Starting Solids: When, Which Foods & Weekly Plan (2026)

The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding/formula until 6 months. Solids can be introduced from 5 months at the earliest — but ONLY if all 4 signs are present:

1. Head control — Your baby can hold their head up steadily and independently

2. Upright sitting — They can sit upright with minimal support (doesn't need to sit independently)

3. Tongue thrust reflex gone — When you hold a small spoon to their lips, they no longer automatically push food out with their tongue

4. Interest in food — They reach for your food, watch you eat, make chewing movements

NOT signs of readiness: - "They watch my food" (all babies observe movement) - "They wake more at night" (this has many causes) - "They're 4 months old" (age alone isn't enough) - "Grandma says they need porridge now" (Grandma means well, but recommendations have changed)

Week 1-2: Pure vegetable Start with one vegetable per week. Ideal starters: pumpkin, parsnip, carrot, or zucchini. 2-3 teaspoons at lunch, then nurse/bottle as normal.

Week 3-4: Vegetable + potato Add potato as a filling side. Try new vegetables: sweet potato, broccoli, cauliflower.

Week 5-6: Vegetable-potato-meat Add lean meat (beef, chicken, turkey) — important for iron and zinc! 2-3× per week meat, 1× fish, rest vegetarian.

Week 7-8: Second meal (cereal-fruit) Afternoon: oat or millet flakes with fruit purée (apple, pear, banana). Continue nursing/bottle for remaining meals.

From month 3 of solids: Third meal (milk-cereal) Evening: whole milk cereal porridge.

The honest answer: Both work. Science shows no significant differences in nutrient intake or motor development.

Purée (traditional) - Parents have more control over quantity - Easier for parents who fear choking - Nutrient-rich through targeted composition - Downside: Less exploration, child learns textures later

Baby Led Weaning (BLW) - Baby eats "normal" food in pieces from the start - Promotes fine motor skills and self-regulation - Less mealtime stress — baby decides what and how much - Downside: More mess, gagging (not choking!) is normal

My tip: Mixed approach Start with purée and offer finger food alongside. Your baby gets nutrients from purée AND the sensory experience of BLW.

Choking vs. gagging: Gagging is NORMAL and a protective reflex. Your baby coughs, makes sounds, turns red. This is GOOD — they're learning. True choking is silent — the baby turns blue and can't breathe. Learn the difference. A baby first aid course is ESSENTIAL.