The Ultimate First Foods Timeline: When And How to Introduce Baby Purees

Baby holding and drinking from a green Palmetto Pouch while sitting in a high chair.

Babies together with their parents face a significant developmental stage when adding solids to their diet. But let’s be real—figuring out when and how to start can feel confusing. What should you feed first? How much is enough? And what in the world is stage 1 baby food? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.

This guide provides information about baby food stages from 4 to 18 months. The guide will explain proper food preparation for your baby. You will also learn how to transition from baby puree to more complex foods. Read on to learn more.

When Is My Baby Ready for Solids?

Babies can start solids during their 4 to 6-month stage. But every baby is different. Instead of just counting the weeks, look for these signs:

  • Baby can sit up with little or no help.
  • Baby holds their head steady.
  • Baby shows interest in food (like watching you eat).
  • Baby opens their mouth when food comes near.
  • Baby has lost the tongue-thrust reflex (they don’t push food out with their tongue).

If your baby is showing these signs, you might be ready to explore the world of baby puree recipes!

Stage 1 Baby Food (4–6 Months)

This is the beginning stage, also called "first tastes." At this point, food is more about practice than nutrition. Breast milk or formula is still your baby’s main source of nutrients.

What to Feed:

  • Single-ingredient baby puree (like sweet potato, avocado, apple, or pear)

  • Very smooth textures with no lumps
  • One new food every 3–5 days to watch for allergies

How Much Should a 4-Month-Old Eat?

  • Start with 1 to 2 teaspoons once a day.
  • Gradually work up to 1 to 2 tablespoons.
  • Continue giving 24–32 ounces of formula or breast milk daily.

Tips:

  • Start slow and follow your baby's lead.
  • Use a soft-tipped spoon or let your baby try tiny tastes off your finger.

Need some beginner ideas? Stage 1 Baby Food: 8 Simple Baby Puree Recipes To Start Your Baby’s Journey

Stage 2 Baby Food (6–8 Months)

It's time for your baby to progress to versions of foods with increased variety and thicker consistency. You can combine ingredients to serve food items that contain additional nutrients.

What to Feed:

  • Thicker purees

  • Simple food blends (like banana + blueberry, or carrot + lentil)
  • Iron-rich options like pureed meats, egg yolks, and fortified cereals
  • Nut butters thinned with water or milk (watch for allergies)

How Often:

Tips:

  • Keep introducing new tastes and textures.
  • Reuse favorites with slight changes (like adding cinnamon to apples).

Want more ideas? Grab our Tiny Tastes Masterclass, filled with step-by-step guidance and easy baby puree recipes.

Stage 3 Baby Food (9–11 Months)

Time to level up! The development stage requires infants to learn both chewing and independent feeding. You should provide small chewable pieces to help your child learn self-feeding while grasping food on their own.

What to Feed:

  • Fork-mashed foods (like cooked peas or soft sweet potato)

  • Soft finger foods (banana pieces, well-cooked pasta, small pieces of toast)
  • Yogurt and cottage cheese
  • Textured meals like oatmeal or lentils with veggies

How Often:

Tips:

  • Offer a spoon to practice scooping, but expect messes!
  • Encourage self-feeding with a reusable pouch like the Palmetto Pouch. It lets your baby explore textures safely and independently.

Stage 4 Baby Food (12–18 Months)

Children at the toddler stage are prepared to eat the same foods as family members but need modified versions. The child needs to develop exploration of multiple flavors and textures before learning self-feeding techniques.

What to Feed:

  • Small bites of cooked family meals

  • A mix of carbs, proteins, fruits, and veggies
  • Foods with a little seasoning (but avoid too much salt or sugar)

How Often:

  • 3 meals + 2 snacks per day

  • Formula or breast milk is now optional; offer water and whole milk (if approved by your pediatrician)

Tips:

  • It takes at least 10 attempts of exposure to new foods before children may accept them, even if their initial reactions are negative.
  • Whole grapes, along with raw carrots and nuts, pose a choking risk to babies.

Sample First Foods Timeline

Here’s a quick timeline to help guide your journey:

Age

Focus

Foods to try

4–6 Months

First tastes, single ingredients

Apples, sweet potato, avocado, banana

6–8 Months

Mixing and new textures

Lentils, yogurt, pureed meat, egg yolk

9–11 Months

Chewing, self-feeding

Mashed beans, pasta, soft veggies, cheese

12–18 Months

Family foods, balanced meals

Scrambled eggs, toast, mild stews, fruits

 

How To Support Baby’s Digestion

Starting solids means big changes for your baby’s belly. Keep things gentle and healthy with these tips:

  • Offer water with meals once solids begin.
  • Start with high-fiber foods like pears, oats, and prunes.
  • Don’t rush — if your baby seems constipated or gassy, go back to basics and keep it simple.
  • Introduce one new food at a time.
  • Keep a food log if needed to spot sensitivities.

Pro tip: Smooth baby puree blends like pear + oat can help with digestion.

Transitioning To Self-Feeding Made Easy

Children achieve self-feeding as a significant milestone in their development. Through this messy learning process children develop while advancing their growth as babies. Through the act of self-feeding children learn to coordinate eye-hand movements and they develop both self-confidence and independence. 

That’s where the Palmetto Pouch makes a big difference. It’s soft, gentle, and easy for tiny hands to hold. The product offers a gentle grip that works well for small children's hands while maintaining its soft texture. 

You prepare the puree or smoothies yourself before filling the soft container, which allows your baby to feed themselves without needing a spoon. Best of all, it grows with your child. You can use it from the stage 1 baby food phase through toddlerhood. It’s a smart, simple tool for every feeding stage.

In A Nutshell:

The beginning of solid food brings initial fear to parents, which is perfectly typical. The abundance of advice leaves you striving for every possible right decision. Your journey of feeding the baby requires dedication along with practice. The essential part involves progressing steadily while observing daily experiences.

Use this timeline as a helpful guide, but don’t worry if your baby moves at their own pace. Every baby is different. Some may love purees right away, and others might take a little longer to get used to new textures and tastes. And that’s okay!

Just keep offering healthy foods, keep trying new things, and most of all—trust your instincts. You know your baby best. And if you ever feel stuck, don’t worry! Our Tiny Tastes Masterclass is here to help. It’s full of easy-to-follow videos, simple recipes, and friendly tips that make starting solids feel easy and fun.

You've got this! Here’s to happy meals, little giggles, and full bellies!

References:

1.CDC. (2025, March 20). When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/InfantandToddlerNutrition/foods-and-drinks/when-to-introduce-solid-foods.html

2. Parents. (2024, August 15). An Age-by-Age Feeding Chart for Newborns and Babies. Retrieved from https://www.parents.com/baby/feeding/solid-foods/age-by-age-guide-to-feeding-babies/

3. UNICEF Parenting. (n.d.). Feeding your baby: 6–12 months. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/parenting/food-nutrition/feeding-your-baby-6-12-months

4. NHS Start for Life. (n.d.). What to feed over 12 months. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/weaning/what-to-feed-over-12-months/

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