Recent research indicates that instead of using children's ages as a guide by which to introduce solid foods, parents, in collaboration with their children's health-care provider, should consider developmental factors to help them decide when the time is right. It is important that parents pick the right time to introduce solid foods - neither too early nor too late. Most infants become ready to try solid foods when they are between four and six months of age. When parents think their children are ready, they should consult with their children's health-care provider before beginning. They should be able to hold their heads up well before strained foods are even offered.
Children reach for and show interest in table foods.
Children can move their tongues back and forth as well as up and down. Babies can draw up their lower lips so they can take food from a spoon. The tongue thrust reflex should be gone before introducing solids. Once parents and their children's health-care provider have determined that it is a good time to try solid foods, parents should begin slowly. During the first few months, the amount of solid food children eat is not of great importance, as long as breast or bottle feeding is continued.