By Siam 
Your baby’s first year is full of exciting milestones—first smiles, steps, and solid foods. Starting solids is a big step for both babies and parents, but with so many opinions and methods out there, it can feel overwhelming.
Since every baby is different, the best approach is one that’s flexible, balanced, and supports your child’s unique development and relationship with food.
In this post, we’ll explore different feeding methods, the signs your baby is ready to start solids, and how to personalise your approach for success.
When Is Your Baby Ready to Start Solids?
Most health experts, including the NHS, recommend starting solids around six months of age. This is usually when babies begin to sit with support, reach for food, and lose the tongue-thrust reflex.
To better understand what this stage typically looks like, the 6 month milestone feeding guide offers helpful insight into signs of readiness and what foods to introduce first.
Exploring Feeding Methods: Traditional, Baby-Led, or a Mix?
When it comes to how you feed your baby, there are a few common approaches:
1. Traditional Spoon-Feeding
This method involves parents offering puréed foods by spoon, gradually increasing texture as the baby becomes more comfortable with solids. It provides structure and allows you to monitor your baby’s intake closely.
2. Baby-Led Weaning (BLW)
Baby-led weaning skips purées and instead gives babies soft finger foods they can hold and explore. It encourages independence and allows your baby to set the pace, promoting fine motor skills and self-regulation of appetite.
3. Combination Feeding
Many parents find that a blend of spoon-feeding and baby-led weaning works best. Offering purées alongside soft finger foods gives babies both nutrition and the chance to practise chewing and self-feeding.
If you’re weighing the benefits of each method, you’ll find this comparison of baby-led weaning vs spoon feeding helpful for understanding which approach might suit your baby best.
Supporting Your Baby’s Nutritional Needs
No matter which feeding approach you follow, nutrition should remain a top priority. Babies need a variety of nutrients—especially iron, zinc, and healthy fats—to support brain development, growth, and energy.
Here are some tips to make sure your baby gets what they need:
- Start with iron-rich foods: Offer mashed lentils, puréed chicken, or iron-fortified cereals when introducing solids.
- Include healthy fats: Avocado, full-fat yoghurt, and nut butters (smooth and in small amounts) are excellent for growing brains.
- Rotate foods often: Offering a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins helps your baby develop a broad palate and ensures nutritional diversity.
Respecting Your Baby’s Appetite and Cues
It’s natural to worry whether your baby is eating “enough.” But at this stage, solids are more about exploration than quantity. Breast milk or formula should still be their main source of nutrition until they’re around 12 months old.
Watch for hunger and fullness cues rather than focusing on how much is eaten. A baby who turns their head, clamps their mouth shut, or throws food is probably saying they’re done for now—and that’s okay!
Creating a positive, pressure-free feeding environment will help your baby build a healthy attitude toward food and avoid battles later on.
Building a Mealtime Routine
Consistency is key when introducing solids. Try to establish a regular mealtime schedule that works for your family. This might include one or two solid meals a day at first, gradually increasing as your baby shows interest.
Keep mealtimes calm and unhurried, and involve your baby in the process as much as possible. Sitting together at the table—even if the baby is just playing with food—helps foster good habits and makes meals a social experience.
Common Challenges (and How to Overcome Them)
Every feeding journey comes with a few bumps along the way. Here are a few common issues and how to handle them:
- Refusing new foods: This is normal! Keep offering rejected foods without pressure. It can take 10+ exposures before a baby accepts a new taste.
- Gagging vs choking: Gagging is a natural part of learning to eat solid foods. It’s important to know the difference and stay calm. Always supervise, and offer soft, age-appropriate sizes.
- Concerns about mess: Feeding is messy—and that’s part of the fun! Embrace it with splash mats, bibs, and plenty of patience.
A Nourishing Start That Works for You
Finding the best feeding approach for your growing baby is about more than choosing between purée and finger food. It’s about being responsive, offering variety, and creating a joyful and safe environment where your baby can thrive.
If you lean toward traditional spoon-feeding, baby-led weaning, or a hybrid method, flexibility is key. Babies develop at their own pace, and your job is to support their journey with confidence and care.
For parents who want nourishing, convenient options, Little Piccolo offers a thoughtful range of organic baby food inspired by the Mediterranean diet. Their variety of flavours and textures can complement any feeding style while saving you time in the kitchen.
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