Is my baby ready for solids?
Wondering when to start solids? Check your baby’s age and three feeding skills in this quick quiz. See which readiness signs you've noticed.
This quiz is a guide based on NHS and American Academy of Pediatrics advice, not medical advice. Every baby is different. If you have questions about your baby’s development, or they were born early, talk with your pediatrician or health visitor.
The three signs your baby is ready for solids
Around 6 months, look for all three skills together:
- Steady sitting and head control.Your baby can stay upright with some support and keep their head steady.
- Hand-to-mouth coordination.They notice food, grasp it, and guide it toward their mouth.
- Swallowing.When offered a small taste, they swallow some instead of pushing it straight back out.
These signs matter whether you use a spoon, baby-led weaning, or both.
What does not mean your baby is ready for solids
These changes can happen before your baby is ready. Look for the three feeding skills together instead.
- Chewing on their handsBabies often explore with their mouths. This alone does not mean they need solids.
- Waking more at nightA change in sleep is not a readiness sign. Starting solids is unlikely to help your baby sleep through.
- Wanting more milkAn extra milk feed does not, by itself, mean it is time for solids.
Starting solids: common questions
When should I start solids?
Most babies start around 6 months, when all three readiness signs appear together. That timing applies whether you plan to offer spoon-fed foods, finger foods, or both.
What are the signs my baby is ready for solids?
Around 6 months, look for all three together: sitting with a steady head, bringing food toward their mouth, and swallowing some rather than pushing it straight back out.
Can I start solids at 4 months?
For most babies, guidance is to wait until around 6 months and look for all three signs. Do not start before 4 months (17 weeks). If you are considering starting earlier than 6 months, ask your pediatrician.
When should a premature baby start solids?
Use corrected age, rather than age since birth, as a guide, and ask your pediatrician for a plan that fits your baby, since babies born early may need individual timing. Our corrected age calculator can help.
What if my baby has only one or two signs of readiness?
Wait for all three signs to appear together. If your baby is well past 6 months and you are still unsure, check with your pediatrician.
Is my baby ready for baby-led weaning?
Look for the same age and feeding skills: around 6 months, steady sitting and head control, reaching for food, and swallowing it. Offer soft pieces your baby can grasp and stay with them while they eat.
What should my baby eat first?
Try small amounts of soft or mashed foods, including iron-rich options, or soft finger foods your baby can handle. Introduce common allergens one at a time in small amounts so you can spot a reaction.
Does my baby still need breast milk or formula after starting solids?
Yes. Breast milk or formula remains your baby’s main source of nutrition as they learn to eat. Solids gradually add variety and nutrients.
Other calculators parents use
- Due Date Calculator Estimate your baby’s due date from your last period, conception, or IVF transfer.
- Baby Feeding Calculator Estimate daily and per-feed formula amounts from your baby's weight.
- Baby Sleep Needs Calculator See typical sleep ranges for your baby's age.
- Nap Schedule Generator A sample day of naps and bedtime from your baby’s age and wake-up time.
- Growth Percentile Calculator Estimate weight, length or head circumference percentiles using WHO charts.
- Corrected Age Calculator For babies born early. Work out your baby’s corrected age from their due date.
- All free tools Everything runs in your browser. No sign-up.
Keep track of your baby's day
Log feeds, sleep, diapers and more for free. No account needed to start.
