Starting Solid Foods: When, How, What to Consider

Only four short months have passed since you were full of questions about feeding your suckling infant. Now it seems that just when you've gotten the hang of breast- or bottlefeeding, that same baby is suddenly drooling over the sight of solid food. You probably feel as if you haven't had enough time to prepare for this, but the transition needn't be difficult.

While babies develop at their own pace -- for example, one baby might be ready for solids at 4 months, another at 6 months -- even the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says there are no rigid rules on expanding your child's diet. To relieve the pressure of what, when, and how much to feed, here's a rundown of advice to kick you and your baby off to a smooth start.