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First Foods

First Foods for Babies: Complete A-Z Guide by Food and Age

When can babies eat avocado, banana, eggs, or peanut butter? Our complete first foods library covers 25+ foods with when to introduce, how to prepare, and allergy information.

28 free guidesUpdated 2026AAP & CDC reviewed
Sweet potato or peaBest first vegetable
Pureed chicken or lentilsBest first protein
Around 6 monthsEggs safe to introduce
Around 4–6 monthsPeanut products safe from

About This Section

Introducing solid foods is exciting, but it raises a lot of questions. Is this food safe? How should I prepare it? What age can my baby start? Our complete first foods library covers every major food group, fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy, with evidence-based guidance on when to introduce each food, how to prepare it, portion sizes, allergy risks, and nutritional benefits.

Why Food Introduction Order Matters

While there is no strict order required for introducing foods, prioritizing iron-rich foods early (around 6 months) is important because a baby's iron stores begin to decline around this time. Introducing a wide variety of flavors and textures early also helps prevent picky eating later.

The 3–5 Day Rule

When introducing a new food, wait 3–5 days before introducing another new food. This allows you to identify any allergic reactions or sensitivities. The timeline can be relaxed for non-allergenic foods as your baby becomes an experienced eater.

Textures Matter as Much as Foods

The right texture for each age is as important as the food itself. A 6-month-old needs smooth purees, while a 10-month-old benefits from soft lumps and finger foods. Offering age-appropriate textures builds chewing skills and reduces choking risk.

Pro Tips

  • Offer vegetables before fruit, babies develop sweetness preferences quickly.
  • Add breast milk or formula to purees to create familiar flavors.
  • Batch cook and freeze purees in ice cube trays to save time.
  • Let babies explore food with their hands, messy eating builds positive food relationships.
  • Don't hide vegetables in sweets, it teaches babies to expect sweetness with every bite.

Featured Guides

Our most popular guides in this section.

Ripe avocado halves with a spoon scooping soft green fleshFeatured
Avocado for Babies: When to Introduce and How to ServeAvocado is one of the best first foods for babies. Learn when to start (6 months), how to prepare it safely, portion sizes, and why its healthy fats support brain development.Read guide →
Fresh blueberries with some halved on a cutting board beside a bowl of blueberry puree
Blueberries for Babies: Antioxidant-Rich First Finger FoodBlueberries are a nutrient powerhouse for babies from 6 months when prepared safely. Learn how to serve blueberries as puree and safe finger food pieces by age.Read guide →
Roasted butternut squash mashed in a bowl
Butternut Squash for Babies: Sweet, Smooth and NutritiousButternut squash is a favorite first food for good reason. Learn how to roast and puree butternut squash for babies from 6 months, with nutrition facts and easy meal ideas.Read guide →

Browse by Age Group

Find guides specific to your baby's current developmental stage.

6 Months

Smooth single-ingredient purees. Iron-rich foods first.

7–8 Months

Thicker textures, combination purees, soft mashed foods.

9–10 Months

Soft chopped finger foods, family flavor combinations.

11–12 Months

Modified family foods, pincer grasp pieces, cup introduction.

All First Foods Guides

28 free guides, reviewed against AAP and CDC guidelines, updated 2026.

Fruits

Soft-cooked apple wedges and a bowl of smooth apple puree on a wooden board
FruitsApple for Babies: Safe Preparations from Puree to Finger FoodApples can be introduced from 6 months when properly prepared. See how to steam, puree, and eventually offer raw apple safely, with portion sizes and serving ideas by age.Read guide →
Ripe avocado halves with a spoon scooping soft green flesh
FruitsAvocado for Babies: When to Introduce and How to ServeAvocado is one of the best first foods for babies. Learn when to start (6 months), how to prepare it safely, portion sizes, and why its healthy fats support brain development.Read guide →
A ripe banana being mashed in a small bowl
FruitsBanana for Babies: Benefits, When to Start and How to ServeBananas are a perfect first food for babies from 6 months. See how to mash, slice, and serve banana safely, plus portion sizes, nutrition facts, and recipe ideas.Read guide →
Fresh blueberries with some halved on a cutting board beside a bowl of blueberry puree
FruitsBlueberries for Babies: Antioxidant-Rich First Finger FoodBlueberries are a nutrient powerhouse for babies from 6 months when prepared safely. Learn how to serve blueberries as puree and safe finger food pieces by age.Read guide →
Cubed ripe mango and a bowl of golden mango puree on a wooden board
FruitsMango for Babies: Sweet, Soft and Packed with Vitamin CMango is a wonderful first fruit for babies from 6 months. Learn how to prepare fresh or frozen mango, safe portion sizes, and how its vitamin C boosts iron absorption.Read guide →
Ripe peach halves and a bowl of soft peach puree on a light wooden surface
FruitsPeaches for Babies: Soft, Sweet and Easy to DigestPeaches make a wonderful first fruit for babies from 6 months. Get preparation tips, portion sizes, nutrition facts, and recipe ideas to help your baby love this juicy fruit.Read guide →
Ripe pear halves and a small bowl of smooth pear puree on a light surface
FruitsPear for Babies: Gentle First Fruit with Natural FiberPear is one of the gentlest first fruits for babies, perfect from 6 months. Learn how to prepare pear puree, its fiber benefits for digestion, and how to serve as baby grows.Read guide →
Soft dried prunes beside a small bowl of smooth dark prune puree
FruitsPrunes for Babies: Natural Relief for Baby ConstipationPrunes are one of the best natural remedies for baby constipation. Learn when to introduce prune puree (4-6 months), how much to offer, and when to see a doctor.Read guide →

Vegetables

Steamed broccoli florets on a baby plate
VegetablesBroccoli for Babies: Early Introduction Builds Veggie LoveIntroducing broccoli early (6 months) helps babies accept its strong flavor. Learn how to steam, puree, and serve broccoli safely with its impressive iron and vitamin C content.Read guide →
Roasted butternut squash mashed in a bowl
VegetablesButternut Squash for Babies: Sweet, Smooth and NutritiousButternut squash is a favorite first food for good reason. Learn how to roast and puree butternut squash for babies from 6 months, with nutrition facts and easy meal ideas.Read guide →
Soft steamed carrot sticks and carrot puree in a bowl
VegetablesCarrots for Babies: Beta-Carotene Rich First Food GuideCarrots are a nutritious and baby-friendly first food from 6 months. Learn how to steam and puree carrots safely, the right portion sizes, and fun ways to serve them as baby grows.Read guide →
Soft steamed green beans cut for a baby
VegetablesGreen Beans for Babies: A Classic First Vegetable GuideGreen beans are a classic first vegetable for babies from 6 months. Learn how to prepare them as smooth puree or soft finger food pieces with portion sizes for every age.Read guide →
Bright green pea puree in a small bowl beside cooked peas
VegetablesPeas for Babies: Iron-Rich First Vegetable GuidePeas are one of the most iron-rich vegetables for babies, perfect from 6 months. Get preparation tips, how to strain properly, and why peas are great for growing babies.Read guide →
Cooked spinach blended into a smooth green puree
VegetablesSpinach for Babies: Iron-Rich Leafy Green from 6 MonthsSpinach is one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can offer your baby. Learn how to safely puree spinach, pair it with vitamin C to boost iron absorption, and recipe ideas.Read guide →
Steamed sweet potato mashed in a bowl beside soft cooked sticks
VegetablesSweet Potato for Babies: A Nutrient-Rich First Food GuideSweet potato is one of the most popular and nutritious first foods for babies. Learn how to steam, puree, and serve sweet potato safely from 4-6 months onward.Read guide →
Soft steamed zucchini sticks on a baby plate
VegetablesZucchini for Babies: Mild and Easy to Digest First VegetableZucchini is a mild, easy-to-digest first vegetable for babies from 6 months. Get simple steaming and pureeing instructions, plus fun finger food ideas for older babies.Read guide →

Grains

A small bowl of smooth baby oatmeal beside a spoon
GrainsBaby Oatmeal: Best First Cereal for Iron and Gentle DigestionIron-fortified baby oatmeal is a top first food recommended by pediatricians. Learn how to prepare oatmeal for babies at every age, from thin porridge to overnight oats.Read guide →
A bowl of smooth, prepared baby rice cereal with a feeding spoon
GrainsBaby Rice Cereal: What Parents Should KnowA clear look at baby rice cereal, why iron-fortified versions matter from around 6 months, how to serve it safely, and easy ways to add variety.Read guide →
A small bowl of soft, cooked barley cereal with a feeding spoon
GrainsBarley for Babies: A Wholesome Whole GrainWhen and how to introduce barley to your baby, why it contains gluten and should be offered one allergen at a time, plus fiber benefits and serving ideas.Read guide →
Cooked, softened quinoa in a small baby bowl with a spoon
GrainsQuinoa for Babies: A Protein-Packed GrainHow and when to introduce quinoa to your baby, why its protein and iron make it a nourishing grain, plus safe preparation and serving ideas.Read guide →

Proteins

Shredded cooked chicken on a baby's plate beside soft vegetables
ProteinsChicken for Babies: Best Iron Source and How to Prepare ItChicken is packed with iron and protein for growing babies. See when to introduce (6 months), how to puree or shred safely, and easy chicken recipe ideas for every age.Read guide →
Soft scrambled egg pieces on a baby's high-chair tray
ProteinsEggs for Babies: When to Introduce This Protein PowerhouseEggs are one of the best first foods and an early allergen to introduce. Learn when babies can eat eggs (6 months), how to prepare them, and what to watch for with egg allergy.Read guide →
A bowl of soft cooked red lentils mashed for a baby
ProteinsLentils for Babies: Plant-Based Protein and Iron PowerhouseLentils are one of the best plant-based protein and iron sources for babies. Learn how to cook and puree lentils from 6 months and why they belong in every baby's diet.Read guide →
Smooth peanut butter thinned with water in a small bowl for a baby
ProteinsPeanut Butter for Babies: Early Introduction to Prevent AllergyCurrent AAP guidance recommends introducing peanut butter early. Find out when and how to safely introduce peanut butter to your baby and how it may reduce allergy risk.Read guide →
Flaked cooked salmon on a baby's plate beside soft vegetables
ProteinsSalmon for Babies: Brain-Boosting Omega-3 First Food GuideSalmon is one of the best sources of DHA omega-3 for baby brain development. Learn when to introduce (6-7 months), how to prepare it safely, and easy salmon puree recipes.Read guide →
Soft cubes of tofu on a baby's high-chair tray
ProteinsTofu for Babies: Easy Plant-Based Protein from 6 MonthsSilken or soft tofu is an excellent plant-based first food for babies. Learn how to introduce tofu safely from 6 months, preparation methods, and its impressive nutritional profile.Read guide →

Dairy

Soft grated mild cheese on a baby's high-chair tray
DairyCheese for Babies: Calcium-Rich Finger Food from 6 MonthsSoft cheese is a wonderful calcium and protein source for babies from 6-8 months. Learn which cheeses are safe, which to avoid, portion sizes, and fun ways to serve cheese.Read guide →
A small bowl of plain whole-milk yogurt for a baby
DairyYogurt for Babies: Probiotic-Rich Food Safe from 6 MonthsPlain whole-milk yogurt is a baby superfood rich in calcium, protein, and probiotics. Learn when to introduce (6 months), which yogurts to choose, and what to avoid.Read guide →

Expert Guidelines We Follow

All content in this section is reviewed against these authoritative sources.

Early Allergen Introduction

Recent research (the LEAP study) shows early introduction of peanuts and other allergens (around 4–6 months) significantly reduces the risk of developing allergies. Current AAP guidance supports introducing peanuts early for most babies.

Foods to Avoid Under 12 Months

Honey (risk of infant botulism), whole cow's milk as a main drink, added salt and sugar, hard raw vegetables, whole grapes and nuts, and large pieces of firm food.

Iron-Rich Foods Are Priority

The WHO and AAP both recommend iron-rich foods as priority first foods because iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in infants worldwide.

AAP and CDC Guidelines

All content reviewed against American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC infant-feeding recommendations.

Updated 2026

We review and update guides whenever infant feeding recommendations change so you always get current advice.

Always Free

Every guide in this section is completely free. No paywalls, no sign-ups, no subscriptions required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions about first foods.

What are the best first foods for a 6-month-old?
Iron-rich foods are the top priority. Great first foods include pureed chicken or beef, iron-fortified baby oatmeal, mashed lentils, pureed sweet potato, pea puree, and mashed avocado. Start with single-ingredient foods and gradually mix flavors.
How do I prepare vegetables for a baby?
For babies 6–7 months, steam vegetables until very soft and blend to a smooth puree. For 8–9 months, mash with lumps remaining. For 10+ months, offer soft-cooked pieces they can pick up. Test texture by pressing a piece between your fingers, it should squish easily.
Can babies eat eggs?
Yes, eggs can be introduced around 6 months as one of your baby's first foods. Scrambled eggs (soft and moist), mashed hard-boiled egg, or egg yolk mixed into a puree are all suitable preparations.
When can babies eat strawberries?
Strawberries can be introduced around 6 months. Despite a common myth, strawberries are not a top-9 allergen. Mash or puree them for younger babies; offer soft quartered pieces to older babies.

Free Calculators and Tools

Interactive tools that complement the guides in this section.

Allergen Introduction Tracker

Track the Top 9 allergens safely

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Solid Food Readiness Checker

Is your baby ready to start solids?

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Baby Feeding Calculator

How much breast milk or formula per day

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Everything You Need for the First Year

Browse all 28 free guides in First Foods, or explore our complete library of baby feeding resources reviewed against AAP and CDC guidelines.

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