At a glance
- No food is required before 6 months, milk or formula is complete on its own until then
- Watch the baby, not the calendar: interest in food, taking things to the mouth, and steady neck control are the real signals
- Being able to sit up for a while is another sign the body is ready
- The 'immediately rejected' part of this story is still coming
Start with the number that removes the pressure. No food is required for 6 months. Milk or formula covers everything the baby needs up to that point, so there's no rush and no calendar deadline to beat.
The cues we watched, instead of the date
Rather than starting on a fixed day, start when the baby shows the signs of being ready:
- Interest in food. Watching you eat, reaching for what's on your plate.
- Taking things to the mouth. A general sign the mouth is becoming the way they explore and, eventually, eat.
- Holding the neck steady. Head control matters for safely managing food and swallowing.
- Sitting for a while. Even supported sitting is part of the readiness picture, not just an unrelated milestone.
When several of these line up together, that's the signal to start.
The rest of this entry, what actually happened the first time we tried, is still coming.
About meI'm Varsha. I write this site from my own planning, pregnancy, birth, and everything after, on my own time, as a mother and not as a medical professional. More on the About page.
Filed for the recordThis is my experience plus general, publicly available information, not medical advice. Your situation may differ; always confirm with your own care provider.
Sources & further reading
- Canadian Paediatric Society, Caring for Kids, when to start solid foods
- HealthLink BC, signs your baby is ready for solid foods