Baby Food Stages: An Age-by-Age Guide To Feeding Your Baby

Introducing your baby to solid foods is an exciting milestone—it’s the start of their foodie adventure!

From navigating baby food stages to making sense of infant feeding charts, there’s a lot to learn about feeding your baby. Whether you're introducing baby first foods at 4-6 months or figuring out how much should a 5-month-old eat, we’ve broken it down by stage so you know exactly when, how, and what to feed your little one.

Stage 1 (4-6 months)

Stage 1 is where it all begins—smooth textures, simple foods, and plenty of hilariously messy photo ops.

Baby Food in Stage 1

Stage 1 baby food keeps it easy with thin, single-ingredient purées like sweet potatoes, apples, or peas. These baby first foods and silky smooth textures are gentle on digestion and easy to manage for new eaters, laying the groundwork for their future favorites.

For a personalized plan, your pediatrician can provide an infant food intake chart to guide you through this exciting first step. An infant food intake chart outlines age-appropriate foods, portions, and feeding schedules, helping ensure balanced nutrition during your baby’s road to solids.

Signs That Your Baby is Ready for Stage 1 Baby Food

When can babies start eating baby food? Every baby is different, but steady head control is a key sign they’re ready. Between 4-6 months, your baby may start sitting up, chewing, exploring, and getting curious about what’s on your plate. Check out a 4 months baby food chart for simple, stage-appropriate options to kick off their eating journey.

Stage 2 (6-9 months)

Welcome to Stage 2—the time of thicker textures, new flavors, and a growing sense of independence at mealtime (and some extra mess to prove it).

Baby Food in Stage 2

Generally, from 6-9 months, your baby is trying thicker purées and soft combos like apple and banana or carrot and avocado. This is also when soft finger foods start showing up on your baby feeding chart—think small pieces of soft fruits, well-cooked veggies, or scrambled eggs. These additions to the infant feeding chart help your baby explore textures and practice self-feeding skills.

Signs That Your Baby is Ready for Stage 2 Baby Food

Wondering when it’s time to graduate from stage 1 baby food? If your baby is handling purées with ease and showing interest in new textures, they’re likely ready for the next step. Even without teeth, confident chewing and a budding interest in picking up food (no matter how messy) are clear signs it’s time to level up.

Pro tip: This is the perfect stage to let your baby explore while you keep them comfy with the Tushbaby Hip Carrier. The supportive design helps you keep a hand free for feeding while storing the essentials in the five built-in pockets. Add The Snug attachment, and you’ve got a hands-free option when you’re serving up the good stuff to your little foodie.

Stage 3 (9-12 months)

By Stage 3, mealtime is less about survival and more about discovery (and maybe a little less cleaning up).

Baby Food in Stage 3

Here’s where the baby food menu expands even further. Stage 3 baby food introduces small, soft chunks your baby can mash with their gums, like bite-sized pasta, shredded chicken, and tender, steamed broccoli pieces. These delicious additions will make your baby’s food intake even more colorful and nutritious.

Signs That Your Baby is Ready for Stage 3 Baby Food

When can infants begin solids in stage 3? You’ll know they’re ready when they can confidently handle soft chunks, show interest in self-feeding (even if half ends up on the floor), and enjoy exploring new flavors and textures. With these milestones, it’s the perfect time to introduce more variety and complexity to their meals.

When Can Babies Start Eating Solid Food?

Most babies are ready to try baby first foods around 6 months, depending on their development. If you’re wondering when can babies eat food, look for signs like steady head control, sitting with support, and an interest in what’s on your plate. As always, check with your pediatrician to confirm they’re ready to begin this exciting new stage.

Tips For Feeding Babies

Start Slow: Begin with a spoonful or two and build from there.
Be Patient: Funny faces don’t always mean “no”—sometimes it’s just new.
Embrace the Mess: It’s inevitable, so gear up with good bibs and a solid stain remover.
Introduce Allergens Early: Introducing small amounts of allergens like peanut butter may reduce allergy risks—but check with your doctor first.
Follow Their Lead: If they turn away or push the spoon after a few tries, they’re done. No pressure!

Keep It Clean With the Pod

Mealtime often means pacifiers end up on the floor—or completely covered in gunk. Keep your baby’s paci clean and close with The Pod by Tushbaby. This compact, stylish case clips onto your Tushbaby or bag, ensuring your baby’s pacifier stays ready for those post-meal comfort moments. From their 4 months baby food chart to trying new textures in stage 3 baby food, this is a time of discovery—for both of you!

Ready to hit the weaning stage? Shop The Tushbaby Hip Carrier, The Snug, and The Pod for stylish products that make every parenting milestone easier.