Signs Your Baby Is Ready for Solids (With a Readiness Checklist)

Starting solids is such a fun and sometimes scary milestone during your baby’s first year.

Many  parents are left wondering: 

How do I know if my baby is ready for solids? 

Should I wait until 6 months? 

What if they’re interested earlier? 

Are there risks to starting too soon? Are there risks of starting too late?

This guide will help you recognize the signs of readiness for solid food, including baby-led weaning (BLW) vs purees, and answer common questions about when and how to begin. 

Whether you're planning to offer purees, finger foods, or a combination, you'll walk away feeling more confident.

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When Should Babies Start Solids?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend starting solids around 6 months of age, though many pediatric providers give the go-ahead at the 4-month visit. So what should you do?

Here is my opinion as a pediatric nurse practitioner and feeding specialist…Readiness for solids is not based on age alone. It is about waiting for your baby to hit all of the developmental milestones that show your baby is physically and neurologically prepared.

Some babies may be ready closer to 5 months, while others might not be fully ready until 6.5 or 7 months. 

That’s perfectly okay. Following your baby’s individual timeline is safer and leads to better feeding success.

Why Developmental Readiness Matters

Feeding solids before your baby is ready can increase the risk of choking, gastrointestinal discomfort, and interfere with breastmilk or formula intake. It can also create negative feeding experiences for both baby and parent.

Remember, breastmilk or formula will be your baby’s main source of nutrition until they turn one year. Some babies (but not all) have big appetites and can eat meals plus drink all their milk.

That’s why it’s important to wait until your baby shows all the key signs of readiness. Let’s walk through them.

Baby Solids Readiness Checklist

Here are six signs your baby is ready to start eating solid foods:

1. Baby Can Sit Upright with Minimal Support

Sitting upright helps protect your baby’s airway during feeding. Your baby doesn’t need to sit completely unassisted, but they should be able to sit well in a high chair or your lap without slumping over.

Your baby should be able to sit upright for the entire meal.

Have you ever tried to eat while slumped over? It’s hard! Now think about if it was the first time you ever ate food. Being slumped over and having someone put food into your mouth could be offputting for babies.

2. Good Head and Neck Control

Your baby should be able to hold their head steady and turn it side to side. This shows they have the motor control needed for safe swallowing.

This circles back to sitting upright, having good core strength, and mobility to eat safely.

3. Interest in Food

If your baby starts watching you eat, reaching for your food, or mimicking chewing motions, it's a sign they're becoming interested in eating.

It is really hard to get a baby to eat if they are uninterested in food.

Imagine you not wanting to eat, but someone keeps trying to stuff food in your mouth. It probably won’t go well.

Is your baby not interested? Try having family meals once or twice per week. Show them how you want them to eat and what they should be doing. Babies learn from you!

4. Tongue-Thrust Reflex Is Gone

Babies have a reflex that causes them to push objects out of their mouth with their tongue. Around 5–6 months, this reflex starts to fade, allowing them to move food to the back of the mouth and swallow it.

Your baby can have the reflex intermittently and still be ready to eat, but if your baby pushes food out EVERY time, you may consider waiting for a few weeks to retry solids.

5. Baby Can Bring Hands or Toys to Mouth

This sign shows your baby is developing hand-eye coordination and oral motor skills. It’s a key skill for self-feeding, especially if you’re considering baby-led weaning.

6. Opens Mouth When Food Is Offered

If your baby leans forward or opens their mouth when food is presented, that’s a strong sign they’re ready to explore eating.

Elliot showed me he was ready around 5 months by mimicking the motions of eating and chewing. He also dove headfirst into a piece of pizza I was eating when he was about 4.5 months.

Signs of Readiness for Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) or Finger Foods

BLW is a feeding method that allows babies to feed themselves soft, appropriately shaped finger foods rather than being spoon-fed purees. If you’re interested in this approach, your baby needs to have mastered all the general signs of readiness plus a few additional ones:

• Grasps large pieces of food with hands (raking grasp is okay to start)

• Brings food to mouth with some accuracy

• Can sit upright unassisted or with very minimal support

• Moves food around in the mouth even without teeth

• Shows ability to spit food out when they’re done

If your baby gags occasionally, that’s normal. But if they’re frequently gagging or can’t manage soft textures in their mouth, they may not be ready for finger foods just yet.

Signs Your Baby Is Not Ready for Solids Yet

It’s best to wait if you notice any of the following:

• Slumping over when sitting in a high chair

• Pushing food out with the tongue repeatedly

• No interest in food or watching others eat

• Difficulty holding head up

• Refuses to open mouth or turns head away when food is offered

Waiting an extra 1–2 weeks and trying again is often all it takes. Continue offering breastmilk or formula, which provides most of the nutrition your baby needs until age 1.

What If My Baby Can’t Sit Upright on Their Own Yet?

If your baby can’t sit fully unassisted but can sit upright with support and has good head control, they may still be ready to start solids safely. Use a well-supported high chair with good posture or feed your baby while seated on your lap with a supportive cushion or feeding pillow.

If your baby is slumping to the side or can’t maintain an upright position, it’s safer to wait. Always prioritize your baby’s ability to protect their airway.

How to Start Solids (Safely and Confidently)

When you’re sure your baby is ready, here are some safe and simple steps to begin:

• Choose a time when baby is alert and happy (not overtired or overly hungry)

• Start with once a day, gradually working up to 2–3 meals between 8-10 months

• Begin with single-ingredient foods, like avocado, banana, or iron-rich options

• Offer breastmilk or formula first, then solids 30–60 minutes later

• Use a high chair or safe feeding seat with upright posture

•  Expect small amounts at first—1–2 teaspoons is enough!

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Do I Have to Choose Between BLW and Purees?

Not at all! Many families use a combo-feeding approach. For example, you might spoon-feed iron-rich purees and offer soft finger foods like banana or toast strips alongside.

There’s no "right" way to start solids. What matters most is that your baby is developmentally ready, safe, and supported during the feeding process.

Common Questions Parents Ask

What if my baby gags when starting solids?

Gagging is very common and often looks dramatic, but it's a protective reflex that helps prevent choking. If your baby is gagging but recovering quickly, it’s a normal part of learning to eat.

What if my baby refuses solids?

Try again later! It can take 10–15 exposures before a baby accepts a new food. Keep the experience low-pressure and don’t force bites. Follow your baby’s cues.

What if my baby doesn't have teeth?

Teeth aren’t required to start solids! Babies use their gums to mash soft food. As long as the texture is appropriate, they can safely eat without teeth.

What if my baby is 6 months old but still not ready?

That’s okay. Development varies. If your baby isn’t sitting upright or has a strong tongue-thrust reflex, wait another 1–2 weeks and try again. Check in with your pediatrician if you have concerns.

Can I give allergens like peanut butter or eggs?

Yes, in fact, early introduction of allergens is now recommended to help prevent allergies. Offer small amounts of well-cooked egg, smooth peanut butter thinned with water or breastmilk, or yogurt (after 6 months), and watch for reactions.

As a pediatric nurse practitioner and lactation counselor, I’ve helped thousands of families navigate this exciting transition. My best advice? Go slow. Follow your baby’s lead. Keep it fun and pressure-free.

You don’t need a complicated feeding schedule or fancy tools. You just need a baby who’s ready—and a parent who’s paying attention.

If your baby checks most of the boxes in the readiness checklist, you’re all set to begin. If not, wait a week or two and reassess. Trust your baby. Trust yourself.