Health organizations generally recommend starting solid foods when babies reach 6 months of age, to ensure their digestive system is ready. However, many parents believe that babies can begin solid foods at around 5 months. So, can a 5-month-old really start solids? What can they eat? Let’s explore the answers with BabyNest in this article!
1. Can a 5-month-old baby start eating solids?
The answer is “possibly.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infants are recommended to start solids around 6 months. They note that introducing solid foods is not appropriate for babies 4 months and younger. Therefore, in practice, many babies begin trying solids gradually from the 5th month.
However, solid foods should only be introduced when the baby’s digestive system is ready for more solid textures. To check this, you can let your baby try a small amount of thin, pureed food. If your baby cries, seems uncomfortable, or vomits, you should stop immediately and avoid forcing them to eat.
2. Signs that your 5-month-old may be ready for solids
How do you know if your 5-month-old is ready to begin solid foods? Before transitioning to more solid textures, babies often show several signs such as:
-
Getting hungry more often
-
Opening their mouth when they see food
-
Showing curiosity when watching adults eat
-
Mimicking chewing motions
-
Using their hands to grab food and bring it to the mouth
-
Showing interest in thicker textures over very liquid ones
-
Being able to hold their head up steadily while sitting, meaning they can swallow without needing parental support.
3. How to start solids for a 5-month-old baby
If your baby shows the signs above, start with thin, liquid-like foods. Options such as thin porridge or diluted baby cereal are appropriate for a baby’s developing digestive system at this stage.
Feed small spoonfuls at a time, and gradually increase the amount as your baby becomes familiar with the previous portion. The principle of “from thin to thick, from small amounts to larger amounts” helps prevent digestive issues during the transition to solids.
4. What can a 5-month-old baby eat?
Breast milk or formula remains the primary source of nutrition until 6 months of age, so you should continue breastfeeding or formula feeding first. Along with that, you may gradually introduce certain food groups to help your baby practice eating solids:
4.1. Grains
Many parents choose cereals or grains as first foods because it’s easy to adjust the texture from thin to thick. For a 5-month-old, start with very thin porridge.
Once the baby adjusts, you can combine porridge with other grains like oats, sweet potatoes, or blended corn. You can also gradually thicken the mixture based on your baby’s ability.
However, avoid adding any seasonings for babies under 6 months, as it may cause digestive discomfort.
4.2. Vegetables and fruits
Can a 5-month-old eat vegetables and fruits? Yes—at this stage, you can finely chop or puree mild, easy-to-digest vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin, spinach, avocado, and broccoli. These help ensure adequate vitamin and mineral intake.
4.3. Protein-rich foods
You can also introduce protein sources such as meat, beans, eggs, shrimp, and fish. These foods are naturally firm or chewy, so make sure to puree, finely chop, or slow-cook them until soft to help your 5-month-old swallow easily.
5. Recommended baby food products to help babies adjust to solids
During the early weaning stage, babies generally tolerate thin cereals best. Baby cereal is a convenient option because it provides essential nutrients and can be prepared thin or thick depending on your baby’s needs. To help parents choose the right cereal for a 5-month-old, Con Cưng recommends the following options:
5.1. Ridielac Gold Baby Cereal
Details
Ridielac Gold Salmon & Broccoli Cereal 200g
-
Brand: Ridielac Gold
-
Origin: Vietnam
-
Key benefits:
Ridielac Gold is a sub-brand of Vinamilk, a well-known Vietnamese brand specializing in dairy-based products. Ridielac Gold baby cereal contains a balanced combination of four essential nutrient groups (protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals) to meet babies’ nutritional needs during the weaning period.
The product comes in a variety of flavors—sweet, savory, salmon & broccoli, beef & veggies—keeping meals enjoyable and nutrient-dense. Additionally, Ridielac Gold includes beneficial probiotics to support digestive health and improve nutrient absorption.
5.2. HiPP Baby Cereal
Details
HiPP Initial Weaning Cereal
Brand: HiPP
-
Origin: Germany
-
Price range: 145,000–155,000 VND / 250g
-
Key benefits:
HiPP is a well-known German brand specializing in milk-based foods. HiPP baby cereal is made with formula milk combined with a variety of vitamins and minerals. This ensures it is gentle on your baby’s digestive system while providing the energy and nutrients needed for healthy growth.
HiPP cereals come in two main types—savory and sweet—with 16 flavor options, including buckwheat milk, infant rice cereal, milk–corn–fruit blends, and more, giving parents plenty of choices based on their baby’s taste preferences and nutritional needs.
