Can he sit up by himself?
Sitting upright is necessary in order for him to properly swallow substances thicker than milk. – Does he show signs of interest in what you re eating? Watching food go into your mouth and grabbing food off your plate are definite signs of readiness. My daughter Ashley (now 19) started solids at eight months, when she crawled up to the table, pulled herself up, grabbed a piece of toast crust off her brother s plate, shoved it in her mouth, and proceeded to chew. Her brother was indignant, but I just figured, Well, guess she s ready for solids now. Of course, she was my third child and I was a little more laid back by then. With my first child I dutifully started shoveling Gerber first foods into him at four months. He was not impressed. – Is he able to pick up small objects? Most babies are totally into this by around six month, and it indicates that he can finger feed and actually get some of the food into his mouth. – If you offer him a small taste of food, can he swallow it, or does
