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Baby in a high chair exploring colorful fruit pieces with excitement.

How do you know when to start solid foods?

How do you know when to feed your baby table food?

How do you know when to wean her from the breast or bottle?

Babies learn to eat step by step.

Many babies are ready to start eating mushy foods from the spoon at age 5 to 6 months and are ready for soft, easy-to-eat family food by age 8 to 10 months.

Others aren’t ready to start solids until months later and only start eating family food when they are 12 to 18 months old.

Move at your baby’s rate. Don’t get stuck on any one step. Remember that faster isn’t better, slower isn’t worse.

Baby eagerly opening mouth for a spoonful of food.

WHEN YOUR CHILD...

  • Cuddles
  • Roots for the nipple
  • Sucks
Mother breastfeeding her newborn, cradling gently in soft light.

SHE IS READY FOR...

  • Nipple-feeding from the breast or bottle
Woman smiling at a baby drinking from a bottle.

WHEN YOUR CHILD...

  • Sits up—alone or with support
  • Opens her mouth for the spoon
  • Closes her lips over the spoon
  • Keeps most of the food in her mouth
  • Swallows
Baby in high chair being fed with a spoon, wearing a green striped shirt.

SHE IS READY FOR...

  • Nipple-feeding from the breast or bottle
  • Step 1 food: Mushy food that you feed from the spoon

WHEN YOUR CHILD...

  • Picks up food but can’t let go
  • Keeps food in her mouth instead of swallowing right away
  • Moves the food to her jaws
  • Munches the food
Woman feeding baby in highchair with a spoon.

SHE IS READY FOR...

  • Breastmilk or formula from the nipple or cup
  • Step 2 food: Thicker, lumpier food that you feed from the spoon

WHEN YOUR CHILD...

  • Closes her lips around the rim of the cup
  • Picks up food, puts it in her mouth
  • Bites off food
  • Chews
  • Gags some but doesn’t choke (if she’s gagging, she can breathe)
Toddler eating food with hands beside a plate of potato chunks.

SHE IS READY FOR...

  • Breastmilk, formula, or juice that you give her from the cup
  • Step 3 food: Small pieces of soft finger food and foods she bites or gums off

WHEN YOUR CHILD...

  • Uses her fingers to pick up food
  • Can chew and swallow
  • Takes an interest in the family meal

SHE IS READY FOR...

  • Whole pasteurized milk from the cup
  • Step 4 food: Easy-to-chew and easy-to-swallow table food
Child drinking a glass of milk at a wooden table, focusing intently.

© Ellyn Satter

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
A green circle encloses a stylized shoe and footprint design, symbolizing forward movement and progress.

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position