Starting solid foods with a baby: readiness, iron and safety

Use current infant-feeding guidance, watch for developmental readiness, prioritize iron-rich foods and reduce choking risks.

Adapted from a guide first written for Quebec readers: passages specific to Quebec were removed. Rules in your province may differ.

For most healthy infants, Health Canada recommends introducing complementary foods at about six months while continuing breast milk or infant formula. Readiness and health circumstances matter; ask the child's health professional if the timing or approach is uncertain.

Begin with development and iron

Look for signs such as good head control, sitting with support, showing interest in food and being able to bring food toward the mouth. Offer iron-rich foods regularly, such as meat, egg, tofu, legumes or iron-fortified infant cereal, in textures the child can manage. Continue breast milk or formula as recommended.

Offer varied foods and safe textures

Introduce a range of nutritious family foods in age-appropriate forms. Keep the baby seated upright and supervised while eating. Avoid hard, round, small or sticky foods that can cause choking; adapt texture and size to the child's development.

Introduce allergens thoughtfully

Health Canada's infant-feeding resources discuss introducing common allergens around six months, one at a time, in safe forms. Do not offer a choking hazard such as whole nuts. If the child has a known allergy, severe eczema or another specific risk, ask the care team how to proceed rather than testing foods without guidance.

Use official guidance

Read Health Canada's infant nutrition guidance and its recommendations for ages 6 to 24 months. For individual feeding, growth or allergy questions, contact the child's health professional.

Sources and limits

General information for caregivers, not an individual feeding plan. Sources: Health Canada, Infant Nutrition and Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants (6–24 months). Follow guidance from the child's care team.

General information based on federal and national rules; provincial rules may differ. Confirm with the official body before acting.