Throughout your baby's first year of life, feedings of breast milk or formula will be his main source of nutrition. Around the middle of the first year, he may have the desire and necessary physical skills to supplement his liquid diet with solid foods. Talk to your baby's doctor if you think he is ready to begin solids, and then slowly add variety to his diet.
Time Frame
Your baby will probably be ready to eat solid foods between 4 and 6 months of age, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. If she no longer displays the tongue-thrust reflex, which causes her to push food out of her mouth with the tongue, she may be ready for solids, according to the AAP. Your baby should also be able to support her head well before you introduce solid foods. If she watches you eat or grabs for your food, she may be ready to expand her diet, according to The Nemours Foundation.
Types
Your baby's doctor may recommend a single-grain infant cereal, such as iron-fortified rice cereal, for the first solid feeding. The AAP points out that while infant cereal is usually a baby's first food, there is no evidence it is beneficial to introduce it before other foods. Talk to your baby's doctor about which foods to start and when, but all first foods should be thin purees at this point. Gradually introduce cereal, fruits, vegetables and meats to your baby until his diet consists of a variety of healthy foods.
Method
Pick a time when your baby is happy and hungry, but not extremely hungry, to introduce the first solid meal, recommends The Nemours Foundation. Place him in an upright position; you can do this in a highchair, your lap or another safe place. Place a thin puree or runny infant cereal on a baby spoon and bring it to your baby's lips without forcing it in his mouth. If your baby gets upset or does not seem interested in trying the food, wait a few days and try again. When he turns his head or loses interest, end the feeding. Once your baby is eating and enjoying solid foods, you can gradually increase the feedings until he is eating three meals a day with the rest of the family.
Considerations
Introduce one new food at a time in case your baby has food allergies. The AAP recommends waiting two to three days after introducing one food before starting another; this will allow you to identify the culprit if your baby develops allergy symptoms. Talk to your baby's doctor if you plan to introduce eggs or fish into his diet before his first birthday. While pediatricians often recommend against serving these foods in the first year, the AAP points out that eggs and fish are nutrient dense and evidence has not shown a link between early introduction of fish and eggs and later allergies. If your baby develops diarrhea, vomiting or a rash after trying a new food, contact her doctor.
Warning
Rarely, a baby may have a severe allergic reaction to a food. If your baby develops serious symptoms, such as hives or breathing difficulty, after trying a new food, seek immediate medical attention. Always keep choking hazards, such as hard chunks of food, out of your baby's reach when he is learning to eat solid foods.
