Setting up a suitable feeding environment
Use a feeding chair. A high chair is ideal, but in a pinch, you can use a car seat. Have the baby sit in your lap only in desperation, because this position is awkward and will leave you messy. Be careful that the seat is set up safely and the baby secured properly.
Spread out a drop cloth to catch spills. Commercial messy-mats are available, but a shower curtain, a painter's drop-cloth, a garbage bag, or chair mat will also work. Or, simply be prepared to sweep and mop the floor after.
Get a bowl or two. You will usually need one bowl for cereal, and one for a "side dish". Generally, choose unbreakable bowls, because babies tend to grab and drop everything. Be sure any dish used is clean and safe. You may wish to be careful about choosing containers made from #7 plastic due to concerns about its bisphenol A (BPA) content, which is thought to be able to leach into food and drink and may be a form of endocrine disrupter. Wide scale concern was expressed as to this type of plastic container in the late 2000s, although the research done thus far has not convinced major government food safety authorities as to its lack of safety. Since babies' immune systems are developing, many people prefer to err on the side of precaution and many products now voluntarily state that they are BPA-free. Or, you can prefer glass over plastic or simply avoid heating anything edible or drinkable in a plastic container.
Use a baby spoon. Regular tablespoons or dessert spoons can be hard on little baby gums. Baby spoons have a protective covering. Some are color-changing to indicate unsafe temperature. Either way, this should also be very clean.
Have towels handy. Whether you use paper or cloth, have some on hand. Babies get messy.
Use a cup. Babies on solid food need some liquid. Find out if the baby prefers using a sipper cup or a plastic cup (or you can simply make this choice for the baby). Use clean, filtered water, or juice diluted by half. Do not get the baby too used to juice; keep it to a minimum, as it is sugar-filled and can harm growing teeth.
Choosing the first solids
Wash your hands. Wash your hands before preparing or serving food.
Pick a finger food. If you have an older baby, choose an approved "finger food" like rice crackers, meat sticks, and the like. This can also be an "appetizer" as you are preparing other food.
Pick a cereal. Even experienced babies should have cereal at least for one meal––it's one of the most nutritious solid baby foods available. The cereal should be the central "entrée" (main part of the meal). Experienced babies will usually eat a variety of grains: oatmeal, barley, or rice. Prepare as per directions. You can add a little bit of baby food for flavor, or pureed fruit or vegetable. For a first-time feeding, rice cereal, mixed with formula or breast milk, is the typically recommended food. For the novice, be sure it is very liquid for easy swallowing. Always check the temperature of any warmed-up food before feeding the baby.
Choose baby food. Experienced babies usually will have some sort of prepared baby food. On commercial baby foods, the jar often will indicate the appropriate age level. Puree vegetables or fruit that have been cooked without salt or sugar. If you choose to heat the food, be sure it is a safe temperature.
Avoid using contaminated or expired food. Check lids for an airtight seal on unopened containers. Check the expiration date for commercial foods. Rinse the container if possible. If feeding food from a jar or container, only do so if the food will not be saved. If not, pour a serving into a bowl, cover, and refrigerate the leftovers. Otherwise, the baby's saliva and dirty spoon can introduce bacteria and viruses into reused food. Use all food within 48 hours.
Feeding baby
Put a bib on the baby. The bigger, the better. For feeding, you may want to have something waterproof to prevent liquids from soaking the clothes under the bib.
Start feeding. An experienced hungry baby will usually open his or her mouth to indicate where to put the spoon. Take a spoonful of food, and feed the baby. Wait until the baby has swallowed before offering more food. A baby just starting on solids will eat only about a tablespoon, so don't expect more than a few bites.
Offer liquids. Every 5-10 bites, offer the cup. Bring the cup gently to lips if necessary, and give a sip or two. This is often very messy.
Watch for grabbing hands. Curious babies will tend to grab at everything in arm's reach, including the food bowl, spoon, cup, and even you. A baby will also delight in watching things drop (hence why you need either unbreakable utensils or a very soft landing).
Let baby help. Older babies can often feed themselves. Less experienced babies may hold onto the spoon or cup while you feed them. Encourage them to "help" even if it's messy as long as it is not becoming difficult to feed.
Know when enough is enough. If the baby is turning the head away, whimpering, crying, pushing away the spoon, or throwing food, he or she is probably done. Either remove the baby from the feeding area, or offer a toy or other distraction (like a clean spoon, or plastic cup or bowl) as you finish the clean-up.
Record the feeding, if desired. Many parents will record what was eaten, when, and how much. A log book, calendar, or the like is useful. This is helpful for keeping an eye on possible food allergens, keeping multiple babies organized, and monitoring special dietary needs. However, it can also be just one extra task in an already very busy day of caring for your baby, so it's no biggie if you don't want to or can't find the time for it; not every person enjoys maintaining such minutiae and others simply have good memories and rely on that instead.
Clean up. Clean baby with the towels, especially face and hands. Use warm, not hot, water. Prepare dishware and containers for washing. Clean the high chair area with mild detergent and water. Prepare cloth towels, bib, and any soiled clothing for the laundry.
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