When, Why, Where, and How to Start Solids with your
6 Month-Old
By Lesley Van Dyck, MS, CCC-SLP
Just when you feel like you’ve got your bottle or breastfeeding routine down, it’s time to start transitioning your little one to solid foods! This exciting milestone is a wonderful journey filled with new experiences and discoveries. While it can be a bit overwhelming figuring out when your infant is ready, which foods are best to introduce, and how to safely ‘teach’ your child to eat, remember that eating is actually a learned skill, just like walking! I’m here to help you navigate the when, the what, and the hows of starting solids with your little one.
When
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing spoon feeding/purees at 6 months of age.
Why 6 Months of Age
Maturity of Gross Motor Skills: For many reasons, the most important being the maturity of their gross motor skills. By 6 months, most typically developing infants have developed consistent head control to keep their head up and the ability to sit up with minimal to no support. This posture is vital for feeding as it supports a safe airway for feeding and supports GI function. If your child Is demonstrating poor head and core stability, this can increase their risk of choking and puts stress on the GI system to digest solids.
Anatomical Development: You may notice that around 6 months, your infant may start losing their “baby” face. Although you’ll miss those sweet chubby cheeks, there is a functional reason for this – their mouth is preparing to make room to eat solid food and for their teeth!
The space inside of their mouth begins to increase as their ‘sucking pads’ that helped them with breast/bottle feeding begin to be absorbed and integrated, and their jaw begins to grow down and forward. This increased space will give your infant’s tongue more room to move solid food around in their mouth, move the food from the front to the back, and to get it ready to swallow. Your child’s body is naturally adapting to this new phase, so you can rest assured that they are prepared for this transition. Their airway also elongates and moves further downward in order to help safely coordinate breathing and swallowing.
Feeding Skill and Sensory Development
- Improved hand-eye coordination
- Can visually track items with eyes.
- Recognizes and shows anticipation of food (bottle or spoon)
- Several oral reflexes are now integrated and have become voluntary skills.
While it can be a bit overwhelming figuring out when your infant is ready... remember that eating is actually a learned skill, just like walking!
What Foods Should I Start With at 6 Months?
- Pureed foods are a great way to introduce solids as your infant transitions from suckling breast milk or formula. They continue to build their feeding skills with slightly thicker liquids made of smooth, pureed, and flavorful foods. Most foods, such as vegetables, fruits, grains, and meats, can be pureed at home or store-bought.
- Another bonus of starting with pureed foods is that it helps the tongue muscles develop to support the later motor patterns that help your infant chew and swallow more efficiently.
What Foods Should I Avoid?
The following foods should be avoided before the age of 1:
- Honey
- Milk (as a beverage)
- Added salt and sugar
- Juice (except for medical reasons)
- Unpasteurized cheeses
Where Should I Feed My Child Their First Solids?
Supporting your child’s core and hip stability is essential for a safe and comfortable feeding environment. The 90-90-90 highchair positioning, with a 90-degree angle at the hips, knees, and ankles, ensures proper support and comfort for your infant during feeding.
90-90-90 Highchair position:
- 90-degree angle at the hips
- 90-degree angle at the knees
- 90-degree angle at ankles with feet supported on the footrest
- Elbows can rest comfortably at tray height
How Should I Feed My Child Their First Solids?
There are many fun options when feeding your infant their first solids.
- Dip your child’s teether into puree and allow your child to explore it.
- Use a flat infant spoon called a dipper spoon. This will allow your child to easily remove the puree from the spoon, practice lip closure skills, and develop early self-feeding skills. As your child becomes more comfortable, you can transition to infant spoons with shallow bowls (the round end of the spoon).
- Allow your baby to play with their food! Place some puree on their tray table and let them play and explore! Food play provides important sensory input to the nerves of their hands and mouths, which helps them learn about different food textures, temperatures, and movements. This sensory input allows your child to gain confidence and positive food experiences and decreases the chance of your child becoming a “picky eater” in the future!
How Much Should I Feed My 6-month-old?
When starting solids, the focus should be on exploration, not volume. At 6 months, your child’s primary source of nutrition will remain formula or breastmilk. Offer a small amount at first (about a tablespoon) and watch for your child’s cues. If your child leans forward and opens their mouth with anticipation, or reaches for more food, feel free to provide more! If your child turns their head, pushes the spoon away, or becomes disinterested, honor your child’s request by putting the spoon down and moving on with your day. Responding to and honoring your child’s hunger and satisfying cues will help create a healthy relationship between your child and food.
I hope you found this guide helpful in navigating the first bites of food with your little one! Remember, when in doubt, refer to your pediatrician or feeding therapist to help support your little one’s food journey. Bon Appetit!
About the Lesley Van Dyck, M.S., CCC-SLP graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at East Carolina University. She is a practitioner at ACT Therapy Services.
As a mother of two young children, Lesley understands the challenges and concerns that come with parenting. Because of this, she is committed to providing a family-centered approach to treatment through play-based therapy sessions that encourage fun and growth using evidence-based practices.
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