Baby not ready? It’s okay. Every baby develops on their own timeline. If baby is around 6 months of age, wait a week or two. It's incredible how much progress can be made toward preparing for solids in just a short period of time.
If baby is under 6 months of age, you have plenty of time to get ready to start solid foods. Below are a few activities to prepare.
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.
If baby is 7 months of age, and they are not yet showing all of the signs that they are ready to start solids, contact your pediatric healthcare provider for support.
Now is a great time to talk with family and caregivers about your preferred method of introducing solids. You can also arm yourself with knowledge in the unlikely event of an emergency. Check out our free Infant Rescue guide, sign up for an infant rescue class, and subscribe to Solid Starts Compass, our guided app experience to help you navigate first bites and beyond. Start your free trial.
Need help starting solids? Download the Solid Starts App.
K. Grenawitzke, OTD, OTR/L, SCFES, IBCLC, CNT. Pediatric Feeding/Swallowing Specialist.
M. Suarez, MS, OTR/L, SWC, CLEC. Pediatric Feeding/Swallowing Specialist.
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