← Starting solids: the overview
When to start solids? The 5 readiness signs
“From 6 months” says the jar – but babies don't read labels. Whether your child is ready for the first spoonful, they will show you themselves. That isn't an excuse to wait, it's the official recommendation: what counts are the readiness signs, not the calendar.
In short: start solids when your baby sits upright with support and holds their head steady, shows interest in your food, brings things to their mouth deliberately and no longer pushes purée out reflexively. For most babies that's between the 5th and 7th month – no earlier than the beginning of the 5th month and no later than the beginning of the 7th (Germany's Gesund ins Leben network).
The readiness signs in detail
| Sign | How you recognise it |
|---|---|
| Sits upright with support | On your lap or with support, your baby sits stably and holds their head securely – important so they don't choke. Sitting unaided isn't necessary. |
| Interest in food | They follow your food with their eyes, open their mouth, reach for the spoon or your plate. |
| Hand-to-mouth coordination | Toys and hands travel to the mouth on purpose – the basis for grabbing food themselves later. |
| Tongue-thrust reflex has faded | The protective reflex that pushes anything solid out of the mouth is fading. If every spoonful comes straight back out, it's simply too early. |
| Swallowing works | Purée that is offered is moved to the back with the tongue and swallowed instead of dribbling out. |
What the guidelines say – honestly explained
Anyone reading up in 2026 finds seemingly contradictory numbers: the German S3 guideline on infant nutrition emphasises breastfeeding and puts the start of solids around the 7th month, while allergy prevention (S3 guideline on allergy prevention, EAACI) argues for introducing common allergens within the 5th–7th month window. That's no reason to panic – it's a tension between two good intentions – and the resolution is exactly the one the Gesund ins Leben network gives: look at your child, not at a date. If you start as soon as the readiness signs are there, you almost always land in the right window for both.
The first attempt – how to keep it relaxed
Choose a calm moment when your baby is awake, content and not hungry-angry, and healthy. A few spoonfuls of vegetable purée (e.g. carrot, parsnip or pumpkin – cooked and finely puréed) are plenty; milk remains the main food. If the purée gets pushed back out: no drama, wait a few days, offer again. Some babies need 8–10 attempts before they accept a new food – that's normal and not a “doesn't like it”.
The checklist in the app
In HeyFini there is a readiness checklist to tick off together – both parents see the same status, and as soon as you start, the Solids Journey guides you through the first 100 days.
Download HeyFini on the App Store
Frequently asked questions
Does my baby have to sit unsupported?
No – sitting upright with support and reliable head control are enough. Independent sitting often comes later.
Is “interested in food” enough on its own?
No, interest alone isn't enough – babies are interested in everything you hold. It should come together with the motor signs.
What if my baby still doesn't want purée at 7 months?
Keep offering calmly and mention it to your paediatrician – usually everything is fine and it starts by itself a few weeks later.
More guides on starting solids
General guidance, not medical advice. For questions about your child, talk to your paediatrician or midwife.