Feeling unsure about how to start solids with your baby? You’re not alone. Whether you're considering baby-led weaning, spoon-feeding, or a bit of both, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed at first. The good news? Starting solids doesn’t have to be stressful. As a clinical psychologist specialising in feeding, and a mum of three, here are my top tips to help you feel confident, calm, and ready to get started.
When Is My Baby Ready to Start Solids?
Every baby is different, but most are ready to start solids around six months old. Instead of focusing solely on age, look out for key signs of readiness:
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Sitting: Able to sit upright with minimal support
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Head control: Can hold their head steady while seated
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Interest in food: Watching you eat, reaching for food, opening their mouth
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Hand-eye coordination: Grabbing objects and bringing them to their mouth
Purées or Baby-Led Weaning?
You don’t have to choose just one method. Some babies prefer spoon-feeding, others love finger foods, and many enjoy a mix. By around six months, most babies are ready to explore self-feeding - so if you’re starting with purées, try offering a pre-loaded spoon alongside a few simple finger foods to explore.
The key is to keep it relaxed, follow your baby’s lead, and make mealtimes a positive experience for you both.
How to Handle the Mess (Without Losing Your Mind)
Yes, it’s going to get messy… and that’s actually a good thing. Touching, squishing, and playing with food helps babies learn and supports a healthy relationship with eating. Embracing the mess now can even help prevent picky eating later on.
Let Catchy keep the mess contained and off the floor, so your little one can explore without you dreading the clean-up.
Best First Foods to Offer Your Baby
Not sure where to start? Begin with simple, soft, and nutrient-rich options like:
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Mashed banana or avocado
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Steamed sweet potato, carrot, or zucchini
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Scrambled egg, meat, oily fish or chicken
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Yoghurt or cheese
- Thinly spread nut butters
Introducing Allergens: What You Need to Know
It’s important to introduce common allergens like peanuts, tree nuts, cow’s milk, soy, wheat, eggs, and shellfish early and often. To keep things safe and simple:
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Introduce one new allergen at a time
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Wait 2–3 days before trying another new food
- Watch for signs of a reaction (e.g., rash, vomiting, swelling, or behavioural changes)
Regular exposure is just as important as early introduction when it comes to reducing the risk of allergies.
Choking vs. Gagging
It’s completely normal for babies to gag when learning to eat, it’s a natural reflex that helps protect against choking. Gagging might look dramatic, but it’s part of how they learn.
If your baby is gagging: stay calm, don’t intervene, and let them work it out.
If they’re choking: it’s silent, and they need immediate help.
Not sure how to tell the difference?
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Gagging: Loud, red face, coughing, baby is breathing
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Choking: Silent, panicked look, can’t cough or make sound
✨ Rhyme to remember: “Loud and red, let them go. Silent and blue, they need help from you.”
Taking an infant first aid course is a great way to feel even more confident.
How to Keep Mealtimes Positive
Babies are incredibly tuned in to how we feel. If we’re anxious at the table, they’ll pick up on it. Try these simple tips to keep mealtimes calm and enjoyable:
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Sit down and eat together when you can
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Don’t stress about how much they eat—early on, it’s all about exploration
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Let them self-feed and make a mess—it’s how they learn
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Use tools that make your life easier so you can focus on connection, not clean-up
You’ve Got This!
Starting solids is a big step, but you’re not in it alone. We’re here to help make mealtimes easier, calmer, and a whole lot more enjoyable. From our award-winning food catcher to our expert-backed highchair accessories and thoughtfully designed feeding essentials, every product in our range is made to support you and your little one through this exciting stage - with confidence, ease, and a whole lot less mess.
