Transition to Solid Foods: A Guide for Parents

• 1 week ago

Transition to Solid Foods: A Guide for Parents

When to Start Solid Foods?

According to the World Health Organization and pediatric guidelines, babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months, and solids introduced around 6 months—not earlier or significantly later.

Signs that your baby is ready:

• Can sit with support and has good head control
• Shows interest in food (reaching, watching you eat)
• Can move food in the mouth without pushing it out
• Opens mouth when offered a spoon

Starting solids too early (before 4 months) may lead to digestive issues; starting too late (after 7 months) may increase the risk of iron deficiency and feeding difficulties.

What Should Be the First Foods?

Start with simple, single-ingredient, fresh foods and wait 3 days before introducing a new one to monitor for allergies.

Great first foods include:

• Vegetable purees: zucchini, carrot, potato
• Fruit purees: apple, pear, banana
• Plain unsweetened yogurt
• Hard-boiled egg yolk (start with 1/4 portion)
• Whole grain cereal with breastmilk or formula
• Later: mashed lentils, avocado, soft cheese

All foods should be salt-free, sugar-free, and unseasoned.

Introducing Allergens Safely

Recent research shows that early and careful introduction of allergenic foods can reduce the risk of developing food allergies.

Common allergens to introduce:

• Egg white, dairy, fish, nuts (as butter or paste), wheat (gluten), legumes
• Introduce one at a time, spaced 5–7 days apart
• Give during the day to observe reactions
• If there is a strong family allergy history, consult your pediatrician first
• Watch for signs like rash, vomiting, swelling, or difficulty breathing

Purees vs. Finger Foods (What Is BLW?)

Traditionally, babies begin solids with spoon-fed purees, gradually progressing to thicker textures and finger foods. But many families now explore BLW (Baby-Led Weaning)—letting babies self-feed soft, safe foods from the start.

What is BLW?

• Baby picks up and eats pieces of soft food independently
• Encourages chewing skills and self-regulation
• Requires close supervision and safe, soft textures
• Works best for babies who can sit well and bring food to their mouth
• Combining spoon-feeding and BLW offers flexibility and supports both nutrition and motor skill development.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Starting before 6 months
• Offering too many new foods at once → overwhelm or allergies
• Giving up too early—babies may need 10+ exposures to accept a new food
• Delaying texture progression—can hinder chewing and oral development
• Using food as a distraction or reward
• Ignoring water intake once solids start
• Associating meals with screens or toys

Sample Daily Feeding Plan (7–9 Months)

Nutritional Support with Dr. Ekin Pasinlioğlu

• Assessing developmental readiness for solids
• Custom feeding plans for babies with allergy risk
• Weekly meal schedules for the first 3 months of solids
• Combining BLW + spoon-feeding methods effectively
• Guidance for picky eating or feeding challenges
• Support for mothers balancing breastfeeding and solids