A starting solids guide I wish I had when I had my first baby! I am sharing everything I have learnt and am doing with my second baby that I wish I did with my first.
Your first baby can teach you SO much, and that is exactly what my first baby did for me.
When I started solids with my first baby, I honestly didn’t know much about it. I just kind of started… and figured things out as I went along! Looking back, I really wish I had done a little more research before getting started, which is exactly why I wanted to write this 6 month starting solids guide.
I’ve been on my own wellness journey for years now and have loved sharing everything I’ve learnt along the way — from healthy recipes and routines to simple habits that have genuinely made a difference to our family.
And now that I’m in this new season of life with a baby again, I thought… why not share some of the things I’m learning about baby wellness, starting solids and baby first foods too?
One thing I’ve learnt over the years is that building a healthy lifestyle isn’t just about you. The habits you create can naturally become part of your family’s lifestyle too, and I love that.
Of course, how you choose to start solids is completely up to you and your baby. Whether you choose baby-led weaning, traditional weaning with purées, or a combination of both, you have to do what works for your family.
I’m simply sharing some 6 month old starting solids tips that I’ve learnt and am implementing with my second baby — things I wish I knew the first time around!
So take this post as a guide rather than a set of rules. Use the ideas that work for you and your baby, and always follow advice from your health visitor or GP when you need it.
And if you’ve started solids before and have a tip you think every new mum should know, please share it in the comments! You never know who it might help.
This post is all about a starting solids guide!
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6 Month Starting Solids Guide
Healthy Swaps For Baby I Wish I Made With My First
Choose quality meat where you can
One thing I’ve been more conscious of this time around is the quality of the meat I’m buying for my baby.
From around 6 months, babies can eat meat, and it is particularly useful when introducing solids to baby because meat is a great source of iron and protein.
I personally prefer buying grass-fed meat and choosing good-quality, halal meat where possible. I don’t think you need to make your baby’s diet perfect, but when buying meat for my baby, I like knowing where it has come from and choosing a quality option.
I’ve bought meat/chicken from Saffron Alley and have been really happy with the quality. Their range includes halal, grass-fed beef and barn-raised chicken, and no added hormones to their meat!
If you’d like to try them, you can use my code MARIAM10 for a discount on your order.
Giving baby homemade meat stock
Homemade meat stock is known to be an amazing first foods/drink to give your baby. It supports gut development as its very gentle on the gut and very gentle on babys digestive system which is used to milk.
I have been using it to puree his meats and vegtables to add extra flavour and moisture and of course extra health benefits!
Simple meat stock recipe:
- 1kg beef bones or any meaty beef with bones — I get my halal beef bones from Saffron Alley (use MARIAM10 for a discount)
- 2 carrots, roughly chopped
- 2 celery sticks, roughly chopped
- Enough water to cover everything
- Do not add salt!! If you want some for yourself, add salt after you’ve put some aside for your baby
Add everything to a large pot and bring to a boil. Skim off any foam that rises to the top.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, leave the lid slightly ajar, and allow it to simmer gently for around 4–6 hours. I simmered mine for 4 hours.
Strain the stock and allow it to cool before storing.
Extra tips:
Scoop the cooked marrow out from the beef bones, blend it until smooth, and freeze it in small portions. It’s a rich source of fat, so I only use a small amount (about 1/2-1 tsp) mixed into other foods to add extra healthy fat.
You can also save the cooked carrots and blend them with some of the homemade stock to make a really simple carrot purée.
Focus on iron-rich foods, not fruit purees
This is probably one of the biggest things I’ve learnt about starting solids at 6 months.
From around 6 months, babies need to start getting iron from foods alongside their usual breast milk or formula feeds. Their iron needs are high, so I like to make iron-rich foods a regular part of his meals.
You can absolutely give your baby fruit and vegetable purées, but I try to make sure his meals also contain a source of iron.
Some amazing iron-rich foods for babies include:
- Beef mince
- Beef/steak (rib eye steak is amazing!)
- Chicken (thighs are higher in iron than the breast)
- Lamb (e.g. lamb chops)
- Eggs
- Chicken liver
And you don’t have to choose between baby-led weaning first foods and purées. Iron-rich foods can be offered in a texture that suits your chosen weaning style.
For example, I’ve been cooking beef mince until thoroughly cooked and blending it with my homemade meat stock to make a smooth purée. As he gets more confident with food, I will start offering appropriately prepared pieces of meat for baby-led weaning.
Pair iron with vitamin C
Another little tip I learnt is to pair iron-rich foods with a source of vitamin C, as vitamin C can help the body absorb iron from foods.
Some easy vitamin C-rich foods include:
- Broccoli (steamed so it’s nice and softened)
- Red and yellow peppers (roast them and then either offer it as a half pepper or turn it into a puree)
- Strawberries/raspberries
- Kiwi
- Tomatoes
And remember, your baby’s tummy is tiny! They aren’t going to eat huge portions at this age, so I love the idea of making the little food they do eat as nutritious as possible.
Think about what you’re serving food on
Another thing I’ve become more conscious of is what I’m actually putting food on and preparing it with.
I’m trying to reduce unnecessary use of plastic where I can, particularly when it comes to things like chopping boards, plates and food storage.
I’m not saying you need to go out and replace everything in your kitchen — definitely not! — but if you’re buying new baby feeding essentials anyway, you might want to consider the materials you’re choosing.
I love this chopping board because it’s 2-in-1, with one side for meat and chicken and the other for fruit and vegetables, so I’m not adding loads of extra things to my kitchen.
I’ll link everything I’ve bought for our baby’s starting solids journey below if you’d like to have a look.
Start simple and gradually build up meals
When you’re starting solids at 6 months, remember that your baby is learning a completely new skill.
They are learning how to move food around their mouth, swallow different textures, use their tongue, and eventually feed themselves. So I don’t think there is any need to rush into giving them three big meals a day from day one.
I’ve personally started with one meal a day and am gradually increasing the amount and variety as my baby gets more comfortable with food.
As your baby progresses through the next 1-2 months, you can gradually build towards more meals and a wider variety of foods.
And honestly, starting slowly has been so helpful for us because it gives me a chance to introduce foods individually, watch how he responds, and learn what he likes — while also avoiding a fridge full of food that ends up going to waste!
The goal at this stage isn’t to replace their milk feeds or make sure they eat a huge amount. It’s about introducing solids to baby, exploring different tastes and textures, building confidence with food and gradually developing healthy eating habits.
Here is a plan I will be following if you need some ideas
6-8 months: 1 meal a day (might introduce a second meal at 7 months; it depends how my baby does)
8-10 months: 2 meals a day
10+ months: 3 meals and then eventually start introducing snacks
A few more things I’m keeping in mind when starting solids
There are SO many opinions when it comes to weaning, and it can feel overwhelming when you’re looking at baby puree recipes, baby-led weaning first foods and 6 month starting solids guides online.
The biggest things I’m reminding myself this time around are:
- Keep meals simple.
- Prioritise nutrient-dense, iron-rich foods.
- Introduce new foods gradually.
- Introduce common allergens carefully and individually and as early on in the journey as possible.
- Offer different tastes and textures.
- Don’t worry about how much baby actually eats at first.
- Let baby explore and get messy!
- Continue their usual breast milk or formula feeds!!! (milk first before you offer solids)
- Never add salt or honey to baby’s food.
- Always supervise baby while they’re eating and make sure foods are prepared in an age-appropriate texture.
And most importantly — you don’t have to do it perfectly.
I definitely didn’t with my first baby, and I’m still learning with my second!
This is simply what I’m doing this time around and the things that have made me feel more confident about our 6 month old starting solids journey.
I hope this guide to starting solids has given you some ideas and made the whole process feel a little less overwhelming.
And if you’ve already been through the weaning stage, please share your best tip in the comments. I would LOVE to hear it — and I’m sure another mum reading this will appreciate it too.
Other posts you’ll also find helpful:
- Postpartum meal prep guide
- Baby Travel Must Haves
- Hospital Bag Checklist For Baby, Mum, And Dad
- 9 Clever Baby Nursery Ideas For Small Rooms
This post was all about a 6 months starting solids guide!
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