Introducing Solid Foods

From six to 12 months of age, breastmilk (or store-bought infant formula if you are not breastfeeding) is still the main food for your baby, but your baby also needs solid foods. Solid foods give your baby the extra energy and nutrients they need to grow and develop.

Introducing solids also lets your baby experience new tastes and textures from a variety of foods and helps them build the skills to become a life-long healthy eater.

At around six months of age, most babies are ready for solid foods. You will know your baby is ready for solid foods when they can:

• Hold their head steady.
• Sit up and lean forward.
• Show you when they have had enough food or do not want to try a food (such as turning their head away).
• Try to pick up food and put it in their mouth.

Note: If your baby was born pre-term, ask your healthcare provider when your baby should start solid foods.

To help meet your baby’s iron needs, iron-rich foods should be your baby’s first foods:

• Offer iron-rich foods to your baby two or more times each day.
• At least one of these foods should be an iron-rich protein food.

After introducing iron-rich foods, start offering a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grain foods and protein foods.

Foods offered to babies can be many of the same healthy foods enjoyed by your family.

Check out Healthy Eating for Babies Age 6-12 Months for important information about what foods and beverages to offer your baby.

There is no set amount of food that your baby should eat. Each baby’s appetite is different and can vary from meal to meal and day to day. Let your baby decide how much to eat. Pay attention to their cues about wanting more or having had enough.

Check out Healthy Eating for Babies Age 6-12 Months to learn more about how much food to offer your baby.

You may be thinking about what foods to give your baby, but how you offer those foods is also important.  As a parent or caregiver, you can help your baby learn important food skills and develop positive attitudes towards food and eating.

Check out Healthy Eating for Babies Age 6-12 Months to learn more about helping your baby learn to eat well for life.