Starting Solids Support
Confident, responsive guidance for one of the biggest feeding milestones
Starting solid foods is an exciting step — and one that often comes with a lot of questions, conflicting advice, and pressure to “do it right.” Whether you’re feeling unsure about when to start, how to start, or what’s “normal,” you don’t have to navigate this milestone alone.
At The Abeille Feeding Clinic, we provide evidence-based, individualized support to help families introduce solid foods safely, confidently, and in a way that supports long-term feeding success.
When to Start Solids (and When to Wait)
There is no one-size-fits-all timeline for starting solids. While many babies are around 6 months when they’re ready, readiness depends on development — not age.
We help you assess:
If your baby isn’t quite ready, that’s okay — and if they’re showing signs early, we’ll help you move forward safely.
We help you assess:
- Oral motor readiness (tongue movement, jaw control, chewing patterns)
- Postural stability and trunk control
- Head and neck strength
- Interest and engagement with food
- Ability to safely manage textures
If your baby isn’t quite ready, that’s okay — and if they’re showing signs early, we’ll help you move forward safely.
Baby-Led Weaning,
Purees, or a Combination?
Parents are often told they must choose one “right” method — baby-led weaning or spoon-feeding. The truth? Most families benefit from a flexible, responsive approach.
We support:
Our goal is to help your baby build skills, not just eat food.
We support:
- Baby-Led Weaning (BLW)
- Traditional spoon-feeding
- Combination approaches
- Texture progression and pacing
- Responsive feeding strategies that reduce stress and pressure
Our goal is to help your baby build skills, not just eat food.
Common Starting Solids Concerns We Help With
You may benefit from starting solids support if you’re experiencing:
Early guidance can prevent small challenges from becoming long-term feeding struggles.
- Gagging vs. choking concerns
- Anxiety around allergens and food safety
- Uncertainty about portion sizes or food progression
- Constipation or digestive changes after starting solids
- Baby refusing foods or textures
- Difficulty sitting, chewing, or coordinating movements
- Feeding stress or pressure at mealtimes
- History of reflux, oral ties, prematurity, or medical complexity
Early guidance can prevent small challenges from becoming long-term feeding struggles.
A Whole-Body Approach to Feeding
Feeding is not just about the mouth.
Our team looks at how oral function, posture, breathing, sensory processing, and overall motor development impact your baby’s ability to eat safely and comfortably.
Your starting solids visit may include:
- Oral motor and feeding skill assessment
- Postural and body tension evaluation
- Support for optimal positioning
- Texture and utensil recommendations
- Collaboration across disciplines when needed
This comprehensive approach helps build a strong foundation for lifelong feeding success.
Who Provides Starting Solids Support?
Starting solids services at The Abeille Feeding Clinic may be provided by:
We collaborate closely to ensure care is seamless, individualized, and developmentally appropriate.
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Occupational Therapists
- Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs)
- Registered Dietitians
- Feeding Therapists with advanced training in infant feeding
We collaborate closely to ensure care is seamless, individualized, and developmentally appropriate.
Starting Solids Is the First Step in Weaning
Introducing solid foods marks the beginning of the weaning journey —even if breastmilk or formula remains the primary nutrition source for months to come.
We help families:
Support at this stage can make the transition smoother for both baby and parent.
We help families:
- Balance milk feeds and solid foods
- Protect breastfeeding or bottle feeding goals
- Navigate mixed messages about weaning
- Build confidence as feeding evolves
Support at this stage can make the transition smoother for both baby and parent.
When Should I Seek Support?
You don’t need to wait for a problem to arise.
Starting solids support is helpful if you:
Early support is proactive — not a sign that something is wrong.
Starting solids support is helpful if you:
- Want guidance before introducing foods
- Feel overwhelmed by online advice
- Have a baby with medical or developmental considerations
- Want reassurance that your baby is on track
- Are feeling anxious, stressed, or unsure at mealtimes
Early support is proactive — not a sign that something is wrong.
