Baby is ready for solid food around 6 months. Talk to your doctor about when to start. Look for these signs that your baby is ready:

• Weight gain has slowed compared to previous weeks
• They do not sleep through the night
• They are not satisfied with only breast milk and formula
• They are able to hold their head up and chewing movements have begun

Heinz offers a variety of infant cereals that are specially formulated for your baby's immature digestive system and fortified with iron and other minerals essential for healthy growth and development. Once your baby has grown accustomed to eating single-grain cereals, they will be ready to try beginner vegetables and fruit.

Physical & Social Development Signs

• Raises his body off the ground in a little baby push-up
• Recognizes familiar faces, enjoys attention
• Looks for source of noises
• Chewing movements begin
• Tongue moves back and forth
• Able to hold head up to take solids

Feeding Tips

• Babies need a supplemental source of iron starting around 4 to 6 months, as their iron stores are beginning to deplete
• Good solids for this stage include rice cereal, single (unmixed) vegetables and fruit
• Rice cereal is recommended as the very first step, as it is least likely to provoke an allergy
• Start with ½ to 1 teaspoon of cereal mixed with breast milk or formula once or twice a day. Gradually increase to 3 teaspoons or until your baby is full
• Start with a thin, slurry mixture and gradually thicken as your baby gets older
• Solids should be fed mixed with breast milk or formula in a spoon, not in the bottle
• Do not add sugar to baby cereals
• Introduce vegetables 2-3 weeks after you start giving him cereal, then fruit 2-3 weeks after that
• Your baby may react negatively to a new food, but will probably accept it later
• Introduce one food at a time, and wait 3-5 days between introducing new foods. This will let you see if baby is allergic to any new foods
• Let your baby's appetite be your guide. If she closes her mouth, scowls, turn her head or cries, she is indicating that she has had enough to eat

• Menu Planner
• Common Eating Problems
• Nutrient List