From Milk to Mush! Starting Solids and Keeping Your Sanity

Natarsha March APP
3 minutes ago
4 min read

So your baby just locked eyes with your avo toast and made a grab for it like a snack bandit. Suddenly, you're googling "starting solids" between nappy changes and wondering if this is the beginning of the end of milk-only life. If that sounds familiar, you're in the right place.

Starting solids is exciting, hilarious, slightly terrifying, and totally unforgettable. Let's dive into the mess (literally and emotionally), sort through the noise, and figure out how to make this next step feel a little less overwhelming—and maybe even fun.

I’m a newborn photographer in Brisbane, and while I mostly spend my days capturing sleepy newborns and the soft, sacred chaos of new motherhood, I also get to witness so many beautiful family milestones—and this is a big one.

Starting solids isn’t just about food. It’s about identity, letting go, and watching your baby take one tiny step away from you. (No pressure, right?)

P.S. I'm sprinkling adorable baby photos through this blog because they are just too cute not to.

The Signs That It Might Be Time (No, Baby Licking Your Fork Doesn’t Count)

There are a few key signs your baby might be ready to start solids:

They can sit up with minimal support.
They have good head and neck control.
They show an interest in food (watching you eat, reaching for your plate).
They can move food to the back of their mouth and swallow (vs. just spitting it out).

Usually, this happens around 6 months, but every baby is different.

There is no gold star for starting earlier, and absolutely zero judgment for waiting a bit longer. You’re doing great.

The Emotional Bit (Because of Course There’s an Emotional Bit)

Let’s pause here for a second, because even though you might be focused on which spoon to buy or whether to try purées or baby-led weaning, there’s another layer to this.

Starting solids can feel like the beginning of the end of that all-consuming newborn stage. The snuggly, milk-only, tucked-up-on-your-chest phase. This milestone, like so many in motherhood, is bittersweet.

You might be excited. You might be sad. You might feel totally unsure. That’s okay.

This is your baby’s first real step into the world of not needing you quite as much. (Cue the tears. Yours, not theirs.)

Purées, Baby-Led Weaning, or a Bit of Both?

Here’s the thing: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some babies take to purées like little gourmet critics. Others want to gum on toast soldiers and steamed broccoli trees like tiny food warriors.

Baby-led weaning is all about letting your baby explore whole foods and feed themselves. It can be messy, fun, and surprisingly intuitive. Purées can feel a little more controlled and less chaotic. Many parents do a combination of both. Whatever works for your family, is the right way.

A quick reminder: always supervise meals, offer safe foods, and keep choking hazards away. Your local health nurse or GP can offer guidance if you’re unsure about readiness or allergies.

The Mess. Oh, The Mess.

Starting solids is not for the faint-hearted. There will be food in places you didn’t know food could go. In eyebrows. Down onesies. Somehow on the dog.

My advice? Lean into it. Let go of the idea of clean. This is about discovery, not decorum.

You’ll try something that took 45 minutes to steam and blend and they’ll throw it straight on the floor. That’s part of it. You’re not failing. They’re learning. And it’s kind of hilarious (eventually).

What to Serve First (and What to Skip for Now)

First foods should be soft, easy to swallow, and full of nutrients. Think:

Mashed avocado
Steamed and mashed sweet potato
Soft-cooked broccoli florets
Mashed banana
Iron-rich foods like well-cooked lentils or finely shredded meat

Avoid honey (until after 12 months), added salt or sugar, and choking hazards like whole nuts, popcorn, or raw apple slices.

OMG The Pressure to "Do It Right"

This stage can come with a lot of opinions. Your mum might tell you one thing. Instagram another. And your mother-in-law? Let’s not even go there.

Just remember this: you are the expert on your baby. If you’re offering safe, nutritious food, you’re doing it right. If your baby eats a tablespoon one day and nothing the next, that’s normal. If it doesn’t look like the perfectly plated meals you see on social media, that’s real life.

It’s okay to keep it simple. It’s okay to ask for help. And it’s okay if you need to cry a little after their first bite.

A Gentle Reminder from One Mum to Another

Starting solids is a big moment. Not just for your baby, but for you. Because this is one of those times where you realise, with a little pang in your heart, that they’re growing. That they’re stepping into a new chapter.

But also know this: no matter how many foods they try, how big they get, or how independent they become, you are still their safe place. You are still the centre of their world.

So take the photo. Laugh at the mess. Celebrate the tiny wins. And know that you’re doing an incredible job.

With love,A fellow snack-fetcher, mess-wiper, and milestone-celebrator

About the Author

Natarsha March is an award-winning Brisbane newborn, baby, and family photographer who specialises in creating timeless, heartfelt images that capture the love and connection between families. With years of experience and a passion for working with little ones, she’s known for her relaxed, stress-free sessions that result in beautifully natural photographs. Based in Bunya, Brisbane, Natarsha has helped countless families preserve their most precious moments, from the tiny details of a newborn to the joyful chaos of a growing family. If you're looking for a trusted photographer in Brisbane who values quality, safety, and genuine connection, Family Photography by Natarsha March is the perfect choice.