5 Month Baby Food Chart: First Foods and Feeding Schedule

At 5 months, most babies are not yet ready for solid foods, breast milk or formula still meets all of their nutritional needs. This page explains how to judge readiness and how to prepare, so you're ready to start confidently at the right time.

Should a 5 month old eat solids?

Leading pediatric guidance points to around 6 months as the time to introduce solids. At 5 months, a baby's digestive system and oral motor skills are often still developing. If your baby was born prematurely or has specific needs, your pediatrician may give you a different timeline.

5 month readiness checklist

Use this as a guide to what to look for over the coming weeks.

Signs of solid-food readiness to watch for around 5 to 6 months.

Readiness sign	What it looks like
Head control	Holds head steady and upright
Sitting	Sits with little or no support
Interest	Watches and reaches for your food
Tongue-thrust reflex	No longer automatically pushes food out

Preparing for first foods

This is a great time to get set up: a sturdy high chair, soft-tipped spoons, and a plan for which first foods to try. Smooth purees like avocado and banana are gentle starters once your baby is ready.

When your baby hits the readiness milestones, move on to a full feeding plan for the next stage.