A Gentle Guide for the First Bites
Starting solid foods is such an exciting milestone! Whether you’re doing purées, baby-led weaning (BLW), or a mix of both, one of the most common questions parents ask is:
“How do I teach my baby to actually eat and chew?”
Let’s break down this learning process step-by-step — gently, safely, and with love. 💛
🍼 Step 1: Wait for the Right Signs
Before offering solids, make sure your baby is ready. Around 6 months, most babies show signs like:
- Sitting up with little support
- Showing interest in your food
- Losing the tongue-thrust reflex (not automatically pushing food out)
- Reaching out to grab food
If your little one checks these boxes, you’re ready to start exploring!
Affiliate Tip:
A high-quality baby high chair helps keep your baby upright and safe.
👉 Try: Abiie Beyond Junior Wooden High Chair with Tray or Inglesina Fast Table Chair — perfect for small spaces and early feeding.
🥣 Step 2: Start with Soft, Easy Textures
In the beginning, your baby’s gums are doing the work of teeth — so offer foods that are naturally soft and mashable, such as:
- Mashed avocado
- Steamed sweet potato
- Ripe banana
- Smooth oatmeal
- Very soft carrot sticks
👉 Tip: Even without teeth, babies can chew using their gums! The goal is to get them practicing moving food around their mouth.
Affiliate Tip:
You’ll love using a baby food steamer and blender combo to prepare these quickly.
👉 Try: BEABA Babycook 4-in-1 Baby Food Maker — steams, blends, reheats, and defrosts in one step.
Also, a set of silicone feeding spoons is gentle on baby gums.
👉 Try: Mushie Silicone Baby Spoons or NumNum Pre-Spoon GOOtensils.
🍽️ Step 3: Let Baby Lead (and Get Messy!)
Babies learn to chew and swallow by exploring textures with their hands and mouths. Encourage self-feeding with baby-led weaning or finger foods that are easy to grip.
Try offering:
- Soft strips of toast
- Cooked zucchini sticks
- Lentil patties
- Scrambled egg yolk
Yes, it’ll be messy — but it’s part of the learning process. Every squish, drop, and lick helps your baby understand how food works.
Affiliate Tip:
Keep mealtime stress-free with a silicone suction plate and bib with a food catcher — easy to clean and great for BLW.
👉 Try: ezpz Mini Mat Suction Plate + Bumkins Waterproof Bib.
💬 Step 4: Model Chewing
Babies love to copy you! When you eat with your baby, exaggerate your chewing motions.
Smile, chew slowly, and make eye contact. You can even say, “Chew, chew, chew!” in a playful voice.
Seeing you chew teaches them what to do with food in their own mouth.
Affiliate Tip:
A baby-safe mirror at mealtime can make it fun for your little one to watch themselves eat and mimic you.
👉 Try: Skip Hop Easy-View Mirror Toy.
🫐 Step 5: Offer Variety Early On
Expose your baby to different textures and tastes early — it helps them develop chewing skills and prevents picky eating later.
Alternate between:
- Smooth purées (like apple or carrot)
- Lumpy mashed foods (like lentils or oatmeal)
- Soft finger foods (like banana or steamed broccoli)
This gradual transition builds both confidence and oral motor skills.
Affiliate Tip:
Store prepped baby meals in portioned containers for easy access.
👉 Try: OXO Tot Baby Blocks Freezer Storage Containers — perfect for batch cooking.
⚠️ Step 6: Stay Calm About Gagging
Gagging can look scary, but it’s a normal and protective reflex. It helps babies learn how far food can go before they swallow.
Here’s what to remember:
- Gagging ≠ choking.
- Stay calm and let your baby work it out.
- Always supervise, and make sure baby is sitting upright.
If you ever feel unsure, taking a baby first-aid or choking response course is a great idea.
Affiliate Tip:
Taking a baby CPR & choking course can give you peace of mind.
👉 Try: Tinyhood Baby CPR & Choking Course (great for parents and caregivers).
💧 Step 7: Keep It Fun and Pressure-Free
Babies sense our energy! Keep mealtime positive by smiling, encouraging, and celebrating small wins.
Remember:
- Don’t force bites.
- Follow baby’s cues.
- Make it a family activity.
The more relaxed and enjoyable it feels, the better your baby will eat and chew over time.
Affiliate Tip:
A cute baby feeding set makes meals more fun and photogenic for your Smol Eats moments.
👉 Try: Avanchy Bamboo Baby Feeding Set — sustainable, non-toxic, and adorable.
🌈 Final Thoughts
Teaching your baby to eat and chew is a journey, not a race. Every baby learns at their own pace — and with patience, practice, and love, they’ll soon be enjoying mealtimes right alongside you.
Keep offering new textures, trust your baby’s instincts, and enjoy every adorable (and messy) bite! 🍌💛