The Best First Foods for Babies

Apr 30, 2026

Introducing solids to your baby can be exciting yet overwhelming. Where do we start? What food should I offer first? 

First thing first, here are the signs to look out for to determine if your baby is ready to start solids:

  • They can sit upright and hold their head steady.
  • They show curiosity, especially when you're eating.
  • They have lost the tongue-thrust reflex that pushes food out of their mouth.
  • They still seem hungry after a full day of milk.

Babies typically start to learn how to chew around four months old onwards and most of their nutrition will still come from breastmilk or baby formula during the first six months. They might not accept solids right away but it is important to continue offering a variety of foods to help them adapt to new flavours and textures. 

Myth Buster: You might have heard that introducing fruits before vegetables or rice cereals can lead to preference for sweet foods. However, there is no research to support this claim.

4 to 6 Months: Single-Grain Cereals and Iron-Rich Foods

At this age, babies have increased iron needs to support their overall growth. You can consider introducing iron-rich foods, such as:

  • Infant cereal such as oat, rice or barley mixed with breastmilk or baby formula
  • Sweet potato
  • Butternut squash
  • Carrot
  • Banana
  • Avocado

6 to 8 Months: Vegetables, Fruits and Meats

By around seven months, your baby will likely be eating more solids although breastmilk or baby milk formula should still be their primary source of nutrition. As your baby begins to enjoy solids, feel free to get creative by mixing flavours and textures, such as:

  • Sweet potato pureed with pear, carrot or spinach
  • Apple pureed with cauliflower, carrot, prune, or beetroot
  • Beef pureed with broccoli
  • Chicken pureed with carrot and potato
  • Baby rice with chicken and spinach

8 Months and Beyond: Chopped, Ground or Mashed Foods

By eight months, your baby will be eating more solids and starting to rely less on milk, although it should remain their main source of nutrition. This is also a fun time for them to explore self-feeding. Some meal ideas you can serve include:

  • Avocado toast
  • Diced tofu
  • Soft-whole grain pasta or potato
  • Mashed banana with oatmeal

Did you know?

It is essential to introduce potential allergenic foods such as peanut, tree nuts, egg and fish before their first birthday to help reduce the risk of food allergies. Safe options like peanut butter and dairy (yoghurt and cheese) can be introduced around six months. However, consult your paediatrician before introducing these foods, especially if your baby has eczema or known allergies.

Foods to Avoid

While exploring new tastes, steer clear of these foods that are considered unsafe for infants under one year:

  • Honey
  • Cow's milk (as a drink; it's fine in cooking or baking)
  • Choking hazards such as nuts, seeds, raisins, hard candy, grapes, hard raw vegetables, popcorn and chunky peanut butter

Introducing solids can sometimes lead to constipation. Monitor your child’s fluid intake during this transition, and enjoy this exciting new phase of exploration!

Loved this article? Happikido is a trusted baby shop in Malaysia with years of experience serving parents and families. We offer a wide range of baby products, including premium formulas sourced from globally recognised baby brands. If you’re exploring baby formulas, browse Kabrita formula and Bellamy formula on our website today.

 
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