Introducing solid foods with formula: when and how to do it

Introduction

Starting your baby on solid foods is a big milestone, especially when they’re formula-fed. For infants who are not breastfed, formula milk is the only recommended alternative during the first year. You may wonder: *Can you introduce formula and solids at the same time?**When is the right moment?*How do you mix the two in a way that supports your baby’s developing palate and nutritional needs? This process is known as complementary feeding—introducing solid foods alongside formula milk to support healthy growth and development. 

1. Can you introduce formula and solids at the same time?

Absolutely — for most healthy babies, there’s no need to wait after formula-feeding before introducing solids. Infant formula is the recommended type of formula for babies and serves as the primary source of nutrition before other foods are introduced. In fact, combining formula and solids can lead to a smoother transition. Formula will still be the main source of nutrition, while returning to solids begins the exciting journey of exploring food textures, flavours, and family mealtimes.

2. When to introduce solids to a formula-fed baby

a) Age guidelines

The World Health Organization and paediatric advice generally recommend introducing complementary (solid) foods at around six months of age. Most babies will show signs that they’re ready for solids between 4 and 6 months, but typically need to be about six months old before the majority of nutrients come from anything other than breast milk or formula. Within a few months of starting solids, a baby's diet should include a variety of nutritious foods such as meats, cereals, vegetables, fruits, eggs, and fish.

b) Readiness signs

Look for signs your baby is ready for eating solid food:

• Baby can sit with minimal support and hold their head steady.
• A decrease in tongue-thrust reflex—meaning they’re less likely to push food out.
• Curiosity about your plate—reaching for food or opening mouth when you eat.
• Ability to swallow rather than push everything out.

3. How to mix formula with solid food

When you first offer solids, it’s best to serve a small portion of very soft, single-ingredient food in a spoon—e.g., mashed banana or sweet potato. But you can also mix a little formula into the mash to help with texture and familiarity:

1. Prepare the food: Steam or cook soft veggies like sweet potato, carrot, pumpkin or fruit like prunes until very soft. Make sure the cooked food is soft and safe for babies to eat.
2. Mash thoroughly: Use a fork or blender to make a smooth purée.
3. Add formula: Stir in a small amount of cooled, prepared formula or breast milk formula until the consistency is smooth and runny, similar to double-cream yoghurt.
4. Offer a taste: Begin with just a teaspoon or two on a spoon. Then continue with breastfeeding or bottle-feeding as usual.

4. What is the best way to introduce solid foods to an infant?

When it comes to introducing foods to your baby, there are a few proven approaches. It's important to remember that there is no single right or wrong way to introduce foods—parents can choose the method that works best for their family and their baby's needs.

a) Spoon-feeding purées

Start with simple, single ingredients like mashed banana, sweet potato or cooked carrot — all soft food purées that are gluten-free, iron-rich, and rich in vitamins. Introduce one new food every 3–5 days to monitor for food allergies.

b) Baby-led weaning (BLW)

Once baby can sit well and grasp, you can offer soft-cooked sticks (e.g., carrots, zucchini, potato), lightly steamed and cooled. Let baby hold and explore, encouraging self-fed finger foods to help them self feed. Always supervise to prevent choking.

c) A blended approach

Use a mix of spoon-feeding and baby-led weaning. Start with purées, then gradually move to mashed and lumpy foods, and finally to finger foods—allowing exploration and independence.

5. Introducing solids: why, when, what and how

Why?

• To meet changing nutritional needs — after 6 months, babies need additional iron, zinc, and other nutrients beyond formula. Introducing a variety of foods helps ensure your baby receives all the nutrients needed for proper growth and development.
• To introduce a variety of textures, flavours, and develop healthy eating habits early.
• To practice oral motor skills—chewing, tongue movement, swallowing.

When?

As above, typically about six months old, once your baby shows readiness signs. For formula-fed babies, solids don’t replace breast milk or formula entirely until around 9–12 months. If your baby seems hungry before starting solids, offering extra milk can help.

What?

• First foods: Iron-rich cereals (fortified), mashed sweet potato, pumpkin, banana, avocado, peas, pear, apple, prunes, peach. Whenever possible, prepare fresh foods by cooking or mashing them at home, avoiding added salt and seasoning.
• Finger foods: soft-cooked sticks of sweet potato, ripe pear slices, soft-cooked broccoli stems, thin toast strips. Offer various foods, including both fruits and vegetables, to introduce different flavors and textures.
• Variety: Encourage a range—lean meats, legumes, soft cooked egg (if no egg allergy), mashed beans, cooked pumpkin, ripe avocado. Make sure to offer various foods from different groups, not just the sweeter ones like carrots and sweet potato, but also less sweet vegetables to help develop a balanced palate.

How?

Start with smooth purée or finely mashed food to begin the process of eating solids, mixing in formula if desired to ensure smoothness or familiarity. Gradually increase texture—from smooth to lumpy to finger food. Offer small tastes first, followed by regular formula or breast milk feeds.

6. Introducing solid foods with formula

This means offering solids alongside continued formula feeds. Here’s a sample routine:

• Early morning: Bottle-feed formula as usual.
• Late morning: Offer a spoonful of mashed sweet potato mixed with a little formula as a solid meal. Observe, encourage exploration. Then offer formula or more when needed.
• Midday: Another formula feed.
• Afternoon or evening: Offer mashed fruit or veggie with a bit of formula as a solid meal, then follow with full formula feed if baby still seems hungry.

Gradually, as your baby takes more solid meals, they may require less milk at each feeding. Monitoring your baby's milk consumption is important to ensure they are still getting enough nutrition, including vitamin D if milk intake drops below recommended levels. Formula remains essential during the transition.

7. Focus on solid foods and textures

a) Purées and Mashed Foods

Begin with single ingredients, then make small combinations (e.g., pear + apple, pumpkin + sweet potato). Mash thoroughly, optionally mixing with formula to smooth.

b) Lumpy, mixed textures

Once baby handles smooth purée well, introduce soft lumpier textures so they learn to manage more complex mouth movements.

c) Finger foods

From around eight months, offer soft sticks—for instance, soft-cooked sweet potato, lightly toasted bread sticks, pieces of ripe banana, cucumber “fries” (cool, soft), or cooked pasta. Supervise at all times.

Do not offer whole nuts to babies, as they are a choking hazard.

8. Breast milk vs formula: when introducing solids

It doesn’t matter whether baby is breastfed, formula-fed, or both—introducing solids follows the same general principles:

• Continue with breast milk or formula as main nutrition until about 12 months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends providing your baby only breast milk for the first six months.
• Solids are complementary—meaning they work alongside breast milk or formula—not as a replacement at first. Some babies may need more breast milk during the transition to solids to ensure they are getting enough nutrition.
• If using both breast milk and formula, you can feed whichever based on convenience, baby’s preference or your situation. Breastfed babies should receive vitamin D supplementation, as breast milk alone may not provide enough vitamin D.

9. Nutritional notes and milestones

• Iron: At six months, baby’s iron stores start running low. Include iron-rich foods like mashed meats, iron-fortified cereals, mashed lentils, or mashed pumpkin.
• Allergies: Introduce common allergens (e.g., cooked egg, mashed peanut spread) one at a time in small amounts, watching carefully for any signs of a food allergy. Always follow your child’s doctor’s advice, especially if your baby is at higher risk for allergies.
• Milk transition: Continue formula or breast milk until at least 12 months; after that, you can start offering whole cow’s milk if desired (always talk with your child's doctor first). Cow's milk should not be introduced before 12 months. When introducing other foods such as nuts and dairy products, monitor for any reactions and consult your child's doctor if you have concerns.
• Encourage variety: Introducing a variety of foods into your baby's diet early can reduce fussiness and build healthy eating habits.
• Mealtimes: Let baby join family meals as much as possible. Baby eating with the family encourages exploration and modeling.

10. Typical progress over the months

Note: Babies younger than 12 months should not be given juice.

11. Common questions (FAQs)

Should I warm up formula when mixing it with solid food?

Yes—if baby prefers warm, gently warm both the solids and formula to a comfortable temperature, checking it’s not too hot.

How much formula should I mix in?

A teaspoon or two is plenty to begin. Texture should be smooth but not too runny. Over time, little or no formula may be needed as baby becomes more accustomed.

What about spoon volume?

Start with small spoons (baby spoons), offering one or two small spoonfuls. Let baby guide. Never force more.

What if baby refuses solids?

Be patient. Try again another day. Sometimes babies need repeated exposure to a new taste or texture. Always follow baby’s cues and keep trying positive experiences.

12. Building good eating habits

• Patience: Learning to eat solids is a process. Let baby explore, play, and learn at their own pace—this helps baby learn to eat independently.
• Low salt, no added sugar: Stick to fresh, natural, simple flavours. Avoid highly salty or sweet foods (like hot dogs or sugary cereals).
• Variety: Present different textures and tastes—even mild or bitter ones like broccoli or avocado. Offering a range of foods early can help prevent fussy eaters and encourage good eating habits. Familiarity develops over time.
• Family meals: Let baby see everyone else eating the same healthy foods.
• Safe finger foods: Soft-cooked sticks under supervision are perfect for practising chewing and hand-to-mouth coordination.

13. Sample day for a formula-fed baby starting solids (approx. 8 months)

• 7:00 am – Bottle of formula.
• 9:30 am – Spoonfuls of mashed pear mixed with formula; then more formula if still hungry.
• 12:00 pm – Formula feed.
• 2:30 pm – Soft-cooked carrot stick plus mashed avocado with formula; followed by formula.
• 5:30 pm – Family dinner; baby given small tastes of mashed vegetables or soft rice plus spoon-fed.
• 7:30 pm – Final bottle of formula before bed.

For mealtimes, dressing your baby in comfortable baby grows can make changing easier and keep them cozy during solid meal times.

Over the following weeks, notice baby gradually eats more solids and may reduce formula intake—but formula remains a key contributor to their diet at this stage.

Conclusion

Introducing solid foods to a formula-fed baby is a journey. Start around six months once your baby shows readiness. Begin with smooth purées (perhaps gently mixed with formula), then progress gradually to mashed, lumpy textures and then finger foods. Continue formula feeds as necessary during the transition. Offer variety, follow baby’s cues, and enjoy those floppy-cheeked bites and curious expressions as they explore new tastes and textures alongside your family meals.

Disclaimer:

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare provider. Always consult your child's doctor or a registered paediatric dietitian before introducing new foods, especially if your baby has health conditions or potential food allergies.