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The
amounts are general recommendations only, so don't worry if your little one eats a bit
more or less than suggested. It's always a good idea to discuss your plan for starting
solids with your child’s doctor before getting started.
Also, you don't have to introduce foods to your child in any special order. If you want to
give your baby a taste of tofu at age 6 months, go ahead, even though it's not listed on
our chart until age 8 months. And while cereal is a traditional first food in the United
States, it's fine to start with mashed fruits or vegetables instead.
In most cases, you don't even have to wait to introduce highly allergenic foods like eggs,
fish, and peanuts. (Read more about food allergies and ask your doctor to be sure.)
Also, see our new rules for feeding your baby, get ideas for adventurous first foods, and
learn about baby-led weaning, an alternative feeding approach.
Feeding behavior
Rooting reflex helps your baby turn toward a nipple to find nourishment.
What to feed
Feeding tip
Your baby's digestive tract is still developing, so solid food is off-limits for now.
Age: 4 to 6 months
The following are some guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Your child
is likely ready to try solids when he:
Shows significant weight gain (doubled birth weight) and weighs at least 13 pounds
Can close mouth around a spoon
What to feed
Begin with about 1 teaspoon pureed food or cereal. Mix cereal with 4 to 5 teaspoons breast milk
or formula. (It will be very runny.)
Increase to 1 tablespoon of pureed food, or 1 tablespoon of cereal mixed with breast milk or
formula, twice a day. If you're giving cereal, gradually thicken the consistency by using less liquid.
Find tips on how to introduce solids safely and effectively, from recommended first foods to
sticking to a schedule.
Feeding tips
If your baby won't eat what you offer the first time, try again in a few days.
Some doctors recommend that you introduce new foods one at a time. Wait two or three days, if
possible, before offering another new food. (Wait three days if your baby or family has a history of
allergies.) It's also a good idea to write down the foods your baby samples. If he has an adverse
reaction, a food log will make it easier to pinpoint the cause.
The order in which you introduce new foods doesn't usually matter. Your child's doctor can advise
you.
Age: 6 to 8 months
Same as 4 to 6 months
What to feed
Pureed tofu
Pureed legumes (black beans, chickpeas, edamame, fava beans, black-eyed peas, lentils, kidney
beans)
Feeding tips
Some doctors recommend that you introduce new foods one at a time. Wait two or three days, if
possible, before offering another new food. (Wait three days if your baby or family has a history of
allergies.) It's also a good idea to write down the foods your baby samples. If she has an adverse
reaction, a food log will make it easier to pinpoint the cause.
The order in which you introduce new foods doesn't usually matter. Your child's doctor can advise
you.
Age: 8 to 10 months
What to feed
Small amounts of soft pasteurized cheese, cottage cheese, and unsweetened yogurt
Finger foods (O-shaped cereal, small bits of scrambled eggs, well-cooked pieces of potato, well-
cooked spiral pasta, teething crackers, small pieces of bagel)
Protein (small bits of meat, poultry, boneless fish, tofu, and well-cooked beans, like lentils, split
peas, pintos, or black beans)
Feeding tip
Some doctors recommend that you introduce new foods one at a time. Wait two or three days, if
possible, before offering another new food. (Wait three days if your baby or family has a history of
allergies.) It's also a good idea to write down the foods your baby samples. If he has an adverse
reaction, a food log will make it easier to pinpoint the cause.
Age: 10 to 12 months
What to feed
Soft pasteurized cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese (no cow's milk until age 1)
Protein (small bits of meat, poultry, boneless fish, tofu, and well-cooked beans)
Finger foods (O-shaped cereal, small bits of scrambled eggs, well-cooked pieces of potato, well-
cooked spiral pasta, teething crackers, small pieces of bagel)
Feeding tip
ISome doctors recommend that you introduce new foods one at a time. Wait two or three days, if
possible, before offering another new food. (Wait three days if your baby or family has a history of
allergies.) It's also a good idea to write down the foods your baby samples. If she has an adverse
reaction, a food log will make it easier to pinpoint the cause.
See our toddler article for guidance on feeding children 12 months and older.