Best Activities for Preparing for Solids

Floor time. Place baby on the floor and let them move around freely for a few minutes. Try different positions (back, side, and tummy) and place toys just out of reach so baby has to move their body to try to get them. Floor time strengthens muscles and movements needed to start solids. 

Hand-to-mouth activities. Offer a toothbrush or toys that are safe for munching or gumming, and let baby practice grabbing and moving it toward, in, and out of the mouth. This helps create a “mental map” of their mouth, primes oral motor skills, and can help desensitize the gag reflex.

Practice sitting. Position baby in a seated position on a flat surface (floor or high chair) with support from you or a boppy pillow, and let them practice holding their body upright. Supported sitting strengthens muscles as baby learns to shift weight and correct for loss of balance.

Model how it’s done. Let baby watch as you eat. You can bring baby to the table (in a high chair or your lap) or keep them on your hip as you snack. Babies learn how to eat by watching what you do with food.   

Mirror each other. Put your face near baby’s face, then wait. When baby catches your eye, smile and coo, then stop and wait. If they don’t try to mirror you, mirror them. When baby opens the mouth, you do the same. This communication teaches baby to look to you for guidance, which they’ll naturally do when starting solids.

Activate the senses. To pique their interest in food, let baby be with you in the kitchen and let them watch, listen, and smell as you cook. Place baby in a high chair, hold them on your hip, or set them up in a safe play space on the floor near you. You can also let them handle and interact with food as you go. 

It’s not too early to start oral hygiene. You don’t have to wait for the first tooth to pop to start to get baby comfortable with the feeling of a toothbrush. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or soft cloth to gently clean the gums.