If starting solids has you wondering “Is this purée too thin?” or “Should my baby be using a spoon yet?”—you’re not alone. Texture and spoon skills are two of the biggest everyday questions parents have in the first months of solids.

Quick takeaway (featured snippet-friendly):

A helpful approach is to start with soft, age-appropriate textures and gradually offer more variety (smooth → mashed/lumpy → finger foods) as your baby can manage them, while also letting your baby practice with a spoon (even if it’s messy!).  

Why texture matters (it’s not just “preference”)

The CDC highlights that introducing different tastes and textures supports skills like chewing and fine motor development (grabbing, pinching, bringing food to the mouth).  

In other words: texture is part of development, not just a feeding style choice.

A simple texture progression (what “moving up” can look like)

There isn’t one perfect schedule, but reputable guidance generally encourages moving beyond only smooth purées once baby is ready.

• The NHS suggests that once you start solids (around 6 months), try moving from puréed/blended foods to mashed, lumpy, or finger foods as soon as your baby can manage them to support chewing and swallowing skills.  
• Health Canada also emphasizes offering a variety of soft textures and finger foods from six months of age(mashed, puréed, lumpy, finely minced/ground, tender-cooked).  

A parent-friendly “texture check”

A quick rule many parents use: If you can easily squash it between your fingers, it’s usually soft enough for early practice (with supervision and safe shapes).

Purée thickness: how thick is “right”?

Early spoon foods should be thick enough to stay on the spoon, not runny like soup. Thick textures help babies practice moving food around the mouth (and keep meals less drippy).

Easy ways to thicken without stress:

• Mash with a fork instead of blending ultra-smooth
• Add a small amount of infant cereal or mashed beans/lentils
• Stir in thicker foods like yogurt (if appropriate for your baby)

(And yes—different babies have different preferences. Some love smooth textures at first; others do better with mashed or finger foods sooner. The NHS notes both patterns can be normal.)  

Spoon skills: when and how to start

Spoon skills are a learning process. You can support them early without expecting “neat eating.”

Try the “two-spoon” routine

A very practical technique is:

• You feed with one spoon
• Your baby holds another spoon to explore

This idea is commonly recommended in parenting guidance to build independence while keeping meals moving.  

Use a preloaded spoon (great for self-feeding practice)

You can load a spoon with thicker purée and place it into your baby’s hand so they can bring it to their mouth. This supports hand-to-mouth coordination and confidence.  

Keep it upright + responsive

WHO complementary feeding guidance emphasizes responsive feeding—help babies eat while paying attention to hunger/fullness cues (no pressure, no battles).  

This is especially useful with spoon practice: the goal is exploration and skill-building, not perfection.

What if my baby “hates lumps” or gags on texture?

A little gagging or pushing food out can happen while babies learn. If your baby consistently struggles with any texture beyond smooth foods for a prolonged period, it can be worth discussing with your pediatrician—sometimes a simple plan (tiny texture steps) helps.

Medical note: This article is educational and does not replace medical advice. If you’re worried about swallowing safety or growth, check in with your pediatrician.