Knowing when and how to start your baby on solids can be tricky — we're here to help you.
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Ready, set, spoon
Baby's first bites
Ready, set, spoon
Find out how and when to start feeding solid foods.
From the expert
Dr. Whitney Casares
M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P.
How do I know my baby is ready to start eating solids?
"Most babies start solid foods around 6 months old. Watch for signs that..."
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Baby's first bites
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Introducing your baby to their first solid foods is an exciting milestone.
Getting started with simple guidelines, encouraging a variety of nutritious foods, and following your baby’s lead can help make every bite count at every stage.
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First Foods
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Mixing the familiar taste of breastmilk or infant formula with cereal can help your baby accept this new food.
Parent tip:
Iron-fortified baby cereal supports baby’s healthy growth and brain development.
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Single-Grain Cereal
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Whitney Casares, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P. is a board-certified, practicing pediatrician, author of The American Academy of Pediatrics’ The New Baby Blueprint and The Working Mom Blueprint, and Founder of Modern Mommy Doc and The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast. She is the mother of two young daughters and lives in Portland, OR.
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"Most babies start solid foods around 6 months old. Watch for signs that your baby is ready to start solids, like good head control, sitting up with support, and a high level of interest in what you are eating. Ask your pediatrician for guidance."
"It can take up to 10 times for a baby to accept a new flavor, so don’t be..."
What do I need to know as a parent before introducing solids?
It can take up to 10 times for a baby to accept a new flavor, so don’t be discouraged if the first attempt isn’t successful.
Relax! Pick a time to introduce solids when you’re not rushed or stressed.
Babies should always be supervised and seated when feeding, and parents should avoid choking hazards like whole grapes or nuts.
"Iron-fortified baby cereal is a great place to start the solids journey..."
What are the best first baby foods?
Iron-fortified baby cereal is a great place to start the solids journey. Two servings of Gerber Infant Cereals meet your baby’s daily iron needs.
Purees, like Gerber’s 1st Foods and 2nd Foods, are a developmentally appropriate and safe way to jump into the world of veggies, fruits, grains, and meats.
"By six months, the iron stores your baby was born with are running low..."
Why is iron important in my baby’s diet?
"By six months, the iron stores your baby was born with are running low, so it’s important to offer foods rich in iron, which is a critical nutrient for cognitive development and growth, and helps support a healthy immune system."
"Here’s a tip: offer one high-iron food per meal. These can be..."
How can I be sure my baby is getting enough iron?
Here’s a tip: offer one high-iron food per meal. These can be baby-safe meats, legumes, and Gerber iron-fortified infant cereal or baby puffs.
"Spoon-feeding provides a great opportunity to interact with your child..."
What approach do you recommend for starting a baby on solids?
"Your baby will let you know when they are full. Look out for these..."
How do I know if my baby is full?
Your baby will let you know when they are full. Look out for these clues:
Turns their head from the breast or bottle
Leans or pushes away the food
Clenches their mouth shut
Clenches their mouth shut
Spits out food that they like
Slows down or gets distracted
Falls asleep while feeding
"Before starting solid foods, talk with your pediatrician to be sure your..."
Where can I find additional starting solids resources?
Before starting solid foods, talk with your pediatrician to be sure your child is developmentally ready.
MyGerber Baby Experts has a full team of registered dietitian nutritionists, lactation and sleep consultants, and more available 24/7 to answer your baby feeding and care questions.
This cereal from Gerber combines high-quality, organic whole grain goodness with 12 essential nutrients.
Organic Single-Grain Cereal
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Nutritious, soft, sweet: when it comes to ideal first foods for your baby, bananas are at the top of the list.
Banana Puree
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Some baby foods also come in an organic variety, like this yummy organic banana puree from Gerber.
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Sweet potatoes are a popular first food for babies and loaded with vitamin A, which keeps your child's immune system in fighting form and promotes healthy vision.
Sweet Potato Puree
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Carrots are a top source of vitamin A, which is a must for developing the eyes and immune system.
Carrot Puree
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Not only are pears a tasty first food, but they are also high in fiber which can be helpful if your baby is constipated.
Pear Puree
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If your baby rejects a new food, offer a few more spoonfuls or try again on a different day. Don’t give up! It can take up to 10 tries for your little one to enjoy a new food.
Parent tip:
If your baby doesn't like pear puree, try giving them pieces of very ripe pear instead. Introduce your baby to a variety of flavors and textures.
Parent tip:
Mangoes contain fiber to support healthy digestion and tons of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that fuels growth and allows little bodies to absorb iron.
Mango Puree
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This starchy vegetable contains lots of B vitamins and essential minerals.
Corn Puree
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To prevent choking, avoid giving your baby whole corn kernels until they can chew them completely. This may be around 12 to 18 months, depending on their chewing skills.
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Peas are an excellent source of fiber, carbohydrates, and protein to help support baby’s developing gut microbiome and fuel growth and development.
Pea Puree
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Spoon-feeding provides a great opportunity to interact with your child and introduce them to nutritious purees of infant cereal, veggies, meats, grains, and fruits.
Baby-led feeding can mix baby-led weaning with spoon-feeding. Offer small amounts of nutritious food in soft, easy-to-pick-up chunks. Once your baby has the hang of eating from a spoon, you can preload spoons for them to self-feed.
Responsive feeding: No matter the feeding method, be sure to tune into your baby's development, feeding skills, and hunger and fullness cues.
Baby's first bites