Your baby is ready to start solids if:
- She can sit up with a steady head without help
- She does not push solids out of her mouth with her tongue (tongue thrust reflex)
- She can swallow
- She can put things into her mouth
- She can pick things up using her thumb and finger
- She seems interested in food (watches you while you eat, reaches for food)
- She wants to put food in her mouth (turning her head away from the spoon means no!)
Your baby is not necessarily ready to start solids if:
- She is unsatisfied after a feeding
- She wants to feed more frequently
- Increased waking in the night
- Chewing fists
These signs that your baby is not necessarily ready to begin solids alone could also be an indication that she is sick, teething, having a growth spurt or experiencing other development milestones.
Remember, her 4-month birthday is a major development milestone. At this age your baby may show an increased interest at the dinner table. However, this is not a sign she is ready for solids but more a desire to participate in activities with her family.
There are lots of things you can do to include her in family dinner time:
- Let her join you at the table so she can see what’s going on.
- Put some water, breastmilk or formula in a sippy cup she can play and experiment with.
- Let her play with spoons, cups and plates that are baby-friendly.
- Offer her ice chips or slushy breastmilk to play with a spoon.
- Include her in the dinner conversation.
Most babies are ready to start solid foods around 6 months. Check with your pediatrician or Health
Care Provider for their recommendation.