First spoonful of purée, first funny faces, first bursts of laughter (and the first carrot stains on the wall): starting solids is a major milestone, for babies and parents alike. Here's a simple guide to begin with confidence, without drowning in contradictory advice.
When to start? Signs your baby is ready
Current guidelines (WHO, European pediatric societies) place the start of solids between 4 and 6 completed months, never before 4 months, as the digestive system isn't ready. Beyond age, look for readiness signs:
- baby holds their head steady and sits with support;
- they show interest in your plate, follow the spoon with their eyes, open their mouth;
- the tongue-thrust reflex (pushing out anything that isn't liquid) is fading;
- milk alone no longer seems to satisfy their appetite.
Every baby is different: confirm the starting point with your pediatrician, especially in case of prematurity, reflux or a family history of allergies.
Purées or baby-led weaning: two valid paths
Traditional weaning starts with smooth purées, then moves to thicker textures (mashed, lumpy, soft pieces). It reassures many parents and makes quantities easier to track.
Baby-led weaning (BLW) offers age-appropriate pieces from the start (large, soft sticks that baby grabs alone), skipping the purée stage. It encourages autonomy and motor skills, but requires strict safety rules (seated position, melt-in-the-mouth textures, constant supervision, never hard or round foods).
Both approaches, and any mix of the two, are legitimate. The right choice is the one that suits your child and your peace of mind.
What to offer, month by month
| Period | Textures | Food examples |
|---|---|---|
| 4-6 months | Smooth purées | Carrot, zucchini, sweet potato, apple, pear, banana |
| 6-8 months | Thick purées, mashed | Proteins (10 g: meat, fish, egg), starches, well-cooked legumes |
| 8-10 months | Soft small pieces | Well-cooked pasta, cheese, ripe fruits, bread |
| 10-12 months | Pieces, adapted "grown-up" meals | Almost everything, adjusting salt, sugar and textures |
A few rules that apply throughout:
- One new food at a time, especially early on: it makes spotting a reaction much easier.
- Repetition pays off: a refused food is not a hated food. It often takes 8-10 exposures before acceptance.
- No added salt, no added sugar, no honey before age 1 (botulism risk for honey).
- Milk remains the main food until age 1: solids complement it, they don't replace it.
Allergens: earlier than we used to think
Long delayed "as a precaution," the introduction of major allergens (egg, peanut, tree nuts as powder or butter, fish, gluten…) is now encouraged early and regularly, from the start of solids, in an age-appropriate form. Recent studies show that early introduction reduces the risk of allergy.
If your baby has severe eczema or a known family allergy, build the strategy with your pediatrician or an allergist before starting.
Tracking discoveries without losing your mind
Which vegetable was tried on Tuesday? Was that the 3rd or 4th time for egg? And what did baby eat at the nanny's? As soon as several adults feed your baby, tracking becomes a puzzle.
Ambrette was built by real parents exactly for this: every meal and every new food is logged in two taps, and everyone, co-parent, grandparents, nanny, sees in real time where solids stand. Your data stays private and is never sold.
Read next: our guide to baby-led weaning (BLW), Tracking breastfeeding: side, duration, frequency and the pediatric appointment checklist.
Frequently asked questions
At what age should I start solids?
Current guidelines place the start of solids between 4 and 6 months, never before 4 months. The right moment depends on your baby's readiness signs: head control, interest in food, fading of the tongue-thrust reflex. Confirm the timing with your pediatrician.
Should I start with vegetables or fruits?
No particular order is mandatory. Many pediatricians suggest starting with vegetables to get baby used to less sweet flavors, but what matters most is variety and repeated exposure: a food may need to be offered 8 to 10 times before it's accepted.
When should major allergens be introduced?
Recent guidelines encourage early (from the start of solids) and regular introduction of major allergens such as egg or peanut, in an age-appropriate form. If allergies run in your family, talk to your pediatrician first.
Sources
- World Health Organization (WHO), Infant and young child feeding.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org.
