The weaning phase marks a key milestone in a child’s growth. However, many parents still wonder when can babies eat solid food and how to begin the process. This article offers vital information, including the right age to start, signs that show when a baby is ready, and crucial tips for choosing safe foods, helping parents make informed and secure choices for their baby’s healthy development.

Introduction

When babies start eating solid foods, their bodies not only receive a richer source of nutrition but also help develop their digestive system. Solid foods like mashed vegetables, fruits, or cereals provide many essential nutrients, including:

Protein: Supports muscle development and cell tissue growth.
Vitamins and minerals: Strengthen the immune system, support metabolism, and promote brain development.
Fiber: Improves digestion and helps prevent constipation, a common issue when babies begin eating solids.

Introducing solid foods supports babies' growth and digestive development — Introducing solid foods supports babies’ growth and digestive development

Additionally, solid foods help babies develop essential chewing and swallowing skills, which are crucial for the development of their mouth muscles and jaw. Babies will also begin to experience different tastes, which not only fosters curiosity but also helps shape their food preferences for the rest of their lives.

Some of the most frequently asked questions from parents, along with expert advice to guide you through this exciting milestone in your baby’s development.

When can babies start eating solid food? Experts recommend starting solids at around 6 months of age, when the digestive system has developed enough and the baby can sit up steadily.
What foods should I start with for my baby? When starting, parents should introduce soft, easily digestible foods like cereal, pureed porridge, or mashed fruits. Start with one type of food to monitor the baby’s digestion and any signs of allergies. Once the baby is accustomed, you can mix different foods to diversify their meals.

Experts recommend starting solid foods at 6 months

Is it necessary to start feeding solid food right away? Not necessarily. Some babies may be ready for solids earlier, while others may need more time. The key is for parents to be patient and observe the baby’s cues, starting with small amounts and gradually increasing as the baby gets used to eating.
What foods should be avoided when starting solids? Avoid feeding babies honey (due to the risk of botulism), high-allergen foods such as peanuts, shellfish, and hard-to-digest foods like nuts or popcorn. Ensure the food is properly prepared and pureed for easier digestion.

When can babies eat solid food?

Starting solid foods is a significant milestone in a baby’s development, but many parents often wonder, “When can a baby eat solid food?” The timing of this transition can be unclear, and understanding the right moment to begin is essential for the baby’s growth and well-being.

Recommended Age
Most nutrition experts recommend starting solid foods when the baby is around 6 months old, as their digestive system has developed enough. This is an important milestone that helps the baby get used to new foods and provides essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, and protein for growth.

Why Wait Until 6 Months?
Doctors recommend waiting until 6 months to start solid foods because at this age, the baby’s digestive system is mature enough to handle foods other than milk. During the first few months, babies can only digest breast milk or formula, and starting solids too early can cause digestive difficulties, leading to bloating, diarrhea, or choking. By 6 months, the baby’s nutritional needs change, especially the need for iron and zinc, important minerals for brain development and the immune system.

Experts recommend starting solid foods at 6 months for optimal digestion and nutrition

Avoid Starting Too Early
Introducing solid foods before 4 months can pose serious health risks. The baby’s digestive system is not developed enough to handle foods outside of milk, which could lead to choking, difficulty digesting, and the risk of food poisoning. Additionally, the baby’s mouth and throat muscles are not strong enough for chewing, increasing the choking risk. Starting solids too early may also affect the development of healthy eating habits. Therefore, waiting until 6 months is the safest and most sensible option.

Consult Your Pediatrician
Although 6 months is the recommended age to start solids, each baby’s readiness may vary. Some babies may be ready earlier, while others may need more time. To ensure safety, parents should consult with a pediatrician before making a decision, to assess the baby’s health and development.

Each baby’s readiness for solids varies, so consult a pediatrician before starting

>>> You might also like: When Can Babies Start Eating Fish? A Complete Guide for Parents

Signs That Your Baby is Ready for Solids

To ensure that the weaning process is safe and effective, parents need to recognize the signs that indicate their baby is ready to begin solid foods.

Physical Signs

When a baby can hold their head and neck steady, it is one of the important signs that they have developed the muscle control necessary to accept solid foods. The ability to sit upright also indicates that the baby can digest food better and minimize the risk of choking. To ensure safety, parents should support the baby sitting in a high chair or with assistance when they start trying solids. Sitting upright helps the baby swallow food more easily without digestive issues.

Steady head control and sitting upright are key signs that a baby is ready for solids

Interest in Food

A clear sign that a baby is ready to eat solids is when they start showing interest in adult food. The baby may watch adults eat, open their mouth when seeing food, or even reach for the food. This is a sign that the baby understands that solid food can be part of their diet. Parents can try involving the baby in family meals, allowing them to gradually get accustomed to the smells and flavors of food.

Showing interest in adult food is a sign that a baby is ready for solids

Loss of Tongue-Thrust Reflex

Newborns have a tongue-thrust reflex, which helps them push food or foreign objects out of their mouths to protect their bodies. As the baby grows and the digestive system develops, this reflex decreases. When the baby no longer pushes food out with their tongue, it is a sign that they are ready to start solid foods. Parents can try offering a small amount of pureed food to check the baby’s adaptation.

Decreased tongue-thrust reflex signals that a baby is ready for solid foods

Weight Milestone

Another important sign is when the baby reaches a weight that is double their birth weight, indicating that their body has developed enough to digest and absorb nutrients from solid foods. While weight is not the only factor to consider, it is an important indicator that the baby is ready to try foods outside of milk. When the baby reaches this milestone, their digestive system is mature enough to accept solid foods safely and effectively.

Doubling birth weight is a key sign that a baby is ready for solid foods

What Foods Should I Introduce First?

To safely and effectively start introducing solid foods to your baby, parents need to understand the basic principles of choosing the first foods, how to feed the baby, and how to introduce new foods.

First Foods

When starting solids, cereals are an ideal choice to provide essential nutrients, especially iron, as the baby’s iron reserves from the mother are depleting. Infant cereals are often fortified with iron and can easily be mixed with breast milk or formula, making them easy for the baby to digest. You can offer cereal 1-2 times a day, but be sure to choose gluten-free options to avoid digestive issues.

Cereals are a great first solid food to provide essential nutrients like iron for your baby

Once your baby gets used to cereal, you can introduce mashed vegetables such as pumpkin, sweet potato, carrots, and fruits like apples, bananas, and pears. These foods provide vitamins, fiber, and support digestion and development. After the baby is accustomed to vegetables and fruits, you can add pureed meats like chicken, beef, or fish to their diet to provide protein, help muscle development, and strengthen the immune system.

Feeding Tips

Use a small spoon, mix solids with breast milk, formula, or water. Avoid putting solids in bottles.

Here are some helpful tips that make feeding easier for parents while helping babies develop eating skills naturally and safely.

Use a small spoon: When starting solids, use a small, soft spoon to help your baby get used to eating solid foods. A small spoon helps avoid injury and makes the baby feel comfortable. You can place a small amount of food on the spoon and gently bring it to the baby’s mouth to help them swallow easily and get accustomed to eating.
Mix solid food with breast milk, formula, or water: In the beginning, mix solid food with a little breast milk or formula to create a smoother consistency, making it easier for your baby to swallow. You can also use clean water instead of milk if you don’t want to add more milk. Making the food softer helps the baby get accustomed to new tastes more easily. Be sure to only mix with breast milk or formula, not cow’s milk or other types of milk that are not suitable for infants.

Mixing solids with breast milk or formula helps create a smoother consistency for easier swallowing

Avoid putting solid food in a bottle: Do not put solid food in a bottle, as bottles are only suitable for breast milk or formula. Solid food requires the baby to learn how to chew and swallow, which helps develop their mouth muscles. Using a spoon to feed also helps the baby develop chewing and swallowing skills and understand that eating is an important social activity.

Introducing New Foods

When starting solids, introduce one new food at a time to easily monitor the baby’s reaction, such as rashes, diarrhea, or vomiting. This helps you quickly identify which foods might cause allergies.

Although it’s not mandatory, many experts recommend waiting 3-5 days before introducing a new food. This method helps parents easily identify the baby’s reaction and address any allergic signs promptly.

Introduce one new food at a time to monitor your baby’s reaction and identify potential allergies

During this time, monitor the baby’s health closely, especially signs related to skin and digestion. If the baby shows any unusual signs, stop and consult a pediatrician for allergy testing. Avoid introducing multiple new foods at once to make it easier to detect and eliminate any potential allergens.

How to Introduce and Prepare Food Safely

During this stage, babies will begin to get acquainted with foods other than breast milk or formula, and parents need to pay attention to how food is prepared, hygiene practices, and how to encourage babies to adapt to different food textures.

Preparing Foods

When starting solids, it is crucial to prepare food properly to ensure that the baby receives the necessary nutrients safely and in a digestible form. Foods should be soft, easy to swallow, and suitable for the baby’s developmental stage. Choosing fresh ingredients and preparing them properly helps babies gradually adjust to solid foods without digestive difficulties.

Ensure food is soft and pureed: When introducing solids, the food needs to be soft, easy to swallow, and free from any hard bits to prevent choking and help digestion. Vegetables such as pumpkin, sweet potatoes, carrots, and fruits like bananas, apples, and pears should be pureed or mashed. If the food is too thick, you can add breast milk, formula, or water to thin it out. Softening the food helps babies swallow easily and adjust to eating solids.
Avoid adding salt or sugar: A baby’s digestive system cannot handle salt and sugar. Adding salt to food can put pressure on their kidneys, while adding sugar can create a preference for sweet tastes, leading to long-term health issues. To help the baby develop healthy eating habits, allow them to experience the natural flavors of food without adding salt or sugar.

Avoid adding salt or sugar to baby food to promote healthy eating habits and protect their health

Cook food thoroughly: Parents must cook food completely before offering it to babies, especially meat, fish, eggs, and seafood, to prevent bacterial contamination like E.coli or Salmonella. Thorough cooking ensures safety and helps babies digest and absorb nutrients from the food more easily.

Food Hygiene Tips

Since babies’ digestive systems are still developing, ensuring hygiene in every step of food preparation is essential to protect them from harmful bacteria and pathogens.

Wash hands before preparing and feeding: Hand hygiene is the most important step to ensure food safety for babies. Parents should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and clean water before preparing food and after changing the baby’s diaper to remove any bacteria or viruses that could harm the baby.
Clean cooking utensils and feeding items: Cooking tools such as knives, cutting boards, bowls, and spoons should be cleaned thoroughly before and after use. Specifically, use separate cutting boards for vegetables and meat to avoid cross-contamination. Feeding utensils should also be washed after every use to prevent bacteria.

Ensure cooking tools and feeding utensils are thoroughly cleaned to prevent bacteria and cross-contamination

Store food properly: Prepared food should be stored correctly, especially any leftovers. You can store food in the refrigerator, but it should only be kept for 24 hours to prevent nutrient loss and bacterial contamination. For longer storage, freeze or chill the food before placing it in the refrigerator.

Encouraging Texture Acceptance

Once babies are accustomed to soft foods, the next step is to gradually introduce foods with different textures. This stage helps develop chewing and swallowing skills while improving the baby’s ability to digest more solid foods. Slowly introducing chunkier foods will help babies adjust and enjoy more varied meals.

Gradually introduce chunkier foods: When babies are used to pureed food, you can start offering foods with a coarser texture, such as porridge with minced meat or finely chopped vegetables. This helps develop chewing skills but should be done slowly to avoid choking.
Observe the baby’s reaction: When trying chunkier foods, closely monitor the baby’s response. If the baby has difficulty chewing or swallowing, continue offering softer foods until they fully develop their chewing skills. Be patient and give them time to adapt.

Gradually introduce coarser textures to help babies develop chewing skills while preventing choking

Foods with more texture: Once babies are comfortable with coarser foods, you can try introducing even chunkier options, such as chopped fruits, steamed vegetables, or shredded meat. This helps develop mouth and tongue muscles while improving digestion.

Introducing Common Allergens

When babies begin their weaning journey, choosing the right foods is essential not only to ensure they receive the necessary nutrients but also to help parents avoid unwanted allergic reactions. Some foods can trigger allergies in children, and identifying these foods early can help prevent potential risks. Food allergies can range from mild to severe, so knowing which foods are more likely to cause allergic reactions and how to introduce them safely is crucial.

Common Allergenic Foods

Food allergies are immune responses to components in foods that the body considers “foreign” or “dangerous.” Common allergy-inducing foods include:

Eggs: Babies allergic to eggs may experience skin issues like rashes and itching, or digestive problems such as diarrhea or stomach pain.
Peanuts: Peanut allergies can cause severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening without immediate medical intervention.
Dairy: Children can develop an allergy to the protein found in cow’s milk, leading to reactions such as rashes, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Wheat: Wheat allergy, or celiac disease, is an allergy to gluten (the protein found in wheat, barley, and rye). Consuming wheat can trigger symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and skin issues.

Wheat allergy, or celiac disease, is triggered by gluten and causes symptoms like stomach pain and fatigue

Soy: While less common, soy allergies can still cause reactions in children, particularly to soy-based products like soy milk or tofu.
Fish: Fish allergies, especially to seafood such as mackerel, salmon, or tuna, can cause severe allergic reactions. Symptoms can include rashes, itching, difficulty breathing, or facial swelling.
Shellfish: Shellfish allergies, including to shrimp, crab, clams, oysters, and mussels, are very common and can cause severe allergic reactions, ranging from rashes to anaphylaxis. People allergic to shellfish should avoid all shellfish varieties.

Early Introduction

Although the foods listed above can cause allergies, recent research suggests that introducing certain allergenic foods like eggs and peanuts early in a baby’s diet can help reduce the risk of developing allergies later. Studies like LEAP (Learning Early About Peanut Allergy) have shown that introducing peanuts to babies between 4 to 6 months old can reduce the risk of peanut allergy by up to 70%.

Introducing allergenic foods early, like eggs and peanuts, can reduce the risk of allergies later

However, the introduction of allergy-inducing foods needs to be done properly. Parents should introduce one food at a time and monitor the baby’s reaction after consumption. This helps to detect early signs of allergies, allowing for prompt action if needed.

Family History of Allergies

If there is a family history of food allergies, particularly in parents or siblings, the baby may be at a higher risk of developing food allergies. Babies with a history of eczema or asthma also have a higher chance of developing food allergies.

In such cases, parents should consult with a pediatrician or an allergist before introducing high-risk foods, such as peanuts, eggs, or fish. The doctor will assess the baby’s condition and provide specific advice on how to safely introduce these foods. If a baby shows signs of an allergic reaction after eating a food, parents should stop feeding that food and consult the doctor immediately.

Foods and Drinks to Avoid in the First Year

In the first year of life, a baby’s digestive and immune systems are still developing, so choosing the right foods and drinks is crucial to ensure the baby’s health and proper development. Some foods and drinks can cause serious harm if consumed too early.

Unsafe Foods

Some foods can be dangerous for babies if consumed too early or not properly prepared.

Honey: Although honey has many health benefits, it is not suitable for babies under 12 months as it may contain Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which can cause botulism and severely affect the respiratory system. A baby’s digestive system is not developed enough to handle this bacteria, so babies under 12 months should never be given honey or honey-containing products.
Unpasteurized Products: Products like milk, fruit juice, or soft cheeses that are unpasteurized can contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which can cause infections in babies. Since a newborn’s immune system is not fully developed, they are more vulnerable to these bacteria. Therefore, parents should avoid giving babies unpasteurized products or those that may carry a risk of bacterial contamination.
Cow’s Milk: Cow’s milk is unsuitable for babies under 12 months because it can cause digestive issues and iron deficiency, impacting the baby’s development. Cow’s milk lacks essential nutrients and can lead to anemia. Since the baby’s digestive system is not mature enough, parents should continue giving breast milk or formula until the baby is at least 12 months old.

Cow's milk is unsuitable for babies under 12 months due to digestive issues and nutrient deficiencies — Cow’s milk is unsuitable for babies under 12 months due to digestive issues and nutrient deficiencies

Sugary Foods/Sweeteners: Infants should not consume foods with added sugars or artificial sweeteners, as this can affect their taste development and create unhealthy eating habits. Early sugar consumption can increase the risk of diabetes, obesity, and long-term health issues. Parents should avoid giving babies foods with added sugars or artificial sweeteners during the first year.
Salty Foods: A baby’s digestive system is not developed enough to process high amounts of salt. Eating foods with too much salt can put pressure on the kidneys and increase the risk of kidney disease later in life. Excessive salt consumption can also impact the development of the baby’s body. Therefore, parents should avoid giving babies salty foods like soups or processed foods with added salt.

>>> You might also like: Is Seaweed Safe for Babies? What Parents Need to Know

Choking Hazards

Babies, especially those who are learning to eat solids, are at risk of choking if not carefully supervised during mealtime.

Whole Grapes: Whole grapes are small and slippery, making them a choking hazard if the baby swallows them without chewing. Parents should cut grapes into small pieces before feeding them to the baby or replace them with other softer fruits.
Sausages: Sausages are round and firm, making them a choking hazard if the baby swallows them without chewing. Parents should cut sausages into small pieces or replace them with softer, easier-to-swallow foods.
Popcorn: Popcorn can easily cause choking because it is small and hard. Babies may not chew popcorn well, leading to choking. Therefore, popcorn is not a safe food for babies under 5 years old.

Popcorn can cause choking as babies may not chew it properly

Nuts: Nuts like cashews, walnuts, and almonds can cause choking if the baby does not chew them properly. To reduce the risk, parents should chop nuts into small pieces or replace them with softer foods like pureed fruits.
Raw Vegetables: Raw vegetables like carrots and cucumbers can pose a choking risk if not properly prepared. Be sure to cut vegetables into small pieces or cook them to soften them, making it easier for the baby to eat.

Juices and Water

When starting solids, it’s important to provide adequate hydration for the baby, but not all drinks are suitable for infants. Fruit juices and water are common beverages, but giving them to babies too early can negatively affect their health.

Fruit Juices: Fruit juices can cause diarrhea and reduce the baby’s appetite if consumed too early. The sugar in fruit juices can also harm the baby’s oral health. Therefore, babies under 12 months should not drink fruit juices and should instead consume breast milk or formula.

Fruit juices can cause diarrhea and affect appetite, so avoid giving them to babies under 12 months

Water: When starting solids, only offer small amounts of water to the baby to avoid diluting breast milk or formula. Milk remains the baby’s primary source of nutrition, and consuming too much water can reduce the amount of milk the baby drinks, leading to nutritional deficiencies.

What to Expect After Starting Solids

The weaning process is an important milestone when a baby transitions from a milk-based diet to solids, affecting nutrition, eating habits, and overall development. During this stage, parents will witness changes in digestion and the baby’s adaptation to new foods.

Changes in Digestion

When a baby starts eating solid foods, their digestive system will have to work harder to process new foods. As a result, parents may notice changes in the baby’s stool, including color, texture, and frequency. These changes are normal and can vary depending on the type of food the baby consumes.

Stool Color: Foods like vegetables, fruits, and cereals will cause the baby’s stool to change color. For example, after eating pumpkin or sweet potatoes, the stool may be orange or yellow. If the baby eats leafy greens, the stool may turn dark green. These changes are completely normal and nothing to worry about.
Stool Texture: In the early stages of weaning, the baby’s stool will become firmer than when they were only drinking breast milk or formula. This is because the digestive system is now processing solid foods, and the food is not fully digested as before. However, if the stool becomes too hard or the baby experiences constipation, parents should adjust the diet or consult a doctor.

During weaning, firmer stool is normal, but constipation may require diet adjustments or medical advice

Stool Frequency: In the first days of weaning, the baby’s bowel movements may decrease in frequency. This is because the digestive system is not yet accustomed to solid foods. However, once the system adapts, the frequency will return to normal.

Trial and Error

When introducing new foods, babies may not immediately like them and might even refuse certain foods. This is completely normal and not a cause for concern. Babies often reject new foods because they are not used to the taste, texture, or appearance. This is part of the learning process and developing the baby’s taste preferences.

Refusal of Foods: If the baby refuses a new food, parents should not force them to eat it but rather be patient and try again later. Studies show that a child may need to try a food 8-10 times before accepting it. Therefore, reintroducing the food slowly and without pressure is the best approach.

Be patient and reintroduce new foods slowly if the baby refuses, as they may need to try it multiple times

Reintroducing Foods: When the baby refuses a food, try offering it at another time or change the way it’s prepared to make it easier to eat. You can make the food smoother or combine it with foods the baby is already familiar with and likes. Patience and encouragement are essential in establishing healthy eating habits.

Creating Healthy Habits

The weaning stage is not only about introducing new foods but also an opportunity to establish healthy eating habits early on.

Encouraging Family Meals: Family meals are an important time to bond and teach the baby about eating habits. Babies learn from observing adults, so parents should set an example and maintain healthy family meals.
Creating a Comfortable Eating Space: Avoid distractions like TV or phones when feeding the baby. A quiet eating space helps the baby focus and recognize hunger and fullness cues, promoting natural eating habits.

Avoid distractions during feeding to help the baby focus on hunger and fullness cues

Encouraging Slow Eating: Parents should encourage the baby to eat slowly and chew thoroughly to avoid choking and digestive issues. Eating slowly not only helps the baby enjoy the meal but also aids in better digestion.

AKFood Nutrition – Convenient and Nutritious Choice for Babies

AKFood offers a wide range of ready-made nutritious food options for children, such as porridge with fish and vegetables, ensuring a balanced intake of protein, vitamins, and minerals for your baby’s development.

AKFood offers ready-made nutritious food products, such as fish and vegetable porridge, aimed at providing a complete source of protein, vitamins, and minerals for children’s development in a quick and convenient manner.

Safe and Natural Ingredients

AKFood is committed to using 100% natural ingredients without harmful additives. The use of fresh ingredients ensures the highest safety for children while retaining the full nutritional value. AKFood products are made from high-quality, fresh ingredients, including fresh fish, vegetables, and grains, meeting the highest standards. The quality control process at AKFood is very strict, ensuring compliance with international food safety standards.

AKFood uses 100% natural ingredients and strict quality control to ensure safety and nutrition

Delicious Flavors for Your Baby’s Tastebuds

From fish porridge to vegetable-based options, AKFood’s baby food products are crafted to appeal to your baby’s changing taste preferences while providing essential nutrients.

AKFood offers nutritious, flavorful meals like fish and vegetable porridge to support your baby's development — AKFood offers nutritious, flavorful meals like fish and vegetable porridge to support your baby’s development

A child’s taste preferences change over time, and getting used to new foods is not always easy. AKFood understands this and has developed nutritious products with appealing flavors that are easy for babies to enjoy. AKFood meals, like fish and vegetable porridge, are not only delicious but also provide all the essential nutrients for children’s development. Fish and vegetable porridge is easy to digest and contains the necessary vitamins, minerals, and proteins during the weaning stage.

View more at: AK FOOD’s Porridge Products

>>> You might also like: Vietnamese Chicken Porridge: A Nutritious and Delicious Meal for Your Baby

Conclusion

The weaning phase marks an important transition from a milk-based diet to solid foods. When can babies eat solid food? Typically, this occurs around six months of age, but every baby adapts at their own pace. It’s normal for babies to refuse new foods or experience some digestive discomfort as they adjust. Parents should remain patient, gently encourage their baby to try new foods, and create a positive, stress-free eating environment. By offering love and support, parents can help their baby successfully navigate this stage and develop healthy eating habits.

The weaning phase is a key transition to solid foods, and patience is essential as babies adjust

During weaning, babies may face issues such as food allergies or digestive discomfort. Therefore, maintaining communication with a pediatrician is essential to monitor the child’s development, especially for signs of allergies or other health issues. The doctor will provide information and advice on suitable foods, how to manage allergic reactions, and any health concerns to ensure parents’ peace of mind and the baby’s healthy growth.

Weaning is not just about introducing new foods, but also about helping to establish lifelong healthy eating habits. Providing a balanced and nutritious diet helps children develop physically and mentally while laying a solid foundation for good eating habits. Adding protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber during this stage supports the immune system, digestive health, and overall growth.

With the mission to provide safe and convenient nutrition, AKFood offers ready-made products that help parents easily provide the necessary nutrients for their babies without wasting time. AKFood’s products ensure quality, safety, and are designed to match the baby’s taste and nutritional needs. Fish and vegetable porridge, meat porridge, and other nutritious meals will make your baby’s meals enjoyable and nutrient-rich. AKFood not only saves time but also ensures healthy food for the child’s long-term development. Let AKFood accompany you in helping your baby have nutritious meals and build a healthy nutritional foundation from an early age.

Blog

When Can Babies Eat Solid Food? A Complete Guide for Parents