Solids Starter

What it is: Start with smooth purées and gradually increase texture (thicker purées, mashed, then soft finger foods) as oral-motor skills improve.

Good fit for: families who want controlled portions, easy logging across caregivers, and a gradual texture ramp.

• Starter ideas: iron-fortified oatmeal; lentil or chicken purée; avocado; pear; sweet potato; peas.
• Watch out: Don’t stay at ultra-smooth textures too long-progress texture to avoid later resistance.
• Book: "Top 100 Baby Purees" by Annabel Karmel

What it is: Skip purées; offer graspable soft foods from the start and let baby self-feed.

Good fit for: families who value independence, sensory exploration, and shared family meals.

• Starter ideas (soft, finger-size): avocado wedges, steamed broccoli florets, omelet strips, roasted sweet potato batons, tender fish flakes.
• Watch out: Plan iron sources (e.g., tender meat strips, beans/lentils, iron-fortified cereal offered thick on a spoon or as fingers).
• Book: "Baby-Led Weaning, Completely Updated and Expanded" by Gill Rapley & Tracey Murkett

Gagging is common while learning; reduce choking risk by avoiding hard/round foods and ensuring proper seating and supervision.

What it is: Combine spoon-fed purées/mashed foods with self-fed soft pieces. Flexibility without losing texture progression.

Good fit for: families with multiple caregivers (parents + nanny, daycare) who need structure and autonomy.

• Pattern example: morning oatmeal (spoon) + afternoon avocado wedge (self-feed) + evening mashed lentils (spoon).
• Watch out: Align across caregivers, note what was offered/self-fed and texture level to keep progress consistent.
• Book: "Simple & Safe Baby-Led Weaning: How to Integrate Foods, Master Portion Sizes, and Identify Allergies" by Malina Malkani

What it is: Follow hunger/fullness cues; offer, don’t pressure; let baby set pace. Works with any approach.

• Look for leaning-in, open mouth, excited hands (hungry) vs. turning head, sealing lips, pushing spoon away (full).
• Model calm tasting; keep mealtimes short and pleasant (10–20 minutes is fine early on).
• Book: "Responsive Feeding: The Baby-First Guide to Stress-Free Weaning, Healthy Eating, and Mealtime Bonding" by Melanie Potock

Responsive feeding supports self-regulation and reduces mealtime battles later.

What it is: Skip purées entirely and only offer finger foods from the beginning (a strong BLW variant)

Why People Use It: Simpler prep; baby leads eating from day one; autonomy

What We Don’t Know Yet: Higher burden to manage choking risk; harder to ensure nutritional sufficiency (especially iron)

What it is: Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS is a structured BLW: ensure each meal includes e.g., an iron-rich food, a carb, and a “safe” finger food

Why People Use It: Addresses nutrient-risk criticisms of pure BLW

What We Don’t Know Yet: Limited trial evidence; must monitor meal adequacy & consistency

What it is: Introduce spoon/purée later to give more time for motor skill development

Why People Use It: Might foster strong self-feeding habits

What We Don’t Know Yet: Possible spoon refusal later; nutrient gaps if finger-food intake stays low

What it is: Start with soft, dissolvable textures that transition gradually

Why People Use It: Appeals for sensory/oral-motor development

What We Don’t Know Yet: Little robust evidence; choking risk if texture steps aren’t timed well

What it is: Small bits throughout the day instead of discrete meals

Why People Use It: Feels low-pressure and cue-based

What We Don’t Know Yet: Harder to ensure balanced intake; risk over-reliance on easy snacks

What it is: Give a pre-loaded spoon so baby self-feeds with a utensil

Why People Use It: Bridge between spoon-feeding and BLW; encourages utensil practice

What We Don’t Know Yet: Balance of spoon vs. finger foods is delicate; limited formal research yet

Introduce common allergens early (around 6 months) in safe, controlled ways. Always do this: one allergen at a time, at home, when baby is healthy. Consult your pediatrician if your baby has eczema, family history of allergy, or other risk factors.

• Peanut: Use thinned, smooth peanut butter or peanut powder mixed into purée or oatmeal. Avoid thick blobs or sticky nut butters.
• Egg: Offer well-cooked scrambled egg, omelet strips, or mashed hard-boiled yolk mixed with breastmilk, formula, or yogurt.
• Milk / Dairy: If using yogurt or cheese, make sure it's pasteurized, plain, and in small amounts.
• Tree nuts: Use nut flours or powders mixed into foods (not whole nuts or chunks). Monitor carefully for reactions.
• Fish / Shellfish: Start with mild, low-mercury fish (like salmon), well-cooked and flaked, with no bones.

Wait about 2–3 days before introducing another allergen. Watch symptoms: hives, swelling, vomiting, wheezing. If any severe reaction occurs, seek medical attention immediately.

• Fiber-friendly choices: pear, peach, prune, peas, oatmeal, lentils, beans.
• Small sips of water in open/straw cup with meals (if pediatrician okays water).
• Limit refined snack puffs during constipation bouts.
• Advance textures gradually to support skills and reduce picky eating later.

Persistent constipation or pain with stools? Check with your pediatrician.