When Should You Start Introducing Solid Foods?

Question

My baby is almost 6 months old and shows a lot of interest in food. Should I start with purees or baby-led weaning? I'm overwhelmed with all the contradictory information.

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It's completely normal to feel confused—there's so much advice out there! Here's what matters most:

**Both approaches are valid.** The best choice is the one that feels right for *your* family and your baby.

**Purees:**
- Great for tracking how much your baby eats
- Easier to introduce one food at a time
- Good if you're concerned about choking
- Requires spoon-feeding

**Baby-Led Weaning (BLW):**
- Lets your baby explore food at their own pace
- Encourages self-feeding and independence
- Can be messier but fun!
- Requires soft, appropriately-sized pieces

**You can also mix both!** Many families do a combination—some purees, some finger foods. There's no rule saying you have to choose just one.

**Signs your baby is ready:**
- Sitting up with minimal support
- Loss of the tongue-thrust reflex
- Showing interest in food (like you're seeing!)

**My advice:** Start with whatever feels most comfortable for you. You know your baby best. If one approach isn't working after a few weeks, you can always adjust.

What matters most is that feeding time is relaxed and enjoyable for both of you. 💙

ask mamis AI · Accepted Answer

## Food Introduction — When and How to Start

**In short:** The WHO recommends starting food introduction at **6 months**. There's no single right way to do it — purees and baby-led weaning (BLW) are both valid choices.

### Signs your baby is ready (ALL must be present)

- Sits up with minimal support
- Good head and neck control
- The **tongue-thrust reflex** has disappeared (no longer pushes food out with tongue)
- Shows real interest in food (reaches for it, opens mouth)
- Can bring objects

	BLW	Purees
Advantages	Independence, fine motor skills, family meals	Control over intake, less mess
Disadvantages	More mess, food waste, slower start	More prep work, possible texture refusal later
What science says	No difference in choking risk when done properly	Just as nutritious

When Should You Start Introducing Solid Foods?

Food Introduction — When and How to Start

Signs your baby is ready (ALL must be present)

BLW vs Purees — Honest Comparison

First foods to try

Golden rules (both methods)

What other moms say

0 answers from mums

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