Age alone isn't enough; look for all the signs together. Until then, milk meets nutritional needs. First foods should include iron-rich options, since a baby's iron stores start to run low around 6 months.
Glossary
Signs of readiness for solids
Readiness for solids — usually around 6 months — shows when a baby can sit with support and hold their head steady, has lost the tongue-thrust reflex, and shows interest in food.
Related guides
Starting solids: signs of readiness
Around six months your baby starts getting ready for their first tastes — here's how to begin gently, safely, and with confidence.
First foods and iron
Around 6 months your baby's iron stores start to run low, so those first solids do an important job — here's how to make them count without any stress.
Related terms
General information, not medical advice. For concerns about your child, talk with your doctor or child-health nurse.