STARTING SOLIDS WITH BELLAMY’S ORGANIC

Unsure when or how to start solids? You’re not alone. Our step-by-step guide makes starting solids simple and stress-free.

To make navigating this milestone easier, we’ve partnered with a dietition to create a simple, helpful feeding guide. It covers the essentials with the right foods at the right time. First, there are three key things you should closely monitor.

When is the Best Time to Start?

Most babies are ready for solids around 4 - 6 months. Look for signs – they're all different! Iron needs make solids important at this stage.

Signs of Readiness for Solids

  • Has good head and neck control
  • Can sit upright with minimal support
  • Watches you eat and shows interest in food
  • Can bring objects and food to their mouth
  • Chews on fists
  • Opens mouth for food and doesn’t push food out automatically

If your baby shows these signs, it’s time to start!

How to Safely Transition a Baby to Solids

  • Start Small – Begin with 1-2 teaspoons of smooth, single ingredient purees or soft foods.
  • Gradually Increase Solids – Start with once a day and slowly increase to ½ cup as your baby becomes more comfortable.
  • Keep breast milk or child's usual formula as the main source of nutrition. 

Introducing Bellamy’s Organic Feeding Guide

Our feeding guide makes starting solids simple. See what food to try and when, all in one easy table.

Click on the interactive columns below to learn more.

Stage
AGE
0+ months
FEEDING FOCUS
Milk# ONLY
Development
LOOK FOR...
~ MILESTONE
#Breast milk or/and child’s usual formula
Nutrition
NUTRITIONAL NEEDS
FOOD TEXTURE
FOOD TYPES
#Breast milk or/and child’s usual formula
Stage
AGE
~ 4+ months
FEEDING FOCUS
First Tastes
Development
LOOK FOR...
  • Oral exploration
  • Moves hands to mouth
  • Supported sitter – can hold head up without neck dropping forward
~ MILESTONE
Good head and neck control
Nutrition
NUTRITIONAL NEEDS
Iron
FOOD TEXTURE
From 4-12 months, breast milk or/and child’s usual formula should remain the primary source of nutrition.
Smooth Puree
FOOD TYPES
Simple flavours
  • Grains iron-fortified cereals
  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
Stage
AGE
~ 6+ months
FEEDING FOCUS
Starting Solids
Development
LOOK FOR...
  • Good head / neck control
  • Brings objects to mouth
  • Shows interest in food or watches others eat
  • Ability to intentionally grasp an object in palm and wrap fingers around it
~ MILESTONE
Supported sitter
Nutrition
NUTRITIONAL NEEDS
Iron
FOOD TEXTURE
From 4-12 months, breast milk or/and child’s usual formula should remain the primary source of nutrition.
Smooth Puree
FOOD TYPES
  • Grains iron-fortified cereals
  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Meats (pureed)
Stage
AGE
~ 7+ months
FEEDING FOCUS
Encourage Chewing
Development
LOOK FOR...
  • Developing hand-eye coordination
  • Practicing spoon feeding
  • Leaning to self-feed with hard munchable food
~ MILESTONE
Independent sitter
Nutrition
NUTRITIONAL NEEDS
Iron
FOOD TEXTURE
From 4-12 months, breast milk or/and child’s usual formula should remain the primary source of nutrition.
  • Smooth Mash
  • Hard Munchable
FOOD TYPES
  • Meat (finely minced)
  • Seafood
  • Nut butters
  • Dairy products (yoghurt/soft cheese) excluding cow’s milk
Stage
AGE
~ 9+ months
FEEDING FOCUS
Encourage Self-Feeding
Development
LOOK FOR...
  • Self-Feeding finger food
  • Ability to bite and chew harder foods
  • Ability to grasp an object between pads of thumb and index finger
~ MILESTONE
Crawler
Nutrition
NUTRITIONAL NEEDS
Iron
FOOD TEXTURE
From 4-12 months, breast milk or/and child’s usual formula should remain the primary source of nutrition.
  • Mashed
  • Finger Foods
FOOD TYPES
Bite-sized food pieces
  • Shredded Meat
  • Scrambled Eggs
  • Toast
  • Pasta
Stage
AGE
~ 12+ months
FEEDING FOCUS
Independent Eating
Development
LOOK FOR...
  • Well developed chewing movement and control
  • Readiness to learn to eat with a fork
~ MILESTONE
Stands without support
Nutrition
NUTRITIONAL NEEDS
Fibre • Calcium • Vitamin D
FOOD TEXTURE
  • Pieces of Food
  • Mixed Textures
FOOD TYPES
Modified Family Foods
Stage
AGE
~ 2+ years
FEEDING FOCUS
Nutrition Essentials
Development
LOOK FOR...
  • Social exploration
  • Sharing
  • Improved self-feeding skills
~ MILESTONE
Walker
Nutrition
NUTRITIONAL NEEDS
Balanced Nutrition
FOOD TEXTURE
All Textures
FOOD TYPES
Family food (minimal to no modification)

Development milestones can vary for each child. Seek immediate medical advice if your child shows any signs of allergy reaction. Avoid honey, raw or runny eggs, mayonnaise and cow’s milk until 12 months of age, as recommended by raisingchildren.net.au

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Effortless Baby Food Preparation

The progression of solid food textures is important for your child’s feeding development.
In line with Australia NHMRC 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.

How do I prepare my child's food based on stages

6+ MONTHS

Smooth Puree texture

7+ MONTHS

Hard Munchable texture

9+ MONTHS

Mashed and chopped texture

12+ MONTHS

Mixed Textures from family meals

How to serve
Banana to Babies

6+ MONTHS

(mashed)

9+ MONTHS

(bite-sized)

12+ MONTHS

(pieces)

How to serve
Chicken to Babies

6+ MONTHS

(blended)

9+ MONTHS

(shredded)

12+ MONTHS

(chopped)

How to serve
Pasta to Babies

6+ MONTHS

(Large soft cooked pasta)

9+ MONTHS

(Chopped pasta shapes/spaghetti)

12+ MONTHS

(Pasta with vegetables)

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.

* Consider the disclaimer of 'This information is not tailored to individual circumstances and is general in nature. Developmental milestones can vary for each child. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional health or medical advice.'

With Bellamy’s Organic you get:

NO Artificial
Preservatives
NO Artificial
Flavours
NO GMO
Ingredients
NO Artificial
Colours
NO Synthetic
Pesticides
Shape
Discover the range of Bellamy's Organic products available for each stage
AGE
~ 4+ months
FEEDING FOCUS
First Tastes
~ MILESTONE
Head control
Main Meals
  • Rice Cereal (Iron Enriched)
Food Pouches
  • Fruits
  • Oatmeal
  • Porridge
Snacks
  • Freeze Drired Fruits
Meals
  • Pasta
AGE
~ 6+ months
FEEDING FOCUS
Starting Solids
~ MILESTONE
Supported sitter
Main Meals
  • Rice Cereal
Food Pouches
  • Fruits
  • Oatmeal
  • Porridge
Snacks
  • Freeze Drired Fruits
Meals
  • Pasta
AGE
~ 7+ months
FEEDING FOCUS
Encourage Chewing
~ MILESTONE
Independent sitter
Main Meals
  • Rice Cereal
Food Pouches
  • Fruits
  • Oatmeal
  • Porridge
Snacks
  • Freeze Drired Fruits
Meals
  • Pasta
AGE
~ 9+ months
FEEDING FOCUS
Encourage Self-Feeding
~ MILESTONE
Crawler
Main Meals
  • Rice Cereal
Food Pouches
  • Fruits
  • Oatmeal
  • Porridge
Snacks
  • Freeze Drired Fruits
Meals
  • Pasta
AGE
~ 12+ months
FEEDING FOCUS
Diverse Nutrients
~ MILESTONE
Stands without support
Main Meals
  • Rice Cereal
Food Pouches
  • Fruits
  • Oatmeal
  • Porridge
Snacks
  • Freeze Drired Fruits
Meals
  • Pasta

From 0 - 12 months, breast milk or/and child's usual formula should remain the primary source of nutrition.

Starting Solids FAQs

Bellamy’s Organic recommends starting solids from 6 months. Before this, breastmilk or formula provides all the necessary nutrients, but by this stage, iron stores begin to decline, making solid foods an essential addition to the diet.

Babies are typically ready for solids around 6 months, but some may show signs between 4 and 6 months. Watch for readiness signals, as every baby develops at their own pace.

Important: Solids should never be introduced before 4 months, as a baby’s digestive system isn’t ready.

Learn more: Transitioning Babies to Solids – Bellamy's Organic

Not sure if your baby is ready? Look for these cues:

  • Has good head and neck control
  • Can sit upright with minimal support
  • Watches you eat and shows interest in food, reaching for it
  • Can bring objects and food to their mouth
  • Chews on fists
  • Opens mouth for food and has a fading tongue-thrust reflex (doesn’t push food out automatically)

If your baby shows these signs, it’s time to start!

Learn more: Transitioning Babies to Solids – Bellamy's Organic

Start Small – Begin with 1–2 teaspoons of smooth, single-ingredient purees or soft foods.
Tip: Let your baby hold a spoon while you feed them—it helps them feel in control while ensuring they get enough food.
Gradually Increase Solids – Start with once a day and slowly increase to 1/2 cup as your baby becomes more comfortable.
Keep Breastfeeds or Formula as the Main Source of Nutrition – Solid foods complement milk feeds but do not replace them in the first year.

Learn more: Transitioning Babies to Solids – Bellamy's Organic

Learn more here: What Solids Are Best to Introduce First? – Bellamy's Organic

Learn more here: Organic Baby Food – Bellamy's Organic

Current guidelines suggest that introducing common allergens before 12 months may help build tolerance and reduce the likelihood of food allergies. While every baby is different, offering these foods early in an age-appropriate way can be beneficial. Some key allergens to consider include:

  • Egg – Ensure it’s well-cooked, such as scrambled or mashed
  • Peanuts & Tree Nuts – Offer smooth nut butters, avoiding whole nuts
  • Cow’s Milk (Dairy) – Can be included in foods but should not replace breastmilk or formula
  • Soy – Found in tofu and soy-based baby foods
  • Wheat – Introduce through soft bread, pasta or wheat-based infant cereals
  • Fish & Shellfish – Serve well-cooked and mashed for easy consumption
  • Sesame – Try tahini or sesame pastes in small amounts

When introducing allergens, start with a tiny portion of one new food at a time and observe for any reactions, such as rashes, vomiting, or swelling. If your baby has severe eczema or a family history of allergies, consult a healthcare professional for personalised advice.

Once allergens are introduced, continuing to offer them regularly as part of a balanced diet is recommended.

Bellamy’s Organic Baby Pasta offers a gentle and convenient way to introduce wheat, making it easier to tick off one potential allergen while supporting your baby’s exploration of new foods.

Learn more here: Transitioning Babies to Solids – Bellamy's Organic

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This document is general in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not intended as a comprehensive set of guidelines. This Nutrition System has been prepared in consultation with a qualified dietitian. However, it is not tailored to individual circumstances and no material found in this document is intended to be a substitute for professional media or health advice. If you are ever unsure about your child’s development or concerned about your child’s health and wellbeing, seek medical advice immediately. Bellamy’s Organic does not warrant and accepts no responsibility for the completeness of this document.