This reflex protects young infants from choking on foreign bodies. Children reach for and show interest in table foods. If children try to grab food out of their parents' hands, or if they watch other people eat with great interest, they may be ready to give solid foods a try. Children are able to move their tongues back and forth as well as up and down. Parents can discover this by watching their children.
Babies can draw up their lower lips so that they can take food from a spoon.
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. Really, in the beginning, children are gaining experience with the how to's of eating and with different textures and flavors rather than eating for nutrition. Breastfeeding mothers might find it best to introduce feedings when their milk supply is lowest. This is usually in the late afternoon or early evening.