Takeaways
- Begin solids around 6 months—or later—once your baby is developmentally ready
- Offer smooth, allergen-inclusive foods one at a time
- Prioritize cleanliness and safe storage
- Follow your baby’s lead, and let them guide how much and how fast
With patience and persistence, you’ll be nurturing not just your baby’s nutrition, but also healthy food habits that last a lifetime.
Sources:
- CDC, When, What and How to Introduce Solid Foods
- University of Minnesota Extension, Making Safe Baby Food
Additional Resources
- America Academy of Pediatrics, Responsive Feeding- Set your baby Up for Healthy Growth and Development
- Strong4Life, Starting Solid Foods- What You Need to Know About Baby Led Weaning
- HealthyChildren.org, Baby-Led Weaning: Is it Safe?
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Reducing the Risk of Choking in Young Children at Mealtimes
- Parents Magazine, What Parents Need to Know About Bottle Proppers