There are so many things to worry about when starting solid foods with your baby. Make the feeding journey successful by learning these top things to avoid doing.
1. Don’t introduce solid food before 6 months
Before 6 months of age, your baby only needs milk—either breast milk or infant formula. At this stage, their immune and digestive systems are still developing, and introducing solid foods too early can increase the risk of food intolerances, allergies, and even obesity later on.
That’s why the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend exclusive breastfeeding or formula feeding until around 6 months of age. If a healthcare provider advises starting solids earlier without a clear medical reason, it may be worth seeking a second opinion. Connecting with a maternal-infant nutritionist can also provide helpful, up-to-date guidance. Remember, a baby’s interest in food or a change in your schedule, such as returning to work, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to introduce solids. Readiness for solids is based on developmental cues, not convenience or curiosity. Starting too early isn’t part of a successful feeding journey.
2. Don’t force your baby to eat solid food
Introducing solids is a gradual process, and forcing your baby to eat can lead to food aversions and emotional stress for both of you. It’s important to remember that breast milk or formula remains your baby’s primary source of nutrition throughout the first year. At this stage, babies are still learning what food is and do not yet associate eating with hunger satisfaction.
Whether you are following traditional spoon-feeding or a Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) approach, respecting your baby’s hunger and fullness cues is essential. Early feeding is about exploration. Babies are discovering colors, textures, smells, and tastes. Some days they may show little interest in food, while other days they might play with it, chew it, or spit it out. This is a normal part of development. Many babies do not begin eating substantial amounts until closer to 10 or 11 months.
Your role is to offer a variety of healthy, age-appropriate foods in a calm and supportive environment. Your baby decides how much to eat, if anything at all. Trust this process. Every parent has experienced a day when their baby refused to eat. It is part of the journey. Pressuring or forcing food is not part of a successful feeding introduction.
3. Don’t distract your baby into eating more solids
It is important that babies focus on their food during mealtimes in order to learn self-regulation (recognizing when they are hungry and when they are full). Developing this skill early supports a healthy relationship with food and reduces the likelihood of mindless eating patterns later in life. Unfortunately, many adults struggle with this due to early habits formed around distracted eating.
One of the most common sources of distraction is screen time, including television, tablets, or smartphones. Not only does this interfere with a baby’s ability to tune into their hunger and fullness cues, but it also increases the risk of choking, as they may not be paying close attention to the act of eating.
Additionally, relying on screens to encourage eating can quickly become a habit. Over time, your baby may expect to be entertained in order to eat, making mealtimes more challenging. While it may be tempting to use screens to encourage your baby to eat more, it is far more beneficial for them to connect with their food through all their senses. Creating a calm, screen-free environment helps support mindful eating and fosters a more positive and lasting relationship with food.
You may also like to read: 5 Essential Tips for Starting Solids
4. Don’t stop milk feeds in order to get them to eat more solids
In the early stages, babies do not yet understand that food can also satisfy hunger. Withholding breast milk or formula in an effort to encourage solid food intake can lead to frustration, as milk remains their primary source of nutrition and comfort. Until around 12 months of age, breast milk or formula should continue to be the main food, as it provides far more nutritional value than any solid foods introduced during this period. At this stage, babies only recognize the discomfort of hunger but have not yet developed the ability to associate food with relief.
Introducing solids is a gradual learning process. It is meant to help your baby explore, experience, and become familiar with new tastes, textures, and smells. This phase lays the foundation for a healthy relationship with food, so it should never be rushed. Milk should not be treated as a dessert—it should be offered before meals, as it is still their most important source of nourishment.
It is also completely normal for babies to seek breastfeeding during or after meals. The breast provides more than just nutrition; it offers comfort, security, and emotional connection. For a positive feeding experience, offer solids when your baby is calm and not overly hungry or upset.
5. Avoid mesh feeders
These products often appear under various names and are marketed to appeal to concerned parents seeking safer feeding solutions. However, their promises are often misleading. Unless prescribed for specific medical conditions under professional guidance, these tools can do more harm than good.
They are frequently advertised as a way to offer food without the risk of choking, which may tempt some parents to use them before their baby is developmentally ready—often before 6 months of age. Introducing solids too early can pose risks, as the digestive and immune systems are still immature. Even small “tastes” offered through these tools may present choking hazards or trigger allergies and intolerances.
Proper introduction of solids means offering whole foods in safe sizes and textures, allowing babies to develop oral-motor skills, regulate intake, and learn how to chew and swallow effectively. Feeding gadgets can interfere with this learning process and may increase the risk of food-borne illness due to difficulty in cleaning, which can lead to bacterial growth and gastrointestinal issues.
In addition, these devices typically only allow the baby to consume juice or liquid from the food—something not recommended before 12 months due to high natural sugar content and lack of fiber.
You may also like to read: When Should I Brush My Baby’s Teeth
These are some of the secrets for a successful feeding introduction!
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