Signs of Readiness to Start Solid Foods or Baby-led Weaning

Introducing solid foods is an exciting time in your baby’s life. It’s a major milestone that opens the door to new textures, flavors, and skills.

But timing is key—starting too soon can cause problems, and waiting for the right developmental signs of readiness ensures a smoother transition.

In this article, I’ll cover the signs of readiness to start solids, common myths, and essential tips for beginning baby-led weaning.

I did baby-led weaning with both my kids, and I’ve coached other moms through their BLW journey as well, so I know what I’m talking about in this blog post. With that said, let’s jump right in!

Signs of Developmental Readiness For Solid Foods

The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend introducing solid foods around 6 months of age. However, it’s not just about hitting the month mark—look for the following of developmental readiness below:

Good head control

Your baby should hold their head steady without wobbling. This neck control is crucial for safe swallowing and prevents choking.

Babies who have control of their neck muscles can gag out foods that may otherwise cause them to choke.

Sitting in an upright position with minimal support

Babies should be able to sit in a high chair or at the table with little support, ensuring they’re in a safe position to eat. If you have to place your baby in a reclined chair or prop them up with a pillow, then you know they’re not ready yet for solid food. 

Loss of the tongue-thrust reflex

In the early months of a baby’s life, they have this tongue thrust reflex which causes them to push their tongues out of their mouths constantly.

This is what nature uses to keep them safe— By pushing anything foreign (like food, saliva, particles, and anything they could choke on) out of their mouth. 

Around 6 months, most babies lose this tongue thrust reflex, meaning they’re physically ready to handle new foods. 

Showing interest in food

One of the most obvious readiness signs for solid foods is when babies start showing interest in the food you’re eating.

Babies are naturally curious.

If your baby is staring at your plate during family mealtimes, reaching for your food, or mimicking chewing motions, it’s a sign they’re ready to explore eating.

Has Some fine motor skills 

The ability to pick up small pieces of food (pincer grasp) is a sign your baby is ready to self-feed and explore finger foods.

Most babies won’t have this skill at 6 months but they should start to develop it around 9 months old.

What Happens if Solid Foods Are Introduced Too Soon?

Starting solid foods before a baby shows developmental signs of readiness can lead to several issues:

Digestive system immaturity

A baby’s digestive system isn’t fully developed in the early months of life, So Introducing complementary foods (any food that isn’t milk) too soon can cause stomach upset, gas, or constipation.

Higher risk of choking

Babies who can’t sit upright or control their heads are at a greater risk of choking on foods because their gag reflex won’t be effective enough to help them push out the food.

Reduced milk feeds

Whether your baby is on breast milk or infant formula, introducing too much food early can lead to a drop in milk feeds, which are still the primary source of a baby’s nutrition during the first year of life

Common Myths & Misconceptions About Starting Solid Foods

MYTH: Baby needs to start solids because there is not enough iron in breast milk.

While it’s true that breast milk alone doesn’t meet all iron needs after 6 months, babies are born with iron stores that last about half a year.

Introducing iron-rich foods like meat, infant cereals, or oatmeal at the right time ensures they get the necessary additional nutrients without rushing the process.

MYTH: Premature babies or small babies need to start solids earlier.

Whether your baby is small, full-term, or premature, readiness depends on developmental milestones, not size.

Starting too soon won’t necessarily help with weight gain or growth and can lead to other issues like digestive discomfort.

MYTH: Bigger babies need to start solids earlier.

Whether your baby was born big doesn’t mean they should start new foods earlier. Focus on developmental signs of readiness rather than your baby’s size. Readiness is about their physical and motor skills, not how big they are.

MYTH: Solids help babies sleep longer at night.

This is one myth that I hear all the time. Introducing solid foods doesn’t directly improve sleep patterns.

Babies wake for various reasons, such as hunger, teething, or needing comfort. Solids won’t magically fix sleep issues but can be part of a broader routine that supports better sleep.

FAQs About Starting Baby-Led Weaning

What if my baby is 6 months old but cannot sit upright?

Safe eating requires a stable, upright position to prevent choking. That’s why the recommendation is that your baby is sitting with minimal support in a high chair or at the table.

If your baby isn’t sitting unsupported at 6 months of age, then you should speak to their pediatrician for proper medical advice on whether you should start solids. 

What if my 4-5 month old seems developmentally ready for solids?

Even if they show signs like interest in food or better head control, their digestive system still needs time to mature. Stick with breast milk or formula and wait until 6 months to start solids.

What if the Baby is Ready but the Parents Aren’t Ready to Start Solid Foods

It’s normal to feel unprepared or nervous when starting something new. Take it slow. Baby-led weaning doesn’t have to start on the exact day they turn 6 months. Spend a little more time reading, preparing the right foods, and learning how to serve them safely.

Foods to Avoid During Baby-Led Weaning

Honey

Never give honey to babies under 12 months old because it can contain bacteria that cause infant botulism, a rare but serious illness. After their first birthday, honey is safe to introduce.

Cow’s milk

While small amounts of yogurt or cheese are okay, avoid replacing human milk or infant formula with cow’s milk until after their first birthday.

Cow’s milk doesn’t provide the right balance of nutrients for babies under one year.

Whole grapes and sticky foods

These pose serious choking hazards. Foods that are too sticky can get stuck in the roof of your baby’s mouth or their throats.

Small Whole grapes are slippery and have a similar size to your baby’s esophagus, so they can get stuck easily and cause choking.

Always serve small pieces of food that are easy to chew and swallow, ensuring they’re appropriate for your baby’s age and skill level.

Added sugars or salt

Babies don’t need added sugars or salt in their baby food or diet. These can be harmful to their developing kidneys and can also lead to a preference for overly sweet or salty foods later on. So avoid foods like hot dogs, deli meats, and soy sauce if possible.

Final Thoughts About Starting Solid Foods the Right Way

Starting solid food is a wonderful opportunity to expand your baby’s diet and introduce them to the exciting world of new flavors and textures. Whether you’re practicing baby-led weaning or starting with purees, trust the process, wait for the signs of developmental readiness, and enjoy the journey together. Below are some more tips to help you along the way.

Start with soft, iron-rich foods

Options like pureed meats, lentils, or sweet potatoes are great first foods.

Offer allergenic foods early

Early exposure to allergenic foods like peanut butter or eggs can help lower the risk of developing a food allergy.

Always introduce these foods in small portions and watch for any signs of an allergic reaction.

Encourage family mealtimes

Let your baby join the rest of the family during meals. They’ll enjoy trying family foods and learning by watching others eat.

Experiment with a variety of textures

From soft purees to small, mashable pieces, introducing a variety of textures and flavors helps reduce picky eating and encourages the development of chewing skills.

Follow your baby’s cues

Every baby progresses at their own pace. Let them decide how much food they want to eat—don’t worry about them finishing the whole plate.