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🥣 Baby Food Introduction Timeline

Month-by-month recommendations from the first spoonful of rice cereal to self-feeding - the essential feeding guide for new parents.

💡 The World Health Organization recommends starting solid foods at 6 months - no earlier than 4 months and no later than 8 months. This timeline uses 6 months as the starting point and is for reference only; adjust it to your baby's actual development.

🎯 6 Months Stage 1 · Starting with Purees

Texture: Smooth puree (thick enough to stay on a spoon)
Recommended Foods: Iron-fortified rice cereal Pumpkin puree Mashed potato Carrot puree Yam puree Broccoli puree
Meals per Day: 1-2 times
Notes: ⚠️ Introduce one new food at a time and watch for 3 days for allergies. No salt, no sugar.

🎯 7-8 Months Stage 2 · Meat Purees Arrive

Texture: Thick puree / minced
Recommended Foods: Pork puree Chicken puree Pork liver puree Egg yolk (start with ¼) Tofu Finely chopped leafy greens Soft noodles
Meals per Day: 2 times
Notes: ⚠️ Start adding meat. You can now mix ingredients - the texture should be thicker than at 6 months.

🎯 9-11 Months Stage 3 · Finger Foods

Texture: Small pieces / finger-shaped foods
Recommended Foods: Soft rice Steamed cakes / pancakes Minced meat Chopped vegetables Fruit sticks / chunks Wontons / dumplings (chopped)
Meals per Day: 2-3 times
Notes: ⚠️ Encourage finger foods to build self-feeding skills. Keep skipping seasonings.

🎯 12-24 Months Stage 4 · Family Meals

Texture: Chunks / close to family meals
Recommended Foods: Soft rice Stir-fried dishes Fish chunks Meat chunks Fruit chunks Yogurt Whole eggs
Meals per Day: 3 main meals + 1-2 snacks
Notes: ⚠️ Gradually transition to family meals. Light seasoning is fine, but watch food size to prevent choking.

❓ Common Questions

Around 6 months, when the tongue-thrust reflex is gone, baby can sit up well, and shows interest in adult food.

Iron-fortified rice cereal - single-ingredient, easy to digest, and rich in iron. Mix with warm water or breast milk/formula into a smooth puree.

Start meat purees at around 7 months, choosing iron- and protein-rich options like pork, chicken, and pork liver.

7-8 months - start with ¼ egg yolk and watch for 3 days. If there is no allergy, gradually increase the amount.

Wait until after 12 months for whole eggs. Egg white proteins are small and more likely to cause allergies, so introduce them after age one.

No. Before age one, baby's kidneys are still developing, and added salt puts extra strain on them. The natural sodium in food is already enough.

Stop that food immediately and try again after 3 months. For severe reactions (trouble breathing or a full-body rash), seek medical care right away.