When to give a baby baby food and solids?

6 months: Years ago, breastfeading was frowned on & many made "formula" from boiled cow milk&karo. Since cow milk is designed for calves, infants were fed early & often to make up for deficiences in cow milk. Now that breast is back, or formulas mimic breast, solids are optional. The sitting child is more capable of participating & few sit before 6m. Babies can wait past a year and thrive.

No rush: When a baby has enough upper body strength to lean forward when hungry and turn away when full, there is much less chance of overfeeding. Generally, that's around 4 months, when the infant weighs 14-16 pounds and is taking 32 ounces of formula/day or nursing 8-10 times a day. Some people wait till 6 months and start with blended table food. Single ingredient baby foods are fine for convenience.