When Can Babies Start Eating Solid Food?

The Short Answer

Babies are ready to start solid foods at around 6 months of age — not before 4 months, and ideally not after 7 months. This recommendation is supported by the WHO, AAP, NHS, and Helsedirektoratet.

Why 6 Months?

Starting solids too early or too late carries risks:

Too early (before 4 months):

• The digestive system is not mature enough to process solid food
• Increased risk of choking — the tongue-thrust reflex that pushes food out is still dominant
• Associated with higher risk of obesity, food allergy, and digestive upset

Too late (after 7–8 months):

• Increased risk of iron deficiency (breast milk alone no longer meets iron needs after 6 months)
• Harder to accept new textures and flavours — a natural "flavour window" may close
• WHO and Helsedirektoratet both identify 6 months as the ideal introduction point

Signs of Readiness — All Three Must Be Present

Do not start solids based on age alone. Look for all three signs:

1. Can sit up with minimal support and hold their head steady
2. Has lost the tongue-thrust reflex — does not automatically push food out with their tongue
3. Shows interest in food — reaches for food, watches others eat, opens mouth when food approaches

Note: Chewing fists, waking at night, or wanting more milk are NOT reliable signs of solid food readiness.

What Foods to Start With

The best first foods are:

• Iron-rich foods: Pureed meat, chicken, or fish; iron-fortified baby cereal; mashed legumes (lentils, chickpeas)
• Vegetables: Sweet potato, butternut squash, pea puree, broccoli
• Fruits: Pureed or mashed banana, mango, pear, apple
• Healthy fats: Avocado, full-fat yoghurt (plain, from 6 months)

AAP and NHS both recommend introducing allergenic foods (peanut, egg, fish) early (from 6 months) rather than avoiding them, as early introduction reduces allergy risk.

How to Start

• Offer 1–2 teaspoons once daily to start, gradually increasing
• Introduce one new food every 3–5 days to identify any allergic reactions
• Milk (breast or formula) remains the primary nutrition source until 12 months
• Never add salt, sugar, or honey to baby's food
• Expect mess and refusal — it takes 10–15 exposures for some babies to accept a new food

What to Avoid Under 12 Months

• Honey (risk of infant botulism)
• Cow's milk as a main drink (formula or breast milk only)
• Whole nuts (choking hazard)
• Added salt and sugar
• Certain fish high in mercury (shark, swordfish, tilefish)

See our full guide on Foods to Avoid for Babies Under 1.

Explore Tools

Use our SmartStart Food Guide to find age-appropriate foods and track your baby's food introduction journey.

Related Articles

• How to Start Baby-Led Weaning
• What Foods to Avoid for Babies Under 1
• When Can Baby Drink Water?

Sources

• World Health Organization (WHO) — Complementary Feeding
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — Starting Solid Foods
• NHS Start4Life — First Foods
• Helsedirektoratet — Spedbarnsernæring