As mothers, we spend the first precious months of our baby’s life nourishing them through breastfeeding.
It’s intimate, beautiful, and deeply connecting. But inevitably, there comes a moment when you start hearing the questions: “When are you going to start solids?” or “Have you tried giving her rice cereal yet?”
Those questions come early—sometimes even before your baby is ready—and they can create anxiety where peace should be.
If you’re a mama at the stage of moving from milk to meals, I want to walk with you through this transition. Let’s talk about the signs of readiness, what foods to begin with, and most importantly, how to approach this season with patience, confidence, and joy.
It’s About Readiness, Not the Calendar
One of the biggest misconceptions is that there’s a set date for starting solids. Pediatricians may give general guidelines, but the truth is: your baby’s development is more important than the calendar.
So, how do you know if your little one is ready? Here are the main signs:
1. Sitting Independently:
Your baby should be able to sit upright without collapsing. Proper posture and head control are essential for safe swallowing.
2. No more tongue thrusting:
If you put food in your baby’s mouth and they immediately push it out with their tongue, they aren’t ready yet. This reflex needs to fade before solids can be introduced.
3. Showing interest in your food:
Babies watch everything we do.
If your child is eyeing your fork and reaching toward your plate, they’re signaling curiosity.
4. Ability to grasp:
Around six months, babies develop their “pincer reflex”—the ability to pick up small items between thumb and finger.
This skill is helpful when introducing soft finger foods.
These developmental milestones matter more than hitting a certain age.
Your baby will give you the cues when it’s time.
These developmental milestones matter more than hitting a certain age. Your baby will give you the cues when it’s time.
Let Go of the Rice Cereal Myth
For decades, rice cereal was pushed as the “perfect first food.”
Let me be clear—it’s not necessary.
In fact, cereal in a bottle is one of the most persistent old wives’ tales out there. It doesn’t help babies sleep longer, and it can even be detrimental to their developing digestion.
Babies don’t need processed cereals.
They need real food, introduced slowly, and in a way that supports both nutrition and their natural curiosity. So, if anyone suggests rice cereal, feel free to smile, nod, and continue on with healthier options.
First Foods: Keep It Simple
There isn’t one magical “perfect first food.”
What matters most is choosing something soft, mild, and easy to manage. Many families start with:
Avocado – creamy, nutritious, and full of healthy fats.
Banana – naturally sweet, easy to mash, and familiar in taste.
Sweet Potatoes - soft when baked, colorful and full of vitamins
Keep in mind that introducing food isn’t about calories yet—it’s about practice.
For the first year of life, your baby’s primary nutrition is still breast milk.
Food in these months is more about play, exploration, and learning textures.
Don’t worry if your baby only eats a few bites—or spits most of it out!
Patience Is Your Best Tool
As moms, we get excited about milestones. We want our babies to roll, crawl, and walk. Feeding solids feels like another “big step.” But it’s important to approach this slowly and with patience.
Here’s the truth: it can take up to 10 tries for a baby to accept a new food.
Just because they make a face or push it out doesn’t mean they dislike it.
They are simply experiencing something brand new.
Start with one food at a time and keep it for three to five days before introducing another.
This helps you watch for allergies, but it also gives your baby the chance to truly experience that food.
If all they eat is banana for a week, they won’t care—they don’t know that pizza and tacos exist!
The Mess Is Part of the Process
If there’s one thing I tell mamas over and over—it’s this: embrace the mess.
Babies learn with their hands and mouths.
They will grab, squish, smear, and wear their food.
It’s part of the exploration.
Keep the high chair sessions shirtless if you want to save laundry.
Expect food on the floor, in the hair, and probably on you too.
Instead of stressing, see it as learning.
Every spoon grab, every avocado smear, and every piece of sweet potato dropped is teaching your child about texture, taste, and the joy of eating.
Avoiding Pitfalls and Choking Hazards
Safety is critical in this season. Some foods need to wait until later because they present choking risks. Avoid:
Hot dogs, sausage chunks, or meat pieces
Whole grapes, blueberries, or cherry tomatoes
Popcorn, nuts, or sticky foods like peanut butter
Honey (not safe before 12 months due to botulism risk)
Think “soft and mashable.”
If it can’t be mushed easily in your mouth, your baby isn’t ready for it.
Respect Your Baby
Here’s one of the most important lessons:
Respect your baby’s individuality.
Some babies love food from the very first bite.
Others are cautious or even uninterested for months.
Even within the same family, babies can respond differently.
One of my grandchildren was adventurous and would eat anything.
Another was cautious and barely touched solids until after a year old.
Both are healthy and thriving.
Don’t compare your baby to others.
Respect their pace, and trust that they will eat in time.
A Spiritual Reflection
Feeding our babies isn’t just physical—it’s deeply spiritual.
As a Catholic mama, I often reflect on how Scripture compares God’s care to a mother nursing her child.
Saint Paul himself reminds us that we begin with milk and eventually grow into needing solid food.
As you prepare that first mashed banana or soft sweet potato, remember that you are not only feeding your child’s body but also nurturing their soul.
Even the smallest mealtime can be a moment of grace.
Offer a prayer of thanksgiving before you feed your little one.
Let your baby grow up seeing you acknowledge God’s goodness in the simple gift of food.
My Final Thoughts
Starting solids is not about perfection. It’s about curiosity, exploration, and laying the foundation for a lifelong relationship with food.
So, Mama, take a deep breath. Remember these keys:
Wait for the signs of readiness.
Skip the rice cereal—real food is best.
Start simple with fruits and vegetables.
Be patient—it takes time.
Embrace the mess—it’s learning.
Respect your baby’s pace.
Keep breastfeeding first—it’s still their main source of nutrition.
And most importantly, enjoy the process.
Laugh at the mess, take pictures of the sweet potato face, and treasure these first tastes.
They only happen once, and they’re as much a part of your motherhood journey as they are your baby’s growth.