While most of us were probably fed straight from the baby food jar with very little fuss or effort, modern infants have an impressive number of options for their first solid nosh. There are innovative and beautiful packages, including many low-waste options. There are pouches oh, so many pouches. And there are even direct-to-consumer delivery subscription services like Yumi , Tiny Organics and Little Spoon that deliver organic meals, snacks and vitamins right to babys doorstep.

Its a big market thats only going to grow, trend analysts report. According to a recent study from Allied Market Research, the global baby food market size was valued at $67.3 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $96.3 billion by 2027.

If you have a baby nearing 6 months of age, youve probably already been considering their first foray into solid food. We talked to nutrition and medical experts to find out how you can navigate all the claims and promises of this new wave of products.

#1: Introduce solids by the 6-month mark

No matter how you introduce solid food, you need to get started by age 6 months. From a nutritional standpoint, all of babies needs can be met in the first six months with breastmilk and/or formula, said registered dietitian nutritionist Kacie Barnes, owner and creator of Mama Knows Nutrition . But around 6 months, the need to support their rapid growth and development means babies need more calories and nutrients than they can get from breastmilk alone.

Starting on solid foods comes with all-over brain and body benefits. In addition to providing much-needed nutrients, it helps babies hone their tactile motor skills, and it even supports the lining of the gut to absorb the nutrition they need to grow, said Molly Beitman , clinical dietitian at Nemours Childrens Hospital . But wait, theres more. Pediatrician and pediatric emergency medical doctor Dina Kulik said that introducing food at this age can decrease the risk of food allergies.

#2: Theres no need to parent-shame over packaged foods

Baby food doesnt have to be complicated or expensive to make or serve. Its easy to puree whatever youre cooking that day for baby to try. But some parents prefer packaged foods, at least some of the time, and like everything else with parenting, that is 100% their business.

Packaged baby foods are a convenient, affordable and safe way to introduce a variety of nutrients to a growing infant, Beitman said. Theyre made in standard, food-safe environments, tend to be shelf-stable for long periods of time, and theyre accessible with food assistance programs like WIC or EBT.

Its an option that works really well for many families, especially those who need other caregivers to feed their baby, or when you need to eat away from home, Barnes said. Theres a lot of mom-shaming around packaged options, but if its the tool that makes it possible for you to feed your baby, there doesnt need to be any shame or guilt attached. Babies can still get great nutrition even if they dont eat exclusively homemade baby food.

#3: Dont squeeze food pouches directly into babys mouth

Finding a brand that works for baby and you requires consideration around preferences for ingredients, preparation and packaging. While pouches are ubiquitous in the kids food sector, experts warn against just handing over a pouch to a baby.