When starting solids with a 5 month old baby, it’s best to start slowly and work up to more servings per day. Here are some quick guidelines:
Quick Answer
Most experts recommend starting with 1-2 feedings of solids per day for a 5 month old and working up to 3-4 feedings per day by 6 months of age. The key is to start small and watch for signs your baby is ready for more.
How Much Food Per Feeding?
At first, only give your baby a teaspoon or two of solids at a feeding. Increase the amount gradually as their appetite and abilities grow. Here are some rough guidelines for food amounts:
- 5-6 months old: 1-4 tablespoons per feeding
- 6-8 months old: 4-6 tablespoons per feeding
- 9-11 months old: 1/4-1/2 cup per feeding
Keep in mind that every baby is different. Let your child’s cues and appetite guide how much you offer at each feeding.
Signs Your 5 Month Old is Ready for More Food
Watch for these signs that your 5 month old is ready to increase the frequency and amount of solid foods:
- Finishes servings quickly and eagerly opens mouth for more
- Seems hungry again soon after eating
- Reaches for food or tries to grab your plate
- Gains weight steadily
- Has good head and neck control while sitting
- Moves food from spoon to back of throat and swallows well
If you see these cues, try offering one additional feeding of solids per day or gradually increase the portion size. But take it slow and follow your baby’s lead.
Sample Feeding Schedules for a 5 Month Old
Here are some sample schedules showing how feedings of breast milk or formula and solids might look for a 5 month old:
1-2 Feedings of Solids Per Day
| Time | Feeding |
|---|---|
| 7 AM | Breastfeed or 6-8 oz formula |
| 10 AM | 1-2 Tbsp cereal mixed with breast milk or formula |
| 12 PM | Breastfeed or 6-8 oz formula |
| 3 PM | Breastfeed or 6-8 oz formula |
| 6 PM | 1-2 Tbsp vegetable puree |
| 9 PM | Breastfeed or 6-8 oz formula |
3-4 Feedings of Solids Per Day
| Time | Feeding |
|---|---|
| 7 AM | Breastfeed or 6-8 oz formula |
| 9 AM | 2-4 Tbsp oatmeal cereal |
| 11:30 AM | Breastfeed or 6-8 oz formula |
| 1 PM | 2-4 Tbsp pureed vegetables and fruit |
| 3:30 PM | Breastfeed or 6-8 oz formula |
| 5:30 PM | 2-4 Tbsp pureed meat and vegetables |
| 7:30 PM | Breastfeed or 6-8 oz formula |
These sample schedules show how solids can gradually be increased from 1-2 feedings per day up to 3-4 feedings per day by around 6 months of age.
Tips for Starting Solids with a 5 Month Old
Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when starting solids with your 5 month old baby:
- Start with single ingredient foods like rice cereal or pureed vegetables, fruits, or meats.
- Introduce new foods one at a time, waiting 3-5 days between introductions.
- Watch for signs of allergy or intolerance like rash, vomiting, coughing, or wheezing.
- Offer solids after a milk feeding when your baby is calm and alert.
- Use a small spoon and go slowly at first. Let your baby get used to the process.
- Don’t force or rush feedings. Stop if your baby loses interest or turns away.
- It can take 10-15 exposures to a new food before a baby learns to like it.
- Avoid added sugars, salt, and unhealthy fats which are empty calories.
Introducing solids is an exciting milestone! Go slowly and let your baby set the pace to make it enjoyable for both of you.
Should I Feed Baby Solids Before or After Milk?
When introducing solids, it’s generally best to offer them after a milk feeding, not before. Here’s why:
- Milk is still the primary source of nutrition at this age. You want to make sure baby gets enough milk first.
- Starting solids after milk prevents them from filling up too much on solids and not taking enough milk.
- Babies are often calmer and more willing to try new tastes and textures after milk.
- The milk feeding can help meet some of baby’s calorie needs so they may be less frustrated with small portions of solids.
There are a few exceptions where you may want to offer solids before milk:
- If baby wakes up very hungry and fussy in the morning, a small serving of cereal could help take the edge off.
- Some babies drink milk better if they have a little solid food in their stomach first.
- If you’ll be out around a milk feeding time, solids could tide them over.
Try out both ways and see when works best for your individual baby. But in general, after milk is the best time for solids for most 5-6 month olds.
What Order Should I Introduce Foods?
There are some general guidelines on the order to introduce solid foods to babies:
- Single-grain cereals like rice or oatmeal
- Fruits and vegetables starting with milder flavors
- Meat, poultry, fish, and legumes
- Higher allergen foods like eggs, peanut butter, and dairy
But you don’t necessarily have to follow a strict order. Here are some ways to decide which foods to start with:
- Begin with smooth, thin purees and gradually move to lumpier textures.
- Start with milder flavors like carrots or apples before strong flavors like broccoli or citrus.
- Introduce single ingredients before combinations so you can identify allergies or intolerances.
- Offer gluten-containing grains like wheat later to decrease celiac disease risk.
- Wait until closer to 1 year for honey which poses a botulism risk.
Talk to your pediatrician about any family history of allergies or foods to especially watch out for. But otherwise you have flexibility in choosing first foods based on your baby’s cues.
Can I Mix Breast Milk/Formula Into Solids?
It’s perfectly fine and even recommended when first starting solids to mix them with breast milk or formula. Here are some benefits of mixing in milk:
- Thins the consistency: Makes purees easier to swallow for beginners.
- Adds calories and nutrition: Important since babies only eat small amounts of solids at first.
- Boosts vitamin absorption: Especially iron, zinc, and calcium absorption.
- Improves taste: Can make new flavors like vegetables more palatable.
- Prevents constipation: Milk adds fluid which helps keep first foods moving through baby’s system.
Aim to gradually thicken the consistency by mixing in less liquid over time. But continuing to add breast milk or formula to some feedings can provide benefits even as baby ages. It helps ensure adequate nutrition while mastering solids.
When Should I Give Baby Water?
Giving water too early can fill up baby’s tiny stomach and reduce their milk intake. Here are some guidelines on introducing water:
- 0-6 months: No water needed along with milk and solids.
- 6-12 months: Offer sips of water with meals if interested. No need to force it.
- 12+ months: Can begin offering water between meals for hydration.
Signs your baby may be ready for some water before a year include:
- Seems intrigued when you drink water
- Reaches for your water glass
- Eats a lot of salty or spicy foods causing thirst
- Lives in a very hot climate
Even then, offer just a few sips of water at first during or after a meal. Too much can interfere with good milk intake. Wait until 12 months to make water a regular part of your baby’s diet.
What If My Baby Refuses Solids or Gags?
It’s normal for babies to gag and even push solids back out as they learn how to swallow them. Here are some tips if your 5 month old won’t take solids:
- Offer solids at a consistent, calm time of day when baby is alert and hungry.
- Demonstrate eating the food yourself and let them explore it at their own pace.
- Try different temperatures, textures, or mixing with breast milk or formula.
- Be patient – it takes many exposures to new foods. Keep offering rejected foods.
- Avoid pressure or force. Watch for fullness cues like turning away.
- Consider signs of readiness like sitting independently, losing tongue thrust, interest in food.
If gagging or difficulty swallowing persists, consult your pediatrician to rule out problems like immature swallow reflex, oral motor delays, or silent reflux.
Are Homemade or Store-Bought Foods Better?
Both homemade and store-bought baby foods have advantages:
| Homemade Baby Food | Store-Bought Baby Food |
|---|---|
|
|
For the healthiest and most cost-effective approach, you can make your own plain single-ingredient purees and pair with store-bought multi-ingredient foods for more variety. This gives you the best of both homemade and commercial baby foods!
Signs Baby is Ready for Finger Foods
By 6-8 months, many babies are ready to start feeding themselves finger foods. Watch for these signs of readiness:
- Sits upright in high chair with good head control
- Brings objects to mouth themselves
- Shows interest in your food at the table
- Developing pincer grasp to pick up small items
- Makes chewing motions
Great first finger foods around 5-6 months include:
- Small pieces of banana or other soft ripe fruit
- Strips of toast or crackers
- Cooked vegetable pieces like carrots or sweet potato
- Cubes of cheese or meat
- Baby-safe puffs or meltable snacks
Offer these foods when you’re able to supervise for choking hazards. Let baby explore, gum, and learn at their own pace.
Choking Risks and Precautions
To prevent choking, there are some important precautions to keep in mind with a 5 month old eating solids:
- Only offer smooth, thin purees without lumps or chunks.
- Never feed solids from a spoon while baby is lying down or moving around.
- Sit baby upright in a high chair and remain attentive during feedings.
- Avoid hard, raw fruits and vegetables which pose a choking hazard.
- Do not give foods that are stringy, sticky, round, or coin-shaped.
- Always supervise baby while eating – never let them self-feed unattended.
Enroll in an infant CPR class so you know what to do in case of an emergency. But avoiding hazardous foods and situations is the best way to keep baby safe.
How to Store Homemade Baby Food Safely
Freezing homemade baby food in ice cube trays is a great way to have single-serving portions ready to go. Follow these tips for safe storage:
- Wash produce thoroughly before cooking.
- Cook vegetables and meat to proper temperatures – steaming is a great method.
- Use clean equipment and utensils while prepping and freezing.
- Cool foods quickly before freezing – don’t let sit at room temp more than 2 hours.
- Freeze in shallow containers no more than 1 inch deep for quick cooling.
- Label cubes or containers with the ingredients and date.
- Keep frozen foods 0°F or below.
- Use within 1 month for optimal nutrients and taste.
Proper hygiene, rapid cooling, and correct freezer temps are key to preventing bacterial growth in homemade baby foods.
Conclusion
When starting solids, go slowly and let your 5 month old set the pace. Begin with 1-2 feedings per day of 1-2 tablespoons. Watch for signs of readiness to gradually increase to 3-4 feedings and 4-6 tablespoons by 6 months. Mixing with breast milk or formula can help with the transition. Respect gagging as they learn to manage new textures. With patience and supervision, your baby will become an expert eater in no time!