Parenting Life Guide

Published: September 3, 2026

Starting Solid Foods at 6 Months

Once breast milk or formula alone can no longer meet a baby’s nutritional needs, it’s time to introduce solid foods. Based on WHO and CDC resources, here’s an overview of when and how to start.

Timing and Readiness Signs

Starting solids around 6 months is recommended, and continuing breastfeeding alongside solids until age 2 is considered beneficial. Good head control, being able to sit with support, and showing interest in food are considered signs that a baby may be ready to start.

How to Introduce First Foods

Start with one meal a day, in a very small amount (a spoonful or two), and watch how your baby responds before slowly increasing the amount. Introducing one new ingredient at a time, spaced a few days apart, makes it easier to notice any reaction.

Covering Iron and Nutrition

After about 6 months, breast milk alone often isn’t enough to meet iron needs, so iron-fortified cereal or meat is recommended from the early stages of solids. WHO guidance also recommends daily animal-source foods like meat, fish, or eggs, along with fruits and vegetables.

Watching for Allergic Reactions

When offering a new food for the first time, watching for a few days for signs like rash, vomiting, or diarrhea can help. Severe reactions, such as swelling around the mouth, hives spreading over the body, or difficulty breathing, need immediate medical care.

Tips for This Stage

Encouraging your baby to hold a spoon or pick up finger foods on their own can help build enjoyment around eating.

When to Consider Talking with a Pediatrician

If your baby shows no interest in solids past 6 months, repeatedly has vomiting, diarrhea, or rash after a particular food, or weight gain seems noticeably slow, checking in with a pediatric provider may be helpful. This information isn’t a diagnostic tool and doesn’t replace advice from a medical professional.