When should I start giving my baby solid food?

Most babies are ready between 4-6 months. Signs of readiness include sitting with minimal support, good head control, showing interest in food, and opening the mouth when food approaches. The AAP recommends starting around 6 months.

What are the best first foods for babies?

Iron-fortified infant cereal, pureed sweet potato, avocado, banana, peas, and pureed meats are popular first foods. Iron-rich foods are especially important since iron stores from birth begin depleting around 6 months.

How much solid food should a 6-month-old eat?

At 6 months, start with 1-2 tablespoons of puree once or twice daily. Breastmilk or formula is still the primary nutrition source. Gradually increase portions and frequency over the next few months.

Should I try baby-led weaning or purees?

Both approaches are safe and effective. Baby-led weaning offers soft finger foods from the start, while traditional weaning starts with purees. Many parents use a combination. Choose what works for your family.

What foods should I avoid before age 1?

Avoid honey (botulism risk), whole nuts or hard raw vegetables (choking), cow's milk as a drink (not enough iron), added salt and sugar, and unpasteurized foods. Small amounts of cooked egg, peanut butter, and dairy are fine.

How do I introduce allergenic foods?

Current guidelines recommend introducing common allergens (peanut, egg, milk, wheat, soy, tree nuts, fish, shellfish) early — around 6 months. Offer one new allergen every 3-5 days and watch for reactions like hives, vomiting, or swelling.

Baby Food Schedule Calculator

Get an age-appropriate baby food schedule from purees at 4-6 months to family foods at 12 months. Free solid food introduction guide.

Baby's Age

months

Baby's Weight

Feeding Approach

Allergy Risk Level

Custom Meals/Day (blank = default)

meals

Current Stage

Stage 2: Exploring Flavors

Thicker purees, mashed

Meals per Day

2.5

7.5 tablespoons total

Daily Calories (Est.)

675 cal

Based on 7.5 kg body weight

Calories from Solids

95 cal

≈ 14% of daily intake

Breast Milk / Formula

29 oz/day

≈ 86% of daily calories

Feeding Approach Note

Combination

Mix spoon-fed purees with soft finger foods for self-feeding practice.

Solids vs. Milk Balance

🟡 Solids: 14%🔵 Milk/Formula: 86%

Stage Progression

Stage 1
4–5 mo

Stage 2
6–7 mo

Stage 3
8–9 mo

Stage 4
10–11 mo

Toddler
12–24 mo

Allergen Guidance: Introduce allergens normally — peanut, egg, dairy starting around 6 months.

Stage-by-Stage Food Schedule

Stage	Age	Texture	Amount	Frequency	Key Foods
Stage 1	4–5 mo	Smooth, thin purees	1.5 tbsp/meal	1.5 meals/day	Iron-fortified cereal, Sweet potato, Avocado
Stage 2	6–7 mo	Thicker purees, mashed	3 tbsp/meal	2.5 meals/day	Mashed fruits & veggies, Pureed meats, Yogurt
Stage 3	8–9 mo	Soft chunks, finger foods	5 tbsp/meal	3 meals/day	Soft pasta, Diced fruit, Shredded chicken
Stage 4	10–11 mo	Chopped, mixed textures	6 tbsp/meal	3 meals/day	Casseroles, Toast strips, Pancake pieces
Toddler	12–24 mo	Modified family foods	8 tbsp/meal	3 meals/day	Most family foods (cut small), Sandwiches, Soups

Suggested Foods — Stage 2

Mashed fruits & veggiesPureed meatsYogurtScrambled egg yolkLentils

Allergens to introduce this stage:

⚠️ Egg⚠️ Dairy⚠️ Peanut butter (thin)

Daily Nutrient Needs

Nutrient	6–12 mo	12–24 mo	Top Food Sources
Iron	11 mg	7 mg	Fortified cereal, pureed meats, lentils
Zinc	3 mg	3 mg	Meat, beans, fortified cereal
Vitamin D	400 IU	600 IU	Supplement, fortified milk, egg yolk
Calcium	260 mg	700 mg	Breast milk/formula, yogurt, cheese
Protein	11 g	13 g	Meat, egg, yogurt, beans, tofu
Fat	30 g	30 g	Breast milk, avocado, nut butters, oils

Tip: The AAP recommends introducing solid foods around 6 months, but readiness signs (sitting with support, interest in food, loss of tongue-thrust reflex) may appear as early as 4 months. Always consult your pediatrician before starting solids.

Planning notes, formulas, and examples

About the Baby Food Schedule Calculator

Introducing solid foods is an exciting milestone that typically begins between 4-6 months when a baby shows signs of readiness: sitting with support, good head control, interest in food, and loss of the tongue-thrust reflex.

The progression follows a general pattern: thin purees at 4-6 months, thicker mashed foods at 6-8 months, soft chopped foods at 8-10 months, and modified family foods by 12 months. Each stage builds on the previous, helping your baby develop chewing skills and accept new textures.

This page uses your baby's age to show the usual food stage, textures, portion sizes, and feeding frequency. Breastmilk or formula still does most of the nutrition work through the first year, so treat the schedule as a starting guide rather than a rigid target.

When This Page Helps

Starting solids at the right pace supports texture progression, allergy monitoring, and meal planning. This page gives parents a practical stage-by-stage reference so they can compare what their baby is eating now with the next likely step.

How to Use the Inputs

Enter your baby's age in months.
View the recommended food stage and texture.
See suggested foods for the current stage.
Review the recommended feeding frequency.
Introduce one new food every 3-5 days to watch for allergies.
Continue breastmilk or formula alongside solids.

Formula used

4-6 months: Thin purees, 1-2 tbsp, 1-2× daily
6-8 months: Thicker purees/mashed, 2-4 tbsp, 2-3× daily
8-10 months: Soft chopped/finger foods, 4-6 tbsp, 3× daily
10-12 months: Chopped/mixed textures, 4-8 tbsp, 3× daily + snacks
12+ months: Family foods (modified), 3 meals + 2 snacks

Example Calculation

Result: Stage: Thick purees & mashed foods, 2-4 tbsp, 2-3× daily

At 7 months, a baby is in the thick puree and mashed food stage. Offer 2-4 tablespoons of foods like mashed banana, sweet potato, or avocado at 2-3 meals per day, alongside breast milk or formula.

Tips & Best Practices

Watch for signs of readiness before starting solids: sitting, head control, interest in food.
Introduce common allergens early (peanut, egg, dairy) as recommended by AAP.
Offer a variety of flavors and colors — babies accept new foods more easily before 12 months.
Let your baby set the pace — never force-feed.
Gagging is normal and different from choking. Learn infant CPR.
Water can be offered in a cup starting at 6 months alongside meals.

The Four Stages of Solid Food Introduction

Stage 1 (4-6 months) introduces the concept of eating with thin purees. Stage 2 (6-8 months) adds thicker textures and combinations. Stage 3 (8-10 months) introduces soft finger foods and chopped textures. Stage 4 (10-12 months) transitions toward family foods.

Iron-Rich Foods First

The AAP emphasizes iron-rich first foods because babies' iron stores from birth begin to deplete around 6 months. Iron-fortified cereals, pureed meats, and beans are excellent early choices.

Building Healthy Eaters

Research shows that repeated exposure (10-15 times) to a food increases acceptance. Don't give up after one rejection. Modeling healthy eating, eating together as a family, and making mealtimes positive all contribute to raising good eaters.

Sources & Methodology

Last updated: February 10, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Most babies are ready between 4-6 months. Signs of readiness include sitting with minimal support, good head control, showing interest in food, and opening the mouth when food approaches. The AAP recommends starting around 6 months.