The Ultimate Guide to Introducing Solid Foods

Introducing solid foods to your baby is an exciting milestone, and choosing the right time can have a positive impact on your child’s health and development. At Evergreen Pediatrics, we follow the recommendations of leading health organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization, which suggest starting solid foods around six months of age. By this age, most babies have developed important physical skills, like sitting up with minimal support and showing good head and neck control, making eating solids safer and more enjoyable.

You might notice your baby is ready for solids if they are interested in what you’re eating, open their mouth when offered a spoon, or can move food to the back of their mouth and swallow, instead of pushing it out with their tongue. Every child is different—some may show these signs a little earlier or later than six months. However, it’s important not to introduce solids before four months, as your baby’s digestive system may not be mature enough, and breast milk or formula should remain their main source of nutrition.

At Evergreen Pediatrics, we understand that starting your baby on solid foods is an exciting milestone—and sometimes a confusing one! Many families wonder whether to begin with smooth purees or to try baby-led weaning (BLW), where babies self-feed soft, appropriately sized pieces of food. The good news is that both approaches can be healthy and effective, and the best choice depends on your child’s readiness, your family’s lifestyle, and any unique health considerations.

●Purees:
Traditionally, parents have started with pureed foods, gradually introducing thicker textures and small finger foods as their child’s skills develop. This method allows you to control the food’s texture and pace of introduction, and it’s easy to monitor for any signs of food allergies—especially helpful for families with a history of allergies or sensitivities. Purees can be homemade or store-bought, and starting with single-ingredient foods is recommended.

●Baby-Led Weaning (BLW):
BLW skips purees, letting babies self-feed soft, safe pieces of family foods—typically around six months old. BLW can encourage your child to explore new tastes and textures, develop hand-eye coordination, and participate in mealtimes with the whole family. Some parents find that BLW helps foster independence and healthy eating habits.

Leading organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend starting complementary foods around six months of age, when your baby is showing signs of readiness. These include being able to sit up with minimal support, having good head and neck control, and showing interest in what others are eating. There’s no single “right” method for every family; what matters most is that foods are safe, soft, and cut into manageable sizes, avoiding choking hazards like whole nuts, grapes, or hard raw veggies.

Some of the best first foods include iron-fortified infant cereals—such as rice or oatmeal cereal—which can be mixed with breast milk or formula for a smooth, easy-to-swallow consistency. Pureed meats, like beef, chicken, or turkey, are also excellent early options, as they provide highly absorbable iron and protein. For families interested in plant-based choices, pureed beans and lentils are wonderful sources of iron.

Once your baby is comfortable with these iron-rich foods, you can gradually introduce pureed vegetables—such as carrots, sweet potatoes, or peas—and fruits like apples, pears, or bananas. At Evergreen Pediatrics, we recommend offering one new food at a time and waiting a few days before adding another. This helps us monitor for any potential allergic reactions and ensures your child’s safety.

To help your baby develop healthy eating habits, offer a variety of textures and flavors over time. Always make sure foods are soft, smooth, and free from added salt or sugar, which reduces choking risks and supports optimal nutrition.

At Evergreen Pediatrics, Dr. Basma Raees, MD, understands that introducing new foods to your baby is an exciting milestone—and it’s also an important opportunity to help reduce the risk of developing food allergies later in life. According to current pediatric guidelines, most infants can begin trying common allergens like peanuts, eggs, and dairy around six months of age (but not before four months), as part of starting complementary foods.

Before introducing these foods, ensure your baby is developmentally ready for solids: your child should be able to sit with support, have good head and neck control, and show interest in eating. To minimize risks, we recommend offering one new allergenic food at a time, and only when your child is healthy. Begin with a very small portion, such as a quarter teaspoon of smooth peanut butter thinned with water or breast milk, a well-cooked egg, or plain yogurt. After each new food, wait three to five days before trying another; this allows you to monitor for symptoms like hives, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, wheezing, or swelling.

Some children—especially those with severe eczema, an existing food allergy, or a strong family history of allergies—may need a more cautious approach. If this applies to your family, please schedule a visit with Evergreen Pediatrics. Our team can discuss whether allergy testing or a supervised food introduction in our office is appropriate for your child.

Talk to our pediatricians today.

At Evergreen Pediatrics, our top pediatricians understand that your child’s health and development are your top priorities—and ours too. If you have questions or concerns, our experienced pediatricians are here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re looking for guidance on nutrition, immunizations, developmental milestones, or managing common childhood illnesses, our dedicated team provides personalized care tailored to your child’s unique needs.

We believe that open communication is key to empowering parents and ensuring the best possible outcomes for your child’s well-being. Don’t hesitate to reach out—schedule an appointment with Evergreen Pediatrics today and let us partner with your family to nurture your child’s growth and health at every stage.

Contact us for more information or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 12911 120th Ave NE Suite B10, Kirkland, WA 98034. We serve patients from Kirkland WA, Seattle WA, Shoreline WA, Lake Forest Park WA, Kenmore WA, Woodinville WA, Mountlake Terrace WA, Woodway WA, Edmonds WA, Lynnwood WA, Bothell WA and Lake Washington WA.