When should I start solids with my baby?

Australian guidelines recommend introducing solids at around 6 months of age, but not before 4 months. Look for signs of readiness: your baby can sit with support, has good head and neck control, shows interest in food, opens their mouth when offered food on a spoon, and has lost the tongue-thrust reflex.

What foods should I introduce first?

Start with iron-rich foods like iron-fortified baby cereal, pureed meat, or legumes. Then add vegetables, fruits, and other foods one at a time. There's no set order — the key is variety and introducing common allergens early (around 6 months). Breast milk or formula remains the main source of nutrition until 12 months.

How much food should my baby eat when starting solids?

Start with 1-2 teaspoons once a day and gradually increase. By 8-9 months, aim for 2-3 meals a day. By 12 months, most babies eat 3 meals and 1-2 snacks. Let your baby guide the amount — they'll turn away or close their mouth when full. Breast milk or formula is still the main nutrition source until 12 months.

starting solids with your baby

by william samuels·9 april 2026

based on Australian Infant Feeding Guidelines and NHMRC recommendations. this is general information, not medical advice.

signs your baby is ready

most babies are ready for solids at around 6 months (not before 4 months). look for these signs:

•good head and neck control — can sit upright with support

•shows interest in food — watches you eat, reaches for food

•opens mouth when offered food on a spoon

•can move food from the front to the back of their mouth

•still seems hungry after a full milk feed

what to introduce first

iron-rich foods first

babies are born with iron stores that start to run low around 6 months. start with iron-rich foods:

•iron-fortified baby rice cereal (mix with breast milk or formula)
•pureed meat (beef, lamb, chicken)
•pureed legumes (lentils, chickpeas, beans)
•cooked and mashed tofu

then add variety

•vegetables: sweet potato, pumpkin, carrot, broccoli, zucchini, peas
•fruits: banana, avocado, pear, apple, mango
•grains: oats, rice, pasta, bread
•dairy: yoghurt, cheese (from 6 months)
•introduce common allergens early — see our food allergies guide

progression timeline

6 months

texture

smooth purees, mashed

amount

1–2 teaspoons, once a day

start with single ingredients. introduce one new food every 2–3 days.

7–8 months

texture

lumpy mash, soft finger food

amount

2–3 tablespoons, 2 meals a day

start offering finger foods like soft cooked veggie sticks, banana.

9–11 months

texture

minced, chopped, finger food

amount

increasing amounts, 2–3 meals + snacks

family meals adapted — less salt, smaller pieces. offer a cup for water.

12 months

texture

family food, chopped

amount

3 meals + 1–2 snacks

can transition to full-cream cow's milk as main drink. no honey before 12 months.

foods to avoid

•honey — risk of botulism (not until 12 months)
•whole nuts and hard foods — choking risk (offer as smooth nut butter instead)
•cow's milk as a main drink (not until 12 months — ok in cooking from 6 months)
•added salt and sugar
•low-fat or diet products
•raw or undercooked eggs
•fruit juice and sweetened drinks
•small hard foods: popcorn, whole grapes, cherry tomatoes (cut lengthways)

tips for success

•let your baby set the pace — don't force them to eat
•offer food when they're alert and happy, not tired or upset
•it can take 10–15 tries before a baby accepts a new food — keep offering
•make mealtimes relaxed — messy is normal and healthy
•always stay with your baby while they're eating
•milk (breast or formula) remains the main nutrition until 12 months
•offer water in a cup from 6 months — no juice

related guides

baby-led weaning

skip the purees — a guide to BLW.

food allergies in babies

introducing allergens safely and what to watch for.

this guide is based on the Australian Infant Feeding Guidelines and NHMRC recommendations. every baby is different — talk to your child health nurse or GP if you have concerns about feeding.