How Do I Prepare My Baby’s Food Based on Stages?

Why Food Texture Matters

The progression of solid food textures is important for your baby’s feeding development.

In line with national feeding guidelines, this typically follows a gradual transition from smooth purees to mashed textures, then minced or finely chopped foods, and eventually to soft pieces of family meals.

Offering age-appropriate textures based on your baby’s oral skills allows them to practice moving food around their mouth, become comfortable with chewing, and develop the tongue control, jaw strength, and coordination needed for safe swallowing.
This steady progression also supports speech development and prepares your baby to eat modified family meals by 12 months.

~6+ Months – Starting Solids

Begin with smooth, thin purees that pour easily from a spoon. As your baby gets used to swallowing, gradually offer slightly thicker purees that move more slowly or lightly cling to the spoon. While purees don’t have a defined shape, their consistency should stay soft, lump-free, and easy to manage. Some babies may begin exploring self-feeding at this stage using their hands or a preloaded spoon.

Texture: Smooth purée (thin to slightly thick)

Preparation: Steam and blend single ingredients until very smooth

Shape: No defined shape; consistency should be fluid and lump-free

~7+ Months – Encourage Chewing

From around seven months, babies are ready for more texture. Begin offering soft, mashed foods with small lumps, and introduce harder munchable foods for safe chewing practice. These should be large, firm pieces that don’t break apart in the mouth but allow babies to explore chewing with their gums. Mashed foods can be spoon-fed or offered in a small bowl for hand exploration.

Texture: Lumpy mashed foods and hard munchables

Preparation: Fork-mash soft foods; offer firm, gnawable pieces under supervision

Shape: Long, finger-sized pieces for munchables; soft lumps for mashed foods

~9+ Months – Encourage Self-Feeding

By nine months, many babies have improved coordination and are more confident feeding themselves. Offer mashed or chopped foods with soft lumps, and include a mix of textures in the same meal. This is also a good stage to provide soft finger foods—small, easy-to-grasp pieces that your baby can pick up and feed themselves. Preloaded spoons can continue to support self-feeding practice.

Texture: Mashed, chopped, and mixed textures

Preparation: Serve soft finger foods or combine soft textures

Shape: Small, graspable pieces suitable for hand-to-mouth feeding

~12+ Months – Independent Feeding

By 12 months, babies are feeding themselves and enjoying a variety of family foods. Offer mixed textures—meals that combine different consistencies, like soft pieces of vegetables in a thicker stew or pasta with small chunks of meat. Ensure foods are cut into small, manageable pieces to support safe self-feeding with fingers or child-safe utensils.

Texture: Mixed textures from family meals

Preparation: Chop, mash, or soften foods as needed

Shape: Small, bite-sized pieces suitable for self-feeding

Food Texture Examples by Age and Food Group

~6+ Months – Starting Solids

~7+ Months – Encourage Chewing

~9+ Months – Encourage Self-Feeding

~12+ Months – Independent Feeding

Looking for visual examples of food textures and safe preparation?
Visit Solid Starts for a searchable database of foods by age, texture, and shape.

References:

1. Raising Children Network. (2023). Introducing solids. Retrieved from https://raisingchildren.net.au
2. Australian Government Department of Health. (2021). Infant Feeding Guidelines.
3. Healthy Kids NSW. (n.d.). Transitioning Textures – Infants. Retrieved from https://healthykids.nsw.gov.au
4. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby. (n.d.). Introducing solid food. Retrieved from https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au
5. Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service. (n.d.). Eating and Mealtimes: A guide for children under five years.
6. Solid Starts. (2024). Food database & texture progression. Retrieved from https://solidstarts.com

This blog post is general in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not intended as a comprehensive and exhaustive set of guidelines. This blog post has been prepared in consultation with a qualified paediatric dietician. However, it is not tailored to individual circumstances and no material found in this post is intended to be a substitute for professional medical or health advice. If you require immediate medical attention, please contact emergency services immediately or seek alternative and appropriate medical services.