Data from WHO, CDC & AAP

First Bites

How every culture on Earth guides babies from milk to their first solid foods โ€” explored through an interactive globe and evidence-based nutrition science.

Drag to explore ยท Click a point to discover traditions Swipe to spin ยท Tap a point to explore

Evidence-Based Guidelines

What the science says

Global health authorities agree: around 6 months, breast milk alone is no longer enough. Here's the consensus from the three leading bodies.

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Start at 6 months

Complementary foods should be introduced at 6 months alongside continued breastfeeding. Before this, the infant gut is not mature enough and breast milk meets all nutritional needs.

WHO 2023 Guideline
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Nutrient-dense first foods

Prioritize meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, legumes, and iron-rich vegetables. Iron stores deplete by ~6 months, with requirements jumping from 0.27 mg/day to 11 mg/day โ€” a 40ร— increase.

AAP 2024 Recommendation
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Introduce allergens early

The LEAP study demonstrated 81% lower peanut allergy rates with early introduction. CDC and AAP now recommend introducing top allergens from around 6 months โ€” not delaying them.

CDC / AAP Joint Guidance
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Dietary diversity matters

WHO recommends foods from at least 5 of 8 food groups daily by 12 months: grains, legumes, dairy, flesh foods, eggs, vitamin-A rich fruits/veg, other fruits/veg, and nuts/seeds.

WHO 2023 Guideline
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One new food at a time

Introduce single-ingredient foods and wait 3โ€“5 days between new allergens to identify reactions. By 7โ€“8 months, babies can eat foods from all food groups.

CDC Infant Nutrition
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Key foods to avoid

No honey before 12 months (botulism risk). No cow's milk as a drink before 12 months. No juice before 12 months. Limit rice cereal due to arsenic. No added salt or sugar.

AAP / CDC Safety

The Journey

Month by month

A stage-by-stage guide to what and how to introduce, based on CDC and AAP developmental milestones.

4โ€“6 mo
First Tastes
  • Iron-fortified single-grain cereal (oat preferred over rice)
  • Pureed sweet potato, butternut squash, carrot
  • Mashed avocado, banana, pear
  • Pureed peas, zucchini
  • Thin peanut butter mixed into puree (LEAP study)
CDC โ€” Introducing Solid Foods; AAP Infant Feeding
6โ€“8 mo
Expanding Variety
  • Pureed meats: chicken, beef, lamb (best heme iron)
  • Scrambled egg, tofu, lentils
  • Plain full-fat yogurt, soft cheese
  • Cooked salmon, cod (DHA for brain development)
  • Introduce top allergens: egg, dairy, wheat, soy, sesame, tree nuts, fish
AAP โ€” Nutrient-Dense Complementary Foods; WHO Dietary Diversity
8โ€“10 mo
Textures & Finger Foods
  • Soft cubes: sweet potato, potato, beet
  • Shredded chicken, flaked fish, mini meatballs
  • Quartered blueberries, soft raspberries
  • Well-cooked pasta, soft bread strips
  • Mashed chickpeas, black beans
  • Quartered grapes (never whole โ€” choking hazard)
CDC โ€” Fingers, Spoons, Forks and Cups; AAP Developmental Milestones
10โ€“12 mo
Family Foods
  • 3 meals + 2 snacks daily
  • Most family foods cut to safe sizes
  • Soft raw fruits: ripe pear, banana, kiwi
  • Whole milk and honey OK after 12 months
  • Herbs and mild spices encouraged for palate diversity
CDC โ€” How Much and How Often to Feed; WHO Meal Frequency Guidance

Top 9 Allergens

Know the allergens

The FDA recognizes 9 major food allergens. Current AAP guidance recommends introducing these early โ€” around 6 months โ€” rather than delaying. Click any allergen to filter the food explorer below.

Food Explorer

Every first food, explored

A comprehensive database of foods commonly introduced to babies, with preparation guidance and nutrition data sourced from CDC, AAP, and WHO guidelines.

All Foods

Sources & References

Built on evidence

All food recommendations, timelines, and safety guidance in this app are sourced from the following authorities.

World Health Organization

Guideline for Complementary Feeding of Infants and Young Children 6โ€“23 Months of Age (2023)

who.int โ†’

Centers for Disease Control

Infant and Toddler Nutrition โ€” When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods (2024)

cdc.gov โ†’

American Academy of Pediatrics

Infant Food and Feeding Guidelines โ€” Healthy Active Living for Families (2024)

aap.org โ†’

LEAP Study (New England Journal of Medicine)

Randomized Trial of Peanut Consumption in Infants at Risk for Peanut Allergy โ€” demonstrated 81% reduction in peanut allergy.

nejm.org โ†’

CDC Early Childhood Nutrition Report

National Report on Early Childhood Nutrition (2025)

cdc.gov โ†’

Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Includes AAP recommendations on breastfeeding and complementary feeding (2025 edition)

publications.aap.org โ†’