Photo credit: life is fantastic

Ideally, babies should be breastfed exclusively for about the first 6 months of life. Breast milk provides all the calories and nutrients your baby needs. Formula does as well if breastfeeding is not possible.

Around 6 months, start introducing solids. Some babies may be ready for solid foods a bit sooner (4-6 months) and others a bit later (6-8 months). As with all milestones (sitting, eating solids, crawling, etc.), remember that everyone is on their own timeline. Go by your baby’s queues, not the clock.

If breastfeeding, continue for at least the first year of life and beyond if possible and appropriate for you and your baby. If on formula, your baby can continue it until about 12 months of age.

Introducing solids too early or too late can make a difference. Introducing solids before 4 months of age can increase the risk of choking and cause your baby to drink less breast milk than needed.

Late introduction of solid foods after 7 months may increase the risk of food allergies.

Six months is the starting window because human milk provides all the nutrients babies need for about the first 6 months of life.

At about 6 months of age, the iron stored in your baby's liver during pregnancy is used up, and iron-rich foods such as animal proteins need to be added to the diet. It is around this age that most babies show signs they are ready for solid foods.

When your baby has eczema, it can be confusing, and often terrifying, to introduce solid foods.

It doesn't need to be. Introduce solid foods with 3 goals in mind:

Adequate nutrition for growth and development
Introduce allergenic foods as long as your baby doesn't have an identified IgE allergy to them. Keeping them out can increase the risk of developing allergies to them, and the risk is greater when there are rashes because sensitization can happen through a broken skin barrier.
Teach your baby to eat different flavors and textures. Encourage your picky eater to try new foods, and let your baby play with the food!

The first foods you pick are important:

Iron and zinc can be limited in breastfed babies. Think meat, poultry, and fish. Beans, whole grains, mashed or pureed sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, bananas, peaches, avocados, pears, apples, and green vegetables have smaller amounts of iron (and zinc). Your child can’t have healthy skin if they are low in iron and zinc. These two nutrients are critical for healthy skin.
Include sources of healthy fats like avocado, nut butters, grass-fed butter, ghee, and healthy oils like olive, avocado, and coconut. Fatty fish like salmon, halibut, and mackerel are loaded with healthy fats and are good sources of omega 3s DHA and EPA. Healthy fats are important for skin, gut, and brain health.
Include a rainbow assortment of vegetables and fruits so that your baby learns to enjoy different tastes and textures. Vegetables and fruits are rich in antioxidant nutrients, which are important for combating the oxidative stress that leads to inflammation, a trigger for rashes like eczema.

More tips for solid introductions:

If there are identified IgE allergies, talk to your healthcare provider first for guidance.
First meals may be small, with about 5 – 6 baby spoons of food.
First meals may last about 10 minutes and should be based on your baby’s interest.
It can take multiple tries of a food before your baby takes to it. It can take 10, 20, 30, or more tries of the same food. Don't give up! Persistence and patience will go a long way.
Make mealtime enjoyable. Limit distractions, stay off the phone, turn off the TV, serve age-appropriate portions, and eat with your child.