Start solid foods at 6 months, alongside breast milk. That is the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation. Begin with pureed, mashed and soft foods, offered 2 to 3 times a day at 6 to 8 months, and keep breastfeeding. By around 12 months most babies can eat the same foods as the family.
This guide covers when to start, which textures suit each age, how often to feed, which foods to hold back, and the equipment that makes mealtimes easier. Zawadi Baby Shop is a baby shop, not a clinic. If your baby was born early, has a health condition, or you have any worries about feeding, ask your clinic first.
When should a baby start solid foods?
A baby should start solid foods at 6 months of age, in addition to breast milk, according to WHO. Before 6 months, breast milk (or formula, if your baby has it) gives your baby all the food they need.
Many parents also watch for signs that their baby is ready: sitting up with support, holding their head steady, and showing interest when others eat. If your baby seems ready much earlier or much later than 6 months, talk to your clinic before you change anything.
What textures and how many meals suit each age?
Start with smooth, mashed and soft foods, then move to finger foods and family food as your baby learns to chew. WHO gives this guide:
| Age | Texture | How often (WHO) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 8 months | Pureed, mashed and semi-solid foods. By 8 months most babies can also eat finger foods | 2 to 3 times a day, plus breast milk |
| 9 to 11 months | Mashed foods and finger foods, as before, with more variety | 3 to 4 times a day, plus breast milk |
| 12 to 24 months | Most children can eat the same foods as the rest of the family | 3 to 4 meals a day, plus 1 to 2 nutritious snacks |
Many Kenyan parents start with foods the family already eats, prepared soft: mashed ripe banana, avocado, pumpkin, sweet potato, or porridge. Offer one new food at a time, so you can see how your baby takes to it.
How much should a baby eat when starting solids?
Start with a few small spoonfuls and let your baby lead. Early meals are about learning to take food from a spoon, so some food will come back out. That is normal.
Watch for your baby’s signals. Opening the mouth and leaning forward usually means more; turning the head away, closing the mouth or pushing the spoon away usually means they have had enough. Never force food. Keep breastfeeding as before, because WHO advises continuing breastfeeding alongside solid foods. If your baby has formula, ask your clinic how their milk feeds should change once solids start.
A bowl with a suction base and a soft spoon make these first meals easier. You can see the options in our weaning range, including this silicone weaning set.
Which foods should you avoid when starting solids?
Avoid foods that can cause choking, and drinks that give little nutrition. WHO gives whole grapes and raw carrots as examples of choking risks, and advises against tea, coffee and sugary soft drinks for young children.
- Choking risks: cut round foods such as grapes into small pieces, cook hard vegetables such as carrots until soft, and never give whole nuts.
- Drinks: no tea, coffee or sugary soft drinks.
- Foods that can cause allergies, such as eggs, peanuts and fish: ask your clinic when and how to offer them, especially if your baby has eczema or there is allergy in the family.
Go to the nearest hospital straight away if your baby’s lips, tongue or face swell, or they have difficulty breathing after eating. See your clinic if your baby gets a rash, vomits or has diarrhoea after a new food.
How do you keep mealtimes safe and clean?
Keep your baby sitting upright and stay with them for every meal. WHO also advises that baby food is stored and prepared hygienically, and given with clean hands and clean utensils, not with bottles and teats.
- Wash your hands and your baby’s hands before every meal.
- Wash bowls, spoons and cups well after each use.
- Seat your baby upright, strapped into a feeding chair, never lying back.
- Never leave your baby alone while they eat, even for a moment.
- Consider an infant first aid course, so you know what to do if your baby chokes.
A feeding chair with a harness keeps your baby upright and at the table with the family. Our guide to choosing a baby feeding chair compares the types, and you can see them all in our feeding chairs range, from KES 6,000 as of September 2026.
Adjustable headrest and footrest, with a removable feeding tray.
KSh 10,500
Lipa na M-Pesa Delivery across Kenya
What do you need to start solid foods?
You need very little to start: somewhere safe for your baby to sit, a soft spoon, a bowl and a bib. These are the items parents most often buy:
- A feeding chair with a harness and a tray.
- Soft spoons and a bowl, ideally with a suction base so it stays on the tray.
- A waterproof bib, such as a silicone feeding bib with a pocket that catches food.
- A small open cup for your baby to practise with.
Where can you buy weaning and feeding items in Nairobi?
You can buy feeding chairs, weaning sets and bibs at Zawadi Baby Shop, Shop F12, IBEA Building, Moi Avenue, Nairobi. We are open Monday to Saturday 8:30am to 7pm, and Sunday 11am to 6pm. Call or WhatsApp 0706 561 855 to check stock before you visit.
You can also order online, pay with Lipa na M-Pesa, and we deliver across Kenya. Teeth often start coming through around the same time, so our teething guide may help too.
Frequently asked questions
When can I start giving my baby solid food?
The World Health Organization recommends starting solid foods at 6 months of age, alongside breast milk. If your baby was born early, has a health condition, or seems ready much earlier or later, ask your clinic before you start.
What foods can a 6 month old baby eat?
At 6 months a baby can eat pureed, mashed and semi-solid foods, according to the World Health Organization. Many Kenyan parents start with mashed ripe banana, avocado, pumpkin, sweet potato or porridge, offering one new food at a time.
How many times a day should a 6 month old eat solids?
The World Health Organization suggests solid food 2 to 3 times a day at 6 to 8 months, rising to 3 to 4 times a day at 9 to 11 months. Keep breastfeeding alongside, and start with a few spoonfuls.
Should I keep breastfeeding after starting solids?
Yes. The World Health Organization advises continuing to breastfeed after solid foods start at 6 months. Solid food adds to breast milk rather than replacing it. If your baby has formula, ask your clinic how milk feeds should change.
Which foods can make a baby choke?
Whole grapes and raw carrots are examples the World Health Organization gives. Cut round foods into small pieces, cook hard vegetables until soft, never give whole nuts, and always stay with your baby while they eat.
