When should I start to feed my son solid foods?

Crystal - posted on 02/17/2009

I started my son on solids when he was 6 months..and now he eats everything and he is 8 months

Sarah - posted on 02/17/2009

We started solid foods at 4 months and he stopped his bottle at 1 year.Just do the 1's or 2s.  I fed my son all of them.  he should be fine.  The numbers are more for his ability to start sitting up by himself and swallowing.  All the food is mushy.  I have a friend whose little girl is 18 months and still has no teeth.  She eats crackers and whatever.  But Anyway, just go for it.  Even the 3's are gummable.

Kena - posted on 02/17/2009

Just wanted to let you know that doctors advise against giving honey and corn syrup to infants because they can both contain botulism spores which are not harmful to adults but can cause severe illness and death in infants. You might want to look this up on the internet and read more about it. If you've fed it in small quantities, it may not have caused any problem---but I would not feed either one to an infant due to the risk.

Anna - posted on 02/17/2009

there are so many things. bananas, small pieces of cheese, cheerios, cottage cheese, yogurt, small pieces of meat, veggies...if he's got chewing down really good (my son gummed everything cause he was a late bloomer tooth wise) he should be able to eat most things. just make sure you cut in really small pieces and start out w/ soft things at first.

Jeanette - posted on 02/16/2009

thats what I meant was baby food... the other part about solids was suggestions for the lady with the 10 month old that posted the topic.... but dang, dont know where u are from, but definately not something that is done here, no honey till after one they suggest, but each to their own, its your child, was just a concern from what I was taught about Kids developing allergies from food too early..... NO offense meant. just my opinion

Jay - posted on 02/16/2009

if you read my post properly, i feed my 14 week old baby food, which is custard, beef and veg, food they start on when they are 4 months old, i have givin her vegemite, honey, gravey all on her dummy and she loves it, she cracks for more. some babys develops quicker then others. i HAVE NOT givin her solids as to what we eat yet.

Tamey - posted on 02/16/2009

Teething biscuits were my favorite-they are messy but they help with teething and the babies don't choke.. He doesn't need much "solid food" yet and since he doesn't have upper teeth-he might like them. Of course-if he's not been introduced to sweets (sweet potatoes, bananas etc)-you may want to hold off.. lol Sorry if this is confusing. It's just once my babies had sweet foods (baby food)-they weren't too thrilled about the green beans etc.. Best of luck:)

Jeanette - posted on 02/16/2009

babies no best when they are ready to eat, doctors say 6 months, but I started my kids at 5 months cause they would scream at me whenever I ate, but man 14 weeks people is way too young for solid foods, they dont need it and it only goes in and out of them, they get nothing from it plus you take a risk of them developing allergies and other health risks later..... anyway, I know you are talking about introducing your child to solids other then baby food that he is one now... At 10 months, your son can have yogurt, cheese, almost anything, but because he only has 2 teeth I would make sure they are soft and small pieces of whatever u are giving him... And do not introduce too much too fast, one thing a week so if he reacts to it you know what it is.. I would go with Yogurt that has no sugar or dies in it, they have some out there that is made with fruit juice. DO NOT give him, egg whites, peanut butter, nuts or honey yet though. they say a year for most that..... My daughter didnt have any teeth until she was 11 months, so we gave her things like soups, pasta (soft) well cooked veggies, cheese, meat cut small.. nothing hard or round that she could swallow and choke on. grapes and other fruits are good too just make sure u cut them in little pieces so your child doesnt choke is the biggest concern.......

Rachel - posted on 02/16/2009

My daughter starting showing an interest in our food at around 5mths. She starting eating baby food at around then and then shortly after we starting giving her fruit and pizza crust and hard things that dissolve easily that she could chew on. If you look at most of the Gerber food boxes they will tell you what to feed your child based on their development stages like sitting, crawling, standing, etc., however, every child is different and your pediatrician will tell you what is best for your child.

Melissa - posted on 02/16/2009

My daughter always just ate what I ate, after the elimination period of trying new things slowly to check for allergies. 

I wouldn't feed a baby under 6 months solids, because of an open gut, but your son is at a great age to start him on solids.  Make sure it's cut into small bites, and let him experiment with finger foods. :)

Jay - posted on 02/16/2009

every child is differant, i have a 14 week old and she is already on baby food. im 1 of 7 sisters and they all have children, i learnt from all they told me and what i see. it never hurts to try them on food at this age on. if they dont want it they will let you know, when you start them on food we eat, just give them small amounts but always watch them, everyone is differant, people go by the book some dont. its up to you and what you think is right for your baby!

Cari - posted on 02/16/2009

Read the book "Super Baby Food" by Ruth Yaron. It gives detailed information about when to start each type of food and also how to save money by making your own baby food at home.

Belinda - posted on 02/16/2009

Hi Kaila, you should always speak to your health nurse when it comes to introducing solids for the first time. It usually starts around 6 mths depending on if the child can sit upright and support its neck on his or her own. In Qld we are given a Child Health Information Booklet with our Health Record Folder and it shows you in the back what sort of foods should be introduced at the different age groups. My daughter will be 10mths at the end of Feb and she is having chicken, mince etc in with her veges these are processed but not overly so she has the different textures. She also had her first scrambled egg for lunch 2 wks ago (no white just yolk, whole milk and boiled till set, I added a little cheese to help coagulate) she loved it. He can also be eating some fruits too now, like watermelon, soft pears, kiwi fruit. But like the other mums have said introduce these one at a time in case of allergies. My daughter has tiny vegemite sandwiches for her lunch. I started with offereing crusts to get her used to more solid foods, then slowly introduced other things as I was worried about the choke factor, but all good now. When she has finished her dinner and we are having tea, I offer her some sprinkle of grated cheese on her high chair and she just loves it. But yes please always have a chat to your health nurse as they are very helpful and can also give you some other great ideas, they helped me. Hope this has helped a little. Good luck. Belinda

Heather - posted on 02/16/2009

By 10 months my sons Doctor said to feed my son anything we were eating. But he had 6 teeth by then. Just ease him into it start with stuff like mashed potatoes, noodles, Applesauce, mashed things. Try to go to 3rd stage foods too. Dont rush him though as long as he get enough to fill his tummy that is what is most important.

Toni - posted on 02/16/2009

My daughter loved eating toast fingers, banana's, weetabix and warm milk. But the best thing was giving her peas or loose sweetcorn, she loved practicing her pincer movement with thumb and forefinger. i just scattered them on her highchair tray and watched her get on with it. 2 birds with one stone. Nourishment with dexterity practice....lol

Nicole - posted on 02/16/2009

You can go to the website for gerber foods and it will give you the basic info on when to start different foods.

Yona - posted on 02/16/2009

When my son was around 8 months old, I gave him some cheerios. At first I thought he was choking but he was just not used to it and he was gagging a little. I tried again a few days later and put it in the side of his mouth (basically against the inside of his cheek) and that was more successful. Within a week, he was munching away on those. Then I gradually started introducing the other solids (i'm assuming you're asking about stuff that they need to chew). He was really good at gumming things. He was gumming chicken, cheese, crackers, pretty much anything. I would just give him a little piece of something to try and see how he does. Good luck!

Miranda - posted on 02/16/2009

The dr's recommend 6 months because it is at that age they need the extra iron, vitamins and mineral found in food. It does not matter if your child does not have teeth as the first foods they eat don't require chewing.

They say you should start them on a single grain cereal such as rice cereal as it has lots of iron. My son wouldn't eat that so we mixed it in with some cooked pear. Start introducing different foods one at a time (1 food for 2-3 days to insure no allergies) I boiled or baked the food. Puled it in a food mixer and then strained it through a sieve at first and after they got the hang of that stop sieving it. Then on to fork mashed food and finally little pieces they can practice chewing. Because you are starting a little late don't feel that you need to rush straight into the chunks of food. Your little one may not be ready for that yet. I always offer my son vegetables or non sweet foods first at mealtime and then fruit or sweeter foods after he has eaten those.

If there is a history of food allergies in your family you are best to ask your doctor as to the best way to introduce those foods.

Have fun cooking. My son is 12 months on Wednesday and is to the point that he eats what we eats but wants to feed himself so is very messy. You have lots to look forward to.

Tina - posted on 02/16/2009

Hi, every baby is different of course but, I started both of my kids at 6 months. I started with things like whole milk plain yogurt, low sodium cottage cheese, oatmeal, organic O's cereal, Gerber stars, puffs & crackers etc... At 9 months I started chunks of cooked fruits & vegggies like apples, pears, carrots, sweet potatoe, broccoli and no salt added canned green beans. And both of my kids loved small chunks of banans, kiwis,swiss cheese, whole grain bread, cooked pasta noodles and the Gerber Graduates Lil' meat sticks that I sliced into small pieces, they come in chicken & turkey, they are soft and have no skins. By 10 months I was trying to feed them pretty much everything we ate, minus the salt and oils.



For the foods that they eat all of the time I try to prepare a weeks worth in advance. I keep them cooked cut up and ready to go, in small containers, in the fridge so all I have to do is pull them out for quick meal times. It's also great if you are on the go. you can just take out what you need and pack it in your lunch bag or cooler so there is no need for fast food. Very convenient.



As far as the teeth...I really don't think it matters. My daughter is 11 months old and has just barely cut her 1st one. Having no teeth has not stopped her from eating anything. If you think about it even early teethers, like my son was, only have their front teeth which do not help with chewing anyway. As long as you cook the foods long enough or make sure they are soft enough to gum or dissolve it shouldn't be a problem.



Whatever you decide just remember to start slow and work your way up as you both feel comfortable. I hope this helps. Good luck!

Siobhan - posted on 02/16/2009

hi, they recomend around9months but it can also depend on ur baby and when yyou feel is best my little one is almost ten months and she went off her baby food at 8 months and she has been on proper food since then however i have only just thiis week stopped blending it. hope this helps

Jamie - posted on 02/16/2009

My son ate everything I ate after 9 months of age!

Jamie - posted on 02/16/2009

My son ate everything I ate after 9 months of age!

Evelyn - posted on 02/16/2009

I started my daughter on solids when she was 3 mos old.  She was just too interested in food and so I had to get her on something other than breastmilk.  I don't think it depends on the number of teeth because she only just got them now and she's been eating little bits of banana and other mushier foods for several months now.

I think each baby is different.  Mine showed too much interest in food for us not to start her on things a little earlier than most.  She eats everything now and only has her 2 bottom teeth and her top canines have peeked through.

I think that if you also cook your own food rather than using the jarred stuff, you have more control.  You can cook it longer to make it softer, easier for them to chew with their gums.  I still use the hand blender for meats and then add them to hand mashed potatoes, carrots, etc.  Small soup noodles are great simply cooked in a pasta sauce (add some water to make it a little more liquidy so the noodles cook right in it).  She's basically eating whatever we eat (though I separate it before adding too much salt or spicy spices - garlic, basil, etc are still good for her though).  She loves picking up bits and using the spoon on her own so I have no choice but to get creative and give her as much variety as possible.

Good luck!

Lisa - posted on 02/16/2009

When introducing new foods, wait between 4-7 before you give them the next one.  This way if you give them sweet potato on Wednesday and on Friday they have a reaction, you know what its from.  Steaming veggies is a great way to keep them soft for easier eating.  My 11 month old eats baby food still because its fast and convenient and sometimes she can't have what we do.  The rest of the time she eats what we do.  Not everything of course.

Sharon - posted on 02/16/2009

It does depend on how many teeth they have.  But small things like cheerios, bitter biscuits.  Gerber also has alot of finger foods for little ones.  Start with that and work your way up to harder things when he has more teeth.

Amy - posted on 02/16/2009

You should probably start when he's ready. I started my 3 when they were 4mo. My middle one didn't take to it until about 6mo. Every child is different and I think they let you know when they are ready for something like that. We just fed them whatever we ate starting with baby cereal, fruit and veggies and just grinding up or mixing it w/ milk. I held off on the no-no's like peanut butter, shelfish, and egg whites until after age 1, but other than that,unless they are predisposed to allergies, I wouldn't worry too much. Like I said, they'll let you know what they like. Ask you're doctor if your concerned.

Sheila - posted on 02/16/2009

I started at 17 weeks because Zoe always got jealous when we ate. Get a weaning chat with your health visitor. Introduce one food at a time every other day. We started with pureed carrot then went to sweet potato and carrot. We then had parsnip puree and then had that with the carrot and sweet potato and so on.
Zoe's just had her first 'proper' chicken. I usually still blend it up with a few herbs and some pasta.
She loves Angel Delights too made with whole milk which is great.
I got a good guie from 'Emma's Diary' and we went rather methodically down the list.
Don't be worried about pureeing stuff down at the moment until you and little one get your confidence. You can gradually add more texture when you have a bit of a repertoire under your belt.

Shelly - posted on 02/16/2009

Hi Kalia...When my daughter was 10 months old I started giving her small pieces of whatever I was eating...very small pieces...she ate crackers and cheerios and those Gerber sweet puffs. She also ate cooked carrots chopped up small, but big enough for her to pick up....bits of cooked potato...and pasta. Because your son only has two teeth, try giving him bits of things that will desolve quickly in his mouth. I would try him on the Gerber 3rd foods too....they have a chunkier texture and teach babies how to chew. I hope this helps...always remember that every baby is different so if your son gags or has a hard time with chunkier foods, don't worry...just try him again in a week or two.

Deann - posted on 02/16/2009

He should be on solids now. They say to start at 6 months. good luck