There are several pieces of well-meaning advice on how to introduce solid foods that are no longer best practice. As we’ve gained evidence-based insights in recent years, guidelines have changed between one generation and the next. Thus, if you encounter these outdated tips below, you can remove them from your mental load.

In the 1950’s, doctors advised parents to start solids as early as six weeks old, parallel to a new marketing push for commercialized baby food. There was even a misleading nudge that doing so could help babies sleep better. We now know it’s best to wait until at least six months old – no sooner than 4 months – before starting solid foods. An exclusive diet of breast milk or formula in the first six months is a complete source of nutrition, and pushing solids early neither improves sleep nor improves health.

If your grandma or aunt keeps pushing rice cereal as the first food your baby must try, this is because it’s what they were told to do. You do not have to start with rice cereal. If anything, there are health concerns specific to rice cereal.

Per the CDC, “If your child is eating infant cereals, it is important to offer a variety of infant cereals such as oat, barley, and multi-grain instead of only rice cereal. Only providing infant rice cereal is not recommended by the Food and Drug Administration because there is a risk for babies to be exposed to arsenic.”

*Note: The advice to use rice cereal to thicken baby’s bottles for better sleep at night should not be tried unless directed by a medical provider. In rare instances, under the medical guidance of your pediatrician, this may be appropriate for babies with severe reflux but is not applicable advice for most babies.

In the same way you don’t have to start with rice cereal, you don’t have to start with a pureed texture. Babies who are ready for solids can go straight to finger foods that are cooked, soft, and mashable. They do not need to have teeth to be able to move from purees to soft finger foods.