Somewhere around the 5-6 month mark, almost every parent asks the same question: is my baby ready to start solids, and what do I even give them first? It's one of the most searched, most anxiety-inducing milestones in a baby's first year — and honestly, it doesn't need to be this stressful.
This guide walks through what WHO and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) actually recommend, how to tell if your baby is ready, and a simple way to start — without the 2 AM Google spirals.
How do I know my baby is ready?
Age (around 6 months) is the starting point, but readiness is really about developmental signs. Look for:
- Good head and neck control — your baby can hold their head steady while sitting supported
- Sitting with support — in a high chair or your lap, with minimal wobble
- Loss of the tongue-thrust reflex — food doesn't get automatically pushed back out
- Interest in food — leaning forward, watching you eat, reaching for your plate
What should the first foods be?
There's no single "correct" first food — but the goal in the first couple of weeks is single-ingredient, easy-to-digest, iron-rich options. Good starting points for Indian families:
| Food | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Ragi porridge (thin) | Iron-rich, gentle on digestion, traditional first food in many Indian households |
| Moong dal water/khichdi (mashed) | Easy to digest, good protein source |
| Mashed banana | Naturally sweet, easy texture, potassium-rich |
| Steamed & mashed sweet potato | Mild flavour, beta-carotene, smooth texture |
| Rice cereal (iron-fortified) | Common first food, easy to thin to the right consistency |
Texture progression
Start smooth and thin (almost liquid), and thicken gradually over 2-3 weeks as your baby gets comfortable swallowing. By 8-9 months, most babies can handle mashed and lumpy textures; by 10-12 months, soft finger foods.
Introducing allergens — don't delay them
Older advice said to delay allergenic foods. Current guidance is the opposite: introducing common allergens early (around 6 months, once solids have started) and keeping them in the diet regularly may actually reduce allergy risk.
- Introduce one new allergen at a time, in a small amount, in the morning (so you can watch for reactions during the day)
- Common allergens to introduce early: egg, peanut (as a thin paste, never whole), dairy, wheat
- Wait 2-3 days before introducing another new allergen, so you know what caused a reaction if one happens
- If your family has a history of severe allergies, or your baby has eczema, talk to your pediatrician before introducing allergens at home
A simple first-2-weeks plan
- Days 1-3: One food, once a day (e.g., mashed banana), 1-2 teaspoons
- Days 4-7: Introduce a second food; still once a day, slowly increasing quantity
- Week 2: Move to twice a day; start introducing one allergen at a time
- Week 3 onward: Build toward 3 small meals a day, alongside milk feeds
Signs to watch for
Mild reactions (small rash around the mouth, slight fussiness) are common and usually not a concern. Seek medical help immediately if you see: swelling of the face/lips/tongue, difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting, or widespread hives — these need urgent attention, not a wait-and-watch approach.
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