• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

When to Feed a Baby Solid Foods

October 11, 2009 by ModernMom Staff Leave a Comment

Babies reach many milestones in the first year of life, and starting solid food is exciting for many parents. But how do you know when your baby is ready for solid foods? Age is only one factor in a baby’s readiness for solids. Other physical signs of readiness should be present before introducing solid foods. Remember that each baby develops at a different rate, so there is no set time when every baby is ready.

Age

The age of a baby is a factor in deciding when to start solid foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend waiting until six months to begin solids. Prior to six months, a baby’s nutritional needs can be met exclusively with breast milk or formula. Babies may be ready for solid foods as early as four months, but it is not nutritionally necessary.

Loss of Tongue-Thrust Reflex

Babies are born with a tongue-thrust reflex. This reflex helps prevent choking by automatically forcing unusual substances out of the mouth. The tongue-thrust reflex complicates the process of introducing solids. This reflex typically starts to disappear around four to six months of age. A baby pushing food out of his mouth is a sign that he is not ready for the solids. Waiting for the tongue-thrust reflex to disappear before introducing solids makes the process easier for everyone.

Sitting Up

A baby who is ready for solid foods has the ability to sit upright in a high chair without assistance. The baby should also have the ability to hold her head up unassisted. Many babies reach this milestone between five and seven months.

Showing Interest

Does your baby watch closely as you eat your dinner? Does she reach for food on your plate? Does she mimic your eating techniques? Showing interest in eating or reaching for food can be a sign of readiness in babies. Reaching for food or eating utensils, though, is not a solid indicator by itself. Your baby may simply be interested in the objects. Many young babies grab for anything within reaching distance.

Pincer Grasp

A baby who is ready for solids may begin developing the pincer grasp. This is the ability to grab or pick up objects between the thumb and forefinger. The pincer grasp is used for many tasks including eating.

Increased Hunger

Observing your baby’s eating habits may reveal further signs of readiness for solids. Babies who seem content with feedings of breast milk or formula don’t need solid foods yet. A baby who seems hungry shortly after a feeding or wants to eat more frequently may benefit from the introduction of solid foods.

Benefits to Delaying Solids

A baby’s intestinal tract is not fully developed in the first few months of life. Introducing solids before the intestinal tract has time to mature can be difficult on the baby’s system. Food allergies are more likely if solids are introduced at an early age. A young baby cannot show signs of being full which may result in overfeeding. Young babies may not have the ability to swallow solids well, which may increase the risk of choking. Babies may consume less breast milk when solids are introduced, potentially decreasing the mother’s milk supply.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Parenting

About ModernMom Staff

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

ModernMom TV

Featured

spot a child molester

The Stranger You Know: How to Spot a Child Molester’s Tricks

Do you think you would be able to tell if a sexual predator … [Read More...] about The Stranger You Know: How to Spot a Child Molester’s Tricks

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

Coconut Oil

Why Coconut Oil Is So Good For Pregnant & Nursing Mothers

cold sore and fever blister remedies

Cold Sore and Fever Blister Remedies

When Should You Give a Pacifier to a Baby

When Should You Give a Pacifier to a Baby?

Repair Scratches in Glass Tabletops

How to Repair Scratches in Glass Tabletops

How to Bake Thin Sliced Turkey Cutlets

basal temperature as sign of pregnancy

Basal Temperature As Sign of Pregnancy

women get pregnant if she Is not ovulating

Can a Women Get Pregnant if She Is Not Ovulating?

Calories Burned Sitting in a Steam Sauna

The Calories Burned Sitting in a Steam Sauna for 15 Minutes

diabetes in infants

Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes in Infants

Bake Frozen and Pre-Breaded Chicken

How to Bake Frozen and Pre-Breaded Chicken

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2023 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.