In my medical practice I helped parents introduce solid foods. And as a parent to two kids, I’ve experienced this process first hand. Watching kids try foods for the first time can be fun, and funny. But it can also create anxiety for new parents. The following was a handout I shared with my patients to guide them through the process of introducing solid foods to their babies. 

I’m happy to provide you with this How To guide and I hope it helps; however, the individual nutritional needs of your child may require a different approach and it’s best to follow the advice of her healthcare provider. 

Getting started

When starting on solid foods, it’s important to begin with foods that best supplement mother’s milk, that are high in iron and carbohydrates, and that are easy on the baby’s developing G.I. tract. It’s important to only introduce one food at a time. Begin with one and if the baby has had no bad reaction to it after 4-7 days, you can introduce another food.

If the baby shows any signs of allergy to the food such as sneezing, runny nose, rash around the anus or urethra, change in stool, or irritability, discontinue the food and wait until the symptoms are gone before trying any other new food. 

This method safeguards the baby’s immature gastrointestinal system by allowing her to process only one food at a time. Never introduce a new food if the baby is sick in any way. New foods should be avoided if the baby is suffering from diarrhea, cramps or colic, a skin or diaper rash. 

Common allergic reactions

Foods that commonly cause allergic reactions and trigger the immune system should be completely avoided for the first year. These include cow’s milk, wheat, citrus, eggs and chocolate.

Enjoy the process

More than anything, enjoy the process, because it only happens once. Some of our favorite memories and photos of our children are when they were tasting different foods for the first time. Or when they would be learning to feed themselves and most of the food seemed to end up all over their face, the high chair and the floor. I still laugh at it now, more than a decade later. 

6 Months 

Hypoallergenic pureed, mashed foods containing iron—1–2 Tbsp/day

6 Months 

Hypoallergenic pureed, mashed foods containing iron—1–2 Tbsp/day

9 Months 

Foods high in zinc and good for developing the immune system

9 Months 

Foods high in zinc and good for developing the immune system

12 Months 

Food high in zinc and bulk—4–10 Tbsp/day

12 Months 

Food high in zinc and bulk—4–10 Tbsp/day

18 Months 

Foods high in B vitamins and Calcium

18 Months 

Foods high in B vitamins and Calcium

21 Months 

Food high in protein

21 Months 

Food high in protein