The first tastes can be wonderfully messy. A familiar face and an unhurried moment matter far more than a perfectly clean bib.
Look for readiness, around six months.
Solid foods are generally introduced around six months, alongside breast milk or infant formula. Readiness includes staying seated with a steady head, coordinating hands and mouth, and swallowing food rather than pushing it out.
Stay close, and keep them upright.
Use a high chair with a securely fitted harness. Stay with your baby while they eat, offer food prepared safely for their stage, and learn how to respond to choking from a qualified provider.
Let this be a shared moment.
Make room for exploring and pauses. Your baby is learning about the world one texture, face and flavour at a time.
Source: NHS — Your baby’s first solid foods. Accessed 29 September 2026.