Introducing solids responsively

From six months, you can introduce solid food alongside your baby’s usual milk feeds. How much your baby takes is less important than getting them used to the idea of eating, alongside all the new tastes and textures they’ll experience. Start with small amounts as most of their calories and nutrients will still come from breast or first-stage formula milk.
Signs an older baby is full:
- closing their mouth
- turning head away or pushing food away.
Your baby has a small tummy that fills up quickly so start with small portions and offer more if they're still hungry. Allowing your child to feed themselves as soon as they are able, will allow them to eat at their own pace. The amount your baby eats depends on their appetite, which can vary from day-to-day. Some days your baby might be more interested in milk feeds and some days solid foods.
Find support for you and your child along the journey from pregnancy to starting school including how to contact your health visitor and where to find healthy child clinics where you can talk to a member of the health visiting team for advice and support our Kent Baby website.
family.kentcht.nhs.uk/baby