Starting Solids at 6 Months: A Maternal Health Nurse's Guide

Starting solids is one of the most exciting — and second-guessed — milestones in the first year. The good news: at around 6 months , most babies show clear readiness signs, and a calm, responsive approach matters far more than the brand of spoon or the perfect puree. This guide walks you through readiness, first foods, allergens, the milk-vs-food balance, and a simple 4-week starter plan you can follow whether you choose purees, baby-led weaning BLW , or a mix of both. When to start solids: the 6-month guideline Australian and international guidelines NHMRC, WHO, RCH Melbourne recommend starting solids at around 6 months — and not before 4 months . By 6 months, breastmilk or formula alone no longer covers your baby's iron and zinc needs, and their gut and oral skills are ready. 4 readiness signs look for all of them Steady head and trunk control — your baby can sit upright with minimal support. Tongue-thrust reflex has faded — food isn't automatically pushed back out. Shows interest in food — reaches, leans in, opens mouth when you eat. Hand-to-mouth coordination — brings toys and fingers to the mouth deliberately. Age alone is not enough. If readiness signs aren't there at 6 months, wait a week or two — but don't delay past 7 months, as the iron-rich foods window matters. Purees, baby-led weaning, or both? There is no single "right" method. Many Australian families do a combination approach : soft finger foods for self-feeding, plus spoon-fed purees for iron-rich foods like fortified cereal and meat. Purees: easier to load iron-rich foods, less mess, parent-led pace. Baby-led weaning BLW : baby self-feeds soft strips of food; supports oral motor development and self-regulation. See our full BLW starter guide . Combination: the most realistic for most households — and just as safe. Best first foods at 6 months Lead with iron-rich foods at every meal . Iron stores from pregnancy run low around 6 months, and milk alone won't replace them. Iron-rich: iron-fortified infant cereal, well-cooked minced meat, soft-cooked chicken or fish, lentils, tofu, egg. Vegetables: steamed sweet potato, pumpkin, broccoli florets, zucchini, avocado. Fruits: ripe banana, soft pear, stewed apple, mango, berries mashed or thin strips . Healthy fats: avocado, full-fat yoghurt, nut butters thinly spread, not whole nuts . Avoid: honey under 12 months , whole nuts, hard raw vegetables,…