Hey mummies, when my children first started solids, I remember feeling so excited and then very quickly very overwhelmed.
There was just so much information everywhere.
A mum friend said to start with purées – it was easy and straight to the point.
Another said baby-led weaning was better, especially if you don’t want to raise picky eaters.
Some people said to give fruits first, and others said vegetables.
Then there were the lists of what to avoid, what to introduce early, how much they should eat, how many times a day, what texture, what spoon, what chair, what cup…
I remember thinking, “Wait, I thought this was just about feeding the baby?”
But like many things in motherhood, introducing solids is one of those stages that feels simple until you are actually doing it.
You prepare the food. You sit your baby down. You offer the first spoon.
And then your baby either spits it out, pushes it away, makes a confused face, or somehow gets half of it on the floor instead of in their mouth.
And suddenly, you’re there just dreading the entire journey.
From one mum to another, here are three things that helped me feel a little calmer when my children started solids.
1. I Stopped Expecting Them to “Eat Properly” at First
This was probably the biggest mindset shift for me.
In my head, starting solids meant my baby would actually eat. Like, open mouth, swallow food, finish a small bowl, and look satisfied after.
But in reality, the early days looked more like licking the spoon, making faces, pushing food out with the tongue, and acting personally offended by mashed vegetables.
At first, I worried, then I realised that babies are not just eating at this stage. They are learning what food even is.
The taste, texture and entire experience are new. Even the feeling of food moving around their mouth is new.
So instead of stressing over how much went in, I started looking at it as practice.
A few tiny tastes? Still progress.
Food touched their lips? Still progress.
Baby played with the food and made a mess? Also progress, even if my floor was sticky for days after.
Once I stopped treating every meal like a test, things felt much lighter.
2. I Learned to Watch My Baby, Not Just the “Rules”
Of course, guidelines are helpful. We need to know what is safe, what to avoid, and when babies are generally ready.
But I also learned that every baby has their own pace.
Some babies get excited about food very quickly. Some need more time.
Some love being spoon-fed. Some want to grab everything themselves.
Some take one bite and look at you like you have ruined their day.
What helped me was watching my baby’s cues:
- Were they leaning forward?
- Were they opening their mouths?
- Are they showing interest and reaching for food?
Or were they turning away, getting upset, or keeping their mouth firmly shut like a tiny security gate? That made it easier to know when to continue and when to stop.
3. I Made Peace with the Mess
This one took time, because no matter how prepared you think you are, solids are messy.
Food will get on the bib… and on the tray. Of course, also on the floor and in their hair. Sometimes in places you only discover much later, and that’s okay.
Babies learn through touching, squishing, smelling, licking, and exploring. It may look like they are just playing with food, but they are actually getting used to it.
So instead of trying to keep everything too perfect, I made things easier for myself.
I used a bigger bib. I kept wipes nearby.
I offered small portions. I accepted that some meals would end with more food outside the body than inside it.
My best days feeding my kids only started when I stopped expecting clean, picture-perfect mealtimes.
Instead, I took the opportunity to enjoy the funny faces, the little reactions, and the tiny moments of discovery.
Starting Solids Doesn’t Have to Feel So Scary
To mummies out there, if you are about to start solids or you are already in the middle of it and wondering why your baby seems more interested in chewing the spoon than eating the food, you are probably right.
It can feel confusing at first, but try not to put too much pressure on yourself or your baby.
Start small. Follow your baby’s cues. Expect a mess. Keep things safe, simple, and calm.
Some days, your baby may eat well. Other days, they may reject everything except the spoon. And that is okay.
All the best, mummies!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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