Starting Solids at 6 Months

Purees, Baby-Led Weaning & Safety Tips

Introducing solids is one of the most exciting milestones in your baby’s first year. Around 6 months of age, most babies are ready to explore new flavors, textures, and ways of eating. Whether you’re considering starting with spoon-fed purees or exploring baby-led weaning (BLW), this guide covers precautions to take, the best starter foods, and top puree and BLW ideas to help your baby enjoy their very first meals.

Signs Your Baby Is Ready for Solids

Before starting solids at 6 months, look for these signs of readiness:

• Sits upright with little or no support
• Shows interest in food (reaches for your plate or watches you eat)
• Has good head and neck control
• No longer pushes food out with their tongue reflexively

Precautions When Starting Solids

Safety comes first when introducing solids. Keep these precautions in mind:

• One food at a time: Wait 3–5 days before introducing a new food to monitor for allergies.
• Avoid choking hazards: Cut food into baby-safe sizes and avoid whole nuts, popcorn, or grapes.
• No honey before age 1: Honey can cause infant botulism.
• Limit salt and sugar: Babies’ kidneys can’t process too much salt, and sugar isn’t necessary.
• Always supervise: Never leave your baby unattended while eating.

Top 5 Starter Purees for 6-Month-Olds

Purees are a gentle way to introduce flavors and textures. Here are 5 nutrient-rich options:

1. Avocado Puree – Full of healthy fats for brain development. Simply mash ripe avocado with a little breastmilk or formula.
2. Sweet Potato Puree – High in beta-carotene and naturally sweet. Steam, blend, and thin with water or milk.
3. Banana Puree – Quick and no cooking needed. Just mash with a fork until smooth.
4. Carrot Puree – Packed with vitamin A. Steam and blend until silky.
5. Apple Puree – Gentle on tiny tummies. Peel, steam, and blend to a smooth consistency.

Top 5 Baby-Led Weaning Foods

If you’re leaning toward BLW, these first finger foods are safe and nutritious:

1. Steamed Broccoli Florets – Easy for babies to grasp with their little fists.
2. Soft Ripe Avocado Slices – Creamy and easy to gum.
3. Steamed Carrot Sticks – Soft-cooked but firm enough for baby to hold.
4. Banana Spears – Peel halfway and offer the stem as a natural handle.
5. Scrambled Egg (yolk + white) – Soft, protein-rich, and easy to self-feed.

Tips for a Positive Feeding Experience

• Offer solids after milk feeds, not before—breastmilk or formula remains the main source of nutrition until age 1.
• Embrace the mess—it’s part of learning!
• Sit together as a family to model eating behaviors.
• Start small: just 1–2 teaspoons at first, then gradually increase.