Between 6 and 12 months, a baby's menu changes month by month — from one or two test spoonfuls to a plate that starts to look like the family meal. Here's the reference chart for what to expect at each stage, and why milk stays the main event longer than a lot of parents think.
Signs your baby is ready to start
Age is a guide, but your baby's own signs matter most. The WHO recommends starting around 6 months, and by then most babies show several of these:
- Sits with little support and holds their head steady.
- Shows interest in food: watches your plate, opens their mouth, reaches for what you're eating.
- No longer pushes everything out with the tongue when a spoon comes close.
- Brings things to the mouth with fairly coordinated hands.
If your baby was born premature or has a health condition, decide when to start together with your pediatrician. For a step-by-step first week, see the first foods guide.
Feeding schedule chart by month
Before the chart, the most important part: milk covers everything until 6 months — the WHO doesn't recommend starting solids earlier. After that, they're added gradually, no rush.
| Age | Solid meals/day | Milk feeds/day | Texture |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 1-2 (test) | 4-5 | Thin puree, 1-2 spoonfuls at a time |
| 7 months | 2 | 4 | Thicker puree, some lumps |
| 8 months | 2-3 | 3-4 | Soft finger foods, self-feeding |
| 9 months | 3 | 3 | Adapted family food, more variety |
| 10 months | 3 + 1 snack | 3 | Bigger pieces, less processed |
| 11 months | 3 + 1-2 snacks | 2-3 | Nearly the family menu |
| 12 months | 3 + 2 snacks | 2-3 | Family table, with safety tweaks |
These are reference ranges, not a menu to follow to the letter — appetite varies a lot from one baby to another, and even from one day to the next for the same baby.
Why milk stays the base, not a side item
It's easy to assume that as a baby eats more solids, they "need less milk" — but through most of the first year, milk still provides the majority of calories and nutrients, especially up to 9-10 months. Early solids are exactly that: complementary, not a replacement. The WHO recommends continued breastfeeding to 2 years or beyond, alongside complementary feeding — not a race to "drop milk" as soon as possible.
What to offer at each stage
There's no mandatory order of foods. What most guidelines do recommend is prioritizing iron-rich foods (meat, legumes, egg, fortified cereals) and gradually adding a variety of vegetables and fruit. What changes most from month to month is texture:
| Stage | What it usually includes | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| 6–8 months | Vegetables, fruit, meat, legumes, well-cooked egg, cereals | Purees and mashes, moving on to soft lumps |
| 9–11 months | The same, with more variety and combinations | Soft finger foods they can pick up |
| 12 months | Most of the family menu, with no added salt or sugar | Bigger pieces, cut safely |
Moving on with textures matters: staying on smooth purees for too long can make lumps harder to accept later. And to know whether your baby is eating enough, counting spoonfuls helps less than checking their growth curve at each checkup.
Allergens: introduce them one at a time
Egg, fish, peanut (always as thinned-out peanut butter, never whole), ground tree nuts, wheat, soy, dairy in recipes and sesame are the foods most often behind allergies. Most pediatric guidelines now recommend not delaying them without a reason, and introducing them one by one:
- One new food at a time, waiting a few days before adding the next.
- Ideally during the day and at home, so you can watch how they react in the following hours.
- Once it's well tolerated, keep offering it regularly.
If there's a family history of allergies, or your baby has eczema, talk to your pediatrician before starting. If you see hives, swelling of the lips or face, repeated vomiting or trouble breathing, get medical help right away.
Logging by food type — a real screen from the Alfonso app.
Logging every new food with the date and a note gives you a clear history: if a reaction shows up, you know exactly what they ate and when, ready to show your pediatrician.
What to avoid before age one
- Honey, not even in recipes: it isn't recommended before 12 months.
- Added salt and sugar: food already has what they need.
- Juice and sugary drinks: they add nothing that whole fruit doesn't.
- Cow's milk as the main drink: small amounts in recipes are fine, but it doesn't replace breast milk or formula before age one.
- Choking hazards: whole nuts, whole grapes or cherry tomatoes, hard or round pieces. Always seated, with an adult right there.
What about water?
While your baby only drinks milk, no extra water is needed. Once solids start, you can offer small sips from a cup at mealtimes, according to thirst — without forcing it or letting it replace milk feeds. If poops get harder once solids begin, see what to do about constipation.
Meal history — a real screen from the app.
Start logging today
Create your baby's profile in 30 seconds, no account or password needed, and log the next event as it happens — to see the real pattern, not just remember it. Syncs automatically with your partner.
Frequently asked questions
When should you start solids?
Around 6 months, once the baby has steady head control, sits with support, and shows real interest in food — not earlier, per WHO guidance.
How much solid food should a 9 month old eat?
Generally 3 meals a day, with portions that grow gradually. Milk is still the nutritional base at this age.
How long does a baby keep drinking milk after starting solids?
The WHO recommends breastfeeding to 2 years or beyond, alongside solids — not something that gets replaced all at once.
What should I do if my baby refuses a new food?
It's very common. Don't force it: offer it again another day, prepared differently or next to something they already like. Many babies need to try a food several times before accepting it.
When can my baby eat the same food as the rest of the family?
Around their first birthday most babies can eat almost the same family menu, with no added salt or sugar and cut safely. Your pediatrician can guide you based on how your baby is progressing.
Keep reading
ℹ️ The amounts and ages in this guide are indicative and can vary by baby. If you have questions about when or how to start solids, always check with your pediatrician.