When to start on solid foods? At now , you'll have an idea or are confused because you've got received an excessive amount of advice from family and friends with different opinions. Rice, oatmeal, or barley? What infant cereal or other food are going to be on the menu for your baby's first solid meal? Have you set a date? Remember that every child's readiness depends on his own rate of development. • Head control: Your baby should be able to sit in a high chair, a feeding seat, or an infant seat with good head control. • Babies may be ready if they watch you eating, reach for your food, and seem eager to be fed. • Can he move food from a spoon into his throat? If you offer a spoon of cereal, he pushes it out of his mouth, and it dribbles onto his chin, he may not have the ability to move it to the rear of his mouth to swallow it. That's normal. Remember, he's never had anything thicker than breast milk or formula before, and this may take some