Best first foods for babies
The first spoonful is a big moment and a tiny one at the same time. Around 6 months most babies are ready, and the thing that takes the pressure off is this: these early meals are for practice, not nutrition. Breast milk or formula still does the real work all year. Your only job right now is to offer good food and let your baby explore it.
Signs your baby is ready
- Can sit up with support and hold their head steady
- Shows interest in what you're eating
- Can move food to the back of the mouth and swallow (less tongue-pushing)
Not seeing these yet? There is no rush. The newborn months are their own stage, see what is worth tracking in the fourth trimester while you wait for the readiness signs.
Great foods to start with
Don't forget allergens
First foods are also the time to start introducing the big 9 allergens, one at a time. Read the complete allergen guide →
Foods to avoid in the first year
- Honey (risk of infant botulism before 12 months)
- Cow's milk as a main drink (dairy foods like yogurt are fine)
- Added salt and sugar
- Choking hazards: whole nuts, whole grapes, popcorn, hard raw veg
See the full foods-to-avoid guide →
Related reading
See signs baby is ready for solids, first vegetables, and a day of eating by age.
Frequently asked questions
When can babies start solid foods?
Most babies are ready around 6 months, once they can sit with support, hold their head steady, and show interest in food. Breast milk or formula still provides most nutrition in the first year.
What are the best first foods for babies?
Soft, iron-rich, single-ingredient foods are great starters: mashed avocado, sweet potato, banana, well-cooked vegetables, and iron-fortified cereal. Introduce common allergens too, one at a time.
What foods should babies avoid?
Avoid honey (before 12 months), cow’s milk as a main drink (before 12 months), added salt and sugar, and choking hazards like whole nuts, whole grapes, and hard raw vegetables.
Track it in YummyYucky
Log first tries and reactions, with an automatic allergen tracker when a food needs one, all in one place you can share with your pediatrician.
Start tracking for freeLast updated July 2026. Next review January 2027. How we write these: grounded in widely published pediatric guidance (the AAP, WHO, the NIAID 2017 allergen guidelines, and the LEAP study), and pending independent review by a pediatric professional. See our editorial and medical policy for how we research, source, and update these.
This is general information, not medical advice, and has not been individually reviewed for your baby. Always talk to your pediatrician about your baby's diet, introducing allergens, and any reaction. In an emergency, contact emergency services.
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