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My baby sticks his tongue out a lot after starting solids - is that normal?

Sticking the tongue out during early solids is usually the tongue-thrust reflex, a normal protective reflex that pushes food out to prevent choking. It typically fades around 4-6 months but can reappear on and off as babies get used to spoons and new textures. As long as your baby is otherwise feeding and swallowing some food, it's generally nothing to worry about.

💡Quick Answer

•Usually the normal tongue-thrust reflex that protects against choking
•Typically fades around 4-6 months but can come and go with new textures
•Very common as babies learn to manage a spoon and move food back
•Not a concern if baby is otherwise swallowing some food and content
•Keep offering calmly without forcing - practice resolves it

⚠️ Caution:If your baby consistently rejects all food for weeks, isn't gaining weight, gags excessively, or seems to have trouble swallowing, check with your paediatrician to rule out other feeding issues.

🤔What Parents Worry About

Parents worry that a baby sticking out the tongue means they're rejecting solids or aren't ready. In reality it's usually a normal developmental reflex that resurfaces as textures change, and most babies grow out of it with gentle, repeated exposure to eating.

Community Answers from Moms(3)

Here's what moms in our community shared based on their own experience.

1
Yes, this happened with mine. Early on he'd push everything out with his tongue - that's the tongue-thrust reflex. It faded, then came back for a bit when we changed textures. It settled again as he got more practice with the spoon.
2
It's really common. Some days they push food out, some days they take it fine. Keep offering calmly without forcing - they're still learning to move food to the back and swallow. It sorts itself out with time.
3
If the baby is still swallowing at least some food, gaining weight, and happy, tongue-poking is just part of learning to eat. If every single feed for weeks is pure pushing-out with nothing going in, then mention it to your paediatrician.

About These Answers

The information shared on this page comes from real experiences of mothers in our community. While we strive to provide helpful insights, this content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your pediatrician, healthcare provider, or other qualified medical professional for any questions regarding your child's health or development.

Last reviewed: August 5, 2026

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