How do you know baby is "ready" for food?

[Icehockey18]

My ds is 7 mo (well, not really until tomorrow, but who is counting ) and he has not showed any interest toward food, that I am aware of. About 2 weeks ago I thought he was interested in what I was eating (baked ziti) but I knew he could not have that, so I got him a banana. I tried to give it to him and he kept turning away from it. Then when I began eating again he looked interested in my food, again. So I tried banana again (mashed on a spoon, my finger, on his tray, and whole) and he refused it. Then I tried avocado ( a few days later), all the different ways as well, and he wanted NOTHING to do with it.
Anyway, my question is: do I give up or try more things? I also am not sure how to 'know' when he is ready. My friend said (her dd2 is 2 months older) that her dd began screaming and grabbing at food all the time.
He could care less that I am eating. I think that one time he was reaching he was more interested in my shiny fork. I want to follow his lead, but I also do not want to miss his cues.
So, should I try more, or give up for now? and how did you know your babe was ready?
Thanks!

ETA: He is doing just fine without food... he is in the 90th percentile for both height and weight, meeting milestones, and has plenty of dirty and wet diapers....

[ann_of_loxley]

I think often times, when babies show an 'interest' in what you are eating - they are just being the social creatures they are. They are probably interested in just doing what you are doing - not necissarily after eating the food you are eating. (thats when they are toddlers and you cant seem to sit down to enjoy a single dish to yourself, you have to 'share' it with your child lmao) ...

When babies are ready they can:

Sit up unassisted. (any baby can sit up assisted - even my son as a newborn could).
Grab food.
Put food in mouth.

This tends to happen around 6-9 months of age.
Of course, they arn't really 'eating' it then. They are just feeling and tasting and rolling things around in their mouths and sorting out how to work their mouths in the first place.

You can't really miss his cues. If he is sitting up and grabbing for your food and putting it in his mouth, then hes ready! lol This is why baby led solids/weaning is such a fab way to go about introducing solids to your little one. It takes their lead and they can only manage so when they are truely ready (physically inside and out) for solids.

I think its perfectly fine if your baby isnt interested. They don't need the nutrition from food for quite awhile yet anyhow. If he is happy on just your yummy milk - thats fine!

[tessie]

When they stick their fingers in your ice cream and cry because you won't share.

Or the more traditional signs as posted by the pp.

It doesn't sound like he's interested just yet but you could sit him at the table with you and offer food for him to play with/taste if he wishes. He'll get the hang of it - there aren't many adults subsisting solely on bm.

[Umpqua]

Originally Posted by tessie

When they stick their fingers in your ice cream and cry because you won't share.

Yep! My boys were trying to rip food out of my hands so there was no doubt they were ready. Enjoy your time now without solids, it's a messy business