Baby-Led Weaning

There are two different ways of introducing solid foods: Traditional weaning (starting with puree foods) and baby-led weaning. With baby-led weaning, babies join the family at the table and eat some of the same foods, as long as salt is limited and the food is offered in a safe way.

Some parents choose to use the baby-led weaning method of offering foods starting at 6 months and have the baby self-feed from the start. This method does not require food to be pureed or mashed. But there are specific guidelines that must be followed in order to do it correctly and safely.

Adding New Foods

If you will be using a traditional weaning method, here are some recommendations for the introduction of solid foods based on your baby’s age. As every child is different, these are just guidelines; be sure to talk to your baby’s health care provider for a more individualized plan. 

• Birth to 6 months: Breast milk and/or infant formula are all your baby needs during the first 6 months. 
• 6 to 7 months: You should continue to breastfeed as you normally have, and slowly begin introducing iron-rich foods. Many experts recommend starting with iron-fortified baby cereal made from single grains like rice, oatmeal, and barley because they’re less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Remember that you should never give cereal (or any other foods, for that matter) through a bottle. You can, however, mix your breast milk or infant formula into the food as you’ll want to keep it somewhat runny at first. Then, as your baby becomes accustomed to the flavor and texture, you can make it thicker. 
• 6 to 8 months: You can add strained or mashed fruits and vegetables and soft meats between 6 and 8 months. When using jars of prepared baby food, always remove the amount of food you want from the jar and put it in a bowl for your baby. If you feed your baby directly from the jar, your baby’s saliva will cause any left-over food to spoil. At this age, your child also should be able to begin using a sippy cup. So you can give them water. Breast milk should still be a major source of nutrition and hydration. So, continue to breastfeed your baby throughout the day. 
• 7 to 9 months: Between 7 and 9 months, breastfeeding continues to be important and should make up at least half of your baby’s daily calories. You also can add finger foods such as dry cereal, crackers, cooked vegetables, and soft fruits at this stage.
• 9 to 12 months: During this stage, your baby can eat some of the same food that the rest of the family is eating such as meat, fish, and poultry—as long it’s mashed, pureed, or finely chopped. Seeing other family members eat different foods also might entice your child to try new things. You should still be breastfeeding too, with your baby getting approximately 24 ounces of breast milk or formula each day. Cow’s milk can be offered as an ingredient before 12 months, but not as a beverage.
• After 1 year: By the time babies are 1 year old, they should be eating a wide variety of foods including the foods that are more likely to cause allergies such as eggs, fish, and peanut butter. Your baby also can have cow’s milk as a beverage after their first birthday. Breastfeeding is still beneficial after a year. You can continue to breastfeed along with providing your baby with a healthy diet if you would like to.