# When to start solids

**When should our baby start solid food?**

The age at which you begin offering foods other than milk. Official bodies give slightly different windows, centered on about six months.

In short: Parents choose between 3 main approaches: 4-6 months on readiness (the European window); Around 6 months (AAP, Canada, NHS); Strictly 6 months (WHO). Evidence: well established. Guidance and evidence agree. The real question is whether you'll follow it. Best settled: 0–6 months.

- Area: Feeding the baby
- Evidence: Well established
- Best settled: 0–6 months
- First published: 2026-10-03
- Last updated: 2026-10-05
- Page: https://www.raisingyourchild.com/topics/feeding-the-baby--when-to-start-solids

## When to start solids: what are the options?

1. **4-6 months on readiness (the European window)**: You start between four and six months if the baby seems ready.
2. **Around 6 months (AAP, Canada, NHS)**: You start at about six months, when the baby shows signs of readiness.
3. **Strictly 6 months (WHO)**: You wait until the baby is a full six months old.

## When to start solids: what does the evidence say?

**Well established.** Guidance and evidence agree. The real question is whether you'll follow it. (Settled in north america)

All agree never before 4 months; Europe says between 17 and 26 weeks

Sources:

- [ESPGHAN](https://www.espghan.org/dam/jcr:3d960daa-e2f3-499f-9df9-2da682976cec/2017%20Complementary_Feeding__A_Position_Paper_by_the.21.pdf)

## What else is worth knowing?

Solid food is introduced alongside milk, not instead of it. Readiness signs include sitting with support and showing interest in food. Official bodies agree on about six months and differ slightly on whether a little earlier is acceptable.

## Questions to ask each other

- Which guidance will we follow on timing, and who will check the baby is ready?
- What signs of readiness will we watch for?
- Would we start earlier if the baby seems hungry, and who would we ask?

---

General information, not medical advice. Two parents can each answer this and compare: https://www.raisingyourchild.com/explore?cat=feeding-the-baby&topic=feeding-the-baby--when-to-start-solids