Thinking about starting solids with your baby soon? Before the first spoonful or soft finger food, there are a few important skills your little one needs to develop to ensure a safe, confident, and positive feeding experience. Caroline, our resident feeding expert, is here to share expert-approved tips to help you prepare your baby for solid foods.
1. Practice Sitting Up Unassisted
One of the key signs of readiness for starting solids is your baby’s ability to sit upright with minimal or no support. Strong core muscles are essential for a safe swallow and proper digestion.
To help build this strength:
- Sit your baby on a plush carpet or couch for short, supervised practice sessions
- Encourage upright posture during playtime
- Start early—practice truly does make perfect
These small moments of practice can make a big difference when it’s time to sit in a high chair and eat.
2. Make Tummy Time a Daily Habit
Tummy time may not always be your baby’s favorite activity, but it’s one of the most important building blocks for starting solids.
Daily tummy time helps strengthen:
- Core muscles
- Head and neck control
- Overall postural stability
These muscles support not only sitting but also chewing and swallowing, which are essential skills for eating solid foods safely.
3. Encourage Tongue Lateralization
Tongue lateralization is your baby’s ability to move their tongue from side to side. While it’s often overlooked, it plays a crucial role in feeding by helping move food around the mouth and back for swallowing.
You can support this skill by:
- Offering a teether or safe toy for mouthing
- Choosing teethers that are long and shaped similarly to foods used in baby-led weaning
- Letting your baby explore these objects early and often
This type of oral play helps build the muscle coordination your baby will need once food is introduced.
4. Model Eating and Engage the Senses
Babies learn by watching and eating is no exception! Letting your baby observe you eating is a powerful way to prepare them for solids.
Try:
- Eating meals together when possible
- Making exaggerated chewing motions
- Talking about flavors, textures, and smells
Engaging all the senses helps spark curiosity and builds familiarity with food long before it reaches your baby’s plate.
Preparing your baby for solid foods doesn’t start with the first meal, it starts weeks (or even months) before. By focusing on core strength, oral skills, and sensory exposure, you’re setting the foundation for a positive feeding journey. When your baby begins showing signs of readiness, they’ll be more confident, capable, and excited to explore food in their high chair.
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Bon appetite!
