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Starting Solid Foods

Starting solid foods means adding foods other than breast milk or formula to a baby’s diet. Babies begin solids when they have enough head control and feeding skills to handle new textures safely.

Developmental readiness, nutritional needs, family foods and allergy-prevention guidance all influence how solids are introduced. Choking risk, texture and food allergy are important considerations.

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AAP Guide to Starting Solid Foods

The AAP guide below explains when to start, how to introduce foods and which choking risks to avoid.

AAP Symptom CheckerStarting solids

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Symptom CheckerStarting solids New tab

When to see a doctor

Contact your pediatrician or another healthcare professional if:

  • You are unsure whether your baby is developmentally ready for solids.
  • Your baby has repeated coughing, gagging or feeding difficulty.
  • Growth is poor or your baby refuses most foods.
  • You are concerned about food allergy or need guidance because your baby has severe eczema or another allergy risk.

Call 911 or get emergency care if:

  • Your baby is choking and cannot breathe.
  • Your baby develops a severe allergic reaction with breathing trouble, throat swelling or collapse.
  • Your child has any life-threatening emergency.

Talk to a nurse now, at any hour

When can my child be seen

Be seen today.

Every office keeps same-day appointments for illness and injury.

This evening or at the weekend.

Most offices run After Hours Care, by appointment rather than walk-in.

If you are worried, call. We would rather answer a question that turns out to be nothing.

More on feeding and growth

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