Hello!

My little one is 5 months old and is showing an interest in food. She is reaching out for food off our plates and seems to be following the journey of it into our mouths. Should I start introducing solids now or wait the extra 4 weeks until she is 6 months old?


Want more real mum questions sent to you?

You'll need to check this email to complete your signup.
  • If your baby isn’t sleeping all night, solids may be an even greater benefit. My cousin gave her baby rice cereal with her night feed and she slept a lot longer. She may only eat a couple of spoonfuls to start, then gradually increase. As long as you puree/sieve/mash vegies or fruit well if should be fine.


  • With my first child I waited 6 month before I introduce solid. But with my 2nd one she was interested in our food by 4 months. So after checking with our GP I started her on solid around 4 and a half months. So I would say if your baby seem interested then let her guide you. But check with your Dr if you want to.


  • Trying now is fine. Good that she is interested in it. It will make transition easier.


  • I was told between 4-6 months is ideal to get a bub on solids.

    My baby is 5 months old and I put her on rice cereal when she could hold herself up and showed interest.

    It’s all about your babies cues.

    If you aren’t sure and need help maybe call a parent health centre.

    Hope this helps


  • it is up to you but i know how exciting this stage is and how you just want to show them about food


  • I’ve heard a nutritionist say after 17/18 weeks is fine for introducing food. We dabbled from 4 months with tastes if he was looking st our food but started at 5 months and he’s enjoyed it. It was good starting early and taking it slow. Now at 9 months my boy is loving most foods. The recommendations change depending on who you ask, so I don’t think there is a right way. I was inclined to start early because it was recommended, but I don’t think it would have mattered if we waited.


  • Technically I believe it’s 4 months, but my advice would be to start when your Bub needs it. My son started at 3 1/2 months as he was just too hungry & did fine. Just start slow, one veggie at a time for a couple of days & then some fruit. Your lil one is bound to love it!! They look so cute when they eat!


  • I believe there is no hard and fast rule. My eldest had no interest in food until 7 months, but my little one wanted it at four months. I believe they tell you, and reaching out and wanting it is a clear sign. Start small and see where it goes.


  • We started at 5 months with son #2 as he was showing the same signs. And hasnt looked back.now 9 months and eats pretty much everything we eat. I would say give it a try it cant hurt.


  • Its not going to hurt to try right now.

    Give your bub some rice cereal mixed with breastmilk or formula and see if she swallows it or just pushes it out with her tongue. If she happily eats then start giving her the bland puree’d version of whatever you are eating.

    Some babies want solids earlier than others so you just have to do what is right for her.


  • She is showing interest. That’s your go ahead. Give her a variety of things to eat. Purees and also things she can hold in her hand. Remember they will gag a lot when the first start eating more solid foods. This is normal and good for their reflex development.


  • Generally most people start between 4-6 months, however my daughter started at 5 months as she was ready and like yours was showing interest in food. My son did not start till 6.5 months because he was not ready. Personal experience, forgo the rice cereal (it is bland and disgusting and my son would not have a bar of it) start with a homemade pureed apple (peel, core and cut apple, steam for 16 mins and then puree). Much better, and remember only introduce one new food every three days to ensure there are no adverse reactions. Have fun, I love making food for my baby!


  • We started at 4 months with the rice cereal followed by Apple, pear and carrot purees. Bub took a couple of weeks to get used to the spoon but has now progressed to lumper foods. She was watching intently at us while we were eating too. She has a plastic spoon that she plays with and puts it in her mouth. Good luck.


  • Between 4 and 6 months is when they suggest you introduce solids, definitely sounds like she is interested. I found it a little scary at first but its all veg puree at this age and the worst that cannhapon is they spit it out. Word of warning though – most of it stains, anything orange (carrot, pumpkin) or green (zucchini). No one told me amd I found out the hard way!


Post your reply
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your answer and join MoM:

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join