Baby Food Stages: Complete Age-by-Age Guide
🔑 Baby Food Stages at a Glance
- Stage 1 (4-6 months): Single-ingredient thin purees
- Stage 2 (6-8 months): Combo purees, thicker texture
- Stage 3 (8-10 months): Chunky textures, soft pieces
- Stage 4 (10-12+ months): Soft table foods, self-feeding
Understanding Baby Food Stages
Baby food stages help parents introduce solids gradually, allowing babies to develop eating skills and try new textures at their own pace. While exact timelines vary by baby, stages provide a helpful framework.
💡 Important Note
These are guidelines, not strict rules. Every baby develops differently. Watch your baby's cues, not just the calendar. Some babies skip stages, and that's okay!
Signs Baby is Ready for Solids (Any Stage)
- Can sit up with support (or independently for later stages)
- Good head and neck control
- Shows interest in food (watching you eat, reaching for food)
- Opens mouth when food approaches
- Tongue thrust reflex has diminished
- Has doubled birth weight (around 13+ lbs)
Stage 1: First Foods (4-6 Months)
What Stage 1 Looks Like
- Texture: Very thin, smooth purees (like runny applesauce)
- Ingredients: Single-ingredient only
- Frequency: 1-2 times per day
- Amount: 1-2 tablespoons per sitting
Best Stage 1 First Foods
| Category | Foods to Try |
|---|---|
| Vegetables | Sweet potato, butternut squash, carrots, peas, green beans, zucchini |
| Fruits | Banana, avocado, pears, apples, peaches, prunes |
| Grains | Iron-fortified baby cereal (oatmeal, rice) |
Stage 1 Tips
- Wait 3-5 days between new foods to watch for allergies
- Start with veggies before fruits (some experts suggest)
- Breast milk/formula is still primary - food is for practice
- Don't force it - if baby refuses, try again in a few days
- Thin with breast milk or formula for easier swallowing
Signs Baby is Ready for Stage 2
- Eating Stage 1 foods easily
- Opening mouth eagerly for spoon
- Swallowing without pushing food out
- Seeming hungry for more
Stage 2: Combinations (6-8 Months)
What Stage 2 Looks Like
- Texture: Thicker, still smooth but more body
- Ingredients: 2-3 ingredient combinations
- Frequency: 2-3 times per day
- Amount: 2-4 tablespoons per meal
Stage 2 Foods to Introduce
| Category | New Foods |
|---|---|
| Proteins | Pureed chicken, turkey, beef, fish, beans, lentils, tofu |
| Dairy | Plain whole milk yogurt, soft cheese |
| Grains | Quinoa, barley, whole grain cereals |
| Combos | Apple + chicken, sweet potato + peas, banana + avocado |
Stage 2 Tips
- Introduce meat early - important for iron
- Start allergens now - peanut, egg, dairy (see allergen section)
- Can offer soft finger foods like puffs to practice self-feeding
- Water in sippy cup - introduce small sips with meals
Signs Baby is Ready for Stage 3
- Chewing motion even without teeth
- Picking up food with fingers (pincer grasp developing)
- Interested in self-feeding
- Handling thicker purees well
Stage 3: Chunky Textures (8-10 Months)
What Stage 3 Looks Like
- Texture: Mashed with small soft chunks
- Ingredients: Multiple ingredients, more complex flavors
- Frequency: 3 meals per day
- Amount: 4-6 tablespoons per meal
Stage 3 Foods
| Category | Foods |
|---|---|
| Proteins | Shredded chicken, flaked fish, scrambled eggs, mashed beans |
| Starches | Soft pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, bread pieces |
| Finger Foods | Soft fruit pieces, steamed veggie sticks, cheese cubes, puffs |
Stage 3 Tips
- Mash, don't puree - leave some texture
- Offer finger foods at every meal for practice
- Let baby self-feed (messy but important!)
- Gagging is normal - it's different from choking
- Still offer 20-24 oz formula/breast milk
Stage 4: Table Foods (10-12+ Months)
What Stage 4 Looks Like
- Texture: Soft table foods, small chopped pieces
- Ingredients: Family foods modified for baby
- Frequency: 3 meals + 1-2 snacks
- Amount: Baby-led portions (let them decide)
Stage 4 Foods
- Soft cooked vegetables cut into small pieces
- Soft fruits (banana, berries, melon)
- Shredded or diced meats
- Pasta, rice, soft bread
- Scrambled eggs, cheese
- Modified family meals (less salt/seasoning)
Foods to Avoid Until Age 1
- ❌ Honey (botulism risk)
- ❌ Cow's milk as drink (okay in food)
- ❌ Choking hazards: whole grapes, hot dogs, nuts, popcorn, raw carrots
- ❌ Added salt and sugar
- ❌ Unpasteurized foods
Portion Guide by Age
| Age | Solids | Formula/Breast Milk |
|---|---|---|
| 4-6 months | 1-2 tbsp, 1-2x daily | 28-32 oz (primary nutrition) |
| 6-8 months | 2-4 tbsp, 2-3x daily | 24-30 oz |
| 8-10 months | 4-6 tbsp, 3x daily | 20-24 oz |
| 10-12 months | Growing portions, 3 meals + snacks | 16-20 oz |
Introducing Allergens
Current guidance recommends introducing common allergens early (around 6 months) - this may actually prevent allergies.
Top Allergens to Introduce
- Peanuts: Thin peanut butter mixed with breast milk/formula or puree
- Eggs: Well-cooked scrambled eggs (start with yolk)
- Dairy: Plain whole milk yogurt, cheese
- Tree nuts: Nut butters thinned into purees
- Fish/Shellfish: Pureed or flaked, well-cooked
- Wheat: Baby cereals, soft bread, pasta
- Soy: Tofu, edamame
⚠️ Allergen Safety
- Introduce one allergen at a time
- Start with small amount
- Give in morning to monitor for reactions
- Have children's Benadryl on hand
- Know signs of allergic reaction
- If family history of allergies, consult pediatrician first
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to follow stages exactly?
No! Stages are guidelines. Some babies skip stages or move faster/slower. Baby-led weaning skips purees entirely. Follow your baby's cues and development.
When can baby eat what I'm eating?
Around 8-10 months, most babies can eat modified versions of family meals. Just make pieces small, soft, and skip the salt/sugar. By 12 months, most babies eat family foods.
What if baby refuses a food?
It can take 10-15 exposures before a baby accepts a new food. Keep offering without pressure. Mix disliked foods with liked ones. Don't force it.
Is gagging normal?
Yes! Gagging is a safety reflex and common when starting textures. It's different from choking. Baby will cough/gag but still be breathing. Stay calm and let them work through it.