Starting Solids
When to start solid foods with your baby
Read up:
https://solidstarts.com/readiness/
https://kellymom.com/nutrition/starting-solids/solids-when/
https://feedinglittles.com/
TL;DR
Baby can sit up without support/with minimal support
Baby can hold control their neck to hold their head upright for 15-20 minutes
Baby grasps objects while seated and can bring objects (or food!) to their mouth
Baby is interested in food/mealtime! I.e. might try to steal some food from your plate :)
Gear Recommendations
As always, I recommend trying to find these items secondhand, through friends, BST (buy sell trade) groups, your local Buy Nothing group, Craigslist, Facebook marketplace, etc. If you prefer to buy new, I’ve included links below; as an Amazon Affiliate I will earn a commission if you buy using my link (thank you!)
High chairs
The Stokke Tripp Trapp is the gold standard, and for good reason: it’s well made, adjustable, has the right ergonomic support for kids’ eating, and it lasts!
For travel, I like the Inglesina “lobster claw” style chair, which attaches to any (sturdy) table, and can be tossed in the washing machine
Plates and utensils
GOOtensils are great for foods like hummus, mushed veggies (avocado, sweet potato), yogurt, etc.
Flatware that feels like real silverware: I like to introduce this early, so that kids can feel like they’re eating in the same way as their grownups. If I find myself at IKEA I pick up these ones (I like to give them as a gift!), and these ones from H&M are also cute. Amazon options that looks good:
Plates that stick to the table
Mesh feeder
Cooking and cleaning
Steamer basket
Bench scraper: my secret weapon for gathering crumbs and scraps, or scraping off sticky/stuck on foods from the table or counter
Bibs
A dog
