Food for baby from 6 months
TL;DR
From around 6 months, the baby can start solid food alongside milk when they can sit supported and show interest. Start with soft vegetables, fruit, and porridge — without salt — and let the baby explore at their own pace.
The first spoonfuls or the first pieces of food are a big milestone. Around 6 months, most babies are ready to supplement milk with solid food — but how do you start safely?
Here you get when the baby is ready, the best first foods, what to avoid, and how to make the first food a good experience.
When is the baby ready?
Most babies are ready around 6 months when they can sit supported, have good head control, and show interest in food. Milk is still the main meal at first.
Feel free to wait until all signs are there and start at the child’s own pace. Follow the current advice from the Danish Health Authority, and ask the health visitor if you are unsure.
The first foods
Start soft and simple:
- Vegetables: soft carrot, potato, broccoli, peas.
- Fruit: banana, avocado, soft pear, and apple.
- Porridge: e.g., porridge made from oats or whole grains without salt.
- One thing at a time: introduce new foods calmly so you can keep track.
Consistency and shape
The food can be pureed or soft pieces — both work, and many combine them. If you choose pieces, they should be soft enough to be mashed between two fingers and shaped so the baby can grasp them. Read more about the BLW method if the baby wants to eat with their hands.
Safety and what to avoid
The baby should always sit upright and never eat alone. Do not add salt, and avoid whole nuts, hard pieces, and whole grapes that can get stuck. Honey should not be given to children under 1 year. If in doubt, see sundhed.dk.
Make the meal calm
The first meals are about tasting and exploring, not about eating until full. Take your time, accept the mess, and let the baby set the pace. Later, a learning tower can give the child a fixed place at the table when they outgrow the high chair.
From around 6 months, the baby can start solid food alongside milk. Start with soft vegetables, fruit, and porridge without salt, keep it safe with supervision and an upright sitting position, and let the baby taste at their own pace. Always follow current health guidelines.
Find more advice about baby and food on our blog.
Frequently asked questions
When can the baby start solid food?
Most babies are ready around 6 months when they can sit supported, have good head control, and show interest in food. Milk is still the main meal at first.
What are the best first foods for the baby?
Soft vegetables like carrot and broccoli, soft fruit like banana and avocado, and porridge without salt are good to start with.
Should the food be pureed or in pieces?
Both work, and many combine. If you choose pieces, they should be soft enough to be mashed between two fingers.
What should the baby not have?
Avoid salt, whole nuts, hard pieces, and whole grapes. Honey should not be given to children under 1 year.
Should the baby eat until full from the start?
No. The first meals are about tasting and exploring. Milk covers the needs, and the baby sets the pace.