Baby Food Charts

Baby Food Charts by Age: Free Printable Guides from 4 to 12 Months

Free month-by-month baby food charts from 4 to 12 months. See safe foods to introduce, portion sizes, feeding frequency, and a sample daily schedule for every age.

9 free guidesUpdated 2026AAP & CDC reviewed

Around 6 monthsBest age to start solids

1–2 small mealsMeals per day at 6 months

3 meals + 2 snacksMeals per day at 12 months

2–4 tablespoons per foodPortion size at 6–8 months

About This Section

Starting solids is one of the most exciting milestones of your baby's first year, and it can also feel pretty overwhelming. What foods are safe? How much should your baby eat? How often? Our free baby food charts answer all of these questions for every month from 4 to 12 months, reviewed against the latest American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and CDC guidelines.

Why Month-by-Month Charts Matter

Every month brings new developmental milestones that change what and how your baby can eat. At 4 months, most babies are only ready for breast milk or formula. By 6 months, pureed foods begin. By 10 months, finger foods become possible. A month-by-month chart removes the guesswork and gives you a clear, age-appropriate roadmap.

What Each Chart Covers

Each baby food chart covers the recommended foods for that specific age, safe portion sizes and texture guidance, how many meals and snacks per day, a sample 24-hour feeding schedule, and key developmental feeding skills to watch for.

Printable and Free

Every chart is free to access and printer-friendly. You can share them with caregivers, grandparents, or your pediatrician. No sign-up or subscription is required.

Pro Tips

Introduce new foods in the morning so you can monitor for reactions during the day.
Offer a new food 8–10 times before deciding your baby dislikes it.
Mix vegetables with familiar flavors (like breast milk) to encourage acceptance.
Never add salt, sugar, or honey to baby food.
Keep mealtimes calm and positive to prevent feeding aversions.

Featured Guides

Our most popular guides in this section.

A bowl of smooth pureed vegetables next to a soft baby spoon

Featured

6 Month Baby Food Chart: Best First Foods + Free PrintableYour complete guide to feeding a 6-month-old. Get safe first foods, how much to offer, a sample feeding schedule, and foods to avoid at 6 months. Free printable chart.Read guide →

A tray of colorful soft finger foods for an eight month old

8 Month Baby Food Chart: Finger Foods and 3 Meals a DayYour 8-month-old is ready for finger foods and 3 meals a day. Get our complete chart with safe finger foods, portion sizes, meal ideas, and an easy daily feeding schedule.Read guide →

A one year old eating chopped family food and drinking from a cup

12 Month Baby Food Chart: Transitioning to Toddler EatingYour baby turns 1! See what changes at 12 months, how to introduce whole cow's milk, what table foods are safe, and get our complete 12-month feeding schedule and meal ideas.Read guide →

Browse by Age Group

Find guides specific to your baby's current developmental stage.

4–5 Months

Breast milk or formula only unless advised by a pediatrician.

6 Months

Begin single-ingredient purees. Iron-rich foods are priority.

7–8 Months

Thicker purees, mashed foods, and early finger foods.

9–10 Months

Soft chopped foods, combination flavors, 3 meals per day.

11–12 Months

Family foods (modified), pincer grasp foods, cup practice.

All Baby Food Charts Guides

9 free guides, reviewed against AAP and CDC guidelines, updated 2026.

A four month old baby being held, breastfeeding

4 Month Baby Food Chart: Can Babies Start Solids at 4 Months?Wondering if your 4-month-old is ready for solid foods? Get our complete 4-month baby food guide covering readiness signs, safe first foods, and what the AAP recommends.Read guide →

A five month old baby sitting supported, looking curiously at a spoon

5 Month Baby Food Chart: First Foods and Feeding ScheduleSee exactly what to feed a 5-month-old, how much to offer, and when. Our 5-month baby food chart includes safe first foods, portion sizes, and a sample daily schedule.Read guide →

Small bowls of mashed vegetables and soft finger foods on a tray

7 Month Baby Food Chart: New Textures and More VarietyReady to expand your 7-month-old's menu? Our complete 7-month baby food chart covers new foods to introduce, texture progression, portion sizes, and a sample daily schedule.Read guide →

A nine month old picking up small soft food pieces with fingers

9 Month Baby Food Chart: Self-Feeding and Family Food PrepSee what to feed a 9-month-old as they start self-feeding. Our complete 9-month baby food chart covers finger foods, soft table foods, portions, and a sample meal plan.Read guide →

A ten month old eating soft chopped family food from a tray

10 Month Baby Food Chart: Table Foods and Family MealsYour 10-month-old can join family meals now. Get safe table foods, portion sizes, what to avoid, and a complete daily feeding schedule for your 10-month-old baby.Read guide →

An eleven month old self-feeding with a spoon at a high chair

11 Month Baby Food Chart: Preparing for the First BirthdayAlmost 1 year old! See what your 11-month-old can eat, how to transition toward family foods, and get our sample feeding schedule and first birthday food prep tips.Read guide →

Expert Guidelines We Follow

All content in this section is reviewed against these authoritative sources.

AAP Guidelines

The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, then gradually introducing solid foods while continuing breast milk or formula through 12 months or beyond.

CDC Recommendations

The CDC advises introducing a variety of foods with different textures, tastes, and colors to help your baby develop healthy eating habits from the start.

WHO Standards

The World Health Organization recommends that solid foods complement, not replace, breast milk during the first year of life.

AAP and CDC Guidelines

All content reviewed against American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC infant-feeding recommendations.

Updated 2026

We review and update guides whenever infant feeding recommendations change so you always get current advice.

Always Free

Every guide in this section is completely free. No paywalls, no sign-ups, no subscriptions required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions about baby food charts.

When should I start giving my baby solid foods?

Most babies are ready to start solid foods around 6 months of age. Signs of readiness include sitting with minimal support, good head and neck control, showing interest in food, and the ability to move food to the back of the mouth to swallow. Always check with your pediatrician before starting solids.

What is the best first food for babies?

Iron-rich foods are recommended as first foods because a baby's iron stores from birth begin to deplete around 6 months. Good first foods include pureed meats (chicken, beef), iron-fortified cereals, pureed lentils, and soft-mashed vegetables like sweet potato and peas.

How do I use a baby food chart?

Find the chart that matches your baby's current age. Use it as a guide for what foods to introduce, how much to offer, and how often. Always offer new foods one at a time and wait 3–5 days before introducing another new food to watch for allergic reactions.

Can I start solids at 4 months?

The AAP currently recommends waiting until around 6 months before starting solids. Starting too early is associated with increased risk of choking, obesity, and digestive issues. Some babies may be ready between 4–6 months, always follow your pediatrician's guidance.

Free Calculators and Tools

Interactive tools that complement the guides in this section.

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Browse all 9 free guides in Baby Food Charts, or explore our complete library of baby feeding resources reviewed against AAP and CDC guidelines.

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