By Kimberly Grenawitzke, OTD, OTR/L, SCFES, IBCLC
Your little one has locked eyes on your snack like it’s the most interesting thing they’ve ever seen—and suddenly, mealtime feels a lot more real. Starting solids is one of those parenting moments that’s equal parts thrilling and totally overwhelming. Forget the picture-perfect high chair setups; this stage can get messy but should be full of fun and learning—for both of you. At Solid Starts, we’re here to help you navigate it all with clarity, confidence, and a whole lot of grace.
Introducing solid foods isn’t really about nutrition—it’s about building a foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating. Whether you’re cautiously offering that first taste or letting baby dive straight into finger foods, we’ve got your back. With our expert-reviewed resources and easy-to-use app, you’ll find practical support tailored to your pace, your questions, and your baby’s unique journey.
How to tell if baby is ready
Most babies are ready to start solids around 6 months of age, though some are ready a little earlier, and others a bit later. Rather than looking at the calendar, keep an eye out for the signs that they are developmentally ready for solids:
- Sitting. Baby can sit in a high chair or on your lap with minimal support.
- Head control. Baby can hold head upright and steady while seated (about 15 minutes).
- Reach & grab. Baby can pick up objects while seated and bring them to the mouth.
- Interest. Baby intently watches you eat, mouths for food, or leans forward to reach it.
What you will need
You do not need much gear… most of it is unnecessary. The only things you need are:
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Infant safety training. Know the difference between gagging and choking and how to respond, including infant rescue in the unlikely event of an emergency.
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Safe seating. To minimize the risk of choking, ensure your baby is calm, supervised, and safely seated in your lap or in a high chair with proper support.
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Realistic expectations. Learning to eat takes practice over time. In the beginning, your baby may dig in, watch you, play with or spit out food, or ignore it altogether. All normal.
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Time to eat together. It’s not just baby eating. This is your food, too. Eating the same foods in front of your baby teaches your child how it’s done.
As for bibs, utensils, and other products marketed for baby, good news: most options that you already have in your home will work just fine. Here are the basic necessities:
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a small, lightweight unbreakable open cup and a straw cup
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an unbreakable shallow bowl or plate with a rim
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spoon with short handle
If you like, you can invest in mess management tools like a splat mat, though it is not necessary. An old sheet or trash bag spread on the floor below your baby’s seating area works just fine.
The baby is ready. Now what?
Once your baby is showing signs that they are ready to start solids, and you have your high chair set-up and expectations in check, it’s time to dive in. The research is clear that letting your baby practice feeding themselves is safe and effective—and you can use this approach with purees, finger foods, or a combination of both. The Solid Starts app can walk you through exactly how to safely start solids and bring your baby into your mealtimes, using foods you and your family enjoy. The Solid Starts App to look up how to safely prepare any food for your baby.
Bottom line: let baby take the lead
You don’t have to overthink this (promise). Babies are wired to learn how to eat - it just takes time, patience, and a willingness to embrace the mess. Let them explore, follow their cues, and trust that they’re figuring it out in their own way (yes, even if most of the food ends up in their hair...or yours). And if you need backup, Solid Starts has your back. Download the app or check out their new book Solid Starts: How to Introduce Solid Food and Raise a Happy Eater (out April 1st, pre-order now). Because mealtime should be fun—for both of
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