How do I know if my baby is ready to start eating solid foods?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not starting solid foods until at least six months of age. With that said, some babies are ready a little bit earlier than others. There are a couple of readiness cues you can look for. You want them all to be present, not just one. First, your baby needs to show interest in family meals by watching you put things in your mouth, put things on your plate, and do things at the dinner table. They also need good head and neck control and the ability to sit on their own unsupported so they don't choke. Additionally, they should be starting to develop what's called the pincer grasp, where they can actually start using their fingers to grab smaller bits of food. Finally, you should look for the elimination of a reflex called the tongue-thrust reflex, which causes babies to thrust their tongue and push things out of their mouth.