First foods by age: 6 to 12 months
Every baby moves at their own pace, so think of this as a friendly map, not a schedule. Here's what to look for and how to serve foods as your little one grows.
Is my baby ready?
The AAP suggests looking for these signs (HealthyChildren.org):
- Good head control and can sit in a high chair or feeding seat
- Opens their mouth when food comes their way, watches you eat, reaches for your food
- Can move food from a spoon to the back of the mouth to swallow
The AAP recommends breast milk only for about the first 6 months, then continued breastfeeding alongside first foods.
Around 6 to 8 months: big, soft, easy to grip
Babies this age usually grab with their whole hand, so offer soft foods in finger-length spears or big pieces they can hold, or mashed foods on a preloaded spoon.
- Avocado: ripe spears, or mashed
- Banana: half a banana with some peel left on as a handle
- Sweet potato: roasted soft wedges
- Broccoli: steamed soft floret with the stalk as a handle
- Egg: well-cooked omelet strips
The AAP suggests offering one new single-ingredient food every 3 to 5 days and watching for reactions, and including foods with iron and zinc, like meats and iron-fortified baby cereals.
Around 9 to 12 months: smaller, soft pieces
As the pincer grasp develops, cut soft foods into small bite-size pieces. The AAP lists examples like small pieces of banana, scrambled eggs, well-cooked pasta, finely chopped well-cooked chicken, and well-cooked potatoes or peas. For a food-by-food chart, see how to cut food for baby-led weaning.
Within a few months of starting solids, the AAP says baby's diet can include a variety of foods such as meats, cereal, vegetables, fruits, eggs, and fish, alongside breast milk or formula.
What about allergens?
Drinks
- No juice under 12 months, per the AAP.
- A little water in an open, sippy, or straw cup is fine once solids start, up to 8 ounces a day.
Skip these under 12 months
- Honey, in any form
- Hot dogs and meat sticks
- Nuts and seeds
- Chunks of meat or cheese
- Whole grapes
- Popcorn
- Chunks of peanut butter
- Raw vegetables and hard fruit chunks like apple
- Hard, gooey, or sticky candy
Need gear to get started? Peek at our BLW Starter Pack.
Questions parents ask
When can my baby start solid foods?
The AAP recommends breast milk only for about the first 6 months. Look for readiness signs like good head control, sitting in a high chair, and interest in food, and check with your pediatrician.
How often should I introduce new foods?
The AAP suggests offering one new single-ingredient food every 3 to 5 days and watching for any reactions.
Should I delay allergens like egg and peanut?
The AAP says there is no evidence that waiting past 4 to 6 months to introduce baby-safe allergen foods prevents food allergy. Babies with severe eczema or egg allergy should be checked by a doctor before peanut.
Can my baby have juice or water?
The AAP says babies under 12 months should not have juice. A little water in a cup is fine once solids start, up to 8 ounces a day.
What foods should I avoid before 12 months?
Avoid honey and choking hazards such as hot dogs, nuts and seeds, chunks of meat or cheese, whole grapes, popcorn, chunks of peanut butter, raw vegetables, hard fruit chunks, and hard or sticky candy.
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