Starting Solids at Six Months: Readiness Signs and First Foods
Learn when and how to introduce solid foods safely—and why iron-rich foods matter from day one.
Around six months, your baby is ready to begin exploring food beyond breast milk or formula. Readiness is not just about age—your baby should be able to sit up with minimal support, maintain good head control, and have lost the tongue-thrust reflex that automatically pushes food out of the mouth.
When you begin solids, iron becomes critical. By six months, your baby natural iron stores—accumulated during pregnancy—begin to deplete rapidly. Iron requirements jump to 11 mg per day between seven and twelve months. Iron-fortified infant cereals and iron-rich meats such as pureed beef, lamb, and dark meat poultry are excellent first foods.
Current research shows that introducing common allergens early—peanuts, eggs, dairy, soy, wheat, fish—actually reduces the risk of developing allergies. Start with small amounts and watch for signs of reaction. Introduce one new food at a time and wait several days before adding another.
Remember: starting solids is about introducing nutrition and tastes, not replacing breast milk or formula. Milk remains your baby primary nutrition for the entire first year.
Based on guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Mayo Clinic, and CDC. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.
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