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11.6.2: Starting Solids

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    Introduction of Solid Foods

    The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing children to foods other than breast milk or infant formula when they are approximately 6 months old. Every child is different. Here are some signs that show that an infant is ready for foods other than breast milk or infant formula:

    • The child can sit with little or no support.
    • The child has good head control.
    • The child opens their mouth and leans forward when food is offered.

    How Should Foods Be Introduced?

    The American Academy of Pediatrics says that for most children, foods do not need to be given in a specific order. Children can begin eating solid foods at about 6 months old. By the time they are 7 or 8 months old, children can eat a variety of foods from different food groups. These foods include infant cereals, meat or other proteins, fruits, vegetables, grains, yogurts, cheeses, and more.

    When feeding infant cereals, it is essential to offer a variety of fortified infant cereals, such as oat, barley, and multi-grain, instead of just rice cereal. The Food and Drug Administration does not recommend providing only infant rice cereal because there is a risk that children will be exposed to arsenic.

    Children should be allowed to try one food at a time initially, and there should be a 3- to 5-day wait before introducing another food. This helps caregivers see if the child has any problems with that food, such as food allergies.

    Older infant sitting in a high chair being offer solids off of a small spoon
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): A baby being fed solid food. Image by Ben_Kerckx on Pixabay.

    The eight most common allergenic foods are milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. It is no longer recommended that caregivers delay introducing these foods to all children. Still, if there is a family history of food allergies, it is advisable to consult the child’s doctor or nurse. 37

    It may take numerous attempts before a child gains a taste for it. So, caregivers should not give up if a food is refused on the first offering.

    References, Contributors and Attributions

    37. When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods by the CDC is in the public domain

    This page titled 11.6.2: Starting Solids is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Heather Carter.